Ben W Thomas, Ph.D.

Research Scientist – Agroecology

Our program studies how ecological processes regenerate and sustain agroecosystems.

Direct line: 604-799-6765

Current research and/or projects

Currently, we are assessing soil organic carbon and nitrogen links to microbial community composition and diversity as well as enzyme activity. This may help to determine how to optimize the function of soil while maximizing carbon sequestration, crop performance and soil biodiversity. We also assess how soil health is altered by long-term intensive agricultural management, a reality faced by many multi-generation farmers in Canada but one particularly unique to the Fraser Valley of British Columbia.

Professional activities / interests

Agronomy Section Editor, Canadian Journal of Plant Science

Canadian Journal of Plant Science Representative, Canadian Society of Agronomy Executive Committee

Associate Editor, Canadian Journal of Soil Science

Education and awards

Doctor of Philosophy, Renewable Resources: Soil Science, McGill University (2016)

Master of Resource and Environmental Management, Dalhousie University (2012)

First Class Standing Bachelor of Science, Biology, University of Prince Edward Island (2009)

Additional links

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ben_Thomas4

https://scholar.google.ca/citations?user=hoUim3kAAAAJ&hl=en

Key publications

Zhang, Y., de Vries, W., Thomas, B.W., Hao, X., Shi, X. (2017). Impacts of long-term nitrogen fertilization on acid buffering rates and mechanisms of a slightly calcareous clay soil. Geoderma, [online] 305 92-99. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2017.05.021
2017 - View publication details
Thomas, B.W., Stoeckli, J.L., Beck, R., Liu, K., Koenig, K.M., Beres, B.L., Hao, X., Gao, X. (2017). Nitrapyrin reduced nitrous oxide emissions from beef cattle urine patches on a semiarid tame pasture. Soil Science Society of America Journal, [online] 81(6), 1537-1547. http://dx.doi.org/10.2136/sssaj2017.04.0123
2017 - View publication details
Thomas, B.W., Gao, X., Zhao, M., Bork, E.W., Hao, X. (2017). Grazing altered carbon exchange in a dry mixed-grass prairie as a function of soil texture. Canadian Journal of Soil Science, [online] 98(1), 136-147. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/cjss-2017-0052
2017 - View publication details
Zhang, Y., Shen, H., He, X., Thomas, B.W., Lupwayi, N.Z., Hao, X., Thomas, M.C., Shi, X. (2017). Fertilization shapes bacterial community structure by alteration of soil pH. Frontiers in Microbiology, [online] 8(JUL), http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2017.01325
2017 - View publication details
Thomas, B.W., Hao, X. (2017). Nitrous oxide emitted from soil receiving anaerobically digested solid cattle manure. Journal of Environmental Quality, [online] 46(4), 741-750. http://dx.doi.org/10.2134/jeq2017.02.0044
2017 - View publication details
Thomas, B.W., Li, X., Nelson, V., Hao, X. (2017). Anaerobically digested cattle manure supplied more nitrogen with less phosphorus accumulation than undigested manure. Agronomy Journal, [online] 109(3), 836-844. http://dx.doi.org/10.2134/agronj2016.12.0719
2017 - View publication details
Thomas, B.W., Luo, Y., Li, C., Hao, X. (2017). Utilizing Composted Beef Cattle Manure and Slaughterhouse Waste as Nitrogen and Phosphorus Fertilizers for Calcareous Soil. Compost Science & Utilization, [online] 25(2), 102-111. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1065657X.2016.1219681
2017 - View publication details
Thomas, B.W., Larney, F.J., Chantigny, M.H., Goyer, C., Hao, X. (2017). Fall rye reduced residual soil nitrate and dryland spring wheat grain yield. Agronomy Journal, [online] 109(2), 718-728. http://dx.doi.org/10.2134/agronj2016.10.0616
2017 - View publication details
Thomas, B.W., Hao, X., Larney, F.J., Goyer, C., Chantigny, M.H., Charles, A. (2017). Non-legume cover crops can increase non-growing season nitrous oxide emissions. Soil Science Society of America Journal, [online] 81(1), 189-199. http://dx.doi.org/10.2136/sssaj2016.08.0269
2017 - View publication details
Thomas, B.W., Hao, X., Willms, W.D. (2017). Soil organic carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus 13 yr after abruptly disturbing Northern Great Plains grassland. Canadian Journal of Soil Science, [online] 97(2), 329-333. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/cjss-2016-0113
2017 - View publication details
Hao, X., Thomas, B.W., Nelson, V., Li, X. (2016). Agronomic values of anaerobically digested cattle manure and the separated solids for barley forage production. Soil Science Society of America Journal, [online] 80(6), 1572-1584. http://dx.doi.org/10.2136/sssaj2016.05.0132
2016 - View publication details
Yang, Z., Li, Y., Li, P., Zhang, F., Thomas, B.W. (2016). Effect of difference between day and night temperature on tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) root activity and low molecular weight organic acid secretion. Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, [online] 62(5-6), 423-431. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00380768.2016.1224449
2016 - View publication details
Li, P., Lang, M., Li, C., Thomas, B.W., Hao, X. (2016). Nutrient Leaching from Soil Amended with Manure and Compost from Cattle Fed Diets Containing Wheat Dried Distillers’ Grains with Solubles. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution, [online] 227(10), http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11270-016-3094-6
2016 - View publication details
Thomas, B.W., Whalen, J.K., Sharifi, M., Chantigny, M., Zebarth, B.J. (2016). Labile organic matter fractions as early-season nitrogen supply indicators in manure-amended soils. Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science, [online] 179(1), 94-103. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jpln.201400532
2016 - View publication details
Thomas, B.W., Sharifi, M., Whalen, J.K., Chantigny, M.H. (2015). Mineralizable nitrogen responds differently to manure type in contrasting soil textures. Soil Science Society of America Journal, [online] 79(5), 1396-1405. http://dx.doi.org/10.2136/sssaj2015.03.0124
2015 - View publication details