CURRENT GRADUATE STUDENTS (masters degree program): Andrew Kleinlesselink.  Effects of moss on non-native plant invasions across a stress gradient in a coastal dune ecosystem (started 8/09).  Susan Magnoli.  Ghosts of invaders past: residual effects of iceplant invasion on a coastal dune plant community (started 8/09).  Laura Saunders. Impacts of black-tailed deer on the survival and growth of coast live oak (started 8/06). PAST GRADUATE STUDENTS: Maria E. Alvarez. Community level consequences of a biological invasion: effects of a non-native vine on three plant communities (finished 12/99). Denise C. Cadman. Ghost of aliens past: influence of invasive annual grasses on vernal pool communities (finished 5/02). James T. Coleman. Experimental assessment of techniques for restoring degraded grasslands (finished 5/04). Michelle Cooper. Effects of recreation on the dispersal of an exotic forest pathogen (finished 8/06). Katherine L. Etienne. Impact of human-caused disturbances on stream insect assemblages (finished 8/01). Karen A. Gaffney. Transformation of riparian plant communities by the invasion of Arundo donax (finished 5/02). Dawn Graydon. Effects of cattle grazing on an endangered lycaenid butterfly and its host plant (finished 5/09). Brent E. Johnson. Variable responses of a California grassland to the reintroduction of Tule elk (finished 8/04). Sean G. McNeil. Direct and indirect effects of mammalian herbivores on host plants, invertebrate gallers, and nutrient cycling (finished 5/01). Darça J. Morgan. Influence of non-native plant invasions on riparian arthropods (finished 5/01). Meghan Skaer.  Influence of cattle grazing on native and exotic vegetation in a coastal grassland (finished 12/09).  Joan Schwan. Effectiveness of sheep and cattle grazing as tools for managing exotic plants in vernal pool (finished 12/06). Mark A. Smith. Effects of herbivores on growth of California buckwheat (finished 5/97). Richard Stabler.  Effects of disturbance on island plant communities in the Sacramento River Delta (finished 5/09).  Trisha A. Tierney. Effects of feral pig disturbances on vegetation and soil characteristics in a California coastal grassland (finished 5/02). Jeffrey C. Waller. Shrubs as structuring agents in coastal dune ecosystems: positive and negative effects on herbaceous plant assemblages (finished 12/98). Peter J. Warner. Influence of mammalian herbivores on the growth and survival of a dominant nitrogen-fixing shrub (finished 8/00). PAST POSTDOCTORAL FELLOW: Heather Davis (2006-09). Reproductive ecology and population genetics of rare vernal pool grasses. Christopher J. Lortie (2001-02). Conducted research on the ecology of coastal dunes and the influence of mammalian herbivores on plant communities. Chris is now an Assistant Professor at York University in Ontario, Canada. PAST RESEARCH TECHNICIANS: Brian Anaker (2005-06). Factors affecting the distribution and abundance of Phytophthora ramorum, the pathogen that causes Sudden Oak Death.  Rebecca Anderson (2001-03). Effects of soil disturbances by feral pigs on grassland plant communities and ecosystems.  Michael Anthony. (2001-02). Impacts of mammalian herbivores on plant community structure and ecosystem dynamics.  Shelly Benson (2004-06). The role of vertebrates and land-use history in affecting the spread of Phytophthora ramorum, the pathogen that causes Sudden Oak Death.  Sarah Gordon (2006-09). Reproductive ecology and population genetics of rare vernal pool grasses. Morgan Kennedy (2008-09).  Long-term study of disease dynamics and forest impacts caused by Phytophthora ramorumin northern California.  Melina Kozanitas (2007). Long-term study of disease dynamics and forest impacts caused by Phytophthora ramorumin northern California.  Erin Siska (2000-01). Influence of mammalian herbivores on three oak woodlands in northern California.  Jeanie Slagter (2000-01). Effects of soil disturbances by feral pigs on grassland plant communities and ecosystems.  Heather Torpin (2006). Influence of vertebrates on the spread of Phytophthora ramorum, the pathogen that causes Sudden Oak Death.  UNDERGRADUATE THESES: Melissa Potter (2007).  Factors influencing the abundance of an endangered lycaenid butterfly.  Thomas Degabrielle (2006). Influence of logging history on ground-dwelling arthropod communities at Galbreath Wildlands Preserve. Melina Kozanitas (2003/04). Importance of humans as dispersal agents of a pathogen that causes Sudden Oak Death. Heather Torpin (2003/04). Proximity to bay trees as a factor determining infection levels of coast live oaks. Blake Potter (2003). Effects of deer and small mammals on the abundance and growth of juvenile oaks. Lauren Conger (2001). Role of feral pig disturbances in facilitating invasion by yellow starthistle. Tara Janulaw (2000). Use of principal components analysis to evaluate ecological data. Corrie Robb (2000). Temporal variation in foraging behavior of leaf-cutter ants in Costa Rica. Cara Ellman (1999). Heterogeneity in grassland plant communities: the role of feral pig disturbances. Todd Vogel (1999). Competitive interactions and germination requirements of tarweed and yellow starthistle: comparison of native and non-native summer annuals. Sarah Dunbar (1999). Influence of soil particle size on a dune plant community. Anna Sears (1988). Influence of mule deer and jackrabbits on a coastal plant community: separating the effects of herbivory and scat deposition. Derek Hoak (1998). Community structure effects of two shrubs on a coastal dune plant community. Joy Edwards (1996). Indirect effects of mammalian herbivores on a galling midge of bush lupine. Emily Raab (1996). Impact of the invasive plant Centaurea solstitialis on a grassland community. Jon Paul Harries (1995). Effects of pocket gopher burrows on plant growth.