About SERG

The research emphasis of this group is on ecosystem dynamics of arid and semiarid lands. Theoretically analysis of fundamental processes and structures is complemented by applied research in dry land restoration. The primary focus is on soils and belowground processes in arid and semiarid ecosystems with emphasis on microbial ecology and plant-microorganism relationships. Studies range from the effects of elevated carbon dioxide on soil fungi to comparisons of container size on survival and growth of native species transplants. Research and practical application has been accomplished through grants and contracts received from all types and levels of funding. This includes competitive national agency grants from the Department of Energy, National Science Foundation and the Environmental Protection Agency, along with direct contracts from other federal organizations such as the Department of Defense, National Park Service and the Bureau of Land Management, and from State and private agencies such as the California Department of Transportation, California Department of Parks and Recreation and Southern California Edison.

Research in the Sonoran Desert began in 1986 and has continued up to the present. Studies have evaluated the nature of disturbance; soil remediation; seed collection, storage and processing; dustfall and erosion control; plant production and outplanting techniques; remote site irrigation; plant protection; and direct seeding. Mitigation of off-road vehicle damage, road construction, and mining have been the primary goals. Current research involves the reestablishment of a vanishing desert habitat: specifically mesquite mound systems along the San Felipe Creek watershed region of Anza-Borrego Desert.

Research in the Mojave Desert began in 1991 and has continued up to the present. Studies in this area have involved plant-soil relationships; native plant restoration procedures; ecosystem and community structure; aeolian dust input; planting techniques; mitigation of military training impacts on desert habitats; biological control of erosion and PM10 dust problem areas; restoration of abandoned agricultural land; soil amendments for mitigation of off-road vehicle damage, open-pit mining and heap leach gold extraction operations.

Research in coastal sage/chaparral habitat began in 1990 and has continued up to the present. Studies in this area have involved the effects of water competition between exotic annual and native perennial species; use of recalcitrant organic matter for manipulating soil nitrogen cycles; impact of elevated carbon dioxide levels on soil fungi ecology; non-vascular plant taxonomy and ecology; exotic species removal; biological erosion control methods; and native plant restoration methods and procedures.

Wildlife surveys, including birds, reptiles and amphibians, small and large mammals, began in 1996 and have continued up to the present. Surveys are done in conjunction with plant community surveys to monitor impacts on wildlife populations of such anthropogenic disturbances as off-highway vehicle activity, agricultural encroachment, utility corridor construction and exotic species invasion.

Research and data analysis capabilities include complete soil analysis facilities for nutrients, organic matter, pH, metals and particle size determination; soil and vegetation mapping with ARC/INFO GIS product capabilities; complete greenhouse facilities for pot cultures and seedling germination; native seed collection and storage; DNA and molecular analysis and full laboratory facilities; and access to all other facilities of both University of California, Riverside and San Diego State University such as the research library, herbarium and the facilities and personnel of the other university departments.