Graduate Student

I am interested in the effects of climate change on forest health – particularly, how forest ecosystems are affected by abiotic stresses such as heat and drought. My Masters research focused on physiological responses of conifer seedlings from varying provenances to drought stress, and also possibilities for drought acclimation. More broadly, my research interests include disturbance, succession, forest health, and forest ecology. I am also interested in how we interact with the land, and the inclusion of traditional ecological knowledge.

As a forest ecologist I am interested in the impact of global climate change on temperate and boreal forest ecosystems, especially how altered temperature regimes will impact southern and northern range limits. Trees go through seasonal cyclic changes, such as budburst or dormancy, and these phenological events are strongly influenced by temperature. Phenology is one of many factors that affect the fitness of species and the suitability of habitat. Temperature changes will therefore affect where species can survive and compete in the future.

I am interested in the managment and science of ecosystems and natural spaces. For my thesis research, I am developing integrated management techniques for controlling invasive reed canary grass and regenerating floodplain forests. The results will aid foresters and wildlife managers in implementing the most efficient methods to restore and sustain critical floodplain forest habitats.