Lipson Lab HOME

Current and Recent Research Projects

visit the  SDSU Sky Oaks Field Station web site

Research in the chaparral ecosystem at Sky Oaks Field Station

Landscape controls over microbial diversity and processes in a chaparral ecosystem

We are investigating the effects of plant species and soil properties on microbial community structure and function in a chaparral ecosystem, which includes Adenostoma fasciculatum-dominated shrub communities and Quercus californica-dominated riparian communities.

 Dr. Lipson in a riparian zone at Sky Oaks Field Station Culter pine at Sky Oaks

Effects of elevated atmospheric CO2 on soil microbial biomass, activity and diversity in a chaparral ecosystem

In collaboration with the Global Change Research Group (GCRG), we studied the effects of free air CO2 enrichment (FACE) on this ecosystem.

Free Air CO2 Enrichment (FACE) experiment at Sky Oaks

 Free Air CO2 Enrichment (FACE) experiment at Sky Oaks (aerial view)CB, the Sky Oaks mascot (RIP)

The effects of wildfire on soils and microbes in the chaparral

The Coyote Fire of 2003 provided an opportunity to study  the effects of fire on soil erosional and microbial processes.  We are currently studying the effects of fire on microbial biomass, activity and community structure, and the movement of soil mineral and organic matter fractions across the landscape after fire.

Sky Oaks after the 2003 Coyote fire

 Researchers at Sky Oaks after 2003 Coyote FireWier at base of watershed at Sky Oaks

Publications resulting from this work:

Lipson DA, Wilson RA, Oechel WC (2005) Effects of elevated atmospheric CO2 on soil microbial biomass, activity and diversity in a chaparral ecosystem. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 71:8573-8580