Research

Figure 1a. One of nine permanent plots in tropical wet forest on the Island of Hawaii.HETF_NSFII

Rising Temperature & Tropical Forests

Impact of rising temperature on carbon input, partitioning, loss and storage in tropical wet forests

Description

In collaboration with Dr. Christian Giardina of the Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry, we are conducting a study to examine how rising temperatures will impact carbon cycling in tropical wet forest ecosystems.

Carbon Flux Global patterns in carbon flux and partitioning "A Collaboration with Dr. Christian Giardina and Raich JW, Ryan." Description Carbon allocation plays a critical role in forest ecosystem carbon cycling by shifting the products of photosynthesis between respiration and biomass production, ephemeral and long-lived tissues, and aboveground and belowground components.

Carbon Flux Global patterns in carbon flux and partitioning "A Collaboration with Dr. Christian Giardina and Raich JW, Ryan." Description Carbon allocation plays a critical role in forest ecosystem carbon cycling by shifting the products of photosynthesis between respiration and biomass production, ephemeral and long-lived tissues, and aboveground and belowground components.

Carbon Dynamics Global patterns in carbon flux and partitioning "A Collaboration with Dr. Christian Giardina and Raich JW, Ryan." Description Carbon allocation plays a critical role in forest ecosystem carbon cycling by shifting the products of photosynthesis between respiration and biomass production, ephemeral and long-lived tissues, and aboveground and belowground components.

Carbon Flux Global patterns in carbon flux and partitioning "A Collaboration with Dr. Christian Giardina and Raich JW, Ryan." Description Carbon allocation plays a critical role in forest ecosystem carbon cycling by shifting the products of photosynthesis between respiration and biomass production, ephemeral and long-lived tissues, and aboveground and belowground components.

Native Forest Restoration

Invasive grasses, wildfire, and native forest restoration on Oahu

Description

Wildland fires are a significant problem in Hawaiian landscapes where native woody communities have been replaced by nonnative invasive grasses. Wildfires burning in areas dominated by invasive grasses, such as guinea grass (Megathyrsus maximus), typically degrade remnant native plant communites, and preclude the estabilshment and restoration of native species assemblages.

Impact of Nonnative Ungulates

Impacts of nonnative ungulates on ecosystem structure and function in Hawaiian forests

Description

Hawaiian forest ecosystems are currently undergoing rapid degradation as a result of nonnative feral ungulates, with implications for forest composition, structure, and biogeochemistry. For example, feral pigs disturb soil via rooting and mixing of soil horizons, and plant communities via the trampling and consumption of native plants and transport of nonnative seeds.

Nonnative Grass Ecosystem Impacts

Ecosystem-level impacts of nonnative grass invasion in Hawaiian Dry Forests

Description

Nonnative invasive plants are prevalent in terrestrial ecosystems worldwide and have long been recognized to adversely impact native species assemblages and biodiversity. However, it is only in the past several decades that invasions have been implicated as driving changes in important ecosystem processes.

Impact of Fire in Lodgepole Pine Forests

Impact of fire, as a natural disturbance on carbon cycling in lodgepole pine forests.

Description

Validating the different components of the carbon budget in forest ecosystems is essential for developing allocation rules that allow accurate predictions of global carbon pools and fluxes. In addition, a better understanding of the effects of natural disturbances on carbon cycling is critical – particularly in light of changes in disturbance regimes that may occur with alterations in global climate.

Impact of Fire on Native Forests of Chile

Impact of fire on plant community dynamics, soils, and ecosystem processes in native forests of south-central Chile

Description

The temperate deciduous species Nothofagus glauca, endemic to Chile, exhibits characteristics commonly found in fire-adapted vegetation, yet the role of fire in the evolutionary history of the vegetation in this area is poorly understood.

Research

Rising Temperature & Tropical Forests

"A Collaboration with Dr. Christian Giardina and the Institute of Islands Forestry."

Description

"A Collaboration with Dr. Christian Giardina and Raich JW, Ryan."

Native Forest Restoration

"A Collaboration with Dale A, Miura T and Ellsworth LM, Leary, and others."

Description

Impact of Nonnative Ungulates

"A Collaboration with RJ Cole, MJ Murphy, CL Evensen, and others"

Description

Nonnative Grass Ecosystem Impacts

"A Collaboration with JM Thaxton, DR Sandquist, RJ Cabin, and others"

Description

Impact of Fire in Lodgepole Pine Forests

"A Collaboration with MG Ryan, DH Knight, MG Turner, and others."

Description

Impact of Fire on Native Forests of Chile

"A Collaboration with R Santelices and DR Sandquist."

Description