Nishanta Rajakaruna

Nishanta "Nishi" Rajakaruna

San Luis Obispo, California, United States of America

Research Expertise

Geobotany, Geoecology, Plant & Soil Relations, Stressors to Plants of Harsh Soils, Conservation and Restoration of Rock Outcrop Plants

About

Nishanta "Nishi" Rajakaruna is a dedicated biologist with a focus on the ecology of plants, lichens, and microbes associated with harsh soil environments. His research emphasizes the unique adaptations of flora in extreme conditions, such as serpentine soils, and he is passionate about exploring the relationships between these organisms and their environments. Nishi's work not only contributes to our understanding of biodiversity but also informs conservation and restoration practices in challenging ecosystems. With extensive academic and research experience, Nishi has held various positions, including Professor of Plant Biology at California Polytechnic State University. He has been involved in numerous research projects and has received several awards for his contributions to the field. Nishi is committed to mentoring students and fostering a collaborative research environment, encouraging exploration and discovery in the realm of geoecology.

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Publications

Lichen morphospecies diversity and community composition across the Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, South Africa

South African Journal of Botany

2024

Recent advances in the study of serpentine plants and ecosystems: Perspectives from the 10th International Conference on Serpentine Ecology, France: PartII

Ecological Research

2024

Soil type and precipitation level have a greater influence on fungal than bacterial diversity in serpentine and non‐serpentine biological soil crusts

Ecological Research

2024

Recent advances in the study of serpentine plants and ecosystems: Perspectives from the 10th International Conference on Serpentine Ecology, France

Ecological Research

2024

A Preliminary Exploration of an Understudied Lichen Flora: Lichens of the Basin of Carrizo Plain National Monument, California

Evansia

2024

GYPWORLD Africa: Setting an agenda for gypsum ecosystem research in southern Africa

South African Journal of Science

2023

Testing the suitability of portable X-Ray Fluorescence (pXRF) analysis of dried herbarium specimens to detect Ni hyperaccumulators in South Africa

South African Journal of Botany

2023

Introduction to special issue: the ecology and evolution of plants in extreme environments

Plant Ecology & Diversity

2022

Specific leaf area is lower on ultramafic than on neighbouring non-ultramafic soils

Plant Ecology & Diversity

2022

Physiological responses to lead and PEG-simulated drought stress in metallicolous and non-metallicolous Matthiola (Brassicaceae) species from Iran

South African Journal of Botany

2022

Lichens of ultramafic substrates in North America: a review

Botany

2022

Global Plant Ecology of Tropical Ultramafic Ecosystems

The Botanical Review

2022

Influence of land use and topography on distribution and bioaccumulation of potentially toxic metals in soil and plant leaves: A case study from Sekhukhuneland, South Africa

Science of The Total Environment

2022

The Effects of Nitrogen Enrichment on Low-Nutrient Environments: Insights from Studies of Serpentine Soil-Plant Relations

Agrochemicals in Soil and Environment

2022

Assessment of plant diversity and foliar chemistry on the Sri Lankan ultramafics reveals inconsistencies in the metal hyperaccumulator trait

Ecological Research

2021

Biotransfer, bioaccumulation and detoxification of nickel along the soil - faba bean - aphid - ladybird food chain

Science of The Total Environment

2021

Seasonal Impact of Phosphate-Based Fire Retardants on Soil Chemistry Following the Prophylactic Treatment of Vegetation

Environmental Science & Technology

2021

Burrowsia, a new genus of lichenized fungi (Caliciaceae), plus the new species B. cataractae and Scoliciosporum fabisporum, from Mpumalanga, South Africa

South African Journal of Botany

2020

The ecophysiology, genetics, adaptive significance, and biotechnology of nickel hyperaccumulation in plants

Physiological and Biotechnological Aspects of Extremophiles

2020

Heavy metal dissolution mechanisms from electrical industrial sludge

Science of The Total Environment

2019

Trophic transfer and bioaccumulation of lead along soil–plant–aphid–ladybird food chain

Environmental Science and Pollution Research

2019

The Effects of Edaphic and Climatic Factors on Secondary Lichen Chemistry: A Case Study Using Saxicolous Lichens

Diversity

2019

Influence of soil water content and soil amendments on trace metal release and seedling growth in serpentine soil

Journal of Soils and Sediments

2019

Long-term phytoremediating abilities of Dalbergia sissoo Roxb. (Fabaceae)

SN Applied Sciences

2019

Correction to: Heavy metal-induced oxidative stress on seed germination and seedling development: a critical review

Environmental Geochemistry and Health

2017

A global forum on ultramafic ecosystems: from ultramafic ecology to rehabilitation of degraded environments

Ecological Research

2018

Biological crusts of serpentine and non‐serpentine soils from the Barberton Greenstone Belt of South Africa

Ecological Research

2017

Correction to: A global forum on ultramafic ecosystems: from ultramafic ecology to rehabilitation of degraded environments

Ecological Research

2018

Diversity and functional traits of lichens in ultramafic areas: a literature‐based worldwide analysis integrated by field data at the regional scale

Ecological Research

2018

Inducing Ni sensitivity in the Ni hyperaccumulator plant Alyssum inflatum Nyárády (Brassicaceae) by transforming with CAX1, a vacuolar membrane calcium transporter

Ecological Research

2018

Lessons on Evolution from the Study of Edaphic Specialization

The Botanical Review

2017

Senecio conrathii N.E.Br. (Asteraceae), a new hyperaccumulator of nickel from serpentinite outcrops of the Barberton Greenstone Belt, South Africa

Ecological Research

2017

Sympatric serpentine endemic Monardella (Lamiaceae) species maintain habitat differences despite hybridization

Molecular Ecology

2018

Ultramafic vegetation and soils in the circumboreal region of the Northern Hemisphere

Ecological Research

2018

Heavy metal-induced oxidative stress on seed germination and seedling development: a critical review

Environmental Geochemistry and Health

2017

Heavy Metals in Seaweeds from a Polluted Estuary in Coastal Maine

Rhodora

2017

Ultramafic geoecology of South and Southeast Asia

Botanical Studies

2017

Arthur Rice Kruckeberg: Geobotanist Extraordinaire (1920–2016)

Madroño

2016

A comparative study of the flora and soils of Great Duck and Little Duck Islands, Maine, USA

Rhodora

2016

DOCUMENTING THE ROCKS, SOILS, AND BIOTA OF SERPENTINITE OUTCROPS IN WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs

2016

Limestone flora of the Simonton Corner Quarry Preserve, Rockport, Maine, USA

Rhodora

2016

Plant growth promotion by Bradyrhizobium japonicum under heavy metal stress

South African Journal of Botany

2016

Gabbro Soil-Plant Relations in the California Floristic Province

Madroño

2015

Plant Ecology and Evolution in Harsh EnvironmentsPlant ecology and evolution in harsh environments. By Nishanta Rajakaruna, Robert S. Boyd, and Tanner B. Harris (Eds.). Nova Publishers, Hauppauge, NY. 426 pp. ISBN 9781633219557. Price $250.00 (ebook).

Madroño

2015

Transfer of heavy metals through terrestrial food webs: a review

Environmental Monitoring and Assessment

2015

Plant Ecology and Evolution in Harsh EnvironmentsPlant Ecology and Evolution in Harsh Environments by Nishanta Rajakaruna , Robert S. Boyd , and Tanner B. Harris , eds. 2014. 475 pp. ISBN-13:978-1633219557 $250.00 (hardcover), ebook available. Nova Science Publishers, Hauppauge, NY.

Rhodora

2015

A preliminary study of the role of bacterial–fungal co-inoculation on heavy metal phytotoxicity in serpentine soil

Australian Journal of Botany

2015

A preliminary survey of the diversity of soil algae and cyanoprokaryotes on mafic and ultramafic substrates in South Africa

Australian Journal of Botany

2015

Calcium : magnesium ratio affects environmental stress sensitivity in the serpentine-endemic Alyssum inflatum (Brassicaceae)

Australian Journal of Botany

2015

Ecotypic differentiation of mid-Atlantic Quercus species in response to ultramafic soils

Australian Journal of Botany

2015

Global research on ultramafic (serpentine) ecosystems (8th International Conference on Serpentine Ecology in Sabah, Malaysia)

Australian Journal of Botany

2015

Global research on ultramafic (serpentine) ecosystems (8th International Conference on Serpentine Ecology in Sabah, Malaysia): a summary and synthesis

Australian Journal of Botany

2015

Growth and nickel uptake by serpentine and non-serpentine populations of Fimbristylis ovata (Cyperaceae) from Sri Lanka

Australian Journal of Botany

2015

Role of woody biochar and fungal-bacterial co-inoculation on enzyme activity and metal immobilization in serpentine soil

Journal of Soils and Sediments

2015

Vegetation dynamics and mesophication in response to conifer encroachment within an ultramafic system

Australian Journal of Botany

2015

Phytoremediation of Agricultural Soils: Using Plants to Clean Metal-Contaminated Arable Land

Phytoremediation

2014

Additional lichen records and mineralogical data from metal-contaminated sites in Maine

Rhodora

2014

Diversity and soil-tissue elemental relations of vascular plants of Callahan Mine, Brooksville, Maine, U.S.A

Rhodora

2014

Lichens of Six Vernal Pools in Acadia National Park, Maine, USA

Evansia

2014

A preliminary study of the role of nickel in enhancing flowering of the nickel hyperaccumulating plant Alyssum inflatum Nyár. (Brassicaceae)

South African Journal of Botany

2014

Immobilization and phytotoxicity reduction of heavy metals in serpentine soil using biochar

Journal of Soils and Sediments

2014

Metal release from serpentine soils in Sri Lanka

Environmental Monitoring and Assessment

2014

The role of elevation and soil chemistry in the distribution and ion accumulation of floral morphs ofStreptanthus polygaloidesGray (Brassicaceae), a Californian nickel hyperaccumulator

Plant Ecology & Diversity

2013

Little evidence for local adaptation to soils or microclimate in the post-fire recruitment of three Californian shrubs

Plant Ecology & Diversity

2012

Mycorrhizal Colonization ofHypericum perforatumL. (Hypericaceae) from Serpentine and Granite Outcrops on the Deer Isles, Maine

Northeastern Naturalist

2012

Serpentine: The Evolution and Ecology of a Model System. Edited by Susan Harrison and Nishanta Rajakaruna. Berkeley (California): University of California Press. $70.00. xiv + 446 p.; ill.; species and subject indexes. ISBN: 978-0-520-26835-7. 2011.

The Quarterly Review of Biology

2012

Edaphic adaptation maintains the coexistence of two cryptic species on serpentine soils

American Journal of Botany

2012

Investigation of the importance of rock chemistry for saxicolous lichen communities of the New Idria serpentinite mass, San Benito County, California, USA

The Lichenologist

2012

Roles of Rhizospheric Processes and Plant Physiology in Applied Phytoremediation of Contaminated Soils Using Brassica Oilseeds

Environmental Pollution

2012

Stressors and threats to the flora of Acadia National Park, Maine: Current knowledge, information gaps, and future directions¹

The Journal of the Torrey Botanical Society

2012

Ecological strategies in California chaparral: interacting effects of soils, climate, and fire on specific leaf area

Plant Ecology & Diversity

2011

Intraspecific Variation, Adaptation, and Evolution

SerpentineThe Evolution and Ecology of a Model System

2011

SerpentineThe Evolution and Ecology of a Model System

Unknown Venue

2011

What Have We Learned from Serpentine in Evolution, Ecology, and Other Sciences?

SerpentineThe Evolution and Ecology of a Model System

2011

A Preliminary Study of the Vegetation of Vernal Pools of Acadia National Park, Maine, U.S.A

Rhodora

2011

Lichens of the Callahan Mine, a Copper- and Zinc-Enriched Superfund Site in Brooksville, Maine, U.S.A.

Rhodora

2011

Vascular Plants of Adjacent Serpentine and Granite Outcrops on the Deer Isles, Maine, U.S.A

Rhodora

2010

Advances in Serpentine Geoecology: A Retrospective

Northeastern Naturalist

2009

Biology of Ultramafic Rocks and Soils: Research Goals for the Future

Northeastern Naturalist

2009

Serpentine Geoecology of Eastern North America: A Review

Rhodora

2009

Adiantum viridimontanum, Aspidotis densa, Minuartiamarcescens, andSymphyotrichum rhiannon: Additional Serpentine Endemics from Eastern North America

Northeastern Naturalist

2009

Bryophytes of Adjacent Serpentine and Granite Outcrops on the Deer Isles, Maine, U.S.A

Rhodora

2009

Ornithocoprophilous Plants of Mount Desert Rock, a Remote Bird-Nesting Island in the Gulf of Maine, U.S.A

Rhodora

2009

Edaphic Factor

Encyclopedia of Ecology

2008

LICHENS OF PINE HILL, A PERIDOTITE OUTCROP IN EASTERN NORTH AMERICA

Rhodora

2007

The Edaphic Factor in the Origin of Plant Species

International Geology Review

2004

Adaptive Differentiation in Response to Water Stress by Edaphic Races of Lasthenia californica (Asteraceae)

International Journal of Plant Sciences

2003

Differential responses to Na⁺/K⁺ and Ca²⁺/Mg²⁺ in two edaphic races of the Lasthenia californica (Asteraceae) complex: A case for parallel evolution of physiological traits

New Phytologist

2002

Edaphic races and phylogenetic taxa in the Lasthenia californica complex (Asteraceae: Heliantheae): an hypothesis of parallel evolution

Molecular Ecology

2003

Antimicrobial Activity of Plants Collected from Serpentine Outcrops in Sri Lanka

Pharmaceutical Biology

2002

Plant Biodiversity, Overview

Encyclopedia of Biodiversity

2001

The edaphic factor and patterns of variation in Lasthenia californica (Asteraceae)

American Journal of Botany

1999

Growth and nitrogen uptake in an experimental community of annuals exposed to elevated atmospheric CO₂

Global Change Biology

1998

Extreme Environments

Oxford Bibliographies Online Datasets

2016

Geoecology

Oxford Bibliographies Online Datasets

2014

Heavy Metal Tolerance

Oxford Bibliographies Online Datasets

Education

Department of Botany, University of British Columbia, Canada

Master of Science (MS), Ph.D, Plant Evolutionary Ecology / January, 2002

College of the Atlantic

BA, Human Ecology & Botany / January, 1994

University of British Columbia

Ph.D, Botany

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

University of British Columbia

Ph.D, Botany

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Department of Botany, University of British Columbia, Canada

Master of Science (MS), Ph.D, Plant Evolutionary Ecology / January, 2002

College of the Atlantic

BA, Human Ecology & Botany / January, 1994

The University of British Columbia

Ph.D., Botany / 2003

The University of British Columbia

M.Sc., Botany / 1998

College of the Atlantic

B.A., Human Ecology / 1994

California Polytechnic State University

Geoecology, Biology / 2025 (anticipated)

Experience

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

Coordinator, National and International Fellowships and Scholarships / June, 2024 — Present

Professor / September, 2021 — Present

Faculty-in-Residence, University Housing / September, 2018 — June, 2022

Associate Professor / July, 2017 — September, 2021

Coordinator, National and International Fellowships and Scholarships / June, 2024 — Present

Professor / September, 2021 — Present

Faculty-in-Residence, University Housing / September, 2018 — June, 2022

Associate Professor / July, 2017 — September, 2021

The Fulbright Program

Fulbright US Scholar Alumni Ambassador / February, 2024 — Present

North-West University / Noordwes-Universiteit

Extraordinary Professor / January, 2020 — Present

Fulbright Specialist / July, 2024 — August, 2024

Fulbright US Scholar / August, 2022 — July, 2023

Extraordinary Professor / January, 2020 — Present

Fulbright Specialist / July, 2024 — August, 2024

Fulbright US Scholar / August, 2022 — July, 2023

National Institute of Fundamental Studies

Fulbright US Scholar / September, 2016 — June, 2017

College of the Atlantic

Professor of Botany / August, 2010 — June, 2016

Professor of Botany / July, 2004 — July, 2008

Professor of Botany / August, 2010 — June, 2016

Professor of Botany / July, 2004 — July, 2008

San Jose State University

Asst Professor / August, 2008 — August, 2010

Stanford University

Postdoctoral Researcher / January, 2003 — June, 2004

California Polytechnic State University

Coordinator, National and International Fellowships and Scholarships / July, 2024 — Present

Professor / August, 2017 — Present

Coordinator, National and International Fellowships and Scholarships / July, 2024 — Present

Professor / August, 2017 — Present

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