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Welcome to the Evans Lab!

Ecosystem Ecology and Global Change


Research in my laboratory examines carbon, nitrogen, and water dynamics in terrestrial ecosystems, with an emphasis on responses to global change. Our research focuses on many ecosystems, including the Cascade Range, aridlands of the western United States, the northern Rocky Mountains, and Yellowstone National Park. Current and very recent projects have addressed: 1) sources of reactive nitrogen loss in agricultural ecosystems using stable isotope analysis of nitrate and nitrous oxide; 2) reconstructing and predicting past and future sources and amounts of nitrogen deposition in the Pacific Northwest, especially critical loads of lichens; and 3) nitrogen and carbon dynamics during succession on Mount St. Helens.  Other recent projects are 1) the response of carbon and nitrogen cycles to elevated carbon dioxide in a Mojave Desert ecosystem, 2) the impact of invasive species on soil carbon and nitrogen dynamics, 3) mechanisms controlling plant nitrogen isotope composition, and 4) carbon isotope ratios of microbial communities to elucidate patterns of substrate use.  Our research makes extensive use of both field and laboratory experiments.  I direct the WSU stable isotope core laboratory (http://www.isotopes.wsu.edu/) and our research has an emphasis on measurements of natural stable isotope ratios.

Our Diversity Statement


My laboratory is committed to providing research and scholarship opportunities to all people regardless of sex, gender identity, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religious or spiritual background, national origin, citizenship, or socioeconomic status.  We believe the best way for all of us to be better scientists is to learn from colleagues whose wisdom encompasses diverse backgrounds.