{"id":161,"date":"2023-06-27T16:09:38","date_gmt":"2023-06-27T23:09:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/labs.wsu.edu\/hudson-biological-reserve\/?page_id=161"},"modified":"2026-03-23T13:21:06","modified_gmt":"2026-03-23T20:21:06","slug":"research","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/labs.wsu.edu\/hudson-biological-reserve\/research\/","title":{"rendered":"Research"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Current research and projects at the reserve. <\/h2>\n\n\n
\r\n \n
\r\n\t\n\n

Ecology and Evolution of Infectious Disease – Palouse  <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Our limited understanding of the relationships between biodiversity, land use patterns, and the transmission of zoonotic pathogens in wildlife hinders our ability to predict and control zoonotic pathogen spillover from wildlife to humans, domestic animals, and livestock. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Project Leader: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Pilar Fernandez (co-PI): pilar.fernandez@wsu.edu<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Stephaine Steifter (co-PI): stephanie.seifert@wsu.edu<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Graduate Student: Catherine Grady: anna.grady@wsu.edu<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lab Group: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Pilar Fernandez (co-PI), Washington State University, Eco-epidemiology of Zoonotic Disease (EZD) Lab  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lab Site Link<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Stephaine Steifter (co-PI), Washington State University, Molecular Ecology of Zoonotic Animal Pathogens (MEZAP) Lab <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lab Site Link<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Researchers<\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n
\r\n\t\n\n

Evaluating the impact of microbial inoculations on microbial community assembly and native plant establishment in an invaded grassland<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Understanding the mechanisms that promote native seedling establishment in disturbed ecosystems is important to improve restoration outcomes. In a field experiment at Smoot Hill, I will test the efficacy of different soil inoculation methods on native plant establishment and determine whether priority effects from inoculation impact microbial community assembly in roots. I will collect data on plant performance and use molecular sequencing to determine the relative importance of different microbial functional groups in the re-establishment of native plants. My study will provide insights into how soil communities assemble and persist in the restoration of invaded grasslands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Project Leader (primary contact) and participants: Rachel Berner<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lab group (Supervisor\/principal investigator, university\/college, city, state): Tanya Cheeke, Washington State University, Richland, Washington<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lab Site Link<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Publication Link<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Restoration<\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n
\r\n\t\n\n

Rose Creek and Fourmile Creek Riparian Restoration and Bio-Engineering Projects<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Palouse Conservation District has partnered with WSU and Smoot Hill operations to install two riparian restoration and bio-engineer stream enhancement projects. These include a 9-acre restoration project on Rose Creek and a 16-acre restoration project along Fourmile Creek. Since Fall 2022, about 3,000 plants have been installed at Rose Creek and 1700 at Fourmile Creek.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Project Leader: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drew Schuldt<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Restoration<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Restoration<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Restoration<\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Research catalog<\/h2>\n\n\n
\r\n

\r\n