Forest Ecology & Silviculture
Forest ecology research focuses on the interactions between disturbance and abiotic factors and their influence on ecosystem structure and function. Current research projects include exotic disease effects on nutrient cycling, invasion dynamics of exotic plants following the restoration of native disturbance regimes, and modeling the influence of natural and anthropogenic factors on IES invasion. Research on host colonization and mating behaviors of wood boring beetles will improving methods for detecting invasive species to improve the health, quality, and productivity of hardwood forests.
Silvicultural research focuses on improvement of growth and yields within intensively managed systems and the development of silvicultural systems that increase the range of variability within natural stands and/or emulates natural disturbance regimes.
Affiliated Scientists
Dr. Mike Saunders, Dr. Mike Jenkins, Dr. Matt Ginzel, Dr. Songlin Fei
Featured Publications
- Influence of intensity and duration of invasion by Amur honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii) on mixed hardwood forests of Indiana. 2015. Shields, J., Jenkins, M., Saunders, M., Gibson, K., Zollner, P., & Dunning, J. Invasive Plant Science and Management 8(1):44-56.
- Accumulation and connectivity of coarse woody debris in partial harvest and unmanaged relict forests 2014. Morrissey, R., Jenkins, M., & Saunders, M. PLOS One, 9(11), e113323.
- Forest Improvement Handbook. 2009. Rathfon, R., Saunders, M.R., and Stump, D. FNR-IDNR-414.
- Spatial analysis facilitates invasive species risk assessment 2014. Liang, L., Clark, J., Kong, N., Rieske, L., and Fei, S. Forest Ecology and Management 315:22-29.
- Molecular and physiological responses to abiotic stress in forest trees and their relevance to tree improvement 2014. Harfouche, A., Meilan, R., and Altman, A. Tree Physiology 34(11):1181-1198.
- Biogeomorphic impacts of invasive species 2014. Fei, S., Phillips, J., & Shouse, M. Annual review of Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics 45:69-87.
- Geosmithia morbida found on weevil species Stenominus pallidus in Indiana 2015. Juzwik, J., Banik, M., Reed, S., English, J., and Ginzel, M. Plant Health Progress 16(1):7-10.
- Bark and ambrosia beetles and their associated fungi colonizing stressed walnut in Missouri and Indiana 2013. Reed, S., English, J., Juzwik, J., & Ginzel, M. Walnut Council Bulletin, 40(2):17-19.