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Kathryn Jacobson
Associate Professor of Biology
Post-Doc. 1993 -1995, Desert Research Foundation of Namibia; Ph.D. 1992,
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
Tel: 641-269-4359; FAX: 641-269-4285;
Office: Science 1205; Email: jacobsok@grinnell.edu
Research with undergraduate students in my lab focuses on
various aspects of community structure and population biology of fungi. Three
projects are currently ongoing at Grinnell College’s research station (CERA) in
central Iowa. We have initial data from an ongoing study that
will be published this year regarding genetic variation and life histories of
morels. Secondly, we are studying mycorrhizal associations of bur oak in
restored prairie, savanna and woodland habitats. Thirdly, we initiated a long
term project (3-5 years) this summer comparing macrofungal diversity (species
richness and abundance) in upland oak hickory, upland secondary growth elm and
riparian forests.
The population biology of Welwitschia mirabilis
and the seed pathogen, Aspergillis niger var. phoenicus, that
severely compromises seed survival of the plant remains an additional interest
in my lab (Jacobson & Lester 2003). We are currently addressing genetic
variation in the pathogen populations, and are also pursuing hypotheses
regarding the origins of this fascinating plant arising from our previous work.
Finally, I recently completed a project that examined how
flooding frequency affects the relative distribution of arbuscular mycorrhizal
versus ectomycorrhizal fungi in the rhizosphere of indigenous cottonwood in
dryland riparian forests in southwestern USA (Jacobson, In Press).
My recent work has been supported by NSF, the Iowa Academy
of Science, a Woodrow Wilson Career Enhancement Fellowship, and Grinnell
College.
- Jacobson P.J., Jacobson K.M. & Seely M.K. (1995). Ephemeral Rivers and their Catchments: Sustaining People and Development in Western Namibia. Desert Research Foundation of Namibia and Department of Water Affairs, Windhoek. 160 pp.
- Pallet, J. (ed.) (1995). The Sperrgebiet: Namibia's least known wilderness. DRFN and NAMDEB, Windhoek. Contributing author: Vegetation.
- Seely M.K. & K.M. Jacobson (1995). Desertification in Namibia. Environmental Review 1(1): 94-100.
- Jacobson K.M. (1996). Fungal ecology in the Etosha National Park, Namibia. Madoqua 20(1): 149-155.
- Jurgens, N., A. Gunster, M.K. Seely, K.M. Jacobson. (1997). Chapter 10: Deserts. In: Vegetation of Southern Africa Ed. D. Richardson, Cambridge University Press, London.
- Jacobson K.M. (1997). Moisture and substrate stability determine VA-mycorrhizal fungal community distribution and structure in an arid grassland. Journal of Arid Environments 35:59-76.
- Abrams M.M., P.J. Jacobson, K.M. Jacobson, M.K. Seely. (1997). Survey of soil chemical properties across a landscape in the Namib Desert. Journal of Arid Environments. 35:29-38
- Jacobson, P.J. & K.M. Jacobson. (1997). Encouraging, training and supporting “Ecologists/Biologists as Problem Solvers” - some opinions from Providence. Guest Editorial. Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America 78(1):4-6.
- Andre, H.M., M.-I. Noti, K.M. Jacobson. (1998). The soil microarthropods of the Namib Desert: a patchy mosaic. Journal of African Zoology 111:499-517.
- Jacobson, K.M. & P.J. Jacobson. (1998). Rainfall regulates decomposition of buried cellulose in the Namib Desert. Journal of Arid Environments 38(4):571-83.
- Mannheimer, C. & K.M. Jacobson. (1998). Fungal diversity in Namibia. In: Barnard, P. (ed). Biological Diversity in Namibia: a Country Study. Windhoek: Namibian National Biodiversity Task Force. 332 pp.
- Jacobson, K.M., P.J. Jacobson, O.K. Miller Jr. (1999) The autecology of Battarrea stevenii (Liboshitz) Fr. in ephemeral rivers of southwestern Africa. Mycological Research 103: 9-17.
- Jacobson, P.J., K.M. Jacobson, P.L. Angermeier and D.S. Cherry. (1999). Transport, retention, and ecological significance of woody debris within a large ephemeral river. Journal of the North American Benthological Society 18:429-444.
- Jacobson, P.J., K.M. Jacobson, P.L. Angermeier and D.S. Cherry. (2000). Hydrologic influences on soil properties along ephemeral rivers in the Namib Desert. Journal of Arid Environments 45:21-34.
- Jacobson, P.J., K.M. Jacobson, P.L. Angermeier and D.S. Cherry. (2000). Variation in material transport and water chemistry along a large ephemeral river in the Namib Desert. Freshwater Biology 44:481-492.
- Jacobson, K.M & E.A. Lester. (2003) A first assessment of genetic variation in Welwitschia mirabilis Hook. Journal of Heredity 94(3):212-217.
- Jacobson, K.M. (In Press) The effects of flooding regimes on mycorrhizal associations of Populus fremontii in dryland riparian forests. In: C. Cripps (ed.) Fungi in Forest Ecosystems: Diversity, Systematics, and Ecology, New York Botanical Gardens, NY.
- Fall
- Spring
BIO-252: Organisms, Evolution and Ecology
- Fall
TUT-100
- Spring
BIO-150: Introduction to Biological Inquiry, "Effects of Climate Change on Organisms"
- Tutorial: Images of Africa
- Biology 150: Introduction to Biological Inquiry - "Effects of Climate Change on Organisms"
- Biology 252: Organisms, Evolution and Ecology
- Biology 325: Fungal Biology
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