Dr. Terry J. Loecke
Ecologist
Ph.D., 2007, Michigan State University

Dr Loecke's research focuses on C and N cycling in natural and managed terrestrial ecosystems. Important advancements have occurred from studying natural and managed ecosystems separately. Loecke's research looks for linkages between the factors controlling the C and N cycles in both as well as how climate change may alter the significance of these controlling factors.

Current Research

Long-term elevated atmospheric CO₂ effects on terrestrial C cycling.
This research seeks to take advantage of the atmospheric CO₂ gradient that occurs across a rural to urban transect to address the question does elevated atmospheric CO₂ stimulated primary productivity and soil organic C storage. The objectives of this research are to 1) determine the historical atmospheric CO₂ concentration across a rural to urban transect of Baltimore County, Maryland, and 2) determine the extent to which tree productivity and soil organic C has been affected by this long-term elevated CO₂.

Soil resource spatial heterogeneity.
This research asks how the aggregation of plant and soil microbial resources influences important components of C and N cycling, such as primary productivity, decomposition, plant N acquisition, N retention, and N₂O emissions.

Selected Publications

• Grandy, A. S., T. D. Loecke, S. Parr, and G. P. Robertson. 2006. Long-term trends in nitrous oxide emissions, soil nitrogen, and crop yields of till and no-till cropping systems. J. Environ. Qual. 35:1487-1495.
• Sadaka, S. S., T. L. Richard, T. D. Loecke, and M. Liebman. 2006. Determination of compost respiration rates using pressure sensors. Compost Sci.Util. 14:124-131
• Loecke, T. D., M. Liebman, C. A. Cambardella, and T. L. Richard. 2004. Corn growth responses to composted and fresh solid swine manure. Crop Sci. 44:177-184.
• Loecke, T. D., M. Liebman, C. A. Cambardella, and T. L. Richard. 2004. Composting and timing of application affect corn yield response to solid swine manure. Agron. J. 96:214-223.