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Role of Geology and Hydrology in Vegetation Distributions and Biological Invasions in the Desert Southwest: Jason Neff

Project Title: The Role of Geology and Hydrology in Vegetation Distributions and Biological Invasions in the Desert Southwest
Mendenhall Fellow: Jason C. Neff, (303) 236-1306, jneff@usgs.gov
Duty Station: Denver
Start Date: January 4, 2001
Education: Ph.D. (Ecology), Stanford University, 1999
Research Advisor: Richard L. Reynolds, (303) 236-1303, rreynolds@usgs.gov
Project Description: Nutrient and water availability are key controls over the distribution of native and invasive species in the Colorado Plateau. Both factors are likely to be influenced by the input of eolian dust into undisturbed ecosystems or the loss of fine soil particles due to wind erosion in disturbed ecosystems. Jason is carrying out measurements of carbon, nutrient and water fluxes in plants and soils along three transects in the Needles district of Canyonlands National Park, Utah in order to evaluate the role of eolian input and dust erosion on arid system ecosystem dynamics. In combination with field studies, he is working to develop ecological modeling tools that can be used in the management and forecasting of ecosystem dynamics on public lands.

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