Understanding plant water use in a changing climate

Plant water potential is a key metric of water stress that controls how plants take up carbon, transport water, grow, and reproduce. We now have automated tools to measure water potential on a half-hourly basis, permitting study of water potential responses and connection to ecosystem functions. The PEPPER lab collects plant water potential data, combines it with plant or ecosystem fluxes, and models relationships using Bayesian models. 

We have two projects in need of research support in Spring 2026, with preference for students who can take >1 credit of research and work on these projects full time during summer 2026 (stipend and partial housing support available). 

 

1. Creosote common garden - Larrea tridentata spans 2n, 4n, and 6n ploidy levels across the three hot deserts of North America. How does whole-genome duplication impact the water use and heat tolerance strategies of this dominant shrub? Responsibilities will include literature review, experimental design, and maintenance of the common garden. 

2. Sagebrush water potential - Artemisia californica is the dominant shrub of the Coastal Sage Scrub, found across the street at Bernard Field Station. What are the water potential thresholds associated with declines in ecosystem productivity, and how can they be scaled between plants and ecosystems? Responsibilities will include literature review, maintaining field instrumentation, and visualizing/analyzing time series. 

If you are interested, compose a <1 page response to the following prompts:

• Describe your interest in plant ecophysiology and this project
• State your availability for Spring/Summer research
• What is your experience in the field or lab?
• Describe your comfort level with using R