Rules of Nature/Rules of Life
Faculty Information
Faculty Information
CURRICULUM VITAE
NALINI M. NADKARNI
PERSONAL DATA
Birth: 13 October 1954; Bethesda, Maryland
Married: 1983, John T. Longino; Children: 1 son, born August, 1989; 1 daughter, September 1992
EDUCATION
B.S., Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, 1976 (with honors); Junior Year Transfer to University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada, 1974-1975
Ph.D., University of Washington, Seattle, College of Forest Resources, 1983;
Fundamentals of Ecology Course, Organization of Tropical Studies, Costa Rica, Summer, 1979
Post-Doctoral Research Associate, Southwest Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas, 1983-1984
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Community and ecosystem ecology of tropical and temperate forest canopies, particularly the role that epiphytes play in forest nutrient cycling; the use of epiphyte resources by canopy biota; the effects of forest fragmentation on biodiversity and community function in tropical and temperate ecosystems; the application of database science to understand three-dimensional data that concern forest canopies.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
1991 to present: Member of the Faculty, The Evergreen State College, Olympia, Washington
1989 - 1991: Director of Research, The Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, Sarasota, Florida
1984 - 1989: Assistant Professor, University of California, Santa Barbara
1977-1978: Research Assistant, Wau Ecology Institute, Papua New Guinea
1977: Instructor, Department of Biology, University of Technology of Papua New Guinea
ADJUNCT APPOINTMENTS:
Associate Research Staff, The Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
Research Associate, Missouri Botanical Garden
Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of South Florida, Department of Biology
Affiliate Associate Professor, University of Washington, College of Forest Resources
PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES
Ecological Society of America
Association for Tropical Biology
International Canopy Network, Co-founder and President, 1994-present
HONORS AND AWARDS
John Simon Guggenheim Fellowship, 2001-2002
Association for Tropical Biology, President, 2001-2002
Board Member, The Nature Conservancy, 1998-2001
J. Stirling Morton Award, The National Arbor Day Foundation, 1997
Alice and Rolla Tryon Endowed Lecture in Tropical Botany, University of South Florida, 1996
Council Member, Association for Tropical Biology, 1994-1997
Jane and Whitney Harris Lectureship, International Center for Tropical Ecology, Univ. of Missouri, 1994
Morgan Endowed Lecture in Science, 1992
Jessie B. Cox Chair in Tropical Ecology, Selby Gardens, 1989-1991
Margery Stoneman Douglas Endowed Lecture, 1989
University Fellowship, University of Washington, 1979-1982
English-Speaking Union Travel Fellowship, 1982
Northwest Science Association Scholarship, 1981
RESEARCH SUPPORT
2001-2002: National Geographic Society Conservation Trust: An exploration of new ways to understand and conserve forest canopy biota. National Geographic Society ($29,900)
1999-2000: National Science Foundation International Program: The articulation and dissemination of collaborative visions for forest canopy research: an international workshop ($29,520)
1996-1998: National Science Foundation Database Activities Program: Enhancing researcher and site productivity at shared research facilities: database tools for analyzing forest canopy information ($180,000).
1996-1998: National Science Foundation Long-Term Research in Environmental Biology: Long-term studies of canopy communities in Monteverde, Costa Rica ($80,000)
1993-1995: National Science Foundation Database Activities Program: The analysis of three-dimensional spatial information of tree and forest canopy structure: a planning grant ($132,873).
1992-1994: National Geographic Society Research Grant: Investigation of the floristics and distribution of epiphytes in a neotropical cloud forest ($20,450).
1990-1993: National Science Foundation Research Grant: The role of epiphytes in cloud forest nutrient cycles: models and mechanisms" ($236,000).
1987-1989: National Science Foundation Research Grant:" The role of canopy organic matter in cloud forest nutrient cycles" ($199,200).
1988-1989 and 1989-1990: National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates Grant Supplement: "Ecological aspects of canopy organic matter in a neotropical cloud forest" ($8000).
1989-1990: Institute of Museum Services Conservation Project: "Use of model bar code labelling system for plant specimens at the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens." ($25,000).
1989-1990: California Space Institute: "Incorporation of three-dimensional tree mapping into forest radar models." ($17,500).
1987-1991: Whitehall Foundation: "Use of computer graphics to portray three-dimensional dynamic biological systems" ($89,000).
1985, 1986, 1991: National Geographic Society Research Grants: "The ecology of epiphytes in cloud forest ecosystems" ($35,400).
1983: Sigma Xi Grant-in-Aid: "Uptake of nutrients by adventitious canopy roots using radioisotopes" ($200)
1981-1983: Man and the Biosphere Research Grant (with Charles Grier): "The role of epiphytes in temperate and tropical rainforest nutrient cycling" ($50,000).
REVIEWED MANUSCRIPTS FOR:
Science, Ecology, American Journal of Botany, Selbyana, Biotropica, Madrono, Journal of Tropical Ecology, National Geographic, Wadsworth Publishing Company, Cambridge University Press, Oxford University Press
REVIEWED PROPOSALS FOR:
National Science Foundation (Ecology, Ecosystems, and Systematics Programs, Research Initiation at Minority Institutions Program, U.S. Latin America Cooperative Science Program), Organization for Tropical Studies, National Geographic Society Committee on Exploration and Research, Florida State Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission
PANEL MEMBER FOR:
National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates Panel, Doctoral Dissertation Improvement Grant Panel, Biological Facilities Program, Committee of Visitors, Long-term Ecological Studies Programs; National Research Council Committee on Biodiversity,
INVITED SEMINARS AND WORKSHOPS: (1986-present)
Stanford University, Univ. of Minnesota, Univ. of California (Riverside, Santa Cruz, Davis), Wellesley College, California State College, Missouri Botanical Gardens, California Academy of Sciences, Univ. of Florida, Fairchild Tropical Gardens, NSF Workshop on Tropical Soil Organic Matter, Univ. of Hawaii, University of Florida, University of South Florida, Fairchild Tropical Garden, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Ohio University, Univ. of Washington, Appalachian State University, Museum of Science at Boston, Oregon State University, Cary Arboretum Institute for Ecosystems Studies
SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS AND CONTRIBUTIONS (partial list):
J. Gressitt and N. Nadkarni. 1979. The ecology of Mt. Kaindi: Montane forest ecology of Papua New Guinea. Wau Ecology Handbook No. 5.
C. Bledsoe, N. Nadkarni, W. Littke, and R. Edmonds. 1981. Use of cellulose filters for infection of the mycorrhizal fungus Hebeloma crustuliniforme in Douglas-fir seedlings. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 112: 45-47.
Nadkarni, N. 1981. Canopy roots: convergent evolution in rainforest nutrient cycles. Science 213: 1024-1025 (with cover photograph)
Nadkarni, N. 1984. The biomass and nutrient capital of epiphytes in a neotropical cloud forest, Monteverde. Biotropica 15:1-9.
Nadkarni, N. 1985. Nutrient capital of canopy epiphytes in an Acer macrophyllum community, Olympic Peninsula, Washington State. Canadian Journal of Botany 77:136-142.
Nadkarni, N. 1985. Canopy plants of the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve (Spanish and English version). Tropical Science Center information pamphlet.
Nadkarni, N. 1986a. The effects of epiphytes on precipitation chemistry in a neotropical cloud forest. Selbyana 9:47-52.
Nadkarni, N. 1986b. An ecological overview and checklist of epiphytes in the Monteverde Cloud Forest. Brenesia 24:55-62.
Nadkarni, N. 1988. Tropical ecology from a canopy perspective. Memoirs of the California Academy of Sciences. 12:189-208.
Fonteyn, P., M. Stone, M. Yancy, J. Baccus, and N. Nadkarni. 1988. Determination of community structure by fire. In: Edwards Plateau Vegetation: Plant ecological studies in central Texas. B. Amos and F. Gehlbach, eds. Baylor University Press.
Nadkarni, N. 1988. Use of a portable platform for observation of animal behavior in tropical tree canopies. Biotropica 20:350-351.
N. Nadkarni and R. Primack. 1989. A comparison of mineral uptake by above- and below-ground roots of Salix syringiana using gamma spectrometry. Plant and Soil 113:39-45.
Grier, C., K. Lee, N. Nadkarni, G. Klock, and P. Edgerton. 1989. Productivity of forests of the United States and its relation to soil and site factors and management practices: a review. General Technical Report PNW-GTR-222, Pacific Northwest Research Station, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture. 51 pp.
Nadkarni, N. and T. Matelson. 1989. Bird use of epiphyte resources in neotropical trees. The Condor 69:891-907.
Nadkarni, N. and R. Primack. 1989. The use of gamma spectrometry to measure within-plant nutrient allocation of a tank bromeliad, Guzmania lingulata. Selbyana 11:22-25.
Vance, E. and N. Nadkarni. 1990. Microbial biomass and activity in canopy organic matter and the forest floor of a tropical cloud forest. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 22:677-684.
Nadkarni, N. and J. Longino. 1990. Macroinvertebrate communities in canopy and forest floor organic matter in a montane cloud forest, Costa Rica. Biotropica 22:286-289.
Callaway, R., N. Nadkarni, and B. Mahall. 1990. Blue oaks and pasture productivity: is there a relationship? Fremontia 37: 42-43.
Longino, J. and N. Nadkarni. 1990. A comparison of ground and canopy leaf litter ants (Hymenoptera:Formicidae) in a neotropical montane forest. Psyche 97:81-94.
Nadkarni, N. 1991. Review of Vascular Epiphytes, by D. Benzing. J. Bromeliad Society 41:263.
Callaway, R., N. Nadkarni, and B. Mahall. 1991. Facilitation and interference of Quercus douglasii on understory production in central California. Ecology 72:1484-1489.
Nadkarni, N. and T. Matelson. 1991. Litter dynamics within the canopy of a neotropical cloud forest, Monteverde, Costa Rica. Ecology 72:2071-2082.
Clark, K.C. and N.M. Nadkarni. 1991. A bar code plant inventory system. The Public Garden 6:32-34.
Callaway, R. and N. Nadkarni. 1991. Seasonal patterns of nutrient deposition in a Quercus douglasii woodland in central California. Plant and Soil 137:209-222.
Nadkarni, N. and T. Matelson. 1992. Biomass and nutrient dynamics of epiphyte litterfall in a neotropical cloud forest, Costa Rica. Biotropica 24:24-30.
Vance, E. and N. Nadkarni. 1992. Root biomass distribution in a moist tropical montane forest. Plant and Soil 142: 31-39.
Nadkarni, N. M. and T. Matelson. 1992. Biomass and nutrient dynamics of fine litter of terrestrially rooted material in a neotropical montane forest, Costa Rica. Biotropica 24:113-120.
Nadkarni, N. M. and K. Ferrell-Ingram. 1992. A bibliography of biological literature on epiphytes: an update. Selbyana 13:3-24
Nadkarni, N. M. 1992. The conservation of epiphytes and their habitats: summary of a discussion at the international Symposium on The Biology and Conservation of Epiphytes. Selbyana 13:140-142.
Matelson, T. J., N. M. Nadkarni, and J. T. Longino. 1993. Survivorship of fallen epiphytes in a neotropical cloud forest, Monteverde, Costa Rica. Ecology 74:265-269.
Maffia, B., N. M. Nadkarni, and D. P. Janos. 1993. Vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae of epiphytic and terrestrial Piperaceae under field and greenhouse conditions. Mycorrhiza 4:5-11.
Ingram, S. and N. Nadkarni. 1993. Composition and distribution of epiphytic organic matter in a neotropical cloud forest, Costa Rica. Biotropica 25:370-383.
Nadkarni, N. M. 1994. Diversity of species and interactions in the upper tree canopy of forest ecosystems. American Zoologist 34:321-330.
Nadkarni, N. M. 1994. Factors affecting the initiation and elongation of aboveground adventitious roots in a tropical cloud forest tree: an experimental approach. Oecologia 100:94-97.
Nadkarni, N. M. and G. G. Parker. 1994. A profile of forest canopy science and scientists - who we are, what we want to know, and obstacles we face: results of an international survey. Selbyana 15:38-50.
Nadkarni, N. M. 1995. Good-bye, Tarzan: the science of life in the treetops gets down to business. The Sciences 35:28-33.
Bohlman, S. T. Matelson, and N. Nadkarni. 1995. Moisture and temperature patterns of canopy humus and forest floor soils of a montane cloud forest, Costa Rica. Biotropica 27:13-19.
Matelson, T. J., N. M. Nadkarni, and R. Solano. 1995. Tree damage and annual mortality in a montane forest in Monteverde, Costa Rica. Biotropica 27:441-447.
Nadkarni, N., T. Matelson, and W. Haber. 1995. Structural characteristics and floristic composition of a neotropical cloud forest, Monteverde, Costa Rica. Journal of Tropical Ecology 11:481-495.
Nadkarni, N. 1996. Review of: Tropical Forests: Management and Ecology, A. Lugo & C. Lowe, eds. IN: Forest Science 42:252-253.
Nadkarni, N., G. G. Parker, E. D. Ford, J. B. Cushing, and C. Stallman. 1996. The International Canopy Network: A pathway for interdisciplinary exchange of scientific information on forest canopies. Northwest Science: 70:104-108.
Ingram, S. W., K. Ferrell-Ingram, and N. M. Nadkarni. 1996. Floristic composition of vascular epiphytes in a neotropical cloud forest, Monteverde, Costa Rica. Selbyana 17:88-103.
Clark, K. L., N. M. Nadkarni, D. Schaefer, and H. L. Gholz. 1998a. Cloud water and precipitation chemistry in a tropical montane forest, Monteverde, Costa Rica. Atmospheric Environment 32:1595-1603.
Clark, K. L., N. M. Nadkarni, D. Schaefer, and H. L. Gholz. 1998b. Atmospheric deposition and net retention of ions by the canopy in a tropical montane forest, Monteverde, Costa Rica. Journal of Tropical Ecology 14:27-45.
Clark, K. L., N. M. Nadkarni, and H. L. Gholz. 1998c. Growth, net production, litter decomposition, and net nitrogen accumulation by epiphytic bryophytes in a tropical montane forest. Biotropica 30:12-23.
Ghosal, S., A.V. Muruganandam, S. Chauhan, K. Kawanishi, K. Saiki, & N.M. Nadkarni. 1999. Crown humus: part I - the chemistry of the canopy organic matter of rain forests in Costa Rica. Indian Journal of Chemistry.-Section-B, Organic including Medicinal. 38: 67-75.
Nadkarni, N. M., A. R. Cobb, and R. Solano. 2000. Interception and retention of macroscopic bryophyte fragments by branch substrates in a tropical cloud forest: an experimental and demographic approach. Oecologia 122:60-65.
Nadkarni, N. M. 2000. Colonization of stripped branch surfaces by epiphytes in a lower montane cloud forest, Monteverde, Costa Rica. Biotropica 32:358-363.
Lyons, B., N. M. Nadkarni, and M. P. North. 2000. Spatial distribution and succession of epiphytes on Tsuga heterophylla (western hemlock) in an old-growth Douglas-fir forest. Canadian Journal of Botany 78:957-968.
Nadkarni, N. M., M. C. Merwin, and J. Nieder. 2001. Forest canopies: plant diversity. Pp. 27-40 in: S. Levin, editor, Encyclopedia of Biodiversity. Academic Press, San Diego, California USA.
Cobb, A. R., N. M. Nadkarni, G. A. Ramsey, and A. J. Svoboda. 2001. Recolonization of Bigleaf Maple branches by epiphytic bryophytes following experimental disturbance. Canadian Journal of Botany 79:1-8.
Nadkarni, N. M. & J. B. Cushing. 2001. Lasers in the jungle: the canopy database project. Ecological Bulletin 82:200-201.
Nadkarni, N. M. 2001. Enhancement of forest canopy research, education, and conservation in the new millennium. Plant Ecology 153:361-367.
Nadkarni, N. M. D. A. Schaefer, T. J. Matelson, & R. Solano. 2001. Comparison of arboreal and terrestrial soil characteristics in a lower montane forest, Monteverde, Costa Rica. Pedobiologia 46:24-33.
Hietz, P., Wanek, W., Wania, R., & N. Nadkarni. In Press. 15N natural abundance in a montane cloud forest canopy as an indicator of nitrogen cycling and epiphyte nutrition. Oecologia.
Merwin, M., S. R. Gradstein, & N. M. Nadkarni.. 2001. Epiphytic bryophytes of Monteverde, Costa Rica. Tropical Bryology 20:63-70.
Gradstein, S. R., D. Griffin III, M. I. Morales, and N. M. Nadkarni.. 2001. Diversity and habitat differentiation of mosses and liverworts in the cloud forest of Monteverde, Costa Rica. Caldasia 23:203-212.
Chandra, A. & N. Nadkarni. 2002. Four realizations of forest canopy retranslocation data. Proceedings of the 2002 International Conference on Auditory Display, Kyoto, Japan, July 2-5, 2002.
Nadkarni, N. M. and R. Solano. In Press. Potential effects of climate change on canopy communities in a tropical cloud forest: an experimental approach. Oecologia.
Nychka, D. & N. Nadkarni. In Press. Three-dimensional analysis of the distribution of epiphytes in tropical tree crowns. Biometrics.
Merwin, M., S. Rentmeester, & N. Nadkarni. In Press. The influence of host tree species on the distribution of epiphytic bromeliads in experimental monospecific plantations, La Selva, Costa Rica. Biotropica.
BOOKS:
Lowman, M. L. and N. M. Nadkarni. 1995. Forest canopies. Academic Press, San Diego, California, USA.
Nadkarni, N. and N. T. Wheelwright. 2000. Monteverde: the ecology and conservation of a tropical cloud forest. Oxford University Press, New York, New York.
POPULAR ARTICLES AND COMMUNICATIONS (partial list):
Articles concerning research in adult popular magazines: National Geographic (December 1991 and January 1996); Glamour (1994); Audubon (September 1998); Brown Alumni Monthly (July 1995), The Evergreen Review (1996), Natural History (February 1985), Pacific Magazine, The Seattle Times (October 1995, January, 2000).
Articles concerning research for children's magazines: Highlights for Children (October 1992); Ranger Rick 12/95; Boy's Life (April 1998); Dragonfly (April 1996); online "live chat" on Scholastic Network and Discovery Online (1997).
Radio programs: Earth and Sky Science Reports, Canadian Public Broadcasting (1998)
Television programs: The Infinite Voyage, WQED (1988); Oregon Coast Guide, (1994); Bill Nye the Science Guy, PBS (1997); Living in Tall Trees, TV Asahi (1997); The Second Voyage of the Mimi, Bank Street College of Education (1989), Good Morning, America (1992); Anyplace Wild, (1998); NBC Dateline (1999).
Films: Tropical Rainforests - IMAX movie produced by the Minnesota Museum of Science (1992); Heroes of the High Frontier (National Geographic Society Television Special, 1999; Emmy Award for Best Documentary Film, 2000).