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We welcome Oliver Ray and Harry Roberts who are joining the OXLEL research group for their 4th year MBiol projects.

Both students are looking at the feasibility of using measurements of the various volatile organic compound (VOCs) emitted by plants and soil microbes as indicators of overall ecosystem health. Oliver will focus on assessing soil condition across regenerative and conventional farming practices whist Harry will investigate grassland systems and the impact of drought.

The overall aim is test whether VOC profiles can be used as a scalable and non-invasive technique for monitoring ecosystem condition.