Jennifer King

Biography

Hello! My name is Jennifer King, and I am a Professor in the Department of Geography at UCSB. I grew up in Texas and have lived and conducted research in many places, including Texas, California, Alaska, Colorado, and Minnesota. I joined the faculty at UCSB in 2008, and I love working here. Outside of work, I enjoy baking, gardening (especially composting), and spending time with family and friends. Thanks for visiting!

Research

My field of work is biogeochemistry - the study of element cycling through the Earth system. I'm interested in understanding the processes, both natural and anthropogenic, that influence patterns of element cycling in terrestrial ecosystems. I focus primarily on interactions between vegetation, soil, and the atmosphere. I am specifically interested in examining the ways in which human activities, directly and indirectly, affect the cycling of carbon and nutrients. For example, what are the factors affecting the rate of litter decomposition under different environmental conditions? How do land management practices influence soil carbon and nutrient status? To address these kinds of questions, we use a wide range of laboratory and field techniques. My current research centers on two areas: mechanisms of photodegradation of plant litter and changes in carbon cycling during wetland restoration.