Chelcy Ford-Miniat
Southern Research Station
As a tree ecophysiologist, I study the various functions of trees in relation to the area in which they are growing. One aspect of my research that I enjoy more than any other is figuring out how to use technology in interesting ways that will help answer ecological questions. I get to tinker with all sorts of sensors, monitors, and field computers. I wire up trees and other parts of the forest to measure how the forest is working. We can easily walk through forests and experience them visually, but we often can’t “see” how a forest or a tree is functioning. It is thrilling to “see” how a forest or tree is working when you view it through data.
One of my favorite recent experiences was conducting an experiment. A group of scientists and I wanted to figure out if trees could take up carbon that is dissolved in the soil water and use it for growth and reproduction. When we conducted this experiment, we found that the trees could take up carbon through their roots and use it to grow new roots, leaves, and wood. Trees still get most of their carbon for growth and reproduction through taking up carbon dioxide through their leaves, but they can also take up a very small percentage of carbon as bicarbonate through their roots.
Featured from Natural Inquirer
-
Water is constantly moving throughout the natural environment. Some scientists study the flow of water into, out of, and held within particular natural areas. Trees play a role in the...Woolly Bully: Estimating the Effect of an Invasive Insect on an Area’s Water Cycle
Water is constantly moving throughout the natural environment. Some scientists study the flow of water into, out of, and held within particular natural areas. Trees play a role in the... -
The scientists in this study wanted to figure out how forest management, climate change, and streamflow interact. First, the scientists wanted to identify if forest management could affect streamflow. Second,...Flow Down! Can Managing Forests Help Maintain Water Supplies in the Face of Climate Change?
The scientists in this study wanted to figure out how forest management, climate change, and streamflow interact. First, the scientists wanted to identify if forest management could affect streamflow. Second,...
Additional Resources
-
USDA Forest Service: Chelcy F. Miniat
Learn more about Chelcy F. Miniat's research at her Forest Service profile page.Visit Profile
