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Guillermo Goldstein Smathers Professor in Tropical Tree Biology 204Cox Science Center, Dept. of Biology 1301 Memorial Drive, Coral Gables, FL 33146 (305) 284-4798 fax (305) 284-3039   laboratory website Education and professional experience Department of Biology, University of Miami, Smathers Professor in Tropical Tree Biology (2000-present) Department of Botany, University of Hawaii, Professor (1994-2000), Associate professor (1991-1994) Laboratory of Biomedical and Environmental Sciences, UCLS, Visiting Scientist (1987-1991) Consultant at the Kennedy Space Center, FloridaNASA/CELSS (1989) UCLA and University of California Riverside, (joint appointment) Visiting Scientist (1987-1988) Recipient of award for outstanding contribution to the teaching of biology by the University of Los Andes, Merida, Venezuela (1986) Department of Biology, University of Los Andes, Venezuela, Associate Professor (1985-1987), Assistant Professor (1981-1985) College of Forest Resources, University of Washington, Research Assistant (1978-1981) Department of Botany, University of Washington, Teaching Assistant (1976-1978) Biology Department, University of Buenos Aires, Instructor and Research Assistant (1969-1975) Consultant, Institute of Social and Economic Development, Parana State, Brazil (1976) Grants for research in the last ten years CONICET. Dinámica y diversidad genética de la Selva Misionera: efectos de la fragmentación y defaunación sobre la regeneración de especies arbóreas. Investigador 2006-2009. $ 72,000.00 National Science Foundation (NSF). Evolutionary and ecological feedbacks as determinants of savanna-forest dynamics. Co-PI 2005-2008. $ 436,508.00 FONCyT. Plasticidad fenotípica versus variabilidad genética en especies con amplia distribución ecológica y geográfica: un enfoque experimental y funcional. PI, 2003 to 2006, $ 203,625.00            Collaborative Research: Dynamic balance between xylem embolism and repair: damage control, or hydraulic signal essential to integrity of xylem water transport? (NSF) 388,215 (pending) Biocomplexity of hydrologically-controlled vegetation dynamics: quantitative comparative analysis of Everglades and Cerrado ecosystems under soil moisture and nutrient limitations NSF). Co-PI 2003-2007 $1,800,000 NSF. Ecophysiological consequences of infrequent massive flowering of monocarpic bamboo grasses (Chusquea spp.) in temperature and tropical South America. Principal Investigator. 2002-2004 $100,000. NSF. Water economy of Neo-tropical Savanna ecosystems: The impact of hydraulic lift, partitioning of soil water and changes in land-use. Principal investigator with F.C. Meinzer. 2000 to 2003. $489,322.            NSF. Functional convergence and constraints in regulation of transpiration and carbon assimilation in tropical forest canopy trees. Co-principal investigator with F.C. Meinzer. 2000-2003. $275,000. Argentinean Agency of Scientific and Technological Development (FONCYT) Sustainable forest management and biodiversity in Argentinean tropical rain forests. Principal investigator. 1999-2002. $134,120. Argentinean Agency of Scientific and Technological Development (FONCYT). Determinants of biogeochemical cycles and sustainable management in Argentinean rain forests. Principal Investigator 2002- 2005 $150,000 NSF. Ecology and evolution of sun vs. shade photosynthesis in the Hawaiian Lobelioids. Co-principal investigator with T. Givnish. 1999-2003. $366,000. United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) Whole-plant water transport phenomena: A reassessment in comparing direct measurements of xylem pressure and knowledge of water channels. Co-Principal investigator with F.C. Meinzer. 1998-2000. $120,000 Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) Global effects on bio-geochemical and hydrological determinants of structure and function in Cerrado ecosystems. Co-Principal investigator with August C. Franco. 1998-2001. $116,200 NSF. ) Consequences and implications of leaf-level N versus P limitations. Dissertation Research Improvement Grant for Susan Cordell. 1977-1998. $7,830. USDA. Hydrologic cycles and regulation of water use in partially restored watersheds. Principal investigator. 1997-1999. $21,000. USDA competitive grant proposal. Consequences and implications of nitrogen versus phosphorus limitation: from leaf to ecosystem. Co-principal investigator with P. Vitousek. 1995-1998. $189,098 NSF. . Research on environmental and physiological regulation of water flux through a tropical forest ecosystem. Co-principal investigator with F.C. Meinzer. 1995-2000. $375,000. NSF. (Division of International Programs). Resource partitioning among woody plants of a species-rich Cerrado ecosystem in Central Brazil. Principal investigator. 1995-1997. $39,000. USDA. competitive grant proposal. Effects of elevated CO2 and temperature on pineapple physiology. Co-principal investigator with D. Bartholomew. 1993-1995. $61,799. Project Development Fund of the University of Hawaii. The role of mucilages in long-distance water transport and freezing tolerance of plants. Principal investigator. 1994-1995. $29,077 Fish and Wildlife Service. Research on ecological and environmental requirements of Argyroxiphium sandwicense seedlings. Principal investigator. 1992-1993. $5,242. Institute for the Pacific Island Forestry. Research on tolerance of several populations of Metrosideros polymorpha and Sophora tameiameiae to chilling and freezing. Principal Investigator. 1992-1993. $ 16,000. Fish and Wildlife Service. Research on effects of substrate salinity and salt spray on growth of the endangered Hawaiian plant Scaevola coriacea. Co-principal investigator with D. Drake. 1992-1993 $5,000. University Research Council of the University of Hawaii. Research on freezing resistance mechanisms of six tropical alpine species on Haleakala National Park. Principal Investigator. 1991-1992. $6,000. Mellon Foundation/Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. Research on water relations and carbon/hydrogen stable isotopes in lowland tropical forest trees at Barro Colorado Island, Panama. Principal Investigator. 1991-1993. $88,750. NSF . Research on environmental determinants of carbon stable isotope content in plant tissues. Co-principal investigator with P.W. Rundel. 1989-1991. $230,693. Nine grants were awarded prior to 1991 by the following institutions: World Wildlife Fund, Fulbright Foundation, International Association for Ecology (INTECOL), Ecological Society of America, Venezuelan Council for Scientific Affairs, and University of Los Andes. Areas of Focus Conservation and Restoration Biology Evolutionary biology Tropical Biology Research Interests We focus on plant-environment relationships, adaptive and functional significance of plant traits, scaling up cell and tissue processes to ecosystem level processes, comparative studies of invasive species, sustainable management and restoration of tropical ecosystems. Teaching Interests My teaching philosophy requires that students be active participants in their own learning. Of outmost importance is for the teacher himself(herself) to be active in research and scientific discoveries, and particularly for undergraduate courses is necessary to make teaching relevant to their everyday life experience. The importance of the scientific method and the need to ask relevant questions is emphasized. Knowledge can be seen as a work in progress. Even information contained in basic books will be eventually revised and modified with new scientific discoveries. Observations, experimentation and mathematical models are taught and the interplay among them is emphasized in my courses. My teaching interests center on the environmental biology of animals and plants, the ecology of invasive species ahd the evolutionary biology of tropical plants. Publications since 2000 Scholz, F.G., S.J. Bucci, G. Goldstein, F.C. Meinzer, A.C. Franco and F. Miralles-Welheim (2006) Removal of nutrient limitations by long-term fertilization decreases nocturnal water loss in savanna trees. Tree Physiology (In press) Bucci, SJ., Scholz FG., Goldstein G., Meinzer F.C., Franco A.C., Campanello P.I., Villalobos-Vega R., Bustamante M. y Miralles-Wilhelm (2006) Nutrient availability constrains the hydraulic architecture and water relations of savanna trees. Plant Cell and Environment (In press) Domec J-C., Scholz F.G., Bucci S.J., Meinzer F.C. Goldstein G., Villalobos-Vega R. (2005) Diurnal and seasonal variation in root xylem embolism in tropical savanna woody species: relationship to stomatal behavior and plant water potential. Plant Cell and Environment 29: 26-35. Hoffmann W.A., Silva E., Machado G., Bucci S.J., Scholz F.G., Goldstein G. and Meinzer F.C. (2005). Seasonal leaf dynamics across a tree density gradient in a Brazilian savanna. Oecologia 145:307-316 Sternberg, L. DA Silva, Bucci S.J., Franco A.C., Goldstein G., Hoffmann W.A., Meinzer F.C., Moreira M. and Scholz F.G. (2004) Long range lateral root activity by neo-tropical savannas trees. Plant and Soil 274:169-178 Bucci SJ, Goldstein G, Meinzer FC, Franco AC, Campanello P and Scholz FG (2005). Mechanisms contributing to seasonal homeostasis of minimum leaf water potential and predawn disequilibrium between soil and plants in Neotropical savanna trees. Trees 19: 296-304 Bucci, S.J., F.G. Scholz, G. Goldstein, F.C. Meinzer, J. Hinojosa, W. Hoffmann, A.C. Franco (2004). Processes preventing nocturnal equilibration between leaf and soil water potential in tropical savanna woody species. Tree Physiology 24: 1119-1127 Santiago, L.S., G. Goldstein, F.C. Meinzer, F.C. Fisher J., K. Machado, D. Woodrduf, T. Jones (2004) Leaf Photosynthesis  traits scale with hydraulic conductivity and wood density in Panamanian forest canopy trees. Oecología 140: 542-550. Meinzer, F.C., S.A. James, G. Goldstein (2004) Dynamics of transpiration, sap flow and usage of storage water in tropical forest canopy trees. Tree Physiology 24: 901-909 Bucci, S., G. Goldstein, F.C. Meinzer, F.G Scholz, A.C. Franco and M. Bustamante (2004). Functional convergence in hydraulic architecture and water relations of tropical savanna trees: from leaf to whole plant. Tree Physiology 24: 891-899 Meinzer, F.C., J.R. Brooks, S.J. Bucci, G. Goldstein, F.G. Scholz and J. Warren (2004). Converging patterns of uptake and hydraulic redistribution of soil water in contrasting woody vegetation types. Tree Physiology 24: 919-928 Andrade, J.L., G. Goldstein, F.C. Meinzer, and S.A. Schnitzer (2005) Water uptake and transport in lianas of a seasonally dry tropical forest. Trees: Structure & Function, 19: 282-289 Givnish, T.J, R.A. Montgomery and G. Goldstein (2004) Adaptive radiation of photosynthetic physiology in the Hawaiian Lobelias: Light regimes, static light responses, and whole-plant compensation points. Amer. J. of Botany 9: 228-246 Bucci, S.J., F.G. Scholz, G. Goldstein, F.C. Meinzer and L. Sternberg (2003) Dynamic changes in hydraulic conductivity in petioles of two savanna tree species. Factors and mechanisms contributing to the refilling of embolized vessels. Plant Cell and Environment 26: 1633-1635 Bucci, S.J., F.G. Scholz, G. Goldstein, F.C. Meinzer and L. Sternberg (2003) Dynamic changes in hydraulic conductivity in petioles of two savanna tree species. Factors and mechanisms contributing to the refilling of embolized vessels. Plant Cell and Environment 26: 1633-1635 Moreira, M., F.G. Scholz F.G., S. Bucci, L. Stenberg, G. Goldstein, F.C. Meinzer, and A.C. Franco. Hydraulic lift in a neotropical savanna. Functional Ecology 17: 573-581. Givnish, T.J, R.A. Montgomery and G. Goldstein (2004) Adaptive radiation of photosynthetic physiology in the Hawaiian Lobeliads: Light regimes, static light responses, and whole-plant compensation points. Amer. J. of  Botany 9: 228-246 Meinzer, F.C., S.A. James, G. Goldstein and D. Woodruff. 2003. Whole-tree water transport scales with sapwood capacitance in tropical forest canopy trees. Plant, Cell and. Environment. 26: 1147-1155. James, S.A., F.C. Meinzer, G. Goldstein, D. Woodruff, T. Jones, T. Restom, M. Mejia, M. Clearwater and P. Campanello. 2003. Axial and radial water transport and internal water storage in tropical forest canopy trees. Oecologia 134: 37-45. Scholz, F.G., S.J. Bucci, G. Goldstein, F.C. Meinzer, and A.C. Franco (2002) Hydraulic redistribution of soil water by neotropical savanna trees. Tree Physiology 22: 603-612. James, S.A., M.J. Clearwater, F.C. Meinzer, and G. Goldstein (2002) Heat dissipation sensors of variable length for the measurement of sap flow in trees with deep sapwood. Tree Physiology 22: 277-283. Stratton, L.C., and G. Goldstein (2001) Carbon uptake, growth and resource use efficiency in one invasive and six native Hawaiian dry forest trees. Tree Physiology 21: 1327-1334 Durand, L.Z., and G. Goldstein (2001) Growth, leaf characteristics, and spore production in native and invasive tree ferns in Hawaii. American Fern Journal 91: 25-31 Meinzer, F.C., M.J. Clearwater, and G. Goldstein (2001) Water transport in trees: current perspectives, new insights and some controversies. Environmental and Experimental Botany 45: 239-262. Cordell, S, G. Goldstein, F.C. Meinzer, and P.M. Vitousek (2001) Morphological and physiological adjustment to N and P fertilization in nutrient-limited Metrosideros polymorpha canopy trees in Hawaii. Tree Physiology 21: 43-50.  Durand L.Z., and G. Goldstein (2001) Photosynthesis, photoinhibition and nitrogen use efficiency in native and invasive tree ferns in Hawaii. Oecologia 126:345-354 Cordell, S. G. Goldstein, F.C. Meinzer, and P.M. Vitousek (2001) Regulation of leaf life-span and nutrient-use efficiency of Metrosideros polymorpha trees at two extremes of a long chronosequence in Hawaii. Oecologia (2001) 127: 198-206. Meinzer, F.C., G. Goldstein, and J.L. Andrade (2001) Regulation of water flux through tropical forest canopy trees: Do universal rules apply? Tree Physiology 21: 19-26 Melcher, P.J., G. Goldstein, F.C. Meinzer, T.J. Jones, N.M. Holbrook, and C.X. Huang (2001) Water relations of coastal and estuarine Rhizophora mangle: the dynamics of embolism formation and repair. Oecologia 126: 182-192 Andrade, J.L., G. Goldstein, F.C. Meinzer, and S.A. Schnitzer (2004) Water uptake and transport in lianas of a seasonally dry tropical forest. Tree Physiology (TREES in review) Cordell S.G., G. Goldstein, P.J. Melcher, and F.C. Meinzer (2000) Photosynthetic and freezing avoidance in Metrosideros polymorpha at treeline in Hawaii. Arctic, Antarctic and Alpine Research 32: 381-387 Scowcroft P.W., F.C. Meinzer, G. Goldstein, P.J. Melcher, and J. Jeffrey (2000) Moderating night radiative cooling reduces frost damage to Metrosideros polymorpha seedlings used for forest restoration in Hawaii. Restoration Ecology 8:161-169 Melcher, P.J., S. Cordell, T. Jones, P.W. Scowcroft, W. Neimczura, T.W. Giambelluca, and G. Goldstein (2000) Supercooling capacity increases from sea level to treeline in the Hawaiian tree species Metrosideros polymorpha. Int. J. Plant Sci. 161: 369-379