Assistant Professor
Dr. Beidler is a below-ground ecologist who explores the connections between plants, microorganisms and biogeochemical cycles in the context of environmental change. Her research integrates microbial community properties (diversity, composition, function) with ecosystem-level processes (decomposition) to predict how soil carbon and nutrients will cycle under future scenarios.
Her work examines the influence of mycorrhizal fungi and roots on soil organic carbon dynamics, the factors that control the formation of persistent soil carbon from microbial necromass, and how changes in nutrient and moisture availability affect the composition and function of microbial communities. To address these questions, Dr. Beidler employs a range of methods, including molecular techniques, isotopic tracing and trait-based approaches.
Education
- Ph.D., Indiana University
- B.S., M.S., College of Charleston
Teaching Interests
- Principles of Microbiology, Botany and Ecology
- General Ecology
Research Interests
- Microbial Ecology
- Mycology
- Plant-Microbe Interactions
- Biogeochemistry
- Ecosystem Ecology
Field Experience
- Forest Ecology & Biogeochemical Cycling: Dr. Beidler's research has included fine root dynamics and nutrient cycling in forest ecosystems. This work was conducted at the Duke Long Term Free-Air-CO2-Enrichment (FACE) Site and in a managed loblolly pine plantation.
- Decomposition & Microbial Dynamics: Dr. Beidler's postdoctoral research focused on the decomposition of microbial necromass and its role in ecosystem nutrient cycling at the University of Minnesota. This work also took place at Hopland Research and Extension Center in California and Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve.
Selected Publications
- Beidler, K.V., Huenupi, E., DeLancey, L.C., Maillard, F., Zhang, B., Persson, P., Kennedy, P.G. and Phillips, R (2025). Minerals, Microbes and Melanin Drive Differential Incorporation of Fungal Necromass Carbon and Nitrogen into Mineral-Associated Organic Matter. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 109843. doi: 10.1016/j.soilbio.2025.109843.
- Beidler, K.V., Powers, J.S., Dupuy-Rada, J.M., Hulshof, C., Medvigy,D., Pizano, C., Salgado-Negret, B., Van Bloem, S.J., Vargas, G., Waring, B.G., Kennedy, P.G. (2023). Seasonality regulates the structure and biogeochemical impact of ectomycorrhizal fungal communities across environmentally divergent neotropical dry forests. Journal of Ecology, 111(8)” 1598-1613. doi: 10.1111/1365-2745.14112
- Beidler, K. V., Young, O.E., Pritchard, S.G., and Phillips, R.P. (2021). Mycorrhizal roots slow the decay of belowground litters in a temperate hardwood forest. Oecologia, 197(3): 743-755. doi: 10.1007/s00442-021-05051-1
- Beidler, K. V., Phillips, R.P., Andrews E., Maillard, F., Mushinski, R.M., and Kennedy, P.G. (2020). Substrate quality drives fungal necromass decay and decomposer community structure under contrasting vegetation types. Journal of Ecology, 108(5): 1845-1859. doi: 10.1111/1365-2745.13385
- Beidler, K.V., Taylor, B. N., Strand, A. E., Cooper, E. R., Schönholz, M. and Pritchard, S. G. (2015), Changes in root architecture under elevated concentrations of CO2 and nitrogen reflect alternate soil exploration strategies. New Phytologist, 205 (3): 1153–1163. doi: 10.1111/nph.13123
Professional Associations
- Ecological Society of America
- Mycological Society of America
- American Geophysical Union