Kenneth S. Norris Rancho Marino Reserve

15 Nov, 09 AM - 31 Dec, 10 PM

Earthworms are cool. They are likely big players in invasion dynamics in many ecosystems ? not just forests. However, the majority of empirical research has been conducted in forest and involves direct nutrient and litter effects of earthworms on system function. We thus have a very nice opportunity here in California to extend the research to grasslands and seedbanks. I love working on seedbanks, Adam is a real expert in the field here, Estelle is good at problem solving, and Julia is interested in exploring the links between earthworms and seedbanks (and is doing this for her PhD in France as well). We have access to grasslands on a gradient of invasion, the seedbanks are very tractable for research, Adam can provide greenhouse space, and there is lot?s of good lab space to identify samples and conduct experiments. Hence, I propose a preliminary stand-alone project that provides Julia with field experience here and the opportunity to work with Adam and I (and D?Antonio if she has time) and do some exploratory work on these concepts. Research would include collecting small soil cores to assay the seed bank, collecting castings on the soil surface from works, possibly collecting worms, and counting and identifying plants (non-destructively). This is a preliminary project only as we are not certain where/what species of worms are present. The ideal scenario would be to test the hypothesis that earthworms promote invasion in grasslands similar to forests but through different pathways such as the seed bank of grasslands.

Visit #26712 @Kenneth S. Norris Rancho Marino Reserve

Approved

Under Project # 24452 | Research

A survey of seed banks, earthworms, and invasion.

faculty - University of California, Santa Barbara

Reservation Members(s)

Christopher Lortie Nov 15 - Dec 31, 2011 (47 days)

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Wilderness travel trailer 1 Nov 15 - Dec 31, 2011