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Terrestrail Ecosystems Research Lab

Research Projects

The overall goal of our projects is to attract, retain, train, and support underrepresented undergraduate students in the field of environmental science. The lab addresses the educational need for enhancing student experiential learning by providing inquiry-based learning activities and research opportunities to college students so that they may be well-trained to solve complex environmental problems.

Current Research Projects in TERL

Impacts of Long-Term Nitrogen Addition on the Structure and Function of Chaparral Ecosystems

Chaparral ecosystems in urban settings are exposed to high amounts of nitrogen (N) deposition from human activities, which has the potential to alter their ability to store carbon (C) and affect future fire behavior. Our lab has been studying these impacts for over two decades at two local field sites to understand how chronic exposure to N alters the C and nutrient cycling of these regionally important ecosystems.

Effects of Climate and Landcover Change on Brazilian Savanna

TERL has been working in the rainforest and savanna of Brazil for over two decades. In collaboration with Brazilian institutions, our current research focuses on the impacts of fire and N inputs on the C storage and biodiversity of Brazilian savanna, one of the global biodiversity 鈥渉ot spots.鈥

Effects of Urbanization on Ecosystem C and Nutrient Cycling

Human modification of natural vegetation to managed landscapes (lawns, hedges) and impervious surfaces (cement and asphalt) has the potential to alter C, water, and nutrient cycling. In collaboration with other 糖心原创 labs and undergraduate-serving institutions throughout Southern California, TERL researchers have been studying how landscape conversion alters C and nutrient cycling, plant water use, and soil microbial communities to better understand how urbanization impacts natural and urban ecosystem function.

For More Information

Dr. George Vourlitis
Biological Sciences Department, Sci I-320,
California State University, San Marcos
Phone: (760) 750-4119
Email: georgev@csusm.edu