MICROSCOPIC MARVELS
Nematodes are among the most abundant and diverse multicellular animals on the planet, inhabiting terrestrial soils and aquatic sediments across a remarkable range of environments. Although nematodes play significant roles in ecosystem functioning, they remain severely under-described. The Sandhills Region of Nebraska is one of the largest intact temperate grasslands in the world, covering more than a quarter of the state’s land area.
The Team
Dr. Tom Powers (PI), Dr. Dorota Porazinska (Co-PI), colleagues, students, and stakeholders have come together to find out more about a collection of nematodes that have adapted to a wide range of habitats, including the Nebraska Sandhills. The team has received three years of funding (2024-2027) from the National Science Foundation’s Poorly Sampled and Unknown Taxa (NSF PurSUiT) program (AWD# 2327478).
Research Overview
The team is collecting and analyzing aquatic nematodes throughout water systems in Nebraska to determine their appearance, genetics, and connection to their surrounding environments (ecology). Together, these different pieces of information could provide insights about nematode roles in these lakes.
Educator Resources
The Microscopic Marvels educator resources are designed to bring the hidden world of nematodes and environmental science into your classroom through engaging, standards-aligned materials.
Year One: Alkaline Lakes
Our Streaming Science and Plate Basin Timelapse (PBT) science communication and natural resources conservation storytelling team developed this photo essay of the first year of data collection on the project.
Continue to check back for updates!
This NSF PurSUiT project continues through 2027. We will have more field site visits in years two and three of the research with ongoing lab work, social science research, science communication, and conservation storytelling.
Funded by the National Science Foundation Poorly Sampled and Unknown Taxa (NSF PurSUiT) Award #2327478.