Oregon State University is located ideally for those interested in conducting research in terrestrial ecosystems. A wide array of systems are accessible within a few hours of campus including coastal grasslands and forests, mesic prairies and oak woodlands, alpine forests and meadows, and arid grass- and shrublands. Of particular value to researchers are the H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest, OSU’s Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) site and the MCD Experimental forest. Faculty in the College of Science have active research programs in most of these habitats studying the ecology and evolution of soil microbial communities, vascular plants, mosses, lichens, arthropods, reptiles, and amphibians. These research programs tackle questions at multiple scales from populations to ecosystems using both theoretical and empirical approaches.  Click on the names below to learn more about the activities of each faculty member in Terrestrial Communities.

Faculty: