Our terrestrial research focuses on understanding the forests and landscapes that surround and sustain freshwater ecosystems, grounded in the principle that a healthy lake is inseparable from a healthy watershed. Our scientists study forest health, wildfire impacts, and land management practices to understand how landscape changes influence water quality, nutrient runoff, and ecosystem resilience in the lake. This work is complemented by emerging research in pollinator ecology, which examines how native bees and other pollinators support plant diversity, regeneration, and overall ecosystem stability in the Tahoe Basin. By studying both forest processes and the biological communities that maintain them, TERC connects land-based dynamics to in-lake conditions. This integrated approach ensures that we are not only understanding what is happening in the lake itself, but also the terrestrial drivers that shape its long-term health.
Related Research Projects
Forest Conservation
Ecological genetics, novel reforestation methods, workforce development, and population dynamics for a more climate-resilient forest
Pollinator Ecology
The impacts of microbial communities on plants and insects, or Exploring how bees protect themselves from pathogens and what that means for Tahoe’s ecosystems
Atmospheric Science
Atmospheric research is a vital part of understanding how ecosystems across California function and change