Melanie Jones

Melanie Jones is a Professor in the Biology Department at the Okanagan campus of the University of British Columbia. She has studied ectomycorrhizal plants and fungi for several decades, with a focus on in-situ research. She and her students have investigated the effects of silvicultural practices, such as clearcut or retention harvesting, herbicide application and mixed plantings, on the subsequent development of ectomycorrhizal fungal communities. At a more physiological level, her group has studied how enzyme activities on the surfaces of ectomycorrhizal roots vary with site conditions and fungal species. They have used stable and radio-isotopes to trace carbon movement within and between ectomycorrhizal plants, and uptake of N in the field. She is Past-President of the International Mycorrhiza Society, and has served as Associate Editor or Editorial Board member for Plant and Soil, Botany, and Mycorrhiza. At the 2022 meeting, she will be sharing lessons learned from a career in ectomycorrhiza research.