Boiling Point Smithsonian Interview Series_Graham Zemunik

Enjoy this 8minute interview with Australian post doctoral fellow (his 2nd PhD!), Dr Graham Zemunik.

Who is Dr Zemunik?

Graham is currently based at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute and specialises in soil driven vegetation assemblages. His research examines how soil elements, especially phosphorus, might drive tropical tree growth.

What has he found?

In the process of his research Graham stumbled across the interesting effect of manganese and is beginning to suspect it’s toxicity indirectly limits tropical tree growth. This limitation is through a quirky manoeuvre in which the trees may bind excess manganese to phosphorus, a key macronutrient required by all plant cells.  Therefore, in using their phosphorus to halt toxic manganese, trees indirectly limit their ability to grow!

Nutrient trial- Smithsonian Tropical Research Centre Panama