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, global change, 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
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 and climate change, succession, and soil fertility shape ecosystem biogeochemistry - and the reciprocal effect of biogeochemical cycles on these and other factors.
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.
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.
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: 75
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 whether N-fix
Authors
Katherine A Dynarski, Julie C. Pett-Ridge, Steven Perakis
Trait integration and functional differentiation among co-existing plant species
PremiseDetermining which traits characterize strategies of coexisting species is important to developing trait‐based models of plant communities. First, global dimensions may not exist locally. Second, the degree to which traits and trait spectra constitute independent dimensions of functional variation at various scales continues to be refined. Finally, traits may be associated with existing cate
Authors
Julia I. Burton, Steven Perakis, J. Renee Brooks, Klaus J. Puettmann
A spatially explicit, empirical estimate of tree-based biological nitrogen fixation in forests of the United States
Quantifying human impacts on the nitrogen (N) cycle and investigating natural ecosystem N cycling depend on the magnitude of inputs from natural biological nitrogen fixation (BNF). Here, we present two bottom‐up approaches to quantify tree‐based symbiotic BNF based on forest inventory data across the coterminous United States and SE Alaska. For all major N‐fixing tree genera, we quantify BNF input
Authors
Anika Staccone, Wenying Liao, Steven Perakis, Jana Compton, Christopher L. Clark, Duncan Menge
Frequent burning causes large losses of carbon from deep soil layers in a temperate savanna
Fire activity is changing dramatically across the globe, with uncertain effects on ecosystem processes, especially below‐ground. Fire‐driven losses of soil carbon (C) are often assumed to occur primarily in the upper soil layers because the repeated combustion of above‐ground biomass limits organic matter inputs into surface soil. However, C losses from deeper soil may occur if frequent burning re
Authors
Adam Pellegrini, Kendra K McLauchlan, Sarah E Hobbie, Michelle C. Mack, Abbey L Marcotte, David M. Nelson, Steven Perakis, Peter B. Reich, Kyle Whittinghill
Riparian soil nitrogen cycling and isotopic enrichment in response to a long-term salmon carcass manipulation experiment
Pacific salmon acquire most of their biomass in the ocean before returning to spawn and die in coastal streams and lakes, thus providing subsidies of marine‐derived nitrogen (MDN) to freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems. Recent declines in salmon abundance have raised questions of whether managers should mitigate for losses of salmon MDN subsidies. To test the long‐term importance of salmon subsi
Authors
Megan Feddern, Gordon W. Holtgrieve, Steven Perakis, Julia A. Hart, Hyejoo Ro, Tom Quinn
Growth and survival relationships of 71 tree species with nitrogen and sulfur deposition across the conterminous U.S.
Atmospheric deposition of nitrogen (N) influences forest demographics and carbon (C) uptake through multiple mechanisms that vary among tree species. Prior studies have estimated the effects of atmospheric N deposition on temperate forests by leveraging forest inventory measurements across regional gradients in deposition. However, in the United States (U.S.), these previous studies were limited i
Authors
Kevin J Horn, R. Quinn Thomas, Christopher M. Clark, Linda H Pardo, Mark E. Fenn, Gregory B. Lawrence, Steven Perakis, Erica A.H. Smithwick, Doug Baldwin, Sabine Braun, Annika Nordin, Charles H. Perry, Jennifer N Phelan, Paul G. Schaberg, Samuel B St Clair, Richard Warby, Shaun A. Watmough
Molybdenum isotope fractionation during adsorption to organic matter
Organic matter is of emerging interest as a control on molybdenum (Mo) biogeochemistry, and information on isotope fractionation during adsorption to organic matter can improve interpretations of Mo isotope variations in natural settings. Molybdenum isotope fractionation was investigated during adsorption onto insolubilized humic acid (IHA), a surrogate for organic matter, as a function of time (2
Authors
Elizabeth K. King, Steven Perakis, Julie C. Pett-Ridge
Centennial-scale reductions in nitrogen availability in temperate forests of the United States
Forests cover 30% of the terrestrial Earth surface and are a major component of the global carbon (C) cycle. Humans have doubled the amount of global reactive nitrogen (N), increasing deposition of N onto forests worldwide. However, other global changes—especially climate change and elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations—are increasing demand for N, the element limiting primary product
Authors
Kendra K. McLauchlan, Laci M. Gerhart, John J. Battles, Joseph M. Craine, Andrew J. Elmore, Phil E. Higuera, Michelle M Mack, Brendan E. McNeil, David M. Nelson, Neil Pederson, Steven Perakis
Intraspecific variability and reaction norms of forest understory plant species traits
Trait-based models of ecological communities typically assume intraspecific variation in functional traits is not important, though such variation can change species trait rankings along gradients in resources and environmental conditions, and thus influence community structure and function.We examined the degree of intraspecific relative to interspecific variation, and reaction norms of 11 functi
Authors
Julia I. Burton, Steven Perakis, Sean C. McKenzie, Caitlin E. Lawrence, Klaus J. Puettmann
Nutrient feedbacks to soil heterotrophic nitrogen fixation in forests
Multiple nutrient cycles regulate biological nitrogen (N) fixation in forests, yet long-term feedbacks between N-fixation and coupled element cycles remain largely unexplored. We examined soil nutrients and heterotrophic N-fixation across a gradient of 24 temperate conifer forests shaped by legacies of symbiotic N-fixing trees. We observed positive relationships among mineral soil pools of N, carb
Authors
Steven Perakis, Julie C. Pett-Ridge, Christina E. Catricala
Mechanisms of nitrogen deposition effects on temperate forest lichens and trees
We review the mechanisms of deleterious nitrogen (N) deposition impacts on temperate forests, with a particular focus on trees and lichens. Elevated anthropogenic N deposition to forests has varied effects on individual organisms depending on characteristics both of the N inputs (form, timing, amount) and of the organisms (ecology, physiology) involved. Improved mechanistic knowledge of these effe
Authors
Therese S. Carter, Christopher L. Clark, Mark E. Fenn, Sarah E. Jovan, Steven Perakis, Jennifer Riddell, Paul G. Schaberg, Tara Greaver, Meredith Hastings
Long-term forest productivity
No abstract available.
Authors
Bernard T. Bormann, Steven S. Perakis, Robyn Darbyshire, Jeff Hatten
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: 13
Science and Products
- Science
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 and climate change, succession, and soil fertility shape ecosystem biogeochemistry - and the reciprocal effect of biogeochemical cycles on these and other factors. - Data
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 - Multimedia
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. - Publications
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: 75Decadal-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 whether N-fixAuthorsKatherine A Dynarski, Julie C. Pett-Ridge, Steven PerakisTrait integration and functional differentiation among co-existing plant species
PremiseDetermining which traits characterize strategies of coexisting species is important to developing trait‐based models of plant communities. First, global dimensions may not exist locally. Second, the degree to which traits and trait spectra constitute independent dimensions of functional variation at various scales continues to be refined. Finally, traits may be associated with existing cateAuthorsJulia I. Burton, Steven Perakis, J. Renee Brooks, Klaus J. PuettmannA spatially explicit, empirical estimate of tree-based biological nitrogen fixation in forests of the United States
Quantifying human impacts on the nitrogen (N) cycle and investigating natural ecosystem N cycling depend on the magnitude of inputs from natural biological nitrogen fixation (BNF). Here, we present two bottom‐up approaches to quantify tree‐based symbiotic BNF based on forest inventory data across the coterminous United States and SE Alaska. For all major N‐fixing tree genera, we quantify BNF inputAuthorsAnika Staccone, Wenying Liao, Steven Perakis, Jana Compton, Christopher L. Clark, Duncan MengeFrequent burning causes large losses of carbon from deep soil layers in a temperate savanna
Fire activity is changing dramatically across the globe, with uncertain effects on ecosystem processes, especially below‐ground. Fire‐driven losses of soil carbon (C) are often assumed to occur primarily in the upper soil layers because the repeated combustion of above‐ground biomass limits organic matter inputs into surface soil. However, C losses from deeper soil may occur if frequent burning reAuthorsAdam Pellegrini, Kendra K McLauchlan, Sarah E Hobbie, Michelle C. Mack, Abbey L Marcotte, David M. Nelson, Steven Perakis, Peter B. Reich, Kyle WhittinghillRiparian soil nitrogen cycling and isotopic enrichment in response to a long-term salmon carcass manipulation experiment
Pacific salmon acquire most of their biomass in the ocean before returning to spawn and die in coastal streams and lakes, thus providing subsidies of marine‐derived nitrogen (MDN) to freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems. Recent declines in salmon abundance have raised questions of whether managers should mitigate for losses of salmon MDN subsidies. To test the long‐term importance of salmon subsiAuthorsMegan Feddern, Gordon W. Holtgrieve, Steven Perakis, Julia A. Hart, Hyejoo Ro, Tom QuinnGrowth and survival relationships of 71 tree species with nitrogen and sulfur deposition across the conterminous U.S.
Atmospheric deposition of nitrogen (N) influences forest demographics and carbon (C) uptake through multiple mechanisms that vary among tree species. Prior studies have estimated the effects of atmospheric N deposition on temperate forests by leveraging forest inventory measurements across regional gradients in deposition. However, in the United States (U.S.), these previous studies were limited iAuthorsKevin J Horn, R. Quinn Thomas, Christopher M. Clark, Linda H Pardo, Mark E. Fenn, Gregory B. Lawrence, Steven Perakis, Erica A.H. Smithwick, Doug Baldwin, Sabine Braun, Annika Nordin, Charles H. Perry, Jennifer N Phelan, Paul G. Schaberg, Samuel B St Clair, Richard Warby, Shaun A. WatmoughMolybdenum isotope fractionation during adsorption to organic matter
Organic matter is of emerging interest as a control on molybdenum (Mo) biogeochemistry, and information on isotope fractionation during adsorption to organic matter can improve interpretations of Mo isotope variations in natural settings. Molybdenum isotope fractionation was investigated during adsorption onto insolubilized humic acid (IHA), a surrogate for organic matter, as a function of time (2AuthorsElizabeth K. King, Steven Perakis, Julie C. Pett-RidgeCentennial-scale reductions in nitrogen availability in temperate forests of the United States
Forests cover 30% of the terrestrial Earth surface and are a major component of the global carbon (C) cycle. Humans have doubled the amount of global reactive nitrogen (N), increasing deposition of N onto forests worldwide. However, other global changes—especially climate change and elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations—are increasing demand for N, the element limiting primary productAuthorsKendra K. McLauchlan, Laci M. Gerhart, John J. Battles, Joseph M. Craine, Andrew J. Elmore, Phil E. Higuera, Michelle M Mack, Brendan E. McNeil, David M. Nelson, Neil Pederson, Steven PerakisIntraspecific variability and reaction norms of forest understory plant species traits
Trait-based models of ecological communities typically assume intraspecific variation in functional traits is not important, though such variation can change species trait rankings along gradients in resources and environmental conditions, and thus influence community structure and function.We examined the degree of intraspecific relative to interspecific variation, and reaction norms of 11 functiAuthorsJulia I. Burton, Steven Perakis, Sean C. McKenzie, Caitlin E. Lawrence, Klaus J. PuettmannNutrient feedbacks to soil heterotrophic nitrogen fixation in forests
Multiple nutrient cycles regulate biological nitrogen (N) fixation in forests, yet long-term feedbacks between N-fixation and coupled element cycles remain largely unexplored. We examined soil nutrients and heterotrophic N-fixation across a gradient of 24 temperate conifer forests shaped by legacies of symbiotic N-fixing trees. We observed positive relationships among mineral soil pools of N, carbAuthorsSteven Perakis, Julie C. Pett-Ridge, Christina E. CatricalaMechanisms of nitrogen deposition effects on temperate forest lichens and trees
We review the mechanisms of deleterious nitrogen (N) deposition impacts on temperate forests, with a particular focus on trees and lichens. Elevated anthropogenic N deposition to forests has varied effects on individual organisms depending on characteristics both of the N inputs (form, timing, amount) and of the organisms (ecology, physiology) involved. Improved mechanistic knowledge of these effeAuthorsTherese S. Carter, Christopher L. Clark, Mark E. Fenn, Sarah E. Jovan, Steven Perakis, Jennifer Riddell, Paul G. Schaberg, Tara Greaver, Meredith HastingsLong-term forest productivity
No abstract available.AuthorsBernard T. Bormann, Steven S. Perakis, Robyn Darbyshire, Jeff HattenNon-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.
- News
To request an interview, contact fresc_outreach@usgs.gov or call (541) 750-1030.
Filter Total Items: 13