Faculty Research: Jerry Davis
Research foci:
- Karst process studies linking hydrology and water chemistry to critical zone processes of soil
carbon dioxide seasonality.
- Watershed-level studies emphasizing the seasonality of biohydrogeomorphic processes,
through field measurements in streams and soils.
- Applications of ecological modeling and geostatistical methods to biogeomorphic systems.
- Quaternary paleoclimatic geomorphology, especially focusing on the effects of glacial episodes on cave deposits and karst.
- Local-scale geomorphometry of gullies, landslides, and stream channels, applying surveying, imagery and terrestrial LiDAR,
applied to improving sediment yield models and understanding riparian biogeomorphic processes.
- Integrating field data collection methods with GIS.
Study Areas:
- Marble Mountains
Most of the ongoing work on the Marble Mountains, Siskiyou County,
California, relates to the study of karst processes at work in
the area. Field measurements include (a) water quality parameters
such as electrical conductivity (or total dissolved solids (TDS)), pH,
temperature, and specific dissolved ions such as calcium and magnesium; and (b) soil parameters
such as temperature and CO2 concentration. Both seasonal and
spatial variations are being measured. Other parts of these studies
include (a) investigation of surface and groundwater hydrologic
systems; (b) investigation of glacial-karst morphogenesis; and
(c) cave development and history.
- Montara Mountain Weathering Study (proposed)
Proposed study of weathering processes on Montara
Mountain, San Mateo County, California. Seasonal and spatial
patterns of weathering processes compare the weathering agents
of salt, CO2, and organisms, in a transect from the coast inland
on granitic (tonalite) bedrock, with significant variations in
precipitation, fog patterns, and vegetation communities (grass
to coastal scrub to old growth forest).
- San Pedro Creek Watershed
Sediment source analysis, salmonid habitat and water quality studies, assessment of restoration methods
- Meadow sites near the Sierra Nevada Field Campus
Assessment of meadow hydrologic restoration methods through morphometry and riparian aquifer monitoring.