Erica Cline, Ph.D.

I am a soil ecologist with research interests in the role of mycorrhizal fungi in forests and agricultural systems. Currently, I am investigating the impacts of biosolids applications on local forests by looking at soil metals, mycorrhizal fungus communities, and tree responses. Another research area is sustainable coffee production in Costa Rica, where I have focused on the interplay between management practices such as synthetic fertilizer use and mycorrhizal responses in terms of production of a soil protein, glomalin, which is critical in promoting soil aggregation, maintaining soil fertitlity, and combating erosion. I also use DNA sequencing to identify market substitution of farmed Atlantic salmon for Pacific salmon in stores and restaurants. I regularly teach Introductory Biology II and III (TESC 130 and TESC 140), Sustainable Agriculture (TESC 236), Environmental Microbiology (TESC 378), and Forest Ecology Field Studies (TESC 432).

Selected Publications:

• Banks, J.E., Cline, E.T., Castro, S., Urena, N., Nichols, K., Hannon, L., Singer, R., and Chandler, M. 2011. Effects of synthetic fertilizer on coffee yields and ecosystem services: soil glomalin and parasitoids in a Costa Rican coffee agroecosystem. Journal of Crop Improvement 25: 650-663.
• Hernandez, J.R. & E.T. Cline. 2010. Goplana dioscoreae-alatae nom. nov. and other Uredinales on Dioscoreaceae: nomenclature and taxonomy. Mycotaxon 111: 263268.
• Park, J., Park, B., Veeraraghavan, N., et al. (E. Cline, 22nd author). 2008. Phytophthora Database: A cyberinfrastructure supporting the identification and monitoring of Phytophthora. Plant Disease 92(6)966-972.
• Cline, E.T., Farr, D.F., and Rossman, A.Y. 2008. Synopsis of Phytophthora with emphasis on species not in the United States. Online. Plant Health Progress. doi 10.1094/PHP-2008-0318-01-RS.
• Cline, E.T., Vinyard, B., and Edmonds, R. 2007. Spatial effects of retention trees on mycorrhizas and biomass of Douglas-fir seedlings. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 37:430-438.
• Cline, E.T. and Rossman, A.Y. 2006. Septoria malagutii sp. nov., cause of annular leaf spot of potato. Mycotaxon 98:125-135.
• Cline, E. T. and Farr, D. F. 2006. Synopsis of fungi listed as regulated plant pests by the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service: Notes on nomenclature, disease, plant hosts and geographic distribution. Online. Plant Health Progress.
• Cline, E. T., Ammirati, J. and Edmonds, R. 2005. Does proximity to mature trees influence ectomycorrhizal fungus communities of Douglas-fir seedlings? New Phytologist 166(3) 993-1009.