Global Change

Research Group

Cara Hinkson

Education

Experience

Awards

Meetings, Presentations, and Abstracts

Manuscripts

Research Interests

E-Mail to: chinkson@sunstroke.sdsu.edu

Birth: 17 April 1968, Goldsboro, North Carolina
(married name: Cara Hinkson Cario, formerly Gluckman)

Cara Hinkson is currently conducting her Ph.D. dissertation on the effects of long-term CO₂ enrichment and nitrogen deposition on nitrogen availability in Mediterranean oak systems. She has been conducting research at a natural CO₂ spring in Laiatico, Italy since 1994. She has observed enhanced photosynthesis under elevated CO₂ with no downward-regulation during summer season when leaves are new; however, during spring season, she observed down-regulation of photosynthesis when leaves are fully developed and mature. In addition, she has observed an increase in leaf area index under elevated CO₂, as well as a decrease in leaf N concentrations. These results have led Cara to explore the effects of elevated CO₂ on soil nitrogen dynamics to determine forms and levels of availability, and how these are related to ectomycorrhizal infection. She expects either a shift towards greater dependence on organic N pools, which are accessible by ectomycorrhizae, or a shift towards greater mineralization rates, resulting in more scavenging fungi and bacteria. Results from stable isotopic analysis of N and C indicate that new N, either mineralized or recently deposited organic material, is being used as the dominant N source.

In contrast to the effects of elevated CO₂ on N availability, the second half of Cara's research is exploring how high N deposition affects nitrogen availability of Mediterranean-type oak woodlands in California. Here, She is utilizing the N deposition gradient across the Los Angeles Basin. The low end of the gradient is represented in this study by Sky Oaks Biological Field Station in San Diego County; and the high end of the N deposition gradient is represented by the San Dimas Experimental Forest in Glendora, California. She is measuring leaf nitrogen, soil nitrogen availability and mineralization rates, as well as monitoring root growth and ectomycorrhizal infection over several seasons. Cara is using minirhizotrons to monitor seasonal root growth and ectomycorrhizal infection. Through greenhouse experiments, she will further explore the relationship between N availability, in terms of sources and levels, and ectomycorrhizal infection, and how this translates into plant N uptake and photosynthesis.

Education:

1986-1990. Bachelor's of Science in Biology, cum laude. James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA. GPA: 3.28
1991- 1995. Master's of Science in Biology, emphasis in Ecology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA. GPA: 3.34. Major Professor: Dr. Walter C. Oechel
1994 - present. Ph.D. candidate in Joint Doctoral Ecology Program, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA; and University of California, Davis, CA. GPA: 3.75. Dissertation Committee: Drs. Michael F. Allen (SDSU, Chair), James H. Richards (UC Davis), Randy A. Dahlgren (UC Davis).

Teaching Experience:

Biology 150L: Introduction to Anatomy, San Diego State University. Taught one laboratory section (twice weekly) Spring 1991 through Fall 1996, total 6 semesters. Enrollment averaged 25 students per section.

Biology 354: Ecology and Environment, San Diego State University. Taught two discussion sections weekly (Fall 1997, Spring 1998). Discussion sections support two weekly lectures, and focus on current ecological and environmental issues using current literature and data from web sites.

Management Experience:

1. Undergraduate Teaching Assistants Coordinator, Biology 150L: Introduction to Anatomy, San Diego State University. Selected and coordinated undergraduate teaching assistants (UTA's) for eight laboratories, 16 undergraduates. Scheduled and monitored evening Learning Center, staffed by UTA's. Fall 1991.

2. Research Assistant, Global Change Research Group, San Diego State University. Coordinated schedules and assigned duties to four undergraduate student assistants for general laboratory maintenance, inventory, and preparations for arctic and Mediterranean field seasons. Fall 1993, Spring 1994.

3. Mentor for Undergraduate Independent Study (Bio 499), San Diego State University. Worked with two undergraduates on independent research projects that focused on ecophysiology and elevated CO₂ research.

Awards:

1. National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Global Change Fellowship Recipient (1995-1998). "Effects of Elevated CO₂ and Climate Change on Oak Forest Productivity and Nutrient Dynamics in Tuscan Forests."

2. National Science Foundation, Dissertation Enhancement Award Recipient, Division of International Programs (1996-1998). "Long-term Natural CO₂ Enrichment of a Mediterranean Mixed-Oak Forest: Seasonal Variation in Plant-Soil Nutrient Dynamics and Carbon Sink Strength."

3. Dave Farris Travel Award, 1992. Presentation: Gluckman, C.H. and W.C. Oechel. The effects of atmospheric CO₂ and drought on the nutrient relations of Quercus agrifolia. 43rd AIBS Annual Meeting, Honolulu, Hawaii. 9-13 August, 1992.

Professional Meetings, Symposia Presentations, and Abstracts:

1. Oechel, W.C. and C.H. Gluckman. "The effects of anticipated global change including variations in atmospheric CO₂ and soil moisture on carbon balance and water use in the chaparral-associated tree, Quercus agrifolia. 43rd AIBS Annual Meeting, Honolulu, Hawaii. 9-13 August, 1992.

2. Gluckman, C.H. and W.C. Oechel. The effects of atmospheric CO₂ and drought on the nutrient relations of Quercus agrifolia. 43rd AIBS Annual Meeting, Honolulu, Hawaii. 9-13 August, 1992.

3. Hinkson, C. and W.C. Oechel. Effects of elevated CO₂ on the nitrogen relations of Quercus agrifolia. Symposium on Anticipated Effects of a Changing Global Environment in Mediterranean-type Ecosystems. Valencia, Spain. 13-18 September, 1992.

4. Oechel, W.C., Hinkson, C. and Miglietta, F. CO₂ and climate effects on photosynthesis and productivity of Mediterranean-type shrublands and oak woodlands. MEDECOS/GCTE Symposium on Effects of Global Change on Mediterranean-type Ecosystems. J.M. Moreno and W.C. Oechel, conveners. Re–aca-Vi–a del Mar, Chile, 28 October 1994.

5. Miglietta, F., Giuntoli A. and Hinkson, C. The long term response to elevated CO₂ of a Mediterranean grassland community growing near natural carbon dioxide vents in central Italy. VII Conference on Mediterranean-type Ecosystems Re–aca-Vi–a del Mar, Chile, 23-29 October 1994.

6. Hinkson, C.L., W.C. Oechel, F. Miglietta, A. Raschi. Long-term effects of elevated CO₂ on Mediterranean forest vegetation of northern-central Italy. Ecological Society of America's 80th Annual Meeting, Snowbird, Utah, 30 July - 3 August 1995.

7. Hinkson, C.L., W.C. Oechel, F. Miglietta, A. Raschi. Plant and soil nitrogen dynamics after long-term CO₂ enrichment by a natural CO₂ spring. Ecological Society of America's 82nd Annual Meeting, Albuquerque, NM, 10-14 August 1997.

8. Hinkson, C.L., M.F Allen, W.C Oechel, F. Miglietta. Nitrogen and carbon dynamics of Mediterranean-type oak woodlands after long-term CO₂ enrichment and N deposition. Ecological Society of America's 83rd Annual Meeting, Baltimore, MD, 9-13 August 1998.

Manuscripts in Preparation:

Hinkson, C.L. and W.C. Oechel. Gas exchange, growth response, and nitrogen dynamics of Quercus agrifolia to elevated atmospheric CO₂.

Hinkson, C.L., W.C Oechel, S. Roberts, F. Miglietta, and A. Raschi. Photosynthesis and productivity of a Mediterranean oak after long-term CO₂ enrichment by a natural CO₂ spring.

Manuscripts Completed:

Hinkson, C.L. 1996. The effects of elevated atmospheric CO₂ on the growth, gas exchange, and nitrogen dynamics of Quercus agrifolia. Master's Thesis. San Diego State University.

Research Interests:

1. The effects of elevated atmospheric CO₂ on nutrient dynamics in native vegetation.

2. Feedbacks between aboveground and below ground processes under elevated CO₂ and nitrogen deposition, including:
a. Use of stable isotopes to track N and C cycling processes.
b. N mineralization and nitrification.
c. Uptake of organic nitrogen by ectomycorrhizae.
d. Relationships between nitrogen availability, leaf nitrogen concentrations, and photosynthesis.