The Morton Arboretum

Nicholas Medina researches the ecology of underground habitats, focusing on how soils maintain vast biodiversity and key ecosystems functions. His analytical approach uses interdisciplinary systems theory as a lens to highlight nuanced relationships and unexpected factors shaping soil functions. His recent work uncovers unique patterns of how fungal communities in symbiosis with roots change over time, which helps inform how trees grow and survive, use resources, and store carbon, such as in restoration or agroforestry. Nicholas’ passion and work in science is influenced by his first-generation background, and emerged while studying conservation in the Caribbean. It was also informed by living in cities during his upbringing and further supported by cohort initiatives diversifying STEM.

https://mortonarb.org/science/staff/nicholas-medina/

Project Summary

Roots of Equity: Uncovering Soil Biodiversity to Support Urban Tree Health in Chicago

Soil contains over half of Earth’s biodiversity and is vital for ecosystem services and conservation. However, soil biodiversity is threatened by urbanization, which worsens extreme climate, flooding, and human health from pollution and pathogens. Many cities now have sustainability initiatives to increase urban tree canopy cover. Recent tree maps show clear ‘tree inequity’ that threatens tree health and survival and results from development legacies of socioeconomic policies. This project aims to address how urban heterogeneity shapes soil biodiversity in Chicago by gathering data under park and street trees across areas varying in development legacies and conducting field trials of native local soil inoculations alongside tree plantings.