Department of Environmental Sciences

Faculty: Michael Weintraub

Michael Weintraub

Professor of Soil Ecology
M.A., Ph.D., University of California at Santa Barbara 2004
B.A., Bard College


Research and Teaching Interests

  • Soil ecology
  • Ecosystem ecology
  • Plant-soil interactions
  • Biogeochemistry
  • Arctic ecology

419.530.2585 | michael.weintraub@utoledo.edu

ResearchCoursesView Dr. Weintraub's Publications
Download Vitae (PDF)


Research WeintraubResearch

Global climate change, nutrient deposition, changes in plant community composition, increases in atmospheric CO2 concentrations, and other disturbances all alter important ecosystem properties, such as nutrient availability and decomposition rates. However, in many cases we don’t understand the mechanisms underlying important ecosystem processes well enough to predict the effects of disturbances. Because soil microorganisms control these processes, we need a better understanding of their role to predict how ecosystems will respond to changes.

In an effort to improve our understanding of how ecosystems function and predict their responses to disturbances, my goal is to gain insight into the controls on soil nutrient dynamics and SOM decomposition by linking the ecology of soil microorganisms to ecosystem processes.

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View Dr. Weintraub's Google Scholar page.

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Courses

  • EEES 2200 CLIMATE CHANGE [3 hours]
    An overview of the understanding of climate change and role of human activities, including atmospheric processes, greenhouse effect, carbon cycling, physical evidence, impacts, and proposed global actions in response. Cross-listed as GEPL 2200. [Spring] (Offered in a Distance Learning format)

  • EEES 4250/5250 SOIL ECOLOGY [3 hours]
    Underlying concepts and theory of modern soil ecology will be reviewed including spatial and temporal distributions, sampling methods, biogeochemical cycles and ecological functions of soil. [Fall, alternate odd years] Prerequisite: EEES 3050 or EEES 4240.

  • EEES 4260/5260 SOIL ECOLOGY Lab [1 hour]
    Ecological significance of soil biotic and abiotic properties that mediate plant productivity, community composition, and ecosystem function. Specific goals are to examine the (1) relationships among the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soils and their influence on soil fertility; (2) linkages between soil microorganisms and their environment; and (3) impacts of human activities on soil function. [Fall, alternate odd years]

  • EEES 6810/8810 WRITING FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES [3 hours]
    This course will familiarize students with technical and persuasive aspects of scientific text preparation. Writing exercises will focus on basic manuscript formatting for journal submission and grant proposals. [Taught in Spring semesters of odd-numbered years by Drs. Mayer and Weintraub] Prerequisite: none.

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Last Updated: 6/6/23