ABOVE AND BELOWGROUND ECOLOGICAL FEEDBACKS TO RESOURCE AVAILABILITY AND LAND MANAGEMENT

The major goals of this project are twofold: to complete high quality ecological research and to improve Shaw's professional development. The goal of my proposed research is to test plant and soil responses to land management to generate a predictive framework for belowground ecosystem functions. For professional development, my goal is to improve myskills and training so that I am a top candidate forapplied ecology faculty positions at R1 universities following this fellowship.Research objectives:Conduct a field survey where I will collect soil and vegetation samples from across established amendment and precipitation treatmentsExecute a Soil Community Experiment where I will measure soil biological and plant trait responses across a factorial soil community manipulationAnalyze survey and experimental dataPublish results of the survey and the experiment as two planned manuscriptsPresent results and scientific conferences and rancher-scientist field daysProfessional development objectives:Create an individual development plan identifying strengths and areas of improvement to be assessed with mentor every 6 monthsConduct bi-weekly and quarterly meetings with mentor to determinefor goals and objectives related to research, collaboration, and career training and to discuss progress, address setbacks, and/or discuss career ideasAttend courses and workshops aimed at improving and enhancing skills in rangeland ecology, agroecology, and scientific leadershipDisseminate findings at both academic meetings (e.g. Ecological Society of America, August 2021) and two annual rancher- scientist field days at the UC Sierra Foothills Research and Extension Center (SFREC)Develop teaching skills through guest lectures on soil ecology in Hallett's Grassland Ecology class and by developing and teaching a Freshman seminar courseIntroduction to Soil BiodiversityCollaboration and networking with SFREC site director and stakeholders