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M Derek MacKenzie is a Professor in the Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences at the University of Alberta, specializing in Renewable Resources. His research program investigates ecosystem ecology, focusing on above and below-ground processes affected by natural and anthropogenic disturbances. His work is guided by four principles: the stability of soil organic matter (SOM) and its relationship to nutrient bioavailability for plants and microbes; the stochastic nature of disturbances and their effects on ecosystem processes; and the role of fire in creating pyrogenic carbon as an evolutionary cue impacting soil biogeochemistry. These principles inform MacKenzie's research questions, driving his inquiry into ecosystem dynamics. He actively teaches courses on the principles and practices of land reclamation, emphasizing both practical techniques and regulatory aspects involved in landscape restoration. His research is collaborative and aims to advance understanding of ecosystem responses to various disturbances, with implications for environmental management and conservation.
Department: Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Management