Language of the Land: Soils and Grassland Restoration in California

Soils are diverse, complex, natural wonders that support biodiversity and provide fundamental ecosystem services to humanity. But soils and their microfauna are often overlooked in conservation and restoration. Restoration efforts often recognize the important role of soils in ecosystem dynamics, but most projects focus on restoring plant communities and wildlife habitat and many opportunities for greater integration of soils knowledge into restoration remains. In this talk, Dr. Yamina Pressler will explore the processes that lead to the formation of unique soil types. She will describe the approaches scientists use to study how soils form, function, and change over time. We will explore how these approaches can help shape restoration efforts in California grasslands. Dr. Pressler will also show you where you can explore the soils around you and what to look for when you find them.

Dr. Yamina Pressler is an Associate Professor of Soil Science and Restoration Ecology at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo where she leads the Coastal Soil Horizons & Ecology Lab (C-SHEL). Her research focuses on soil ecology, formation, and plant-soil linkages to inform ecosystem restoration and stewardship. Her research team studies soil biota and organic matter in the context of rangeland restoration, fire management, and climate-smart agriculture in the Coastal California Bioregion. Yamina is also an educator and science communicator committed to collective soil conservation and care. She received a Ph.D. in Ecology from Colorado State University, and B.S. in Environmental Management from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.

Spanish interpretation provided.