The overarching goal of the grant is to examine the effect of Yellowstone ungulates on plant - soil C processes.  This project will explore pathways that grazers increase C flow into (particularly via root exudation) and out of (via improving soil organic matter quality, and, thus, microbial respiration) of the soil.  This project will track recently assimilated 13C as it flows through the plant-soil system.  This project specifically explores species-level responses that likely are important in determining the effect that grazers have on community dynamics.