Lehmann Lab

Research and Teaching Program

In the Lehmann Lab, we work on soil biogeochemistry, nutrient and carbon cycling in managed and natural ecosystems. Our investigations span a broad range of ecosystems and include nano-scale observations of soil micro-aggregates and pyrogenic carbon particles to the global carbon cycle. Much of our work focuses on improving our basic understanding of forms and dynamics of organic matter in soil and how we can use that knowledge for sustainable soil management. Biochar research includes basic insights into its behavior in soil, effects on plant growth, microbial composition and dynamics, as well as life-cycle assessment of greenhouse gas emissions or water quality and economics. We run a test kiln in the Cornell Pyrolysis program, conducting research on many aspects of pyrolysis systems from bioenergy to new biomaterials, agronomy and soil science, environmental remediation, economics and social sciences.