Interactive Effects of Salinity and Glyphosate on Wetland Soil Microbial Communities

Abstract

Wetland soil microbes play an important role in maintaining ecosystem health by cycling nutrients, breaking down organic matter, and maintaining water quality. Herbicide exposure has been shown to alter the genetic composition and functional potential of soil microbial communities, including shifts in microbial nutrient cycling processes [1]. Two of the most prominent environmental stressors in Utah’s wetlands are excessive salinity and herbicide exposure. Increased salinity can change how herbicides move and persist in water, which may influence their ecological effects [2]. While each stressor has been studied independently, little is known about their combined effects on soil microbial community structure and function. Understanding these interactions is essential for predicting wetland ecosystem responses to environmental change and management practices.https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/library_studentposters_2026/1027/thumbnail.jp