Rebecca E. Drenovsky
 Associate Professor, Department of Biology
Telephone: 216-397-4451
Email: rdrenovsky@jcu.edu
Office: Dolan W 244
Research Website
B.S. in Biology, Aquinas College, Grand Rapids, MI
Ph.D. in Plant Biology, University of California, Davis, CA
Post-doctoral research in Soil Microbial Ecology, University of California, Davis, CA
Research Interests
My overall research objective is to understand how resource availability influences plant physiological function and how these changes at the whole-plant level drive ecological processes. Such research is critical to understanding how species and communities will respond to modifications in environmental factors due to global climate change, N deposition, and anthropogenic disturbance. My previous research has focused on how nutrient deficiencies in desert shrubs influence organismal-level processes such as seed production, survival, and growth and how these processes impact population dynamics. This work has expanded into more detailed studies into the physiological and ecological controls on nutrient conservation in a suite of desert and chaparral shrubs. Additionally, I am interested in the physiological and morphological traits that influence the competitive ability of invasive species. My research at the plant-soil interface is highly relevant given current pressures on native environments. By understanding plant physiological responses to these changes, we can better predict feedbacks on community dynamics and ecosystem processes.
Recent Courses
BL 156 - Principles of Biology II lecture
BL 159/160 - Principles of Biology III lecture and laboratory
BL 420/520 - Plant Physiology
BL 435/535 - Plant Ecology lecture and laboratory
BL 454/554 - Desert Biology
BL 454L/554L - Desert Field Biology
BL 560 Biometry
Selected Publications
R.E. Drenovsky, A. Khasanova, J.J. James. 2012. Trait convergence and plasticity among native and invasive species in resource poor environments. American Journal of Botany. In press.
C. Kueffer, Ü. Niinemets, R.E. Drenovsky, J. Kattge, P. Milberg, H. Poorter, P.B. Reich, C. Werner, M. Westoby, I.J. Wright. 2011. Fame, glory and neglect in meta-analyses. Trends in Ecology and Evolution. 26:494-494.
R.E. Drenovsky, A.M. Martin, M.R. Falasco, J.H. Richards. 2011. Comparative ecology of Sarcobatus baileyi and S. vermiculatus in eastern California. Western North American Naturalist. 71:234-239.
N. Pietrasiak, J.R. Johansen, R.E. Drenovsky. 2011. Geologic composition influences distribution of microbiotic crusts in the Mojave and Colorado Deserts at the regional scale. Soil Biology & Biochemistry.43:967-974.
J.J. James, R.E. Drenovsky, M.J. Rinella, T.A. Monaco. 2011. Managing soil nitrogen to restore annual grass infested plant communities: An effective strategy or incomplete framework? Ecological Applications. 21:490-502.
R.E. Drenovsky, J.J. James, J.H. Richards. 2010. Variation in nutrient resorption by desert shrubs. Journal of Arid Environments.74:1564-1568. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jaridenv.2010.05.030
R.E. Drenovsky, K.L. Steenwerth, L.E. Jackson, and K.M. Scow. 2010. Land use and climatic factors structure regional patterns in soil microbial communities. Global Ecology and Biogeography 19:27-39.
R.E. Drenovsky, J.J. James. 2010. Designing invasion resistant plant communities: The role of plant functional traits. Rangelands 32:32-37. (invited review)
J.J. Pan, B. Widner, D. Ammerman, R.E. Drenovsky. 2010. Plant community and tissue chemistry responses to fertilizer and litter nutrient
manipulations in a temperate grassland. Plant Ecology 206:139-150.
J.M. Holloway, M.B. Goldhaber, K.M. Scow, and R.E. Drenovsky. 2009. Spatial and seasonal variations in mercury methylation and microbial community structure in an historic mercury mining area, Yolo County, California. Chemical Geology 267:85-95.
M.A. Christman, J.J. James, R.E. Drenovsky, and J.H. Richards. 2009. Environmental stress and genetics influence nighttime leaf conductance in the C4 grass Distichlis spicata. Functional Plant Biology 36:50-55.
Z.T. Aanderud, M.I. Shuldman, R.E. Drenovsky, and J.H. Richards. 2008. Shrub-interspace dynamics alter relationships between microbial community composition and belowground ecosystem characteristics. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 40:2206-2216.
R.E. Drenovsky, K.P. Feris, K.M. Batten, K.R. Hristova. 2008. New and current microbiological tools for ecosystem ecologists: towards a goal of linking structure and function. American Midland Naturalist. 160:140-159 (review)
K.L. Steenwerth, R.E. Drenovsky, J.J. Lambert, D.A. Kluepfel, K.M. Scow, D.R. Smart. 2008. Soil morphology, depth, and grapevine root frequency influence microbial communities in a Pinot noir Vineyard. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 40:1330-1340.
R.E. Drenovsky, C.E. Martin, M.R. Falasco, J.J. James. 2008. Variation in resource use and acquisition traits between native and invasive perennial forbs. American Journal of Botany 95:681-687.
J.J. James, R.E. Drenovsky. 2007. A basis for relative growth rate differences between native and invasive forb seedlings. Rangeland Ecology and Management 60:395-400.
R.E. Drenovsky, K.M. Batten. 2007. Invasion by Aegilops triuncialis (barb goatgrass) slows carbon and nutrient cycling in a serpentine grassland. Biological Invasions 9: 107-116.
R.E. Drenovsky, J.H. Richards. 2006. Low N and P resorption correlates with nutrient limitation in two desert shrubs. Plant Ecology. 183:305-314.
J.J. James, M.A. Caird, R.E. Drenovsky, R.L. Sheley. 2006. Influence of resource pulses and perennial neighbors on the establishment of an invasive annual grass in the Mojave Desert. Journal of Arid Environments. 67:528-534.
M. Pothoff, K.L Steenwerth, L.E. Jackson, R.E. Drenovsky, K.M. Scow, R.G. Jorgensen. 2006. Soil microbial community composition as affected by restoration practices in California grassland. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 38:1851-1860.
R.E. Drenovsky, R.A. Duncan, K.M. Scow. 2005. Soil sterilization treatments and organic carbon amendments, but not microbial inoculants, change microbial community composition in replanted peach orchards. California Agriculture. 59:176-181.
R.E. Drenovsky, J.H. Richards. 2005. Nitrogen addition increases fecundity in the desert shrub, Sarcobatus vermiculatus. Oecologia. 143:349-356.
C.A. Ingels, K.M. Scow, D.A. Whisson, R.E. Drenovsky. 2005. Effects of cover crops on grapevines, yield, juice quality, soil microbial ecology, and gopher activity. American Journal of Enology and Viticulture. 56:19-29.
R.E. Drenovsky, M.P. Edwards, L.A. Gardner, K.M. Scow, A.L. Maroney, L.K. Loveless. 2005. Comparison of soil microbial communities in Pinot Noir vineyards in Anderson, Carneros, and Russian River Appellations. Proceedings of the Soil Environment and Vine Mineral Nutrition Symposium (Eds. L.P. Christensen, D.R. Smart), p. 39-47.
R.E. Drenovsky, D. Vo, K.J. Graham, K.M. Scow. 2004. Soil water content and organic carbon availability are major determinants of soil microbial community composition. Microbial Ecology. 48:424-430.
R.E. Drenovsky, G.N. Elliott, K.J. Graham, K.M. Scow. 2004. Comparison of phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) and total soil fatty acid methyl esters (TSFAME) for characterizing soil microbial communities. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 36:1793-1800.
R.E. Drenovsky, J.H. Richards. 2004. Critical N:P values: Predicting nutrient deficiencies in desert shrublands. Plant and Soil 259:59-69. (cover article)
R.E. Drenovsky, J.H. Richards. 2003. High N availability does not increase salinity tolerance in Sarcobatus vermiculatus. Western North American Naturalist 63:472-478.
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