Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Steven S Perakis

I am a Supervisory Research Ecologist at the Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center in Corvallis, OR

I am interested in forest biogeochemistry and ecosystem studies, watershed science, riparian forests, nutrient cycling, forest soil fertility and stable isotopes.

 

Professional Experience

  • 2001-present: Supervisory Research Ecologist, USGS Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Corvallis, OR

  • 2001: Post Doctoral Position, Stanford University, Stanford, CA

Education and Certifications

  • Ph.D., Cornell University, Ithaca, NY (2000)

  • M.S., University of Washington, Seattle, WA (1994)

  • B.S., University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA (1990)

Science and Products

Views from Siuslaw National Forest

Terrestrial Ecosystems Laboratory (FRESC)

Research in our laboratory centers on the ecology and biogeochemistry of forest ecosystems, as well as grassland and riparian systems. We examine how factors such as natural and human disturbances, climate, succession, and soil fertility shape ecosystem biogeochemistry - and the reciprocal effect of biogeochemical cycles on these and other factors.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center
Terrestrial Ecosystems Laboratory (FRESC)

Terrestrial Ecosystems Laboratory (FRESC)

Research in our laboratory centers on the ecology and biogeochemistry of forest ecosystems, as well as grassland and riparian systems. We examine how factors such as natural and human disturbances, climate, succession, and soil fertility shape ecosystem biogeochemistry - and the reciprocal effect of biogeochemical cycles on these and other factors.
Learn More

If you are unable to access or download a product, email fresc_outreach@usgs.gov a request, including the full citation, or call (541) 750-1030.

No Result Found

If you are unable to access or download a product, email fresc_outreach@usgs.gov a request, including the full citation, or call (541) 750-1030.

No results found.

If you are unable to access or download a product, email fresc_outreach@usgs.gov a request, including the full citation, or call (541) 750-1030.

Filter Total Items: 80

Climatic aridity shapes post-fire interactions between Ceanothus spp. and Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) across the Klamath Mountains Climatic aridity shapes post-fire interactions between Ceanothus spp. and Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) across the Klamath Mountains

Climate change is leading to increased drought intensity and fire frequency, creating early-successional landscapes with novel disturbance–recovery dynamics. In the Klamath Mountains of northwestern California and southwestern Oregon, early-successional interactions between nitrogen (N)-fixing shrubs (Ceanothus spp.) and long-lived conifers (Douglas-fir) are especially important...
Authors
Damla Cinoglu, Howard E Epstein, Alan J. Tepley, Kristina J. Anderson-Teixeira, Jonathan R. Thompson, Steven S. Perakis
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center

Early growth and ecophysiological responses of Koa (Acacia koa A. Gray) seedlings to reduced water and phosphorus Early growth and ecophysiological responses of Koa (Acacia koa A. Gray) seedlings to reduced water and phosphorus

Sites in need of restoration typically have one or more environmental factors that limit seedling establishment. Identifying ecophysiological responses to environmental stressors can provide important insights into mitigating measures that would allow seedlings to overcome such constraints to survival. Koa (Acacia koa A. Gray) is a nitrogen-fixing tree species endemic to Hawaiʻi that is...
Authors
Kaitlin Gerber, Amy Ross-Davis, Steven S. Perakis, Anthony S. Davis
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center

N supply mediates the radiative balance of N2O emissions and CO2 sequestration driven by N-fixing vs. non-fixing trees N supply mediates the radiative balance of N2O emissions and CO2 sequestration driven by N-fixing vs. non-fixing trees

Forests are a significant CO2 sink. However, CO2 sequestration in forests is radiatively offset by emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O), a potent greenhouse gas, from forest soils. Reforestation, an important strategy for mitigating climate change, has focused on maximizing CO2 sequestration in plant biomass without integrating N2O emissions from soils. Although nitrogen (N)-fixing trees are...
Authors
Sian Kou-Giesbrecht, Jennifer L. Funk, Steven S. Perakis, Amelia A. Wolf, Duncan Menge
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center

A roadmap for sampling and scaling biological nitrogen fixation in terrestrial ecosystems A roadmap for sampling and scaling biological nitrogen fixation in terrestrial ecosystems

Accurately quantifying rates and patterns of biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) in terrestrial ecosystems is essential to characterize ecological and biogeochemical interactions, identify mechanistic controls, improve BNF representation in conceptual and numerical modelling, and forecast nitrogen limitation constraints on future carbon (C) cycling.While many resources address the...
Authors
Fiona M. Soper, Benton Taylor, Joy Winbourne, Michelle Wong, Katherine A Dynarski, Carla R. G. Reis, Mark Peoples, Cory Cleveland, Sasha C. Reed, Duncan Menge, Steven S. Perakis
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, John Wesley Powell Center for Analysis and Synthesis, Southwest Biological Science Center

Climate-mediated changes to linked terrestrial and marine ecosystems across the northeast Pacific coastal temperate rainforest margin Climate-mediated changes to linked terrestrial and marine ecosystems across the northeast Pacific coastal temperate rainforest margin

Coastal margins are important areas of materials flux that link terrestrial and marine ecosystems. Consequently, climate-mediated changes to coastal terrestrial ecosystems and hydrologic regimes have high potential to influence nearshore ocean chemistry and food web dynamics. Research from tightly coupled, high-flux coastal ecosystems can advance understanding of terrestrial–marine links...
Authors
Allison L. Bidlack, Sarah Bisbing, Brian Buma, Heida Diefenderfer, Jason Fellman, William Floyd, Ian Giesbrecht, Amritpal Lally, Ken Lertzman, Steven S. Perakis, David Butman, David D'Amore, Sean W. Fleming, Eran W. Hood, Brianna K. Hunt, Peter Kiffney, Gavin McNicol, Brian Menounos, Suzanne E. Tank
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center

Decadal-scale decoupling of soil phosphorus and molybdenum cycles by temperate nitrogen-fixing trees Decadal-scale decoupling of soil phosphorus and molybdenum cycles by temperate nitrogen-fixing trees

Symbiotic nitrogen- (N) fixing trees can influence multiple biogeochemical cycles by fixing atmospheric N, which drives net primary productivity and soil carbon (C) and N accumulation, as well as by mobilizing soil phosphorus (P) and other nutrients to support growth and metabolism. The soil micronutrient molybdenum (Mo) is essential to N-fixation, yet surprisingly little is known of...
Authors
Katherine A Dynarski, Julie C. Pett-Ridge, Steven S. Perakis
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center

Non-USGS Publications**

Perakis, S.S., Hedin, L.O., 2002, Response to commentary on "Nitrogen loss from unpolluted South American forests mainly via dissolved organic compounds": Nature, v. 418, p. 665-665.
Perakis, S.S., Welch, E.B., Jacoby, J.M., 1996, Sediment-to-water blue-green algal recruitment in response to alum and environmental factors: Hydrobiologia, v. 318, no. 3, p. 165-177.

**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.

To request an interview, contact fresc_outreach@usgs.gov or call (541) 750-1030.

Filter Total Items: 14
Examining Soil’s Role in Tracing Nutrients From Salmon into Riparian Trees

Examining Soil’s Role in Tracing Nutrients From Salmon into Riparian Trees

Pacific salmon transport large amounts of marine nutrients to freshwater and forest ecosystems when they migrate from the ocean, spawn, and die. 

Read Article
Effects of Nitrogen and Sulfur Deposition on Tree Growth, Survival, and Carbon Sequestration Across the U.S.

Effects of Nitrogen and Sulfur Deposition on Tree Growth, Survival, and Carbon Sequestration Across the U.S.

There is scientific controversy about whether nitrogen deposition increases forest carbon sequestration. All tree species do not exhibit the same...

Read Article

Science and Products

Views from Siuslaw National Forest

Terrestrial Ecosystems Laboratory (FRESC)

Research in our laboratory centers on the ecology and biogeochemistry of forest ecosystems, as well as grassland and riparian systems. We examine how factors such as natural and human disturbances, climate, succession, and soil fertility shape ecosystem biogeochemistry - and the reciprocal effect of biogeochemical cycles on these and other factors.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center
Terrestrial Ecosystems Laboratory (FRESC)

Terrestrial Ecosystems Laboratory (FRESC)

Research in our laboratory centers on the ecology and biogeochemistry of forest ecosystems, as well as grassland and riparian systems. We examine how factors such as natural and human disturbances, climate, succession, and soil fertility shape ecosystem biogeochemistry - and the reciprocal effect of biogeochemical cycles on these and other factors.
Learn More

If you are unable to access or download a product, email fresc_outreach@usgs.gov a request, including the full citation, or call (541) 750-1030.

No Result Found

If you are unable to access or download a product, email fresc_outreach@usgs.gov a request, including the full citation, or call (541) 750-1030.

No results found.

If you are unable to access or download a product, email fresc_outreach@usgs.gov a request, including the full citation, or call (541) 750-1030.

Filter Total Items: 80

Climatic aridity shapes post-fire interactions between Ceanothus spp. and Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) across the Klamath Mountains Climatic aridity shapes post-fire interactions between Ceanothus spp. and Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) across the Klamath Mountains

Climate change is leading to increased drought intensity and fire frequency, creating early-successional landscapes with novel disturbance–recovery dynamics. In the Klamath Mountains of northwestern California and southwestern Oregon, early-successional interactions between nitrogen (N)-fixing shrubs (Ceanothus spp.) and long-lived conifers (Douglas-fir) are especially important...
Authors
Damla Cinoglu, Howard E Epstein, Alan J. Tepley, Kristina J. Anderson-Teixeira, Jonathan R. Thompson, Steven S. Perakis
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center

Early growth and ecophysiological responses of Koa (Acacia koa A. Gray) seedlings to reduced water and phosphorus Early growth and ecophysiological responses of Koa (Acacia koa A. Gray) seedlings to reduced water and phosphorus

Sites in need of restoration typically have one or more environmental factors that limit seedling establishment. Identifying ecophysiological responses to environmental stressors can provide important insights into mitigating measures that would allow seedlings to overcome such constraints to survival. Koa (Acacia koa A. Gray) is a nitrogen-fixing tree species endemic to Hawaiʻi that is...
Authors
Kaitlin Gerber, Amy Ross-Davis, Steven S. Perakis, Anthony S. Davis
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center

N supply mediates the radiative balance of N2O emissions and CO2 sequestration driven by N-fixing vs. non-fixing trees N supply mediates the radiative balance of N2O emissions and CO2 sequestration driven by N-fixing vs. non-fixing trees

Forests are a significant CO2 sink. However, CO2 sequestration in forests is radiatively offset by emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O), a potent greenhouse gas, from forest soils. Reforestation, an important strategy for mitigating climate change, has focused on maximizing CO2 sequestration in plant biomass without integrating N2O emissions from soils. Although nitrogen (N)-fixing trees are...
Authors
Sian Kou-Giesbrecht, Jennifer L. Funk, Steven S. Perakis, Amelia A. Wolf, Duncan Menge
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center

A roadmap for sampling and scaling biological nitrogen fixation in terrestrial ecosystems A roadmap for sampling and scaling biological nitrogen fixation in terrestrial ecosystems

Accurately quantifying rates and patterns of biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) in terrestrial ecosystems is essential to characterize ecological and biogeochemical interactions, identify mechanistic controls, improve BNF representation in conceptual and numerical modelling, and forecast nitrogen limitation constraints on future carbon (C) cycling.While many resources address the...
Authors
Fiona M. Soper, Benton Taylor, Joy Winbourne, Michelle Wong, Katherine A Dynarski, Carla R. G. Reis, Mark Peoples, Cory Cleveland, Sasha C. Reed, Duncan Menge, Steven S. Perakis
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, John Wesley Powell Center for Analysis and Synthesis, Southwest Biological Science Center

Climate-mediated changes to linked terrestrial and marine ecosystems across the northeast Pacific coastal temperate rainforest margin Climate-mediated changes to linked terrestrial and marine ecosystems across the northeast Pacific coastal temperate rainforest margin

Coastal margins are important areas of materials flux that link terrestrial and marine ecosystems. Consequently, climate-mediated changes to coastal terrestrial ecosystems and hydrologic regimes have high potential to influence nearshore ocean chemistry and food web dynamics. Research from tightly coupled, high-flux coastal ecosystems can advance understanding of terrestrial–marine links...
Authors
Allison L. Bidlack, Sarah Bisbing, Brian Buma, Heida Diefenderfer, Jason Fellman, William Floyd, Ian Giesbrecht, Amritpal Lally, Ken Lertzman, Steven S. Perakis, David Butman, David D'Amore, Sean W. Fleming, Eran W. Hood, Brianna K. Hunt, Peter Kiffney, Gavin McNicol, Brian Menounos, Suzanne E. Tank
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center

Decadal-scale decoupling of soil phosphorus and molybdenum cycles by temperate nitrogen-fixing trees Decadal-scale decoupling of soil phosphorus and molybdenum cycles by temperate nitrogen-fixing trees

Symbiotic nitrogen- (N) fixing trees can influence multiple biogeochemical cycles by fixing atmospheric N, which drives net primary productivity and soil carbon (C) and N accumulation, as well as by mobilizing soil phosphorus (P) and other nutrients to support growth and metabolism. The soil micronutrient molybdenum (Mo) is essential to N-fixation, yet surprisingly little is known of...
Authors
Katherine A Dynarski, Julie C. Pett-Ridge, Steven S. Perakis
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center

Non-USGS Publications**

Perakis, S.S., Hedin, L.O., 2002, Response to commentary on "Nitrogen loss from unpolluted South American forests mainly via dissolved organic compounds": Nature, v. 418, p. 665-665.
Perakis, S.S., Welch, E.B., Jacoby, J.M., 1996, Sediment-to-water blue-green algal recruitment in response to alum and environmental factors: Hydrobiologia, v. 318, no. 3, p. 165-177.

**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.

To request an interview, contact fresc_outreach@usgs.gov or call (541) 750-1030.

Filter Total Items: 14
Examining Soil’s Role in Tracing Nutrients From Salmon into Riparian Trees

Examining Soil’s Role in Tracing Nutrients From Salmon into Riparian Trees

Pacific salmon transport large amounts of marine nutrients to freshwater and forest ecosystems when they migrate from the ocean, spawn, and die. 

Read Article
Effects of Nitrogen and Sulfur Deposition on Tree Growth, Survival, and Carbon Sequestration Across the U.S.

Effects of Nitrogen and Sulfur Deposition on Tree Growth, Survival, and Carbon Sequestration Across the U.S.

There is scientific controversy about whether nitrogen deposition increases forest carbon sequestration. All tree species do not exhibit the same...

Read Article
Was this page helpful?