Dr. Sarah Schwieger

Biography

Sarah Schwieger is a plant ecologist focused on uncovering the secrets of plant roots, which dominate the biomass of Arctic alpine tundra ecosystems. Her research examines the influences of climate warming on root decomposition—a crucial process that governs the release of carbon stored in Arctic soils, the planet's largest carbon reservoirs. As climate warming rapidly drives the expansion of shrubs in Arctic alpine ecosystems, the role of roots in carbon dynamics has become increasingly important and uncertain. While much attention is given to aboveground vegetation, the effects of warming on root decomposition remain poorly understood, presenting a significant challenge in predicting how Arctic soils, which contain 50% of the world's soil carbon, will respond to climate change. If decomposition rates surpass plant growth, soils may transition from carbon sinks to sources, exacerbating global warming. To address this issue, Schwieger collaborates with the International Tundra Experiment (ITEX), a global network of researchers studying the effects of warming in Arctic tundra. The project spans various sites across the circumpolar Arctic, including Sweden, Norway, Canada, and Alaska, employing field-based warming experiments and controlled growth chamber studies to unravel how root decomposition responds to climate change. By integrating insights from diverse ecosystems and experimental approaches, her work illuminates the critical and often overlooked role of roots in Arctic carbon dynamics, ultimately providing valuable knowledge for predicting changes in Arctic vegetation and its implications for carbon release and storage.

Research Interests

Experience