A forest ecologist studies the interrelated patterns and processes of vegetation, animals, energy, water, and nutrients in forests.
My research is founded on a solid foundation of math and science. However, it is largely driven by curiosity, sparked by creativity, and achieved with patience and persistence.
How are increases in the frequency of extreme weather events from climate change (e.g., hurricanes, droughts, heat waves, and ice storms) going to shape our forests in the future?
I am increasingly using digital environmental sensors. Sensors wirelessly transmit forest data to the internet in near real time, providing a virtual “window on our watersheds.” This allows us to measure and monitor the physical, chemical, and biological pulse of our forest ecosystems.
Using the sensor network, we observed dramatic increases in soil temperature at the same time the snow melts in forests. This jump in soil temperature occurs over a period of just a day or two. The temperature increase is as dramatic as annual ice melt on lakes. It announces spring in northern hardwood forests.
I have always loved the outdoors. I started studying philosophy in college. But I soon learned that I was fascinated by understanding patterns and processes of energy, water, and nutrient movements through forest ecosystems.
