Our research is specifically focused on the ecosystem functions that affect water quality, climate regulation, and carbon sequestration in natural and human-modified ecosystems. These essential processes are often adversely affected by human activities at local and global scales.
We study the retention and processing of nutrients (nitrogen, carbon, and phosphorus) and the flux of greenhouse gases in wetlands, streams, forests, agricultural, and urban ecosystems. We use approaches from ecosystem ecology and biogeochemistry in our work and collaborate across social and biophysical sciences.
1719 SW 10th Ave
Science Research and Teaching Center, Room B1-13 (South)
Environmental Science and Management (ESM)
Portland, OR 97201
+1 503 725 2722
In our lab, we are motivated to understand, quantify, and predict the biogeochemical processes that underlie the benefits that humans derive from nature, also known as ecosystem services.
2025
Spring: Jen is going to serve as the Academic Area Lead for ESM starting in Fall
Winter: Congratulations to Matt Yates for successfully defending his MS thesis!
Winter: Mary Munt, Punyotoya Paul, and Matt Yates presented posters at the Urban Ecosystem Research Consortium in March! Matt received 2nd place. Jen helped organize the event.
2024
Fall: Congratulations to Punyo for a successful MEM proposal presentation!
Fall: Welcome to Zoie Brauser and Kamrin Escandon, incoming MS students, and Shannon Fitzsimmons, incoming MEM student!
Summer: Excellent work by Uma Grover (CCAR REU student) and Mary Munt (USGS intern) in the lab and field this summer!
Spring/Summer: Congratulations to Justine Casebolt and Tris Kibbey for competing their MEM degrees!
Spring: Kudos to Matt Yates for a successful defense of his MS proposal!
Spring: Jacob Rudolph, Mary Munt, and Zoie Brauser presented their research at the Society for Freshwater Science meeting in Philadelphia, PA, in June 2024
Winter: Jacob Rudolph and Jen Morse presented their research at the Urban Ecosystem Research Consortium meeting at Reed College in March 2024
2023
Fall: Welcome to Punyotoya Paul, incoming MEM student!
Fall: Two grants received to fund new and ongoing research:
Clean Water Services: to study the effects of recycled water on soil N cycling and greenhouse gas emissions in suburban Washington County.
Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership: to estimate methane and CO2 emissions from a tidal wetland near Young's Bay, OR.
Spring: Woohoo! Justine Casebolt successfully defended her MEM proposal!
Spring: Congrats to Olamide Alo for passing her Comprehensive Exams and starting as a Water Quality intern at OR DEQ!
Spring: Congrats to Tris Kibbey for receiving the ESM Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant in June 2023!
Happy New Year 2023 and Welcome to Jacob Rudolph! Jacob is joining the CURB project as a new visiting scholar researcher, hailing from NC State University and the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center.