معرفی
M. Derek MacKenzie is an Associate Professor in the Department of Renewable Resources at the University of Alberta, specializing in Ecosystem Ecology. His research focuses on soil organic matter dynamics, disturbance impacts, and land reclamation in boreal ecosystems, particularly addressing challenges in the Athabasca Oil Sands region. He emphasizes pyrogenic carbon's role in soil biogeochemistry and ecosystem resilience.
Teaching includes REN R 210 (Soil Science fundamentals) and REN R 305 (Land Reclamation Techniques), emphasizing practical applications of soil classification, nutrient cycling, and vegetation restoration. His work bridges ecological theory and applied solutions for industrial reclamation, climate change impacts, and sustainable land management.
Key research themes include: 1) Soil stability and nutrient bioavailability, 2) Fire-driven pyrogenic carbon effects, 3) Anthropogenic disturbance responses, and 4) Spatial ecology of reclaimed ecosystems. Recent studies explore biochar applications, microbial community dynamics, and fungal-soil interactions under climate change.