After the Thomas Fire. Photo credit Stephanie Ma
Credit: Stephanie Ma

Impacts of Wildfire

In collaboration with the Santa Barbara Coastal Longterm Ecological Research (http://www.lternet.edu/sites/sbc/) program we are evaluating plant and soil responses to high intensity wildfire events that have occurred within watersheds that have been monitored for the past decade. As part of this NSF sponsored research, we are evaluating soil and plant N retention and recovery after fire as well as working with UCSB geographers to evaluate recovery using a combination of remote sensing and on the ground measurements. A new wildfire related project in the lab is evaluating the impacts of fog on fire coastal region regimes.

Affiliated Researchers

Carla D'Antonio

Professor, EEMB
Understanding the processes that control invasion and predicting when and how it will affect ecosystem structure and function.
Plant / Environment
Drought
Responses to Fire
Restoration
Ecosystem Processes

Stephanie Ma Lucero

PhD Student
Addressing ecological filters to improve shrubland restoration in Mediterranean climates.
Responses to Fire
Restoration
Plant / Environment

Shane Dewees

PhD Student
Determining drivers in chaparral, coastal sage scrub, and invasive grassland vegetation fluxes.
Plant / Environment
Responses to Fire
Drought
Restoration
Ecosystem Processes

Robert Fitch

PhD Student
Theory driven ecological restoration under climate change and in novel ecosystems with practical applications for management.
Restoration
  • Ceanothus seedlings after the Thomas Fire. Photo credit Stephanie Ma.
  • Manzanita resprouting after the Thomas Fire. Photo credit Stephanie Ma.
  • Recovery after the Thomas Fire. Photo credit Stephanie Ma.
  • Phacelia and Emmenanthe penduliflora flowering following the Thomas Fire. Photo credit Stephanie Ma.