Nishanta Rajakaruna
Professor | Biological Sciences Department
Areas of Expertise
Geobotany
Plant-Soil Relations
Phytoremediation
Rare Plant Ecology
Conservations Biology
Restoration Ecology
Ethnobotany
Contact Information
805.756.2836
Email
Department Website | Personal Website
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Biography
Nishi Rajakaruna is a geoecologist broadly interested in how edaphic conditions influence plant and lichen diversity from species to community levels. His primary area of research is on the diversity, ecology, evolution, and conservation of plants and lichens of serpentinite and other heavy metal-enriched rock outcrops. His recent research projects focus on the effects of atmospheric deposition of nitrogen and nutrient-enriched fire retardants on the diversity and ecology of rock outcrop plants and the restoration ecology of rock outcrop habitats degraded due to anthropogenic activities. He has ongoing research in California, Maine, South Africa, Russia and Sri Lanka.
Education
- Postdoc, Stanford University, Plant Ecology
- Ph.D., University of British Columbia, Botany
- M.S., University of British Columbia, Botany
- B.A., College of the Atlantic, Human Ecology (emphasis Botany)
Research Interests
In the News
- Biological Sciences Professor Receives Second Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award, Distinguished Faculty Honors
- Biological Sciences Professor Receives Prestigious Honorary Appointment
- Cal Poly Professor and International Team Discover New Genus of Lichen
- Lab News
Recent Publications
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