My research questions span restoration and ecosystem ecology in dryland settings.
Research questions with the Darrouzet-Nardi lab at the University of Texas at El Paso include:
1. Nutrient transfer in drylands: are the main primary producers (plants and biological soil crust) in drylands sharing resources? We are using stable isotopes to ask questions about how nutrients move through soils in drylands.
2. Nitrogen dynamics in drylands: what form of nitrogen (NH4+ or NO3) is being released from different types of biological soil crust and how does that form of nitrogen relate to the nitrogen pools that exist in the larger ecosystem? We are using field-based and laboratory experiments to ask these questions.
3. Dryland restoration and biogeochemisty: how can we take knowledge gained from exploring the unique biogeochemistry of drylands and apply it to restoration efforts? We are creating a conceptual framework about how these two fields relate to one another.
4. Effectiveness of biocrust restoration: does growing and adding biocrust propagules increase rates of biocrust recovery relative to unassisted recovery efforts? We are conducting a meta-analysis comparing biocrust restoration attempts and biocrust natural recovery to examine the recovery rates of each.
Research questions with the Bowker Lab at Northern Arizona University included:
1. Dryland soil stabilization: can biocrusts be used as a restoration material to halt soil erosion in drylands? Alongside the US Geological Survey and National Park Service, we are establishing biocrust restoration field trials to see if we can successfully rehabilitate degraded mesa-tops in New Mexico.
2. Controls over species distribution: what are the mechanisms through which soil texture influences the distribution of biological soil crusts on a landscape? We are manipulating texture class, watering amounts, and nutrient levels to determine which properties of soil texture may be controlling biocrust species assemblage and distribution.
3. Species diversity and multifunctionality: How does the community assemblage of biocrusts influence multifunctionality? We are growing biocrusts in different community assemblages and asking how those assemblages influence the capacity of biocrusts to provide their ecosystem functions of nutrients, stability, and water holding capacity.
4. Dryland restoration techniques: How does the introduction of slash pieces onto the landscape influence the growth and function of biological soil crusts? We are measuring biocrusts before, after, and 10 years after slash pieces were placed onto the landscape as a soil stabilization treatment. We are interested in how different restoration efforts may be influencing biocrusts and the best ways in which different practices can be used together.
Research questions with the Darrouzet-Nardi lab at the University of Texas at El Paso include:
1. Nutrient transfer in drylands: are the main primary producers (plants and biological soil crust) in drylands sharing resources? We are using stable isotopes to ask questions about how nutrients move through soils in drylands.
2. Nitrogen dynamics in drylands: what form of nitrogen (NH4+ or NO3) is being released from different types of biological soil crust and how does that form of nitrogen relate to the nitrogen pools that exist in the larger ecosystem? We are using field-based and laboratory experiments to ask these questions.
3. Dryland restoration and biogeochemisty: how can we take knowledge gained from exploring the unique biogeochemistry of drylands and apply it to restoration efforts? We are creating a conceptual framework about how these two fields relate to one another.
4. Effectiveness of biocrust restoration: does growing and adding biocrust propagules increase rates of biocrust recovery relative to unassisted recovery efforts? We are conducting a meta-analysis comparing biocrust restoration attempts and biocrust natural recovery to examine the recovery rates of each.
Research questions with the Bowker Lab at Northern Arizona University included:
1. Dryland soil stabilization: can biocrusts be used as a restoration material to halt soil erosion in drylands? Alongside the US Geological Survey and National Park Service, we are establishing biocrust restoration field trials to see if we can successfully rehabilitate degraded mesa-tops in New Mexico.
2. Controls over species distribution: what are the mechanisms through which soil texture influences the distribution of biological soil crusts on a landscape? We are manipulating texture class, watering amounts, and nutrient levels to determine which properties of soil texture may be controlling biocrust species assemblage and distribution.
3. Species diversity and multifunctionality: How does the community assemblage of biocrusts influence multifunctionality? We are growing biocrusts in different community assemblages and asking how those assemblages influence the capacity of biocrusts to provide their ecosystem functions of nutrients, stability, and water holding capacity.
4. Dryland restoration techniques: How does the introduction of slash pieces onto the landscape influence the growth and function of biological soil crusts? We are measuring biocrusts before, after, and 10 years after slash pieces were placed onto the landscape as a soil stabilization treatment. We are interested in how different restoration efforts may be influencing biocrusts and the best ways in which different practices can be used together.
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Below are ways to learn more about Kristina's research:
High Country News article on biocrust restoration
Webinar about soil restoration and management in Southeast Utah
Society for Ecological Restoration Webinar on biocrust restoration
Sierra Club article on biocrust restoration
Flagstaff article on biocrust restoration
List of my publications
Recording of MS thesis defense
Below are ways to learn more about Kristina's research:
High Country News article on biocrust restoration
Webinar about soil restoration and management in Southeast Utah
Society for Ecological Restoration Webinar on biocrust restoration
Sierra Club article on biocrust restoration
Flagstaff article on biocrust restoration
List of my publications
Recording of MS thesis defense
