Expanding Frontiers in Vernal Pools Scientific Research
Plants, fungi, archaea, bacteria and beyond
Once upon a time...
Since 2010 my research groups studied natural habitats in Baja California, Mexico, expanding our area of work in 2015 into California, USA. Some of the most remarkable expeditions included the Sierra la Giganta Baja Sur, Bahia Vizcaino Baja California, and Chanel Islands in California. More recently, Wawona, the Interior Rages (Panoche hills), Napa, Plumas National Forest, and Tahoe area.
The "A" team in Conservation Biology
In 2012 Jiji Foundation sponsored the first project on Rare and Endemic flora inhabiting ephemeral wetlands of Baja California; later on, by 2013 the project known as Nocturnal rodents of Reserva Natural Valle Tranquilo in collaboration with Terra Peninsular Civil Organization was approved and, by the end of 2016 the first Natural Reserve dedicated to Ephemeral Wetlands was established, and the San Quintin Botanical Garden was born to protect the flora and vernal pools of the souther region of the Mediterranean Baja California.
VPMRG- The Vernal Pool Microbes Research Group
The pioneer project on microbial communities across Mediterranean vernal pools took place at the University of California, Merced, in 2015. The scientific framework incorporated classical ecological theory and sequencing methodologies, applied to microorganisms. We studied species distributions, organismal habitat use, niche theory paradigms, biogeography, molecular ecology, extreme ecosystem ecology, and, lastly, microbe–amphibious plant symbioses. We use microbes to answer questions about biodiversity and ecology, the origins of life, evolution, and adaptation to extreme environments.
We believe that vernal pools are ideal natural laboratories to address compelling scientific questions. Therefore, we continuously monitor five sites across the northwestern Baja California region: 1) Mesa de Jesus Maria, Tijuana; 2) Mesa El Descanso; 3) San Antonio Del Mar; 4) Mesa Coloniet and, 5) Cerro de las Torres, San Quintin. And three sites in California: 1) Santa Barbara; 2) Merced; 3) Vina Plains, Chico. We maintain records of the physicochemical characteristics of the landscape (e.g., methane), including soil and water properties. Meteorological data and vegetation type analysis are also key aspects of our research.
Expanding the Panorama: Archaea in Vernal Pools, Evaporites, and Hyperalkaline Wetlands
Whether microbes distribute randomly or with specific patterns has been a motivating driver. The team Panorama (2022) was assembled to explore wetlands in Guerrero Negro, Baja California Sur, considering the limits of life. Our mission was centered on finding novel extrasomal entities associated with methane-oxidizing Archaea in sites explored by NASA and Dr. Lynn Margulis in the 20th century.