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Preview of Award 1036600 - Annual Project Report
Cover |
Accomplishments |
Products |
Participants/Organizations |
Impacts |
Changes/Problems
Cover
Federal Agency and Organization Element to Which Report
is Submitted:
4900
Federal Grant or Other Identifying Number Assigned by
Agency:
1036600
Project Title:
Center of Forest Ecosystem Assessment (CFEA)
PD/PI Name:
Yong Wang, Principal Investigator
Zachary Senwo, Co-Principal Investigator
Wubishet Tadesse, Co-Principal Investigator
Recipient Organization:
Alabama A&M University
Project/Grant Period:
10/01/2010 - 09/30/2015
Reporting Period:
10/01/2013 - 09/30/2014
Submitting Official (if other than PD\PI):
Yong Wang
Principal Investigator
Submission Date:
08/01/2014
Signature of Submitting Official (signature shall be submitted
in accordance with agency specific instructions)
Yong Wang
Accomplishments
* What are the major goals of the project?
SUB-PROJECT I: FOREST COMMUNITY RESPONSES AND DYNAMICS (FC)
Comp. 1.1 – Forest vegetation responses to prescribed burning and thinning and effects of wildlife browsing and microclimate.
Obj. 1.1.1: Determine the effects of the burning and thinning treatments from 5 to 10 years after treatment on the change in woody
(including overstory and regeneration) and herbaceous vegetation composition, growth, competitive status, richness, cover, and
diversity;
Obj. 1.1.2: Determine the effect of forest edge direction on vegetation dynamics and competitive status;
Obj. 1.1.3: Quantify the effect of deer browsing on tree regeneration;
Obj.1.1.4: Use the information from objectives 1-3 to develop guidelines for achieving the desired vegetation composition and structure;
Some of our additional research investigates the relationship between tree diversity and forest aboveground biomass (AGB)
productivity. More specifically, we will: (1) investigate the relationship between diversity indices, stand stocking, and AGB forest
productivity; (2) examine the effects of the covarying stand-level variables on the species diversity-AGB relationships; and (3) examine
the effect of species functional groups identity (shade intolerant or tolerant, conifer or hardwood, etc.) and dominant species on AGB
production.
Comp. 1.2 – Response of avian and herpetofaunal communities to anthropogenic disturbances in forested landscapes.
Obj.1.2.1: Determine the relationship between microhabitat complexity and animal community structure;
Obj.1.2.2: Determine the effect of forest disturbances upon resources availability for animals: (1) determine the relationship between
microhabitat complexity and community structure; (2) determine the effect of forest isturbances upon resources availability for animals;
(3) assess the reproductive success of selected animal species.
Comp. 1.3 – Genetic Diversity and dynamics of oaks and pool breeding amphibians.
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Obj.1.3.1: Determine the genetic variation existing within and among red oak species using combinations of polymorphic noncoding
region of chloroplast DNA (cpDNA);
Obj.1.3.2: Detect variation in single nucleotide polymorphisms among individual and within individuals of different oak species;
Obj.1.3.3: Construct phylogenetic tree based on information obtained from Objectives 1 and 2 above;
Obj.1.3.4: Construct cDNA libraries from different tissues and species and use the results for gene, SSR discovery, and SNP
discoveries;
Obj.1.3.5: Investigate the forest disturbance effect on population genetic makeup of vernal pool breeding amphibians.
SUB-PROJECT II: FOREST ECOSYSTEM FUNCTION AND PROCESSES (FE)
Comp. 2.1 – Soil microbial biodiversity of Bankhead National Forest ecosystems.
Obj. 2.1.1: Study the microbial diversity in a managed forest ecosystem, evaluate the potential for lignocellulose degradation and metal
bioaccumulation by white rot fungi;
Obj. 2.1.2: Inventory WRF diversity, their molecular phylogenetic profiles/biomass-degrading enzymatic potentials in support of our
bioenergy program initiatives;
Comp. 2.2 – Phosphorus ( P ) Transformation. To understanding the long-term effects of forest disturbances on soil phosphorus forms
and evaluates phosphorus availability in soils as affected by disturbances.
Obj. 2.2.1: Investigate heat-induced changes in inorganic P forms in forest soils;
Obj. 2.2.2: Study the effects of burning on transformation of amorphous Fe and Al oxide and its effect on inorganic P retention and
release over time (Findings to be presented in year 3 through 4);
Obj. 2.2.3: Study the changes in soil cation exchange capacity (CEC) as affected by heat induced treatments (This objective will be
carried out in the 3-4 year of the project); Obj. 2.2.4: Investigate the composition of charred organic material (black C) deposited during
burning treatments and explore the possibility of P retention/release on the formation of black C (Findings to be presented in year 5).
Comp. 2.3 – Carbon sequestration and energy flux balance in disturbed forest ecosystems. To investigate carbon sequestration and to
improve our understanding of the role forests play in global greenhouse gas emissions and carbon sequestration.
Obj. 2.3.1: Examine C sequestration and energy flux balance and model C flux in disturbed forest ecosystems;
Obj. 2.3.2: Improve our understanding of the role of forests in global C sequestration (Findings to be presented in year 3 through 4).
Comp. 2.4 – Clay Mineral Changes and Organic Matter Interaction Patterns in a Forest Ecosystem. To investigate the long-term effects
of prescribed burning on soil clay mineral-organic interaction patterns.
Obj. 2.4.1: Investigate the soil clay mineral transformation pathways and mechanisms of highly weathered soils that are managed with
prescribed burning;
Obj. 2.4.2: Investigate the long-term effects of prescribed burning on soil clay mineral-organic interaction patterns.
SUB-PROJECT III: COUPLED DYNAMICS OF HUMANS AND LANDSCAPES (CD)
Comp. 3.1 – Assessing the impact of watershed level forest management on hydrological processes, forest structure, and carbon
stocks
Obj. 3.1.1: Assess carbon stock through modeling of forest communities and improve forest vegetation mapping;
Obj. 3.1.2: Develop geospatial-based virtual forest landscape using 3D visualization applications as a communication and decision
making tool;
Obj. 3.1.3: Study the long-term hydrologic store/flux process in the BNF;
Obj. 3.1.4: To increase the number of trained professionals, especially African Americans, engaged in research, teaching, and the
management of renewable natural resources.
Comp. 3.2 – Land use strategies and forest land cover changes influence on the provision of ecological goods and services
Obj. 3.2.1: Extend the land cover change geodatabase for 1950-2010 for BNF and BB region and characterize the general trends of
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landscape changes in the study areas;
Obj. 3.2.2: Determine the effects of landowner strategies on the patterns of land cover types change, and landscape fragmentation and
consolidation;
Obj. 3.2.3: Identify the relationships between forest landscape structure and major ecological functions;
Obj. 3.3.4 – Assess harvesting environmental and ecological impacts of on soil surface and compaction, residual vegetation, and
hydrologic processes at the BNF.
Comp. 3.3 – Environmental and aesthetics Impacts of outdoor recreation and woody biomass harvesting on forest ecosystem
Obj. 3.3.1: Explore relationship between visitors’ perceptions of resource conditions and actual resource conditions at the BNF;
Obj. 3.3.2: Evaluate and monitor the environmental and ecological impacts of outdoor recreation activities at BNF;
Obj. 3.3.3: Monitor quantitatively timber and biomass harvesting activities at BNF;
Obj. 3.3.4 – Assess harvesting environmental and ecological impacts of on soil surface and compaction, residual vegetation, and
hydrologic processes at the BNF.
* What was accomplished under these goals (you must provide information for at least one of the 4 categories below)?
Major Activities:
The multi-disciplinary team at the Center for Forest Ecosystem Assessment (CFEA) continues
to coordinate most of its research efforts at a common site and on integrated issues related to
the forest ecosystem. Our research is based on the concept that characteristics of an
ecosystem are determined by several relatively independent "external state factors" (global
climate, geology, time, etc.) and by interactive controls (regional climate, disturbance regime,
human activities, etc.) that both effect, and are affected by, ecosystem processes. Although
humans exist and operate within ecosystems, our cumulative effects can be large enough to
influence external state factors such as climate and precise enough to manipulate interactive
controls such as disturbance regime. The research teams of the three thrust areas of CFEA
have been continuing their effort of collaborative research in the Bankhead National Forest
(BNF), a part of the upland hardwood forests of the Southern Cumberland Plateau. Each
research team at CFEA has been examining components of the forest ecosystem. The
emphasis of the research is focused on sustaining short and long-term forest health and
restoration of native upland forest communities. In order to deal with the different levels of a
forest community, including the human dimension, we created three sub-projects, each with
several specialized components. This allows us to explore the complex issues involved from
an integrated perspective, and to find long-term ecological/silvicultural solutions that are
appropriate for a complex system.
See attachment for Research, Educational, and Outreach Activities.
Specific Objectives:
Sub-project I
Component 1.1:
The specific objectives are outlined in the previous section about project goals.
Component 1.2:
1. Continue the field data collection for the wildlife include birds and herpetofauna.
2. All students present a component of their research at professional conferences.
3. Prepare manuscripts for publication in peer reviewed professional journals.
4. Padraic Conner: complete data analysis and write thesis, defend, and graduate.
5. Timothy Baldwin: complete data analysis and write dissertation, defend, and graduate.
6. Emily Summers: complete data analysis and write thesis, defend, and graduate.
7. Brandie Stringer: complete data analysis and write thesis, defend, and graduate.
8. Students will defend their research proposals.
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Component 1.3:
1. Train and certify graduate students and lab staff in DNA extraction techniques and
equipment.
2. Identify new graduate students for oak and salamander genetic research.
3. Rashidah Farid: complete data analysis and write thesis, defend, and graduate.
4. Fetun Desta: complete data analysis and write thesis, defend, and graduate.
Sub-project II
Component 2.1:
1. Study microbial and community diversity in response to forest management treatments
2. Inventory WRF diversity, their molecular phylogenetic profiles and biomassdegrading
enzymatic potentials in support of our bioenergy program initiatives
Component 2.2:
1. Investigation of heat-induced changes in inorganic phosphorus forms in forest soils using
phosphorus fractionation methods.
2. Study the effects of burning on transformation of amorphous Fe and Al oxide and its effect
on inorganic phosphorus retention and release over time.
Component 2.3:
1. To investigate the effects of thinning and burning forest management practices on soil CO2,
N2O, and CH4 greenhouse gas fluxes in the Bankhead National Forest.
2. To measure and document soil C sequestration under thinning and burning forest
management practices in the Bankhead National Forest.
3. To relate soil CO2, N2O, and CH4 greenhouse gas fluxes and C sequestration to soil
temperature and soil moisture environmental properties in the Bankhead National Forest.
Component 2.4:
1. Investigate the soil clay mineral transformation pathways and mechanisms of highly
weathered soils that are managed with prescribed burning.
2. Investigate the long-term effects of prescribed burning on soil clay mineralorganic interaction
patterns.
Sub-project III
Component 3.1:
1. The objectives of this goal include developing multi-scale models of current biomass,
develop regeneration scenario based on future management options. Train student and
increase human resources in areas for forest management, environmental remote sensing and
geospatial analysis.
2. The goal of this objective is utilize computer visualization as a tool for analyzing as well as
communicating results of different BNF management practices.
3. The primary objectives of this goal is twofold, first at a small scale to assess the direct
impact of forest management (burning and thinning) or lack of management on hydrological
processes, and secondly assess the larger scale basin level through modeling and running
scenario.
Component 3.2:
1. The primary objective of this goal was to determine at what level (pixel, cadastral polygon,
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or land cover polygons) it was appropriate to analyze forest fragmentation over time.
2. To determine the effects of landowner strategies on the patterns of land cover types change,
and landscape fragmentation and consolidation.
3. The specific objectives of this goal include collecting data of air quality (such as aerosol,
CO2, SO2, NO2) at forest and urban areas by field monitoring and remote sensing methods.
After comparison, the contribution of forest on air quality will be inferred.
Significant Results:
The Center for Forest Ecosystem Assessment (CFEA) team has been conducting research
alongside the USDA Forest Service Southern Research Station on hardwood restoration,
hardwood responses to a variety of silvicultural treatments, and responses of other biological
entities and processes within treated forests since our inception in 2004. As an interdisciplinary
team, we have been working together to strengthen our knowledge of managed forest
ecosystem issues, and have been working towards applied science based management tools.
As we continue collecting data for this long-term project, the knowledge gained about
vegetation dynamics and the data we are collecting in subsequent growing seasons will
strengthen the ability to manage a forest at the ecosystem level.
See attachment for Research results.
Key outcomes or Other
achievements:
Sub-project I
Component 1.1: Entered data from the new plots on Bankhead National Forest and
analyzed FIA data from Alabama; (2) Presented the results at STEM day 2014, Alabama A&M
University, and at the EPSCOR meeting in Montgomery, Alabama; (3) Presented at Ecological
Society of America (ESA) conference in Portland, Oregon in 2012; (4) We still have not been
able to establish the plots for the browsing exclosure part of study. Finding areas where the
forest has been cut in the manner proposed has proven more time consuming than
anticipated. The national forest did not carry out the type of cuts that we intended to utilize, so
we have been contacting landowners who would be willing to let us install the fences on their
properties.
Component 1.2: The project was conducted as planned. We published three peer-reviewed
manuscripts for this particular component. Five graduate students have been involved directly
related to this component. Three new graduate students were recently recruited and will start
to work on the projects as their thesis research in the fall 2013. Two graduate students were
awarded 2012 Alabama EPSCOR graduate fellowships. Two other graduate students each
received two awards from Alabama Ornithological Society and Birmingham Audubon Society
for conducting their thesis research work. We have met all the goals established.
Component 1.3: A number of primeres produced distinctive polymorphic regions, visualize
on a 2% agarose 1X TBE buffer gel under UV light. Three primers yielded tight reproducible
bands for Red-Spotted Newt, 10 primers for Spotted Salamander, and 6 primers for Southern
Leopard Frog. PCR followed by gel electrophoresis and band/size extraction will continue until
early June. Preliminary data results were presented at MANRRS National Conference in
Sacramento, CA in March 2013 and at STEM day 2012 and 2013, Alabama A&M University.
Sub-project II
Component 2.1: The findings from the assessment of the impact of prescribed burning and
thinning on microbial communities and their metabolic capacities in these soils will help in
proposing better or alternative management strategies of the forest ecosystem. The results
demonstrate the potential of white rot fungi collected from the forest in the degradation of plant
biomass, and thus their possible use in biofuel production or feedstock treatment. The results
also demonstrate the need to further investigate the bioaccumulation of Hg by fungi, as four
fungi species, Metshnik owia spp., Gerronema strombodes, Boletus spp., and Amanita
alboverrucosa had Hg levels above the EPA acceptable level of 0.3 ppm.
Component 2.2: Our findings indicate that the soils in this area in general have a
phosphorus deficiency since majority of P is in a fixed form bound to Fe/Al oxides. Certain
burning and thinning treatments have some significant effects on increasing water soluble P,
labile P, and Fe/Al oxide bound P in this ecosystem. Burning alone does not have any
significant impact on changing distribution of P forms in the soils.
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Component 2.3: Nothing to report
Component 2.4: Nothing to report
Sub-project III
Component 3.1:
3.1.1 - The key outcomes for this goal are limited to small scale at this stage, over the next
year this will be extrapolated out to stands and forest making the boarder impact of this
research very relevant to forest management and production.
3.1.2 - The key outcomes for this goal are limited to small scale at this stage, over the next
year this will be extrapolated out to stands and forest making the boarder impact of this
research very relevant to forest management and production.
3.1.3 - There are no key outcomes to report this year.
Component 3.2:
3.2.1 - The approach for detecting land cover change at a multi-count level would be more
fruitful if the analyses were conducted at the pixel level with landowner and/or major land cover
polygons. This approach would allow us to compare land conversion, re-conversion, and
fragmentation by landowner type/objectives.
3.2.2 - The probability of using the land for recreational purposes is positively correlated with
household size and size of the property, and negatively correlated with income and land
ownership status. Recreation, intrinsic value and income generation being primary reasons for
owning land; the lack of farming activity and land (and more specifically timber) management
plans combined with good relations with agencies and universities explain these landowners’
continued interest in recreation and ecotourism services. The social and economic
characteristics of landowners significantly affect the patterns of land use.
3.2.3 - There are no key outcomes to report this year.
* What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?
Meetings/Conferences: Students are heavily encouraged to attend meetings to improve their presentation abilities and provide
networking opportunities. Both graduate and undergraduate students presented posters and gave oral presentations at regional,
national, and international conferences. All graduate students collectively presented at 12 different conferences, as well as presented
research posters at AAMU's annual STEM Day event. Several graduate students also gave updates to the Bankhead National Forest
Liaison Panel during their quarterly meetings.
International Experiences: Students, faculty, and staff had the opportunity to travel abroad and gain cultural and research
experiences abroad, both in China and in Brazil. The REUG-China program brought seven faculty/staff, eight undergraduate students
and two graduate students to China to conduct research in the labs and surrounding field sites of Nanjing Forestry University.
Experiences such as this provide exciting opportunities for underserved minorities to gain experiences that will help make them more
competitive in their chosen career and when looking to further their education. Graduate students participating in the REUG-China
program had the opportunity to mentor undergraduate students and give lectures to the undergraduate students.
Lab, Field and Safety Training: Students, faculty and staff received safety training for laboratory chemical management (Dirk
Spencer), field safety (Andrew Cantrell), and lab equipment (various). In addition, students in the FireDawgs program were trained in
silvicultural fire prescription and prevention, as well as in timber cruising skills. All field-going personnel received basic training on
vehicle and field safety prior to the 2014 field season. Graduate students in SPI met weekly to discuss a variety of student-chosen
peer-reviewed papers, as well as to provide feedback on written proposals or thesis chapters and oral presentations.
Continuing Education Training: Faculty attended online and in-person courses designed to keep them up to speed on fast-changing
technologies important for their fields. Dr. Wang attended SAS and SPSS workshops and ornithological workshops; Dr. Christian
attended the National Outdoor Recreation Conference; Dr. Chen attended the E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Symposium.
Student Training: We continue to provide hands-on research opportunities and one-on-one mentorship through programs such as the
EnvironMentors (high school), NSF Undergraduate Reserach and Mentoring, NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates.
Additionally, training opportunities are available for students who attend meetings and conferences. Graduate students had
opportunities to gain international exposure through the REU(G) program as well as a collaborative program that took students to
Brazil. Students received
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Proposal Writing: Graduate students are highly encouraged to write grant, scholarship, and fellowship proposals to fund their own
research, giving them hands-on experience with an important component of the research experience.
* How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?
We disseminated the results through published abstracts, as well as oral and poster presentations at one national, one regional, and
local conference: Ecological Society of America, EPSCOR meeting, and STEM Day, respectively. Stakeholders interested the
management of the national forest are apprised of our findings during field days. Communication of results with them is also carried out
during the monthly meetings of the Bankhead Liaison Panel.
The results have been disseminated through (1) peer-reviewed manuscripts in professional journals (such as Forestry Sciences and
Forest Ecology and Management), (2) technical report/proceedings of the USDA Forest Service, (3) regional, national and international
professional conferences by posters, presentations, and personal communications, (4) direct interactions with forest managers such as
personnel at Bankhead National Forest, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and landowners, (5) research
collaborations with USDA such as scientists at Southern Research Station of US Forest Service, (6) recruitment information, (7)
international collaborators in China and Brazil, (8) course materials for demonstration and exercises.
* What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
SUB‐PROJECT I
Component 1.1:
1. Carry out additional data analysis
2. Publish preliminary results
3. Recruit a new graduate student to focus on the several aspects of the vegetation research that have not been fully developed at
present
4. Present preliminary findings at one or more national conferences
Component 1.2:
1. Continue the field data collection for wildlife and habitat
2. Continue the data analysis and summarize the results collected so far
3. Develop and publish peer-reviewed manuscripts
4. Graduate 3 graduate students during the next academic year
5. Recruit 1-2 new graduate students to continue the research projects of graduated students
6. Continue the collaboration with partners
7. Seek leverage funds by developing and submitting proposals for scholarships and research grants
8. Continue collaborations with partners to support the current projects and develop new projects
9. Continue the outreach and dissemination activities through multiple approaches such conference presentations, workshops,
website, student reports, etc.
Component 1.3:
1. We plan to include DNA quantification, primer screening, PCR amplification, data collection and analysis during the next reporting
period.
2. Microsatellite primers of northern red oak will be used to produce amplification products of the expected size in the other red oak
species.
3. Microsatellite loci repeats will be amplified with the primers. These loci will be analyzed on the basis of their observed
heterozygosity and conservation between oak species.
4. One new graduate student will be recruited to continue the research activities
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SUB‐PROJECT II
Component 2.1:
1. During the next reporting period, we plan to continue the sequence and statistical analysis of the results.
2. Additional DNA extractions, Polymerase Chain Reactions (PCR), and sequence analysis will be completed on the additional
samples.
3. We will complete amylase, cellulase, xylanase and chitinase activities analysis, and perform statistical analysis on generated data.
Component 2.2:
1. During the next reporting period soil analysis will be completed for the soils collected from treatment sites in September, 2013 to
meet the objectives described in the project.
2. Findings from the study will be presented at the Soil Science Society of America Annual Meeting.
Component 2.3:
1. Soil sampling for greenhouse gas analyses will be continued
2. Data processing on collected and analyzed samples will be accomplished
3. Data summarization and reporting will be accomplished
4. Graduate student/student intern will be hired to facilitate accomplishing the given objectives
Component 2.4: 1. The soil mineral fractionation into different aggregate fractions will continue
2. Total C analyses on the bulk samples and each isolated fraction will be done
3. Mineralogical analysis with XRD will be carried out
SUB‐PROJECT III
Component 3.1:
1. Assessing carbon stock through modeling of forest communities and improve forest vegetation mapping will be continued
2. Study the long-term hydrologic store/flux process in the BNF will be continued for field data collection and analysis.
3. Increase the number of trained professionals, especially African Americans, engaged in research, teaching, and the management
of renewable natural resources: One graduate student will be recruited to work on either hydrology or biomass component. During
the next year two undergraduate students will be involved in forest hydrology research.
Component 3.2:
1. Conduct field work in survey of landowners’ management objectives
2. Expand the land cover analyses to a multi-counties region
3. Integrate the landowner responses with the field observations and landowner responses to question on management strategies.
Supporting Files
Filename
Description
Uploaded
By
Uploaded
On
CFEA_Report2014_Ed&Outreach.pdf
This file contains all educational and outreach
activities.
Yong
Wang
07/23/2014
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Filename
Description
Uploaded
By
Uploaded
On
CFEA Report2014_Significant Results_ALL.pdf
This file contains all significant results from
CFEA-related research for the 2013-2014 year.
Yong
Wang
07/24/2014
CFEA_Report2014_ResearchActivities_ALL.pdf
This file contains research related activities for
the 2013-2014 year
Yong
Wang
08/01/2014
Products
Books
Book Chapters
Callie Jo Schweitzer, Greg Janzen, Daniel C. Dey (2011). Regenerating Oak ‘The Natural Way.’. A Practical Guide to Managing Oak
Forests in the Eastern United States Keyser, P., Burhans, T., and Harper, C.. . Status = ACCEPTED; Acknowledgement of Federal
Support = Yes ; Peer Reviewed = No
Irenus A. Tazisong, Zachary N. Senwo, Barbara J. Cade-Menun, Zhongqi He (2014). Phosphorus forms and mineralization potentials of
Alabama upland cotton production soils amended with poultry litter. Applied Manure and Nutrient Chemistry for Sustainable Agriculture
and Environment Zhongqi He, Hailin Zhang. Springer. 191. Status = PUBLISHED; Acknowledgement of Federal Support = Yes ; Peer
Reviewed = Yes ; ISBN: 978-94-017-8807-6.
Conference Papers and Presentations
Santosh Ojha and Luben Dimov (2014). A Community Analysis of Natural Hardwood Forest Vegetation of Alabama (poster
presentation). 8th Annual AAMU STEM Day. Normal, AL. Status = OTHER; Acknowledgement of Federal Support = Yes
Yong Wang (2013). An Introduction of Breeding Bird Survey in USA: Lessons Learned (invited guest speaker). First Conference of
Migratory Waterfowl Monitoring: from Hulunbeier to Bohai Bay. Tianjing, China. Status = OTHER; Acknowledgement of Federal
Support = Yes
Emily Summers and Yong Wang (2013). Avian Response to Thinning and Burning in the Bankhead National Forest (poster
presentation). Association for Fire Ecology: Wildland Fire in the Appalachians, Discussion among Managers and Scientists. Roanoke,
Virginia. Status = OTHER; Acknowledgement of Federal Support = Yes
Emily Summers, Yong Wang (2014). Avian Response to Thinning and Burning in the Bankhead National Forest. Poster. 8th Annual
Alabama A&M University STEM Day. Normal, AL. Status = OTHER; Acknowledgement of Federal Support = Yes
Emily Summers, Yong Wang, Callie Schweitzer (2014). Avian response to thinning and burning prescriptions in the Bankhead National
Forest (oral presentation; abstract). Annual Meeting of the Alabama Chapter of the Wildlife Society, (April 3-4). Spanish Fort, AL. Status
= AWAITING_PUBLICATION; Acknowledgement of Federal Support = Yes
Eric Margeneau, Yong Wang, and Callie Jo Schweitzer (2014). Breeding Bird Community Response to a Gradient of Forest Canopy
Reduction in an Upland Hardwood Forest (poster presentation). 8th Annual AAMU STEM Day. Normal, AL. Status = OTHER;
Acknowledgement of Federal Support = Yes
Eric Margeneau, Yong Wang, Callie Jo Schweitzer (2014). Breeding songbird community response and post-breeding dispersal of the
Yellow-breasted Chat (Icteria virens) to a gradient of forest canopy retention in an upland hardwood forest (oral presentation; abstract).
Annual Meeting of the Alabama Chapter of the Wildlife Society, (April 3-4). Spanish Fort, AL. Status = AWAITING_PUBLICATION;
Acknowledgement of Federal Support = Yes
Callie Jo Schweitzer, K.W. Gottschalk, Stacy L. Clark, J.W. Stringer, R. Sitzlar (2013). Daniel Boone National Forest: Progressive
Partnerships Benefit Sustaining Oak Forests (oral presentation; abstract). Proceedings of the 2013 National Silviculture Workshop.
(Oct. 25-27) http://www.xcdsystem.com/saf/abstract/abstract.cfm. Charleston, SC. Status = PUBLISHED; Acknowledgement of Federal
Support = Yes
Anil Acharya, J. Ryu (2013). Development and Application of Streamflow Disaggregation Tool for Natural Waterways (oral
presentation). American Geophysical Union (AGU) Fall Meeting (Dec 9-13). Moscone Center, San Francisco, CA. Status = OTHER;
Acknowledgement of Federal Support = Yes
• Monday Mbila (2013). Eddy Covariance Tower Project (oral presentation). Bankhead National Forest Liaison Panel Meeting Summary
May 16. First National Bank, Double Springs, Alabama. Status = OTHER; Acknowledgement of Federal Support = Yes
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• Tommy Smith, Sampson Hopkinson, Monday Mbila, and Srinivasa Mentreddy (2014). Effect of Alabama Soil Types on Plant Biomass
and Elements in Holy Basil. STEM Day 2014. Alabama A&M University, Normal, Alabama. Status = OTHER; Acknowledgement of
Federal Support = Yes
Dessy Owiti, Irenus Tazisong, and Zachary Senwo (2014). Effects of Prescribed Thinning and Burning on β-D Glucosidase Hydrolytic
Potentials and Labile Organic Matter Fractures (poster presentation). 8th Annual AAMU STEM Day. Normal, AL. Status = OTHER;
Acknowledgement of Federal Support = Yes
Brandie Stringer and Yong Wang (2014). Forest Canopy Manipulation and Breeding Bird Response (poster presentation). 8th Annual
AAMU STEM Day. Normal, AL. Status = OTHER; Acknowledgement of Federal Support = Yes
T. Weber, Justin Hart, Callie Jo Schweitzer, Daniel Dey (2013). Gap-phase disturbance, development and succession in a Southern
Appalachian pine-hardwood forest (oral presentation; abstract). Proceedings of the 2013 Society of American Foresters National
Convention, (Oct. 25-27). http://www.xcdsystem.com/saf/abstract/abstract.cfm. Charleston, SC. Status = PUBLISHED;
Acknowledgement of Federal Support = Yes
Angelica Durrah and Khairy Soliman (2014). Identification and Isolation of Molecular Markers in Amphibian Populations: Bankhead
National Forest, Alabama (poster presentation). Alabama A&M University Annual STEM Day. Huntsville, Alabama. Status = OTHER;
Acknowledgement of Federal Support = Yes
Anil Acharya, Wubishet Tadesse, Dawn Lemke (2014). Impacts of Climate Change on Forest Hydrology: A Case Study of the Sipsey
Fork Watershed in Northern Alabama (oral presentation). Alabama Water Resources Conference (Sept 3-5). Perdido Beach Resort,
Orange Beach, Mobile, AL. Status = OTHER; Acknowledgement of Federal Support = Yes
Caleb Aldridge, Dawn Lemke (2014). Influence of Forest Management on the Flow Regimes in the Bankhead National Forest, Alabama
(poster presentation). 8th Annual Alabama A&M University STEM Day. Normal, Alabama. Status = OTHER; Acknowledgement of
Federal Support = Yes
S. White, Justin Hart, Callie Jo Schweitzer, Daniel Dey (2013). Influence of intermediate-scale wind disturbance on upland hardwood
stand development (oral presentation; abstract). Proceedings of the 2013 Society of American Foresters National Convention. (Oct.
25-27). http://www.xcdsystem.com/saf/abstract/abstract.cfm. Charleston, SC. Status = PUBLISHED; Acknowledgement of Federal
Support = Yes
Padraic Conner, Yong Wang, and Calllie Jo Schweitzer (2014). Influences of Shelterwood Prescriptions to Above-Ground Carbon
Storage and Herpetofaunal and Small Mammal Communities (poster presentation). 8th Annual AAMU STEM Day. Normal, AL. Status =
OTHER; Acknowledgement of Federal Support = Yes
Andrew Cantrell, Yong Wang, William Sutton, Callie Jo Schweitzer (2014). Intermediate response of herpetofauna to thinning and
prescribed fire regimes in William B. Bankhead National Forest, Alabama (oral presentation; abstract). Southeast Partners in Amphibian
and Reptile Conservation Annual Meeting, (Feb. 13-16). Lake Cumberland State Resort Park, Jamestown, KY. Status = PUBLISHED;
Acknowledgement of Federal Support = Yes
M. Cowden, Justin Hart, Callie Jo Schweitzer, Daniel Dey (2013). Intermediate-scale disturbance effects on composition and light in oak
stands (oral presentation; abstract). Proceedings of the 2013 Society of American Foresters National Convention. (Oct. 25-27).
http://www.xcdsystem.com/saf/abstract/abstract.cfm. Charleston, SC. Status = PUBLISHED; Acknowledgement of Federal Support =
Yes
Dawn Lemke (2013). Invasive Plants of the Southeastern Forests: Implications of Climate Change (oral presentation). Alabama Sierra
Club Chapter Retreat: Climate Change and Energy Efficiency: the Butterfly Effect (Oct 4-6). Guntersville State Park, AL. Status =
OTHER; Acknowledgement of Federal Support = Yes
Rashidah Farid, Khairy Soliman, and Yong Wang (2014). Long-term Impacts of Forest Disturbance on Amphibian Populations’ Genetic
Diversity RAPDs PCR, Cloning and SSR Isolation (poster presentation). 8th Annual AAMU STEM Day. Normal, AL. Status = OTHER;
Acknowledgement of Federal Support = Yes
Rashidah Farid, Khairy Soliman (2014). Long-term Impacts of Forest Disturbance on Salamander Populations Genetic Diversity (oral
presentation). Southeast Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (SEPARC) Annual Meeting. Lake Cumberland State Resort
Park, Kentucky (4/11). Status = OTHER; Acknowledgement of Federal Support = Yes
Iwo Gross, Yong Wang, and Callie Jo Schweitzer (2014). Maternal and Juvenile Habitat Use, Dispersal, Hibernation, and Survival in
Copperheads (Crotalinae; Agkistrodon) (poster presentation). 8th Annual AAMU STEM Day. Normal, AL. Status = OTHER;
Acknowledgement of Federal Support = Yes
Iwo P. Gross, Yong Wang, Callie Jo Schweitzer (2014). Maternal and juvenile habitat use, dispersal, hibernation, and survival in
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Copperheads (Crotalinae; Agkistrodon) (oral presentation; abstract). Annual Meeting of the Alabama Chapter of the Wildlife Society.
April 3-4. Spanish Fort, AL. Status = AWAITING_PUBLICATION; Acknowledgement of Federal Support = Yes
Maria Nobles, and Monday Mbila, William J Massman, Greg Butters (2013). Mineralogical and Micromorphological Modifications in Soil
Affected By Slash Pile Burn. CSA/ASA/SSSA 2013 International Annual Meetings (Oral #139-3), November 3-5. Tampa, Florida. Status
= OTHER; Acknowledgement of Federal Support = Yes
Luben Dimov (2013). Needed modifications to the hundred-year old silvicultural treatments: managing for diverse and resilient forests
(oral presentation; abstract published). 98th Ecological Society of America Annual Meeting. Minneapolis, Minnesota. Status =
PUBLISHED; Acknowledgement of Federal Support = Yes
Daniel Dey, Callie Jo Schweitzer, E. Gardiner, J. Kabrick, M. Spetich (2013). Partnerships to Assess Uneven-aged Systems in Oak
Forests (oral presentation; abstract). Proceedings of the 2013 National Silviculture Workshop. (Oct. 25-27) http://www.xcdsystem.com
/saf/abstract/abstract.cfm. Charleston, SC. Status = PUBLISHED; Acknowledgement of Federal Support = Yes
Bekele, Gete; Yong Wang; Wubishet Tadesse; and S. Fei (2013). Predicting Breeding Bird Richness of the North Alabama (oral
presentation; abstract). 9th Southern Forestry and Natural Resource Management GIS Conference. University of Georgia, Athens,
Georgia. Status = AWAITING_PUBLICATION; Acknowledgement of Federal Support = Yes
Richard Borthwick and Yong Wang (2014). Ranges in Avian Community Composition Through Time on Reclaimed Surface Coal Mines
in Northern Alabama (poster presentation). 8th Annual AAMU STEM Day. Normal, AL. Status = OTHER; Acknowledgement of Federal
Support = Yes
Daniel Dey, J. Kabrick, B. Hanberry, Callie Jo Schweitzer (2014). Restoration for the future: setting endpoints and target and selecting
indicators of progress and success (oral presentation; proceedings). 19th Central Hardwood Forest Conference, (March
10-12). Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL. Status = SUBMITTED; Acknowledgement of Federal Support = Yes
Peace Dunu, Monday Mbila, Maheteme Gebremedhin, Yinusa Omidiran (2014). Soil Carbon Dioxide Efflux Rates of two Tillage
Practices. STEM Day 2013. Alabama A&M University, Normal, Alabama. Status = OTHER; Acknowledgement of Federal Support =
Yes
Santosh Ojha and Luben Dimov (2013). Species characteristics and diversity-productivity relationships in young natural forests of the
eastern United States (oral presentation; abstract). 98th Ecological Society of America Annual Meeting. Minneapolis, Minnesota. Status
= PUBLISHED; Acknowledgement of Federal Support = Yes
Yong Wang; J. Chang; Q. Xu; N. Yao; W. Wu (2013). Stopover Patterns of Landbirds at an Inland Site of Northeast China: Species
Composition and Migration Timing (abstract published). Conference of Avian Migrants in the Northern Pacific: Breeding and Stopover
Sites in Changing Earth. Yzhno-Sakhalinsk, Russia. Status = AWAITING_PUBLICATION; Acknowledgement of Federal Support = Yes
J.M. Kabrick, T.L. Keyser, Daniel C. Dey, Cathryn H. Greenberg, W.H. McNab, Callie Jo Schweitzer, M.A. Spetich, Stacy L.
Clark (2013). Sustaining Oak Forests: A Regional Examination of Oak Regeneration Ecology in a Partnership Among Research
Stations, State Agencies, Academia and Industry (oral presentation; abstract). Proceedings of the 2013 National Silviculture Workshop.
(Oct. 25-27) http://www.xcdsystem.com/saf/abstract/abstract.cfm. Charleston, SC. Status = PUBLISHED; Acknowledgement of Federal
Support = Yes
Stacy L. Clark, Callie Jo Schweitzer, M.R. Saunders, E.P. Belair, S.J. Torreano (2013). The American chestnut and fire: six year
research results. Wildland Fire in the Appalachians Conference. Roanoke, VA. Status = SUBMITTED; Acknowledgement of Federal
Support = Yes
Joseph Jordan, Yong Wang (2014). The Effect of Habitat Disturbances and Protection Buffer Zone on the Breeding Bald Eagle
Population at the Chippewa National Forest (poster presentation). 8th Annual Alabama A&M University STEM Day. Normal, Alabama.
Status = OTHER; Acknowledgement of Federal Support = Yes
Lacey Rucker, Yong Wang, and Callie Jo Schweitzer (2014). The Effects of Forest Disturbance on Amphibian Breeding Pool Preference
(poster presentation). 8th Annual AAMU STEM Day. Normal, AL. Status = OTHER; Acknowledgement of Federal Support = Yes
Jonjala Jackson and Elica Moss (2014). The Effects of Forest Management Practices on the Community Structure of Chemolithotrophs
in the Bankhead National Forest (poster presentation). 8th Annual AAMU STEM Day. Normal, AL. Status = OTHER; Acknowledgement
of Federal Support = Yes
Callie Jo Schweitzer, Daniel Dey, Yong Wang (2014). Thinning and prescribed fire alters hardwood seedling sprouting and competitive
dynamics on the William B. Bankhead National Forest, Alabama (oral presentation; proceedings). 19th Central Hardwood Forest
Conference (March 10-12). Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL. Status = SUBMITTED; Acknowledgement of Federal Support =
Yes
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Inventions
Journals
Andrew Cantrell, L. Lei, Zhengwang Zhang, W. Zhang, and Jianqiang Li (2014). Ectoparasites and other invertebrates in the nests of
the Hair-crested Drongo (Dicrurus hottentottus). Chinese Birds. 4 314. Status = PUBLISHED; Acknowledgment of Federal Support =
Yes ; Peer Reviewed = Yes
Andrew Cantrell, Yong Wang, Callie Jo Schweitzer, Catherine Greenberg (2013). Short-term response of herpetofauna to oak
regeneration treatments on the Mid-Cumberland Plateau of southern Tennessee. Forest Ecology and Management. 295 239. Status =
PUBLISHED; Acknowledgment of Federal Support = Yes ; Peer Reviewed = Yes ; ISSN: 0378-1127
B. Herbert, Colmore Christian (2014). Regional tourism at the cross-roads: perspectives of Caribbean Tourism Organization’s
stakeholders. Journal of Sustainable Development. 7 (1), 17. Status = PUBLISHED; Acknowledgment of Federal Support = Yes ; Peer
Reviewed = Yes ; DOI: 10.5539/jsd.v7n1p17
Brandie K. Stringer, Yong Wang, Callie Jo Schweitzer (2014). Forest Canopy Manipulation and Breeding Bird Responses:
Treatment-and Temporal-Dependent Patterns. In: Holley, G.; Haywood, D., Connor, K. eds. 201X. Proceedings, 17th Biennial Southern
Silvicultural Conference; 2013 March 5-7, 2013; Shreveport, LA. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service,
Southern Research Station. SRS-GTR . Status = ACCEPTED; Acknowledgment of Federal Support = Yes ; Peer Reviewed = Yes
Buddhi Gyawali, Anquinette Hill, Swagata Banerjee, Duncan Chembezi, Colmore Christian, James Bujenya, Maifan
Silitonga (2013). Examining rural-urban population change in the southeastern United States. Journal of Rural Social Sciences. 28 (2),
90. Status = PUBLISHED; Acknowledgment of Federal Support = Yes ; Peer Reviewed = Yes ; ISSN: 2151-4178
Buddhi Gyawali, Swagata Banerjee, Anquinette Hill, Duncan Chembezi, James Bukenya, Colmore Christian (2013). Exploring
variations in income growth in southeastern United States. Journal of Geography and Regional Planning. Journal of Geography and
Regional Planning. 6 (4), 1. Status = PUBLISHED; Acknowledgment of Federal Support = Yes ; Peer Reviewed = Yes ; DOI:
10.5897/JGRP
C. Choi, X. Gan, N. Hua, Yong Wang, Z. Ma (2014). The habitat use and home range analysis of Dunlin (Calidris alpina) in Chongming
Dongtan, China and their conservation implications. Wetlands. 34 255. Status = PUBLISHED; Acknowledgment of Federal Support =
No ; Peer Reviewed = Yes
C.C. Pinchot, S.E. Schlarbaum, Stacy L. Clark, Callie Jo Schweitzer, A.M. Saxton (2014). Impact of silvicultural treatment on chestnut
seedling growth and survival. Acta Horticulturae. . Status = SUBMITTED; Acknowledgment of Federal Support = Yes ; Peer Reviewed
= Yes
Callie Jo Schweitzer, Daniel C. Dey (2014). The Conundrum of Creating Understory Light Conditions Conducive to Promoting Oak
Regeneration: Midstory Herbicide Treatment Versus Prescribed Fire. In: Holley, G.; Haywood, D., Connor, K. eds. 201X. Proceedings,
17th Biennial Southern Silvicultural Conference; 2013 March 5-7, 2013; Shreveport, LA. Gen. Tech. Rep. Asheville, NC: U.S.
Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research. GTR-SRS . Status = ACCEPTED; Acknowledgment of Federal Support
= Yes ; Peer Reviewed = Yes
Callie Jo Schweitzer, Dawn Lemke, Yong Wang, Wubishet Tadesse (2014). Assessing How Forest Management Influences Biomass
Changes in the Bankhead National Forest, Alabama. In: Holley, G.; Haywood, D., Connor, K. eds. 201X. Proceedings, 17th Biennial
Southern Silvicultural Conference; 2013 March 5-7, 2013; Shreveport, LA. Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS-#. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research. SRS-GTR . Status = ACCEPTED; Acknowledgment of Federal Support = Yes ; Peer
Reviewed = Yes
Callie Jo Schweitzer, K.W. Gottschalk, Stacy L. Clark, J. Stringer, R. Sitzlar (2014). Daniel Boone National Forest Kentucky:
Progressive Partnerships Benefit Sustaining Forests. Journal of Forestry. . Status = UNDER_REVIEW; Acknowledgment of Federal
Support = Yes ; Peer Reviewed = Yes
Callie Jo Schweitzer, Yong Wang (2013). Overstory tree status following thinning and burning treatments in mixed pine-hardwood
stands on the William B. Bankhead National Forest, Alabama. In: Guldin, James M., ed. 2013. Proceedings of the 15th biennial
southern silvicultural research conference. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station.
57-63. SRS-GTR (175), 57. Status = PUBLISHED; Acknowledgment of Federal Support = Yes ; Peer Reviewed = Yes ; OTHER:
e-Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS-GTR
Clint T. Patterson, Luben D. Dimov (2013). Effect of shade and fertilizer supplement on survival and growth of American chestnut
seedlings. Forestry Ideas. 19 (2), 157. Status = PUBLISHED; Acknowledgment of Federal Support = Yes ; Peer Reviewed = Yes ;
ISSN: 1314-3905
Colmore Christian, Rory Fraser, Amadou Diop (2013). African-American land loss and sustainable forestry in the southeast: an analysis
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of the issues, opportunities, and gaps. Journal of Extension. 51 (6), . Status = PUBLISHED; Acknowledgment of Federal Support =
Yes ; Peer Reviewed = Yes ; ISSN: 1077-5315
Colmore Christian, Rory Fraser, Buddhi Gyawali, Chelsea Scott (2013). Participation of minorities in cost share programs – experience
of small, underserved landowners’ group in Alabama. Journal of Sustainable Development. 6 (4), 70. Status = PUBLISHED;
Acknowledgment of Federal Support = Yes ; Peer Reviewed = Yes ; DOI: 10.5539/jsd.v6n4p70
D. de Steven, Callie Jo Schweitzer, S.C. Hughes, J.A. Stanturf (2014). Reforesting Agricultural Lands in the Mississippi Alluvial Valley:
Effects on Silvicultural Methods on Understory Plant Diversity. In: Holley, G.; Haywood, D., Connor, K. eds. 201X. Proceedings, 17th
Biennial Southern Silvicultural Conference; 2013 March 5-7, 2013; Shreveport, LA. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture,
Forest Service, Southern Research Station. SRS-GTR . Status = ACCEPTED; Acknowledgment of Federal Support = Yes ; Peer
Reviewed = Yes
Daniel C. Dey, Callie Jo Schweitzer (2014). Considering Fire Damage to Hardwoods in Sustaining Oak Forests Using Prescribed
Burning. In: Holley, G.; Haywood, D., Connor, K. eds. 201X. Proceedings, 17th Biennial Southern Silvicultural Conference; 2013 March
5-7, 2013; Shreveport, LA. Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS-#. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern
Research. SRS-GTR . Status = ACCEPTED; Acknowledgment of Federal Support = Yes ; Peer Reviewed = Yes
Daniel C. Dey, Callie Jo Schweitzer (2014). Restoration for the Future: Endpoints, Targets, and Indicators of Progress and Success.
Journal of Sustainable Forestry. 33 1. Status = PUBLISHED; Acknowledgment of Federal Support = Yes ; Peer Reviewed = Yes ;
ISSN: 1054-9811 (Print)
Dawn Lemke, Callie J. Schweitzer, Wubishet Tadesse, Yong Wang, and Jennifer A. Brown (2013). Geospatial Assessment of Invasive
Plants on Reclaimed Mines in Alabama. Invasive Plant Science and Management. 6 (3), 401. Status = PUBLISHED; Acknowledgment
of Federal Support = Yes ; Peer Reviewed = Yes
Dawn Lemke, Callie Jo Schweitzer, Wubishet Tadesse, Yong Wang, Jennifer Brown (2013). Geospatial assessment of invasive plants
on reclaimed mines in Alabama. Invasive Plant Science and Management. 6 401. Status = PUBLISHED; Acknowledgment of Federal
Support = Yes ; Peer Reviewed = Yes ; DOI: 10.1614/IPSM-D-12-00045.1
Heather Howell, Rufina Ward, Kenneth Ward, Zachary Felix, Callie Jo Schweitzer (). Carabid (Coleoptera:Carabidae) beetle
assemblages response to overstory retention treatments in an upland hardwood forest habitat in the Cumberland Plateau. Florida
Entomologist. . Status = SUBMITTED; Acknowledgment of Federal Support = Yes ; Peer Reviewed = Yes
J.C. Zak, Luben Dimov, Callie Jo Schweitzer (2014). Initial ground vegetation response to prescribed burning and thinning on the
Southern Cumberland Plateau (submitted Oct 29). Southeast Naturalist Journal. . Status = SUBMITTED; Acknowledgment of Federal
Support = Yes ; Peer Reviewed = Yes ; ISSN: 1528-7092
Jeanette Williams, Luben D. Dimov (2013). Effect of high-intensity directed fire in different seasons on survival and sprouting of royal
paulownia (Paulownia tomentosa (Thunb.) Steud.). Forestry Ideas. 19 (1), 27. Status = PUBLISHED; Acknowledgment of Federal
Support = Yes ; Peer Reviewed = Yes ; ISSN: 1314-3905
Jianqiang Li, Y. Liu, Yong Wang, Zhengwang Zhang (2013). Do parents and helpers discriminate between related and unrelated
nestlings in the cooperative breeding Silver-throated Tit?. Ethology. 119 1. Status = PUBLISHED; Acknowledgment of Federal Support
= No ; Peer Reviewed = Yes
Jianqiang Li, Y. Liu, Yong Wang, Zhengwang Zhang (2014). Extra-pair paternity in two sympatric Aegithalos tits: patterns and
implications. Journal of Ornithology. 155 83. Status = PUBLISHED; Acknowledgment of Federal Support = No ; Peer Reviewed = Yes
Jianqiang Li, Zhengwang Zhang, L. Lv, Yong Wang (). Mating pattern of Silver-throated tit is related to phenotypic, but not genetic
characteristics. The Auk. . Status = UNDER_REVIEW; Acknowledgment of Federal Support = No ; Peer Reviewed = Yes
Luben D. Dimov, J. L. Chambers, B. R. Lockhart (2013). Tree species exhibit complex patterns of distribution in bottomland hardwood
forests. Annals of Forest Science. 70 813. Status = PUBLISHED; Acknowledgment of Federal Support = Yes ; Peer Reviewed = Yes ;
ISSN: 1286-4560
M. Cowden, Justin Hart, Callie Jo Schweitzer (2014). Effects of intermediate-scale wind disturbance on forest composition, structure,
and succession with implication for natural disturbance-based management. Forest Ecology and Management. . Status =
SUBMITTED; Acknowledgment of Federal Support = Yes ; Peer Reviewed = Yes
Padraic T. Conner, Yong Wang, Callie Jo Schweitzer (2014). Influence of Three Management Prescriptions to Above-Ground Carbon
and Subsequent Impacts to Herpetofauna and Small Mammal Habitat and Populations in an Upland Hardwood Forest on the
Cumberland Plateau. In: Holley, G.; Haywood, D., Connor, K. eds. 2013. Proceedings, 17th Biennial Southern Silvicultural Conference;
2013 March 5-7, 2013; Shreveport, LA. Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS-156. Asheville, NC: USDA Forest Service, Southern Research Station.
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391 p.. . Status = ACCEPTED; Acknowledgment of Federal Support = Yes ; Peer Reviewed = Yes
S.D. White, Justin L. Hart, Callie Jo Schweitzer (). Woody regeneration in a southern Appalachian Quercus stand following wind
damage and salvage logging (submitted April 2014). Journal of Sustainable Forestry. . Status = SUBMITTED; Acknowledgment of
Federal Support = Yes ; Peer Reviewed = Yes
Seloame Nyaku, Ramesh Kantety, Yonathan Tilahun, Kathy Lawrence, Khairy Soliman, Ernst Cebert, and Govind Sharma (2013). 18s
and ITS1 genomic sequence variations in Rotylenchulus reniformis isolates from Alabama. Journal of Cotton Science. 17 (3), 184.
Status = PUBLISHED; Acknowledgment of Federal Support = Yes ; Peer Reviewed = Yes ; ISSN: 1524-3303
Stacy L. Clark, Callie Jo Schweitzer (2013). Red maple (Acer rubrum) response to prescribed burning on the William B. Bankhead
National Forest, Alabama. In: Guldin, James M., ed. 2013. Proceedings of the 15th biennial southern silvicultural research conference.
Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station. 271-276. SRS-GTR (175), 271. Status =
PUBLISHED; Acknowledgment of Federal Support = Yes ; Peer Reviewed = Yes ; OTHER: e-Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS-GTR
Stacy L. Clark, S.E. Schlarbaum, Callie Jo Schweitzer (2014). Graded Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra) Seedlings Have Better
Growth Five Years After Planting in a Shelterwood Harvest. In: Holley, G.; Haywood, D., Connor, K. eds. 201X. Proceedings, 17th
Biennial Southern Silvicultural Conference; 2013 March 5-7, 2013; Shreveport, LA. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture,
Forest Service, Southern Research Station. SRS-GTR . Status = ACCEPTED; Acknowledgment of Federal Support = Yes ; Peer
Reviewed = Yes
T. Weber, Justin Hart, Callie Jo Schweitzer, Daniel Dey (2014). Influence of gap-scale disturbance on development and succession in a
Cumberland Plateau Quercus-Pinus forest (submitted April 28). Forest Ecology and Management. . Status = SUBMITTED;
Acknowledgment of Federal Support = Yes ; Peer Reviewed = Yes
Thilini D. Ranatunga, Seshadri S. Reddy, Robert W. Taylor (2013). Phosphorus distribution in soil aggregate size fractions in a poultry
litter applied soil and potential environmental impacts. Geoderma. 192 446. Status = PUBLISHED; Acknowledgment of Federal
Support = Yes ; Peer Reviewed = Yes ; ISSN: 0016-7061
William B. Sutton, Yong Wan, Callie Jo Schweitzer, D.A. Steen (2014). Lizard Microhabitat and Microclimate Relationships in
Southeastern Pine-Hardwood Forests Managed with Prescribed Burning and Thinning. Forest Science. 60 (1), 180. Status =
PUBLISHED; Acknowledgment of Federal Support = Yes ; Peer Reviewed = Yes ; ISSN: 0015-749X
William Sutton, Yong Wang, Callie Jo Schweitzer (2013). Amphibian and reptile responses to thinning and prescribed burning in mixed
pine-hardwood forests of northwestern Alabama, USA. Forest Ecology and Management. 295 213. Status = PUBLISHED;
Acknowledgment of Federal Support = Yes ; Peer Reviewed = Yes ; ISSN: 0378-1127
Xiongwen Chen, Shuhong Wu (2014). Examining patterns of animal-vehicle accidents in Alabama, USA. Human-Wildlife Interactions.
. Status = AWAITING_PUBLICATION; Acknowledgment of Federal Support = Yes ; Peer Reviewed = Yes ; ISSN: 2155-3858 print,
2155-3874 online
Y. Zheng, J. Xu, Yong Wang, C. Zhou (2013). Habitat association and conservation implications of endangered Francois' langur
(Trachypithecus francoisi). PlosOne. . Status = PUBLISHED; Acknowledgment of Federal Support = Yes ; Peer Reviewed = Yes ;
DOI: DOI: 10.1371/ journal.pone.0075661
Yong Wang and Guangmei Zheng (2014). Editorial for the new journal: Avian Research. Avian Research (formerly Chinese Birds). .
Status = ACCEPTED; Acknowledgment of Federal Support = No ; Peer Reviewed = Yes
Z. He, Zachary Senwo, H.X. Zou, Irenus Tazisong, D.A. Martens (2014). Amino compounds in poultry litter, litter-amended pasture soils
and grass shoots. Pedospere. 24 (2), 178. Status = PUBLISHED; Acknowledgment of Federal Support = Yes ; Peer Reviewed = Yes ;
ISSN: 1002-0160
Licenses
Other Products
Other Publications
Callie Jo Schweitzer (2013). Bird Banding Bonanza. Connecting Cultures, Civil Rights Newsletter, USDA Forest Service:5(2):2. Status
= PUBLISHED; Acknowledgement of Federal Support = Yes
Yong Wang, Lisa Gardner, Elica Moss (2013). Proceedings of the 2013 China Research Experiences for Undergraduates and Graduate
(REUG) Program at Alabama A&M University. These proceedings contain the science and cultural experiences papers from the
student participants of the 2014 REUG China Program.. Status = PUBLISHED; Acknowledgement of Federal Support = Yes
Patents
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Technologies or Techniques
Thesis/Dissertations
Rashidah Halimah Farid. Forest Disturbance Long-term Impacts on Amphibian Populations Genetic Diversity. (2014). Alabama A&M
University. Acknowledgement of Federal Support = Yes
Fetun Desta. Microsatellite Genetic Diversity Between and Within Four Hybridizing Red Oak Species, and Their Ecological
Implications. (2014). Alabama A&M University. Acknowledgement of Federal Support = Yes
Fritz Akuo Ntoko. Soil Microbial Diversity of a Managed Forest Ecosystem and the Potential for Lignocellulose Degradation and Metal
Bioaccumulation by White Rot Fungi. (2013). Alabama A&M University. Acknowledgement of Federal Support = Yes
Timothy Earl Baldwin. The Effects of Multi-Scale Forest Disturbance on Pool Breeding Amphibian Ecology (Dissertation defense
October 21, 2013; 230 pp). (2013). Alabama A&M University. Acknowledgement of Federal Support = Yes
Websites
Center for Forest Ecosystem Assessment
http://www.aamu.edu/academics/alns/bes/centers/pages/cfeaintro.aspx
This is the homepage for CFEA. Contained within are links to other pages with information on the Center, the people within the Center,
and activities that the Center are involved in. Annual Reports are linked, as well as newsletters.
REU China
http://www.aamu.edu/Academics/alns/bes/Centers/Pages/Prior-Programs.aspx
This site that houses the REU student webpages. Each page contains their research and cultural papers, and information on their home
institutions and selves. There is another website for REU China that provides information to participants and links to these pages.
Sub-project I Publications
http://www.aamu.edu/Academics/alns/bes/Centers/Pages/Publications-SP-I.aspx
Publications and theses/dissertations from SP I (Forest Community Responses and Dynamics (FC)).
Sub-project II Publications
http://www.aamu.edu/Academics/alns/bes/Centers/Pages/Publications-SP-II.aspx
Publications and theses/dissertations from SP II (Forest Ecosystem Functions and Processes (FE))
Sub-project III Publications
http://www.aamu.edu/Academics/alns/bes/Centers/Pages/Publications-SP-III.aspx
Publications and theses/dissertations from SP III (Coupled Dynamics of Humans and Landscape (CD))
Participants/Organizations
What individuals have worked on the project?
Name
Most Senior Project Role
Nearest Person Month Worked
Wang, Yong
PD/PI
3
Senwo, Zachary
Co PD/PI
1
Tadesse, Wubishet
Co PD/PI
2
Ankuma, Ramble
Co-Investigator
2
Chang, Zhuge
Co-Investigator
2
Clark, Stacy
Co-Investigator
1
Dey, Daniel
Co-Investigator
2
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Name
Most Senior Project Role
Nearest Person Month Worked
Ding, Yulong
Co-Investigator
2
Gao, Cuiqing
Co-Investigator
2
He, Guohao
Co-Investigator
2
Janzen, Greg
Co-Investigator
1
Lu, Changhu
Co-Investigator
2
Schweitzer, Callie
Co-Investigator
12
Wang, Guobing
Co-Investigator
2
Wu, Shuhong
Co-Investigator
2
Xu, Lian
Co-Investigator
2
Yu, Yuanchun
Co-Investigator
2
Zhang, Yinlong
Co-Investigator
2
Zhang, Zhengwang
Co-Investigator
2
Acharya, Anil
Faculty
2
Chen, Xiongwen
Faculty
2
Christian, Colmore
Faculty
2
Dimov, Luben
Faculty
2
Hart, Justin
Faculty
4
Lemke, Dawn
Faculty
12
Mbila, Monday
Faculty
2
Moss, Elica
Faculty
2
Naka, Kozma
Faculty
1
Nyakatwa, Ermson
Faculty
2
Ranatunga, Thilini
Faculty
2
Soliman, Khairy
Faculty
4
Tazisong, Irenus
Faculty
2
Bastin, Nancy
Other Professional
4
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Name
Most Senior Project Role
Nearest Person Month Worked
Gardner, Lisa
Other Professional
12
Prewitt, Andy
Other Professional
1
Sangalang, Mila
Other Professional
12
Anders, Jason
Technician
2
Cannise, Loonan
Technician
4
Conant, Jeremy
Technician
3
Gresham, Jennifer
Technician
2
Kromis, Seth
Technician
2
LePage, Heather
Technician
3
Loonham, Kenneth
Technician
4
McNear, Adair
Technician
4
Polfer, Sam
Technician
2
Sharp, Nicholas
Technician
5
Sisk, Ryan
Technician
8
Turner, Philip
Technician
2
Zirbel, Matthew
Technician
8
Adams, Marissa
Graduate Student (research assistant)
12
Aldridge, Caleb
Graduate Student (research assistant)
4
Baldwin, Timothy
Graduate Student (research assistant)
7
Borthwick, Richard
Graduate Student (research assistant)
12
Connor, Padraic
Graduate Student (research assistant)
12
Cowden, Merritt
Graduate Student (research assistant)
12
Desta, Fetun
Graduate Student (research assistant)
9
Durrah, Angelica
Graduate Student (research assistant)
12
Farid, Rashidah
Graduate Student (research assistant)
10
Garrison, Briana
Graduate Student (research assistant)
9
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Name
Most Senior Project Role
Nearest Person Month Worked
Gross, Iwo
Graduate Student (research assistant)
10
Jackson, Jonjala
Graduate Student (research assistant)
12
Jackson, Charles
Graduate Student (research assistant)
12
Jordan, Joseph
Graduate Student (research assistant)
9
Keasberry, Amanda
Graduate Student (research assistant)
12
Kruse, Christina
Graduate Student (research assistant)
2
Margenau, Eric
Graduate Student (research assistant)
12
Messenger, Kevin
Graduate Student (research assistant)
2
Ojha, Santosh
Graduate Student (research assistant)
2
Ragland, Brittany
Graduate Student (research assistant)
9
Rucker, Lacy
Graduate Student (research assistant)
9
Stringer, Brandie
Graduate Student (research assistant)
12
Summers, Emily
Graduate Student (research assistant)
12
Weber, Tom
Graduate Student (research assistant)
12
White, Stephen
Graduate Student (research assistant)
12
Bartley, Amber
Undergraduate Student
4
Blackshear, Jordan
Undergraduate Student
4
Breedwell, Matt
Undergraduate Student
5
Brown, Jasmine
Undergraduate Student
5
Moore, Dominique
Undergraduate Student
9
Munroe, Leslie
Undergraduate Student
5
Dahn, Hollis
Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Participant
2
Dean, Morgan
Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Participant
2
Lawhorn, Andrew
Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Participant
2
Long, Rosie
Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Participant
2
Mihelich, Nicole
Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Participant
2
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Name
Most Senior Project Role
Nearest Person Month Worked
Thompson, Linzi
Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Participant
2
Wang, Junqiao
Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Participant
2
Full details of individuals who have worked on the project:
Yong Wang
Email: yong.wang@aamu.edu
Most Senior Project Role: PD/PI
Nearest Person Month Worked: 3
Contribution to the Project: Dr. Wang is PI of the CREST-CFEA proposal and has been serving as the Center Director since 2007.
He coordinates Center functions and manages the budget. On behalf of CFEA, he worked on several initiatives during the past year:
(1) leading the Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) International China program at AAMU with Dr. Elica Moss and with
financial support from NSF and AAMU; (2) a co-PI on Undergraduate Research Mentoring project funded by NSF; (3) worked with
partners from Bankhead National Forest, a private consultant, and other organizations on establishing a research and education
center at Bankhead National Forest; (4) lead the AAMU China initiative funded by USDA. Dr. Wang is also in charge of the
herpetofaunal and avian research of the subproject II. As a biometrician, Dr. Wang assists the faculty and students in research
design and statistical analyses. Dr. Wang currently has five graduate students working on CREST-CFEA related project. Most of
these students and their research activities have been funded by external funds, but benefited from CREST-CFEA directly or
indirectly.
Funding Support: McIntire-Stennis AAMU teaching Title III
International Collaboration: Yes, China
International Travel: Yes, China - 0 years, 1 months, 14 days; China - 0 years, 0 months, 10 days; Russian Federation - 0 years, 0
months, 10 days; China - 0 years, 0 months, 5 days
Zachary Senwo
Email: zachary.senwo@aamu.edu
Most Senior Project Role: Co PD/PI
Nearest Person Month Worked: 1
Contribution to the Project: Dr. Senwo is a research professor at AAMU with a focus on soil microbial, soil biochemical and
chemical processes regulating environmental changes and services.
Funding Support: NSF, USDA
International Collaboration: Yes, Brazil
International Travel: Yes, Brazil - 0 years, 0 months, 14 days
Wubishet Tadesse
Email: wubishet.tadesse@aamu.edu
Most Senior Project Role: Co PD/PI
Nearest Person Month Worked: 2
Contribution to the Project: Dr. Tadesse coordinates the Center of Forest Ecosystem Assessment's Subproject III - Coupled
Dynamics of Human and landscape (CD) with administrative responsibilities including budgeting, developing progress reports, and
project planning with monthly meeting. He is involved in the investigation on Component 1: Impact of watershed level forest
management on hydrological processes, forest structure, and carbon stocks, and Component 2: Land-use strategies and forest land
cover changes influence on the provision of ecological services
Funding Support: USDA-NIFA
International Collaboration: No
International Travel: No
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Ramble Ankuma
Email: rankum@mytu.tuskegee.edu
Most Senior Project Role: Co-Investigator
Nearest Person Month Worked: 2
Contribution to the Project: Dr. Ankuma is a professor of Environmental Science at Tuskegee University (TU) and participated in
this year's REU China program. He co-mentored REU student Morgan Dean, and traveled to Nanjing, China to assist the program,
staying for two weeks. Additionally, Dr. Ankuma collaborates with AAMU's exchange program in Costa Rica
Funding Support: USDA NIFA
International Collaboration: Yes, China, United States
International Travel: Yes, China - 0 years, 0 months, 10 days
Zhuge Chang
Email: qzhuge@njfu.edu.cn
Most Senior Project Role: Co-Investigator
Nearest Person Month Worked: 2
Contribution to the Project: REU China program. Angelica/Soliman
Funding Support: NFU
International Collaboration: Yes, China, United States
International Travel: No
Stacy Clark
Email: stacyclark@fs.fed.us
Most Senior Project Role: Co-Investigator
Nearest Person Month Worked: 1
Contribution to the Project: Dr. Clark is a research forester for the USDA Forest Service (R&D). She is a long-time collaborator
with Dr. Callie Schweitzer and Yong Wang.
Funding Support: USDA Forest Service
International Collaboration: No
International Travel: No
Daniel Dey
Email: ddey@fs.fed.us
Most Senior Project Role: Co-Investigator
Nearest Person Month Worked: 2
Contribution to the Project: Dr. Dey is a research scientist for the Northern Research Station and has collaborated with Dr. Callie
Schweitzer
Funding Support: USDA Forest Service
International Collaboration: No
International Travel: No
Yulong Ding
Email: ylding@vip.163.com
Most Senior Project Role: Co-Investigator
Nearest Person Month Worked: 2
Contribution to the Project: REU China program. Hollis/Kevin, Andrew/Naka
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Funding Support: NFU
International Collaboration: Yes, China, United States
International Travel: No
Cuiqing Gao
Email: gaocuiging0813@aliyun.com
Most Senior Project Role: Co-Investigator
Nearest Person Month Worked: 2
Contribution to the Project: REU China program. Rosie/Stone
Funding Support: NFU
International Collaboration: Yes, China, United States
International Travel: No
Guohao He
Email: hguohao@mytu.tuskegee.edu
Most Senior Project Role: Co-Investigator
Nearest Person Month Worked: 2
Contribution to the Project: Dr. He is a research professor in Microbial biology and genetics at Tuskegee University (TU) in
Alabama. He participated in the REUG-China program as a faculty mentor for a TU student, Morgan Dean. He and Dr. Ramble
Ankuma (also from TU) traveled to China and
Funding Support: USDA NIFA
International Collaboration: Yes, United States, China
International Travel: Yes, China - 0 years, 2 months, 0 days
Greg Janzen
Email: gzanzen@coastaltimberlands.com
Most Senior Project Role: Co-Investigator
Nearest Person Month Worked: 1
Contribution to the Project: Works with Coastal Timberland and worked with Dr. Callie Schweitzer; assisted with logistics to field
sites; treatment implementation; and consultations.
Funding Support: Coastal Timberlands
International Collaboration: No
International Travel: No
Changhu Lu
Email: changhul@163.com
Most Senior Project Role: Co-Investigator
Nearest Person Month Worked: 2
Contribution to the Project: REU China program. Junqiao/Wang
Funding Support: NFU
International Collaboration: Yes, China, United States
International Travel: No
Callie Jo Schweitzer
Email: cschweitzer@fs.fed.us
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Most Senior Project Role: Co-Investigator
Nearest Person Month Worked: 12
Contribution to the Project: Dr. Schweitzer leads the USDA Forest Service Southern Research Station research unit in Huntsville,
AL. She is active in two sub-projects, I and III, and is a fundamental part of the ongoing collaboration between subprojects and
external partners. During the last year her focus has been on data collection within the BNF, including fire and fuels data,
assessment of tornado damage and preparation of field tours. Dr. Schweitzer has also assisted in developing proposals to build on
the current research.
Funding Support: USDA Forest Service
International Collaboration: No
International Travel: No
Guobing Wang
Email: wangguobing@aliyun.com
Most Senior Project Role: Co-Investigator
Nearest Person Month Worked: 2
Contribution to the Project: REU China program. Michael/Naka
Funding Support: NFU
International Collaboration: Yes, China, United States
International Travel: No
Shuhong Wu
Email: shwu@bjfu.edu.cn
Most Senior Project Role: Co-Investigator
Nearest Person Month Worked: 2
Contribution to the Project: Dr. Wu is a professor at Beijing Forestry University. She collaborated with Dr. Chen on the publication
"Examining patterns of animal-vehicle accidents in Alabama, USA."
Funding Support: Beijing Forestry University
International Collaboration: Yes, China, United States
International Travel: No
Lian Xu
Email: laxu@nifu.edu.cn
Most Senior Project Role: Co-Investigator
Nearest Person Month Worked: 2
Contribution to the Project: REU China program. Nicole/Soliman
Funding Support: NFU
International Collaboration: Yes, China, United States
International Travel: No
Yuanchun Yu
Email: ycyu@njfu.edu.cn
Most Senior Project Role: Co-Investigator
Nearest Person Month Worked: 2
Contribution to the Project: REU China program. Morgan Dean and Ankuma/He
Funding Support: NFU
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International Collaboration: Yes, China, United States
International Travel: No
Yinlong Zhang
Email: yinlongzhang@yahoo.com.cn
Most Senior Project Role: Co-Investigator
Nearest Person Month Worked: 2
Contribution to the Project: REU China program. Linzi/Moss
Funding Support: NFU
International Collaboration: Yes, China, United States
International Travel: No
Zhengwang Zhang
Email: zzw@bnu.edu.cn
Most Senior Project Role: Co-Investigator
Nearest Person Month Worked: 2
Contribution to the Project: REU China program. Mercedes/Wang; at Beijing Normal University
Funding Support: BNU
International Collaboration: Yes, China, United States
International Travel: No
Anil Acharya
Email: anil.acharya@aamu.edu
Most Senior Project Role: Faculty
Nearest Person Month Worked: 2
Contribution to the Project: Dr. Anil Acharya, is a hydrologist from Department of Mechanical and Civil Engineering, College of
Engineering, Technology, and Physical Sciences joined our program in the summer of 2013 and assisted with climate change
estimate for the study area. he was assisting in the work proposed by Dr. Mezemir Wagaw who left the University.
Funding Support: USDA-NIFA Capacity grant
International Collaboration: No
International Travel: No
Xiongwen Chen
Email: xiongwen.chen@aamu.edu
Most Senior Project Role: Faculty
Nearest Person Month Worked: 2
Contribution to the Project: Dr. Chen's work during this reporting time period mainly included identifying and quantifying ecological
services within ecological processes (e.g., invasive species, vehicle-animal collisions, and forest-atmosphere interactions). He
collected relevant field information and remote sensing data for ecological services at Bankhead National Forest. He involves in the
CFEA sub-project Coupled Dynamics of Human and Landscape (CD). So far, he has published several peer reviewed journal
publications and invited several CREST seminar speakers. He also serves as a major adviser for two Ph.D. students.
Funding Support: AAMU
International Collaboration: Yes, United States, China
International Travel: No
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Colmore Christian
Email: colmore.christian@aamu.edu
Most Senior Project Role: Faculty
Nearest Person Month Worked: 2
Contribution to the Project: Dr. Christian directs Component 3 of Sub-project III (Coupled Dynamics of Humans and Landscape):
Environmeental and aesthetic impacts of outdoor recreation and biomass harvesting on forest ecosystems. Fill in more.
Funding Support: Unknown
International Collaboration: No
International Travel: No
Luben Dimov
Email: luben.dimov@aamu.edu
Most Senior Project Role: Faculty
Nearest Person Month Worked: 2
Contribution to the Project: Dr. Dimov works on Subproject 1 and focuses on the vegetation ecology and dynamics research. He
also serves as advisory committee member of two graduate students on the subproject. Dr. Dimov works closely with other graduate
students and collaborators and advises and engages in research undergraduate students from the Forestry, Ecology and Wildlife
Program in the Department.
Funding Support: AAMU
International Collaboration: No
International Travel: No
Justin Hart
Email: hart13@bama.ua.edu
Most Senior Project Role: Faculty
Nearest Person Month Worked: 4
Contribution to the Project: Mr. Hart is assistant professor at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa and lab director of the
Forest Dynamics lab. He has been working with Dr. Callie Schweitzer on a variety of research projects, primarily involving forest
responses to natural disturbance. He has designed and implemented research projects, trained and advised students in their
research on these projects, participated in field day trips with students, and assisted with publication development.
http://bama.ua.edu/~hart013/people.htm
Funding Support: University of Alabama
International Collaboration: No
International Travel: No
Dawn Lemke
Email: dawn.lemke@aamu.edu
Most Senior Project Role: Faculty
Nearest Person Month Worked: 12
Contribution to the Project: Dr. Lemke assists in project management of subproject III, facilitating graduate student lab meetings,
worked on objectives S3.101 (biomass) and S3.103 (hydrology). She works closely with graduate students and collaborators to
achieve biomass and hydology objectives, currently co-advising two graduate students on these objectives. Dr. Lemke also works to
engage undergraduates in the research project working with them in the GIS lab and field components of this project.
Funding Support: AAMU
International Collaboration: No
International Travel: No
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Monday Mbila
Email: Monday.mbila@aamu.edu
Most Senior Project Role: Faculty
Nearest Person Month Worked: 2
Contribution to the Project: Dr. Monday Mbila is a pedologist, and has been working with soils of several northern Alabama study
sites (including Bankhead National Forest) to characterize the soil mineralogy, and soil organic matter of the ecosystem. Currently,
he directs investigations on ecosystem functions and processes in disturbed forest ecosystem to address clay mineral changes and
organic matter interaction patterns in the forest ecosystem. Dr. Mbila was an adviser for the AAMU Environmental Science Club. he
was also a judge for the Alabama State Science and Engineering Fair (April 03-April 05, 2014), in the School of Engineering at the
University of Alabama in Huntsville.
Funding Support: Unknown
International Collaboration: No
International Travel: No
Elica Moss
Email: elica.moss@aamu.edu
Most Senior Project Role: Faculty
Nearest Person Month Worked: 2
Contribution to the Project: Dr. Moss serves as a Co-PI on subproject II with a focus on soil biogeochemical cycling, specifically
studying the role of chemolithotrophic bacteria in response to prescribed burning and thinning in the BNF. Dr. Moss is the
coordinator of the Environmental Health Science program and advises several graduate students and also works closely with
undergraduate students interested in research through several programs such as Undergraduate Research and Mentoring (URM),
Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) and the NSF Travel Grant Scholars. Dr. Moss is also actively engaged in outreach
and recruitment activities with middle-school and high school students.
Funding Support: AAMU, NSF/CREST, NSF/URM
International Collaboration: Yes, United States, China
International Travel: Yes, China - 0 years, 2 months, 0 days
Kozma Naka
Email: kozma.naka@aamu.edu
Most Senior Project Role: Faculty
Nearest Person Month Worked: 1
Contribution to the Project: Dr. Naka is a professor at AAMU. Dr. Naka is a part of Sub-project III, and his research focus is on the
effects of logging machinery on treated areas. He participated in this year's REU China program, mentoring two students, Andrew
Lawhorn and Michael Kennedy. Dr. Naka traveled to China and stayed the duration of the program. Dr. Naka also plays a major role
in the Forestry Summer Camp each year, teaching undergraduate students different mensuration techniques in different forests of
eastern United States, giving them hands-on experience and exposing them to a variety of settings.
Funding Support: McIntire-Stennis USDA NIFA
International Collaboration: Yes, China, United States
International Travel: Yes, China - 0 years, 2 months, 0 days
Ermson Nyakatwa
Email: ermson.nyakatawa@aamu.edu
Most Senior Project Role: Faculty
Nearest Person Month Worked: 2
Contribution to the Project: Dr. Nyakatawa is a co-investigator in Sub-Project II - Ecosystem Functions and Processes in
Disturbed Forest Ecosystem: Biogeochemical Nutrient Cycling Dynamics. Hi primary focus in this project is to investigate
greenhouse gas fluxes (CO2, CH4 and, N2O) and carbon sequestration in a forest ecosystem under thinning and burning forest
management practices in the Bankhead National Forest. In addition, relationships between greenhouse gas fluxes, C storage, and
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environmental variables such as soil temperature and moisture will be determined to improve our understanding of the role forests
and forest management practivces play in global carbon sequestration.
Funding Support: USDA/NIFA
International Collaboration: No
International Travel: No
Thilini Ranatunga
Email: thilini.ranatunga@aamu.edu
Most Senior Project Role: Faculty
Nearest Person Month Worked: 2
Contribution to the Project: Dr. Ranatunga is a co-investigator for the Sub Project II. She is inovolved in conducting research
realted to phosphorus transformation in forest soils which inolves studying effects of forest management practicies on distribution of
soil phosphorus pools. She is also involved in training and supervision of an undergraduate student, preparation of research
presentations/reports for the sub project activities, and developing reserach proposals.
Funding Support: Unknown
International Collaboration: No
International Travel: No
Khairy Soliman
Email: khairy.soliman@aamu.edu
Most Senior Project Role: Faculty
Nearest Person Month Worked: 4
Contribution to the Project: Dr. Soliman is a professor at AAMU. Dr. Soliman is part of Sub-project I, and his research focus is on
oak tree species genetic differentiation and potential genetic effects of silvicultural treatments on amphibians in the Bankhead
National Forest in Alabama. Dr. Soliman also participated in this year's REU China program, as he has since 2012. He mentored
two students: his MS candidate Angelica Durrah, and REU student Nicole Mihelich.
Funding Support: USDA
International Collaboration: Yes, China, United States
International Travel: Yes, China - 0 years, 2 months, 0 days
Irenus Tazisong
Email: irenus.tazisong@aamu.edu
Most Senior Project Role: Faculty
Nearest Person Month Worked: 2
Contribution to the Project: Dr. Tazisong is affiliated with sub project two. He addresses component 1 of this sub project,
specifically working on objective 1 of component 1. He is curently the chair of the commettee for one graduate student and a
co-chair for another student, both working on this project. For the past year, carbon fractions and mineralizaton data has generated.
Funding Support: Unknown
International Collaboration: No
International Travel: No
Nancy Bastin
Email: nbastin@fs.fed.us
Most Senior Project Role: Other Professional
Nearest Person Month Worked: 4
Contribution to the Project: Works for the USDA Forest Service as office clerk for Dr. Callie Schweitzer. Ms. Bastin assists with
communication; database processing; and assists with the creation of training and field manuals.
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Funding Support: USDA Forest Service
International Collaboration: No
International Travel: No
Lisa Marie Gardner
Email: lisa.m.gardner@gmail.com
Most Senior Project Role: Other Professional
Nearest Person Month Worked: 12
Contribution to the Project: Ms. Gardner is program manager and assists with all non-budget related aspects of the Center's
functions. Her duties include: reporting, organizing and heading meetings, communication with external collaborators, safety of
field-going participants, newsletter creation, website creation and updates, et cetera. Additionally, she assists in coordinating the
REU China program: create agenda, student mentoring, scientific writing assistance, academic program, Proceedings, and
reporting.
Funding Support: Salary: AAMU matching, 50%
International Collaboration: Yes, China, United States
International Travel: Yes, China - 0 years, 2 months, 0 days
Andy Prewitt
Email: andyp@landtrustnal.org
Most Senior Project Role: Other Professional
Nearest Person Month Worked: 1
Contribution to the Project: Mr. Prewitt is a land manager for the Land Trust of Northern Alabama and collaborated with Dr. Callie
Schweitzer and Andrew Cantrell.
Funding Support: City of Huntsville
International Collaboration: No
International Travel: No
Mila Kimi Sangalang
Email: mila.sangalang@aamu.edu
Most Senior Project Role: Other Professional
Nearest Person Month Worked: 12
Contribution to the Project: Ms. Sangalang is the Budget Analyst for the Center. She performs the following tasks: monitors the
operating budget accounts for all CFEA related projects; processed and follows through with all requisitions and encumbrances in
the University's Banner system; provides budget reports to the respective Co-PIs of CFEA; assists Co-PIs with any issues/problems
related to the Banner system; contacts vendors for invoices, quotes, and other information required for processing requisitions; she
receives and distributes items ordered from various vendors. She also performs a variety of office related duties including filing, data
entry, mail distribution, et cetera.
Funding Support: Salary: 50% from AAMU
International Collaboration: No
International Travel: No
Jason Anders
Email: janderslee@gmail.com
Most Senior Project Role: Technician
Nearest Person Month Worked: 2
Contribution to the Project: Assisting research in Grundy Co., TN
Funding Support: USDA
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International Collaboration: No
International Travel: No
Loonan Cannise
Email: cannise.loonan@aamu.edu
Most Senior Project Role: Technician
Nearest Person Month Worked: 4
Contribution to the Project: Intern for Padraic in summer 2013.
Funding Support: USDA
International Collaboration: No
International Travel: No
Jeremy Conant
Email: jtconant@gmail.com
Most Senior Project Role: Technician
Nearest Person Month Worked: 3
Contribution to the Project: Assisted research at reclaimed mines. Worked with Kevin and Richard.
Funding Support: CREST
International Collaboration: No
International Travel: No
Jennifer Gresham
Email: jgresham98@gmail.com
Most Senior Project Role: Technician
Nearest Person Month Worked: 2
Contribution to the Project: Assisted long term avian research in BNF
Funding Support: USDA
International Collaboration: No
International Travel: No
Seth Kromis
Email: sethkromis@gmail.com
Most Senior Project Role: Technician
Nearest Person Month Worked: 2
Contribution to the Project: Assisted long term research in Jackson Co, AL
Funding Support: USDA Forest Service
International Collaboration: No
International Travel: No
Heather LePage
Email: heatherklepage@gmail.com
Most Senior Project Role: Technician
Nearest Person Month Worked: 3
Contribution to the Project: Assisted long term research in Jackson Co, AL. Eric Margeneau.
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Funding Support: USDA Forest Service
International Collaboration: No
International Travel: No
Kenneth Loonham
Email: keloonam@gmail.com.
Most Senior Project Role: Technician
Nearest Person Month Worked: 4
Contribution to the Project: Assisted long term research in Grundy Co, TN.
Funding Support: USDA
International Collaboration: No
International Travel: No
Adair McNear
Email: afmcnear@gmail.com
Most Senior Project Role: Technician
Nearest Person Month Worked: 4
Contribution to the Project: Assisted long term research in Jackson Co, AL. Eric Margeneau.
Funding Support: USDA Forest Service
International Collaboration: No
International Travel: No
Sam Polfer
Email: polfers28@hotmail.com
Most Senior Project Role: Technician
Nearest Person Month Worked: 2
Contribution to the Project: Assisted research at reclaimed mines
Funding Support: USDA
International Collaboration: No
International Travel: No
Nicholas Sharp
Email: nicholas.w.sharp@gmail.com
Most Senior Project Role: Technician
Nearest Person Month Worked: 5
Contribution to the Project: Assisted long term research in BNF. Worked with Andrew Cantrell.
Funding Support: USDA Forest Service
International Collaboration: No
International Travel: No
Ryan Sisk
Email: rsisk@fs.fed.us
Most Senior Project Role: Technician
Nearest Person Month Worked: 8
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Contribution to the Project: Works for the USDA Forest Service and assists Dr. Callie Schweitzer in research. Mr. Sisk oversees
all field research; field training for staff, faculty, and students; field research assistance for students; support of all databases
Funding Support: USDA Forest Service
International Collaboration: No
International Travel: No
Philip Turner
Email: phyvo@billygoat.org
Most Senior Project Role: Technician
Nearest Person Month Worked: 2
Contribution to the Project: Assisted long term research in Jackson Co, AL
Funding Support: USDA Forest Service
International Collaboration: No
International Travel: No
Matthew Zirbel
Email: msz0001@auburn.edu
Most Senior Project Role: Technician
Nearest Person Month Worked: 8
Contribution to the Project: Works for the USDA Forest Service and Alabama A&M University. Mr. Zerbil assisted with field data
collection, training, and with field research.
Funding Support: USDA Forest Service; Alabama A&M University
International Collaboration: No
International Travel: No
Marissa Adams
Email: happyrissa@gmail.com
Most Senior Project Role: Graduate Student (research assistant)
Nearest Person Month Worked: 12
Contribution to the Project: Ms. Adams is a new graduate student under Dr. Yong Wang, looking at bird use across Madison CO,
AL. Previously, she worked as a technician for Emily Summers. Expected graduation May 2016.
Funding Support: CREST
International Collaboration: No
International Travel: No
Caleb Aldridge
Email: caldrid1@bulldogs.aamu.edu
Most Senior Project Role: Graduate Student (research assistant)
Nearest Person Month Worked: 4
Contribution to the Project: Mr Caleb Aldridge is a first year masters students who is working on assessment of the relationship
between fire management and changes in flow and turbidity in forested watersheds. This semester he compiled precipitation,
temperature, and flow data from online databases of NASA, USGS, and EPA. And worked to develop geodatabase on historical,
current and future burn management. In addition to GIS modeling for our project, preliminary water quality and flow samples were
collected. Parameters included temperature, DO, pH, total suspended solids and turbidity. Mr. Aldridge also assisted in training
peers on water testing equipment, specifically the YSI 650 monitor, YSI 6600 sonde, Oakton T100 turbidimeter, and YSI acoustic
flow recorder. In addition, he taught data logging procedures, explained basic limnological processes, constructed a scientific poster,
gave a brief outline presentation of his project, and conducted a lecture on turbidity. After graduation Mr. Aldridge plans include, but
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are not limited to: Teaching at the collegiate level; producing at least some research to further the field of ecology, restoration, and
conservation; and, serving for community outreach to produce awareness for a healthy environment and citizen science.
Funding Support: NSF
International Collaboration: No
International Travel: No
Timothy Baldwin
Email: timothy.baldwin@yahoo.com
Most Senior Project Role: Graduate Student (research assistant)
Nearest Person Month Worked: 7
Contribution to the Project: Dr. Baldwin graduated in December 2013. His research examined the response of herpetofaunal
communities to antrhopogenic disturbances in forested landscapes. Specifically, the effects of variation in fire frequency and canopy
reduction on the diversity of herpetofaunal communities. He completed several research projects in AL and TN.
Funding Support: USDA Forest Service
International Collaboration: No
International Travel: No
Richard Borthwick
Email: richborthwick@gmail.com
Most Senior Project Role: Graduate Student (research assistant)
Nearest Person Month Worked: 12
Contribution to the Project: Mr. Borthwick began a new project under Dr. Yong Wang looking at bird response to reclaimed mines
across Alabama. Expected graduation May 2015.
Funding Support: USDA
International Collaboration: No
International Travel: No
Padraic Connor
Email: padraic.conner@gmail.com
Most Senior Project Role: Graduate Student (research assistant)
Nearest Person Month Worked: 12
Contribution to the Project: Mr. Conner is an MS candidate with Dr. Yong Wang. He is continuing long term research (Zachary
Felix 2007, Andrew Cantrell, 2011) in Grundy County, TN. He is looking at herpetofaunal and mammal responses to long-term
silvicultural treatments. Expected graduation December 2014.
Funding Support: USDA Forest Service
International Collaboration: No
International Travel: No
Merritt Cowden
Email: mmcowden@crimson.ua.edu
Most Senior Project Role: Graduate Student (research assistant)
Nearest Person Month Worked: 12
Contribution to the Project: Ms. Cowden is a MS candidate at UA-Tuscalooss working in Dr. Justin Hart's Forest Dynamics Lab.
For her MS thesis, she is analyzing the impacts of intermediate-scale disturbance on species diversity, composition, and structure
and comparing the impacts of natural disturbance to silvicultural operations in hardwood stands on the Cumberland Plateau in
Alabama. She has been collaborating with Dr. Schweitzer's team.
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Funding Support: University of Alabama; USDA Forest Service
International Collaboration: No
International Travel: No
Fetun Desta
Email: fetundesta@yahoo.com
Most Senior Project Role: Graduate Student (research assistant)
Nearest Person Month Worked: 9
Contribution to the Project: MS graduate, May 2014. Mr. Desta worked in Dr. Khairy Soliman's lab examining the genetic diversity
and hybridization of red oak species. He used micrasatellite marker polymorphisms to differentiate species, and discussed the
ecological implications in his thesis, titled "Measuring the Level of Genetic Diversity and Hybridization of Red Oak Species on
Microsatellite Marker Polymorphisms, and Ecological Implications."
Funding Support: CREST
International Collaboration: No
International Travel: No
Angelica Durrah
Email: adurrah@bulldogs.aamu.edu
Most Senior Project Role: Graduate Student (research assistant)
Nearest Person Month Worked: 12
Contribution to the Project: Ms. Durrah is an MS candidate at Alabama A&M University, working with Dr. Khairy Soliman. Ms.
Durrah began in fall 2013. And expects to graduate in May 2016. She participated in the 2014 REUG-China program and traveled to
China and conducted her own research project, working in the lab of Dr. Qiang Zhege.
Funding Support: CREST
International Collaboration: Yes, China, United States
International Travel: Yes, China - 0 years, 2 months, 0 days
Rashidah Farid
Email: rashidahfarid@gmail.com
Most Senior Project Role: Graduate Student (research assistant)
Nearest Person Month Worked: 10
Contribution to the Project: MS graduate, May 2014. Ms. Farid worked in Dr. Khairy Soliman's genetics lab. She examined the
potential impact of past forest management practices on the genetic structures of pool-breeding amphibians. The title of her thesis
was "Potential Impact of Forest Disturbance on Genetic Diversity of Amphibian Populations." Additionally, Ms. Farid assisted with
the REU program from 2012-2014, she was a member of MANRRS, and presented at several regional and national conferences.
She has been accepted into a PhD program at the University of Florida and left AAMU for Gainsville in June 2014.
Funding Support: CREST
International Collaboration: No
International Travel: No
Briana Garrison
Email: bgarriso@bulldogs.aamu.edu
Most Senior Project Role: Graduate Student (research assistant)
Nearest Person Month Worked: 9
Contribution to the Project: Ms. Briana Garrison is a first year masters students who’s research focuses on Green infrastructure in
Huntsville, Alabama and its mitigating effects on Urban Heat Islands, Land use in the city, and impervious surface runoff. She has
participated in the STEM conference presenting work about Urban Heat Islands and their presence and impact in Huntsville, AL. Ms.
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Garrison has also created a Land Use and Land cover map for the City of Huntsville for their use in future city planning. In the GIS
teaching lab room she kept the computer software updated on the 22 class computers and also in the GIS research lab for the 8
working computers there. In addition, she assisted with an Intro to GIS class, including ArcGIS installation on the students laptops.
After graduation Ms. Garrison would like to obtain a job in my field of GIS and Remote Sensing in or around the Huntsville, AL area.
Funding Support: NSF
International Collaboration: No
International Travel: No
Iwo Gross
Email: iwogross@gmail.com
Most Senior Project Role: Graduate Student (research assistant)
Nearest Person Month Worked: 10
Contribution to the Project: Mr. Gross is a new graduate student with Dr. Yong Wang continuing long term research (William
Sutton 2010) in BNF. He is examining copperhead home ranges and response to different silvicultural treatments. Expected
graduation May 2016.
Funding Support: Alabama A&M Univeristy
International Collaboration: No
International Travel: No
Jonjala Jackson
Email: jonjala2007@yahoo.com
Most Senior Project Role: Graduate Student (research assistant)
Nearest Person Month Worked: 12
Contribution to the Project: Jonjala Jackson is a graduate student working with Dr. Moss on "The Effects of Forest Management
Practices on the Community Structure of Chemolithotrophic Bacteria"
Funding Support: 100% CREST
International Collaboration: Yes, United States, China
International Travel: Yes, China - 0 years, 2 months, 0 days
Charles Jackson
Email: cajackson@crimson.ua.edu
Most Senior Project Role: Graduate Student (research assistant)
Nearest Person Month Worked: 12
Contribution to the Project: Mr. Jackson is a MS student at UA-Tuscaloosa in Dr. Hart's Forest Dynamics Lab, and a collaborator
of the US Forest Service Southern Research Station and Dr. Callie Schweitzer. For his thesis, he is analyzing spatial patterns of
canopy damage and species-specific mortality along a disturbance intensity gradient in upland hardwood stands of the southern
Appalachians.
Funding Support: UDSA Forest Service; University of Alabama
International Collaboration: No
International Travel: No
Joseph Jordan
Email: josephjordan1991@gmail.com
Most Senior Project Role: Graduate Student (research assistant)
Nearest Person Month Worked: 9
Contribution to the Project: Mr. Jordan is a new graduate student under Dr. Yong Wang examining Bald Eagle populations in MN.
Expected graduation May 2016.
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Funding Support: Alabama A&M Univeristy
International Collaboration: No
International Travel: No
Amanda Keasberry
Email: amkeasberry@crimson.ua.edu
Most Senior Project Role: Graduate Student (research assistant)
Nearest Person Month Worked: 12
Contribution to the Project: Ms. Keasberry is a MS candidate at UA-Tuscaloosa working in Dr. Justin Hart's Forest Dynamics Lab.
Her MS thesis is focused on oak regeneration in relation to intermediate-scale canopy disturbances and subcanopy light regimes.
She has been collaborating with Dr. Schweitzer's team.
Funding Support: University of Alabama; USDA Forest Service
International Collaboration: No
International Travel: No
Christina Kruse
Email: christi.a.kruse@gmail.com
Most Senior Project Role: Graduate Student (research assistant)
Nearest Person Month Worked: 2
Contribution to the Project: The graduate student started the work related to objectives 1.1.2. Determining the effect of forest
edge direction on vegetation dynamics and competitive status and 1.1.3. Quantifying the effect of deer browsing on tree
regeneration.
Funding Support: Unknown
International Collaboration: No
International Travel: No
Eric Margenau
Email: margenaueric@gmail.com
Most Senior Project Role: Graduate Student (research assistant)
Nearest Person Month Worked: 12
Contribution to the Project: Mr. Margeneau is an MS candidate with Dr. Yong Wang. He is continuing long term research (Adrian
Lesak 2004, Brandie Stringer 2014) in Jackson County, AL on bird community responses to silvicultural treatments. Expected
graduation May 2015.
Funding Support: USDA
International Collaboration: No
International Travel: No
Kevin Messenger
Email: kevinmessenger@gmail.com
Most Senior Project Role: Graduate Student (research assistant)
Nearest Person Month Worked: 2
Contribution to the Project: Mr. Messenger is a PhD candicate at Alabama A&M University, working with Dr. Yong Wang. Mr.
Messenger's work…. Mr. Messenger is also a mentor for this year's REU-China program, co-mentoring Hollis Dahn, in China.
Funding Support: EPSCoR Fellowship
International Collaboration: Yes, China, United States
International Travel: Yes, China - 0 years, 2 months, 0 days
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What other organizations have been involved as partners?
Name
Type of Partner Organization
Location
Alabama Cooperative Extension System
State or Local Government
AAMU Campus, Normal, AL
Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural
Resources
State or Local Government
Montgomery, AL
Coastal Timberlands
Industrial or Commercial Firms
Madison County, AL
Institute of Zoology,Chinese Academy of Sciences
Other Organizations (foreign or
domestic)
Beijing, China
Kentucky State University
Academic Institution
Frankfort, Kentucky
Legacy Partners in Environmental Education
Other Nonprofits
Montgomery, AL
Nanjing Forestry University
Academic Institution
Nanjing, Jiansu Province,
China
National Recreation and Parks Association
State or Local Government
Ashburn, VA
National Science Foundation
State or Local Government
Washington, D.C.
North Alabama Center for Educational Excellence
Other Nonprofits
Huntsville, AL
Purdue University
Academic Institution
West Lafayette, Indiana
Stevenson Land Company, LLC
Industrial or Commercial Firms
Scottsboro, AL
Alabama Forestry Commission
State or Local Government
Montgomery, AL
Talledega National Forest, Oakmulgee Division
State or Local Government
Brent, AL
Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Forestry Division
State or Local Government
Cookville, TN
The Nature Conservancy - North Alabama Office
Other Nonprofits
Paint Rock, AL
Tuskegee University
Academic Institution
Tuskegee, Alabama
USDA Forest Service - Bankhead National Forest
State or Local Government
Double Springs, AL
USDA Forest Service - Northern Research Station
State or Local Government
Newtown Square,
Pennsylvania
USDA Forest Service - Southern Research Station
State or Local Government
Asheville, NC
University of Alabama
Academic Institution
Tuscaloosa, AL
University of Alabama in Huntsville
Academic Institution
Huntsville, Alabama
University of Kentucky
Academic Institution
Lexington, Kentucky
Auburn University
Academic Institution
Auburn, Alabama
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Name
Type of Partner Organization
Location
University of Tennessee
Academic Institution
Knoxville, Tennessee
Bankhead Education Foundation
Other Nonprofits
Moulton, AL
Bankhead National Forest Citizen's Liaison
Other Nonprofits
Moulton, AL
Beijing Forestry University
Academic Institution
Beijing, China
Beijing Normal University
Academic Institution
China
Birmingham Water Works Board
Other Nonprofits
Birmingham, AL
City of Huntsville
State or Local Government
Huntsville, AL
Full details of organizations that have been involved as partners:
Alabama Cooperative Extension System
Organization Type: State or Local Government
Organization Location: AAMU Campus, Normal, AL
Partner's Contribution to the Project:
Financial support
In-Kind Support
Collaborative Research
Personnel Exchanges
More Detail on Partner and Contribution:
Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Organization Type: State or Local Government
Organization Location: Montgomery, AL
Partner's Contribution to the Project:
Financial support
Collaborative Research
More Detail on Partner and Contribution: ALDCNR has provided research grants and technical assistance for several CFEA
wildlife related research projects. Eric Soehren, a state biologist for ADCNR, has helped with technical assistance and field related
research in Jackson County and in BNF. Brandon Hunnicutt, the land stewardship officer in Jackson County, has provided
assistance and guidance for the wildlife research in that area.
Alabama Forestry Commission
Organization Type: State or Local Government
Organization Location: Montgomery, AL
Partner's Contribution to the Project:
Financial support
In-Kind Support
Personnel Exchanges
More Detail on Partner and Contribution:
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Auburn University
Organization Type: Academic Institution
Organization Location: Auburn, Alabama
Partner's Contribution to the Project:
Facilities
Collaborative Research
Personnel Exchanges
More Detail on Partner and Contribution: Drs. Schweitzer and Wang regularly collaborate with AU faculty and students. Within
the past two years Dr. Schweitzer has collaborated extensively with Dr. Justin Hart and his Forest Dynamics Lab.
Bankhead Education Foundation
Organization Type: Other Nonprofits
Organization Location: Moulton, AL
Partner's Contribution to the Project:
Financial support
More Detail on Partner and Contribution: (all SPs) BEF is a private, nonprofit (501c3) organization partnered with AAMU, Auburn
University, Tuskegee University (all members of Alabama Agricultural Land Grant Association (AALGA) to plan, fund and build the
Bankhead Center for Education and Research (BCER). This center will provide onsite research labs, housing, and classrooms for
the CFEA research team of faculty, staff and students.
Bankhead National Forest Citizen's Liaison
Organization Type: Other Nonprofits
Organization Location: Moulton, AL
Partner's Contribution to the Project:
Other: Community feedback
More Detail on Partner and Contribution: The BNF Citizen's Liaison is a citizen's advisory board to the Bankhead National Forest
District Ranger. The Liaison Panel plays an important advisory and monitoring role in the planning and implementation of the
Bankhead's management activities including the Restoration Plan, which is a foundation of much of the CFEA research. Center
personnel attend these meetings (now every trimester) to provide information to the BNF public about research findings, receive
information regarding their monitoring of the implementation of restoration treatments, and build support for the Bankhead Research
and Education Center and field station. Ms. Lisa Gardner will be taking over as AAMU representative on the board, replacing Daryl
Lawson.
Beijing Forestry University
Organization Type: Academic Institution
Organization Location: Beijing, China
Partner's Contribution to the Project:
Facilities
Collaborative Research
More Detail on Partner and Contribution: Drs. Wang and Chen collaborate with faculty from BFU in China on educational and
research initiatives.
Beijing Normal University
Organization Type: Academic Institution
Organization Location: China
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Partner's Contribution to the Project:
Facilities
Collaborative Research
More Detail on Partner and Contribution: Dr. Yong Wang is a visiting professor for BNU, and collaborates with Dr. Zhengwang
Zhang on bird ecology related research. Dr. Zhang mentored graduate student and REUG participant Mercedes Bartkovich in his lab
during summer 2014, where she learned techniques for sexing birds via feather DNA. Several graduate students have worked with
Dr. Zhang and his students through the NSF EAPSI program.
Birmingham Water Works Board
Organization Type: Other Nonprofits
Organization Location: Birmingham, AL
Partner's Contribution to the Project:
Financial support
Other: Mentoring and recruiting opportunities through education
More Detail on Partner and Contribution: The water services for the City of Birmingham and the intermediate urbanized area in
Central Alabama has been a partner with AAMU since 2007. BWWA provides funding for the support of undergraduate students
through scholarships, and for staff through salary supplements and supplies. The BWWB provides supplements to the CREST
funding and in return, AAMU provides natural resources planning, research, and management on their 14,000-acre forest
surrounding Lake Purdy, Birminham's primary drinking water source. This is a 15-year commitment between these partners.
http://www.bwwb.org/history
City of Huntsville
Organization Type: State or Local Government
Organization Location: Huntsville, AL
Partner's Contribution to the Project:
Collaborative Research
More Detail on Partner and Contribution: We are currently working with the City of Huntsville on a variety of projects, including
climate, air, and watershed monitoring.
Coastal Timberlands
Organization Type: Industrial or Commercial Firms
Organization Location: Madison County, AL
Partner's Contribution to the Project:
In-Kind Support
Personnel Exchanges
More Detail on Partner and Contribution: Partner with the USDA Forest Service to provide necessary logging prescriptions that
are needed to conduct our research.
Institute of Zoology,Chinese Academy of Sciences
Organization Type: Other Organizations (foreign or domestic)
Organization Location: Beijing, China
Partner's Contribution to the Project:
Facilities
Collaborative Research
Personnel Exchanges
More Detail on Partner and Contribution: We are collaborating with the Chinese Academy of Sciences in China on several
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aspects including Dr. Wang's wildlife related research and Dr. Chen's plant science and ecosystem work. Their staff have visited and
worked at AAMU and our students and faculty have worked with research staff from this leading research institution in China.
Kentucky State University
Organization Type: Academic Institution
Organization Location: Frankfort, Kentucky
Partner's Contribution to the Project:
Collaborative Research
More Detail on Partner and Contribution: Sub-project III collaborates with KSU.
Legacy Partners in Environmental Education
Organization Type: Other Nonprofits
Organization Location: Montgomery, AL
Partner's Contribution to the Project:
In-Kind Support
Personnel Exchanges
More Detail on Partner and Contribution:
Nanjing Forestry University
Organization Type: Academic Institution
Organization Location: Nanjing, Jiansu Province, China
Partner's Contribution to the Project:
Facilities
Collaborative Research
Personnel Exchanges
Other: co-host REU program with AAMU
More Detail on Partner and Contribution: Nanjing Forestry University (NFU) is a research and education partner with AAMU. We
have been working on solidifying a long-term research relationship with NFU since 2009. Since then, we have had student-faculty
teams visit NFU, and have had several NFU delegates visit AAMU. Since 2012, we have co-hosted the Research Experiences for
Undergraduates (REU) summer program, providing international experiences to underserved minorities. In 2013, the AAMU
President, Dr. Andrew Hugine Jr. again visited NFU, and along with the NFU President, presented a proposal for establishment of a
Confucius Institute at AAMU to the Chinese Educational Committee of Jiangsu Province. In fall 2014, we will host three NFU faculty
to teach Chinese language and culture classes at AAMU. Additonally, we will host five undergraduate students from NFU for a
yearlong exchange.
National Recreation and Parks Association
Organization Type: State or Local Government
Organization Location: Ashburn, VA
Partner's Contribution to the Project:
Collaborative Research
More Detail on Partner and Contribution:
National Science Foundation
Organization Type: State or Local Government
Organization Location: Washington, D.C.
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Partner's Contribution to the Project:
Financial support
More Detail on Partner and Contribution: The National Science Foundation provides funding and other resources to faculty and
students of the Center.
North Alabama Center for Educational Excellence
Organization Type: Other Nonprofits
Organization Location: Huntsville, AL
Partner's Contribution to the Project:
Other: Recruiting support
More Detail on Partner and Contribution: NACEE collaborates with CFEA affiliates on recruiting and mentoring of minority high
school students, and to prepare them for college. www.nacee.net/
Purdue University
Organization Type: Academic Institution
Organization Location: West Lafayette, Indiana
Partner's Contribution to the Project:
Collaborative Research
More Detail on Partner and Contribution: Collaboration across sub-projects.
Stevenson Land Company, LLC
Organization Type: Industrial or Commercial Firms
Organization Location: Scottsboro, AL
Partner's Contribution to the Project:
In-Kind Support
Personnel Exchanges
More Detail on Partner and Contribution: Partner with the USDA Forest Service to provide necessary logging prescriptions that
are needed to conduct our research.
Talledega National Forest, Oakmulgee Division
Organization Type: State or Local Government
Organization Location: Brent, AL
Partner's Contribution to the Project:
Facilities
Collaborative Research
More Detail on Partner and Contribution:
Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Forestry Division
Organization Type: State or Local Government
Organization Location: Cookville, TN
Partner's Contribution to the Project:
In-Kind Support
Collaborative Research
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Personnel Exchanges
More Detail on Partner and Contribution:
The Nature Conservancy - North Alabama Office
Organization Type: Other Nonprofits
Organization Location: Paint Rock, AL
Partner's Contribution to the Project:
Financial support
Other: Donated 130 acres
More Detail on Partner and Contribution: (All sub-projects) TNC donated 130 acres to AAMU to assist us in achieving our goal of
establishing a research and education center at the Bankhead National Forest. A link to the purchase provides some more
information: http://blog.al.com/bn/2013/03/nature_conservancy_purchases_1.html
Tuskegee University
Organization Type: Academic Institution
Organization Location: Tuskegee, Alabama
Partner's Contribution to the Project:
Collaborative Research
Personnel Exchanges
More Detail on Partner and Contribution: Drs. Wang, Senwo, Christian, and others regularly collaborate with faculty from TU.
This year two faculty from TU participated in our REU China program, and traveled to China to mentor a student.
USDA Forest Service - Bankhead National Forest
Organization Type: State or Local Government
Organization Location: Double Springs, AL
Partner's Contribution to the Project:
In-Kind Support
Facilities
Collaborative Research
Personnel Exchanges
More Detail on Partner and Contribution: The Bankhead National Forest staff have been major contributors to the Center. They
have worked with our scientists and students in every phase of our research including identifying research plots, applying the
treatments, accommodating students and faculty providing logistic support, as well as field safety training.
USDA Forest Service - Northern Research Station
Organization Type: State or Local Government
Organization Location: Newtown Square, Pennsylvania
Partner's Contribution to the Project:
Facilities
Collaborative Research
Personnel Exchanges
More Detail on Partner and Contribution: Dr. Callie Schweitzer collaborates extensively with Dr. Daniel Dey of the Northern
Research Station.
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USDA Forest Service - Southern Research Station
Organization Type: State or Local Government
Organization Location: Asheville, NC
Partner's Contribution to the Project:
Collaborative Research
Personnel Exchanges
More Detail on Partner and Contribution: Our primary collaborators from the USDA-FS-SRS are in the Upland Hardwood Ecology
and Management Research Unit. Dr. Callie Schweitzer and her technicians Ryan Sisk and . Dr. Schweitzer work closely with CFEA
Co-PIs, students, and technicians on the CFEA / Cumberland Plateau based research. She leads the vegetation and woody
vegetation data collection effort at the BNF (part of Thrust Area I). Dr. Schweitzer led the development of the silvicultural treatments
in the planning stages of the original proposal, the selection of the stands, and communication with the BNF collaborators. She plays
an active role in the Center, and continues to be a valuable member on graduate student committees. She works with many Center
researchers on a large number of research projects related to vegetation and wildlife dynamics in response to silvicultural
treatments.
University of Alabama
Organization Type: Academic Institution
Organization Location: Tuscaloosa, AL
Partner's Contribution to the Project:
Collaborative Research
More Detail on Partner and Contribution:
University of Alabama in Huntsville
Organization Type: Academic Institution
Organization Location: Huntsville, Alabama
Partner's Contribution to the Project:
Collaborative Research
More Detail on Partner and Contribution: Collaborating on research and graduate student training. Faculty from UAH are mentors
to graduate students at AAMU.
University of Kentucky
Organization Type: Academic Institution
Organization Location: Lexington, Kentucky
Partner's Contribution to the Project:
Collaborative Research
More Detail on Partner and Contribution:
University of Tennessee
Organization Type: Academic Institution
Organization Location: Knoxville, Tennessee
Partner's Contribution to the Project:
Collaborative Research
More Detail on Partner and Contribution: Across sub-project collaborations.
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Have other collaborators or contacts been involved? Yes
Impacts
What is the impact on the development of the principal discipline(s) of the project?
Within the past year, the Center has continued working to build upon the research of the previous nine years, not only on the original
disciplines, but also some new areas such as air and water quality, forest fragmentation, harvesting impacts, forest site mapping and
classification, invasive plants, outdoor recreation, and forest management impacts on animal communities that were not included during
the first phase of the Center. In addition to research, our focus ensured that our research activities were relevant and reached
constituents, both within and outside of the science community. We contributed directly to disciplines within our research disciplines and
continued to secure external funds to develop additional areas of research related to forest management impacts on forest ecosystems
in northern Alabama.
Our work on vegetation dynamics will improve forest management at the ecosystem level. It will allow us to better predict the effects of
forest management actions and of autogenic processes on the changes in plant cover, richness, diversity, and other vegetation
attributes of importance to the proper functioning of the ecosystem. Our research concerning the relationship between forest diversity
and its productivity (in terms of above ground woody biomass) may have important implications for the selection of the number of
species to be regenerated and maintained over time in a forest stand. Our analysis of data from the FIA database so far revealed that
at least for plots in Alabama, the number of tree species in a forest stand is positively correlated with aboveground biomass. Similar
relationship was found between forest diversity and aboveground biomass. We found that this relationship is observed for all studied
levels of species richness and for all levels of relative density that we examined.
Controlled burning for forest management has become common practice, as we increase our understanding of the dependent
relationship many forests and tree species have with fire. We included controlled burns in our large-scale study to examine the
effectiveness burning is as a silvicultural technique used to restore and maintain upland oak-dominated ecosystems. Red maple (Acer
rubrum) is an effective competitor to oaks and hickories, but is not a desired species. research indicates that the first application of
dormant season prescribed burning was highly variable in intensity, as measured from fire temperature, and did not have the desired
effect of decreasing red maple density to favor recruitment of hard-mast species like oak. At a stand-level scale, prescribed burning did
not have a significant effect on reducing red maple density. In fact, density of large seedlings significantly increased compared to the
control treatment. We predict that repeated burning alone will not be an effective tool to reduce the abundance of red maple due to the
ability of this species to sprout prolifically following topkill of the main stem.
Management of forest resources can influence the net C exchange with the atmosphere by changing the amount of C stored,
particularly in landscapes dominated by forests, such as south-eastern United States. Our work focuses on the influence of prescribed
burning and thinning on total live aboveground tree (TLAT) biomass in the William B. Bankhead National Forest, Alabama. For the
thinned stands, the increase in average tree biomass was more substantial suggesting the thinning had some selection towards
removing smaller trees. Increased growing space also increased the recruitment of new stems, but only for the hardwoods. Moderate
thinning resulted in the highest carbon storage rate and that the lowest carbon storage was found in untreated stands. The
sustainability of this short-term gain will be impacted by the age, diameter and species distribution of the residual trees, which may or
may not continue to respond over time. Maintaining and enhancing diverse systems with various species, sizes and functional groups
are keys to resiliency to future disturbances, including climate change.
Our biodiversity related research, particularly that which focused on wildlife, has greatly enhanced our understanding of the life histories
of our focal species and other organisms, and their responses to the human disturbance, particularly forest management related
practices. We have observed species-specific associations with specific treatments and environmental characteristics. Our results
illustrate that forest restoration through tree thinning can positively influence certain bird and reptile species with limited impacts on
amphibians in upland, pine-dominated forests of northern Alabama.
Some components of our research have addressed one of the emerging themes in the global research-human dimensions of natural
resources management by utilizing the indicators of socioeconomic and landscape disturbances in relation to the socioeconomic
development of the Alabama's Black Belt. This research presented an innovative spatial, data-based approach to understanding the
relationship between economic development and disturbances in the demographic and natural base such as changes in different types
of land covers. The exploration of the spatial aspects of the disturbances in social, economic and landscape change is an innovative
one. The study provided interesting results on objectives, grounded squarely in the human dimensions of natural resources literature,
the use of the longitudinal data, and the importance of examining the three themes at the Census Block Group (CBG) level. The use of
satellite images and sub-county units is an innovative methodological approach that goes beyond the previous research effort in the
west-central Black Belt region of Alabama. Some of the methodological limitations of previous studies in natural resource dependency
were addressed in our research. Previous studies have not adequately addressed the issues of rural restructuring, spatial arrangement
of landscape, and the role of endogeneity. The findings of this research will add to the spatial-temporal explanations of how the
communities have responded to the disturbances in demographic and landscape attributes. The integration of the social and landscape
science, economics, spatial dynamics theories and the application of a spatial analytical framework for analyzing cross-temporal
primary, and secondary data is useful for understanding the evolving pattern of human-environment relationships in the resource
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dependent communities.
Long-term ecological studies require a synergy between different disciplines, as ecosystems are affected by multiple environmental
variables, both natural and anthropogenic. We have been working to strengthen this synergistic approach through strong collaborations
between/among subprojects. For examples, we have been addressing invasive species issue by collection of team members from all
subproject areas and address the question using a comprehensive approach by examine various component in the system and by
collaborating with external partners.
What is the impact on other disciplines?
We are collaborating with new disciplines such as air and water quality, forest fragmentation, harvesting impacts, forest site mapping
invasive species, wildlife molecular, wild fungi, environmental impact, etc. The knowledge gained to date about vegetation dynamics
and the data we are collecting in subsequent growing seasons will strengthen the ability to manage the forest at the ecosystem level.
Historically, human development forced people to focus on the sustainable production of wood as it used to be the main source of
heating and energy. But as society has advanced, the importance of the multiple uses of forest resources has emerged and so has our
understanding of the importance of biodiversity. The interconnectedness among organisms and between them and their environments
has required us to recognize ecosystem-based management is most appropriate. Our study is one of very few in the country that is
positioned to answer ecosystem level responses to common silvicultural treatments. Most other studies focus on limited components of
the ecosystem, e.g., only vegetation or only avian community. Studies integrate the response of multiple communities, but none have
done this to the same extent as in our study. Our study examines the response of the woody and herbaceous vegetation, amphibians,
reptiles, birds, small mammals, soil micro-fauna, and soil chemistry to disturbance. Our work also provides the means to quantitatively
estimate the impact of silvicultural operations on plant succession and on the change in plant cover, richness, diversity, and other
vegetation characteristics of importance to ecosystem functioning. These results will enable us to design and use more effective
treatments in our effort to restore the native vegetation and with it, the birds, reptiles, amphibians, and other organisms that once
occupied these sites before they were converted to pasture and pine plantations.
Our findings have wider implications than the field of plant ecology. The vegetation dynamics following thinning, burning and
combinations of the two treatments, as well as the vegetation dynamics within a growing season, has implications for the dynamics of
other organisms that depend on the plants for shelter and forage. Treating the forest stands or not treating them at all has an impact on
the plant community by altering overall cover, richness, and diversity, as well as the proportion of the different species and life forms
that are present on the site. Altering these forest ecosystem attributes is bound to impact the availability of food for native pollinators,
vertebrate and invertebrate wildlife, and have an impact on the higher trophic levels. Additionally, the change in the cover and species
composition following the treatments modified the amount of sun reaching the forest floor and the amount of exposed bare soil. These
changes influence the soil chemistry, flora, and fauna, as well as soil erosion and the hydrology in the treated stands. The faunal
studies, like all other research efforts in CFEA, have contributed to the other disciplines by connecting their findings with the findings of
other field research efforts. This interdisciplinary approach has inherent benefits since each discipline can make substantial
contributions to other disciplines and overall synergistic comprehension of disciplines as well as related phenomena. For example,
wildlife research benefits soil science and forestry because of the ecological connectedness to their data; thus our results are their
results, in an ecological context. For example, the wild fungi study will assist the bioenergy discipline to utilize various fungi species to
improve biofuel production.
We found that the shelterwood treatment had the least canopy cover and greatest amount of light at the forest floor relative to oak
shelterwood or control. These changes were the main drivers for increasing the complexity of forest vegetation within the stands.
Amphibian and reptile species richness was higher in the shelterwood stands than in oakshelterwood or control. Reptile diversity was
higher in the shelterwood treatment than controls. No negative responses for herpetofaunal abundance, richness, or diversity were
detected in either treatment. These findings will provide forest resource managers and private forest land owners with better knowledge
for conserving herpetofaunal species when implementing these oak regeneration methods in upland hardwood forests of the
Cumberland Plateau.
A research initiative for the Center is examining factors that lead to the establishment of invasive species at mined sites in northern
Alabama, funded through the U.S. Office of Surface Mining. Surface mining has disturbed over 2.4 million hectares of terrestrial habitat
in the United States since 1930. The disturbances caused by surface mining include land transformation and ecosystem alteration. This
leads to the interruption and change of energy flow, food webs, biodiversity, successional patterns, and biogeochemical cycling. Though
law requires restoration back to equal or higher value, this has predominantly focused only on soil and hydrological characteristics. We
have been assessing the impact of reclamation on the abundance and composition of invasive plants in the southern Cumberland
Plateau and Mountain Region (CPMR). We have been using innovative methods for identifying and assessing invasive plants. We are
identifying areas of success and concern that will allow resource use efficacy in field assessment; we are also identifying areas of
concern and areas that require further management consideration. In 2012 we initiated a study of temporal and habitat related diversity
at reclaimed surface mines. We are studying the avian response to reclaimed surface mines to answer the following questions: what
are avian species diversity, richness, and relative abundance at the reclaimed mines; how do avian composition and abundance vary by
vegetation type and composition changes spatially; how do avian composition and abundance change through time after vegetation
restoration and how does it relate to vegetation succession; and, how do adjacent habitat types and environmental conditions affect the
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avian community? We will model the relationship between habitat and avian community structures using statistical geospatial methods.
It is worth noting that we have expanded contributions by adding faculty members from other disciplines such as engineering, chemistry
and computer sciences. These faculty members are playing important roles in collaborative research projects such as for modeling
ecosystem dynamics. These faculty members will use CREST-CFEA projects in their teaching activities, which will magnify the impact
of CFEA to other disciplines. We also have submitted several joint proposals to enhance our collaborations. These activities will enable
us to further our understanding of the deeper ecological patterns and processes explaining the dynamics of competition, predation,
regeneration, migration, and other areas of forest ecology and related disciplines.
The Center is also engaging other resource management agencies such as Huntsville Land Trust and Alabama State Department of
Conservation and Natural Resources and private landowners. We are applying the knowledge we have gained from our research to
assist resource managers with technical help and on-the-ground implementations.
What is the impact on the development of human resources?
One of the primary objectives of the Center is to increase the number of trained professionals, especially African-Americans, engaged
in research, teaching, and management of renewable natural resources. Our success in this area has been substantial, through
integrating both graduate and undergraduate students in all aspects of the research. After graduation these students are well equipped
to lead in research, management, and teaching fields and in state and federal agencies, private consulting, and industrial forestry.
CFEA has provided numerous opportunities to enhance the technical skills and professional training of faculty, staff, and both graduate
and undergraduate students. One such example is our seminar series, in which world renowned scientist not only give a lunch time
seminar but also spend time, one on one, with students and faculty discussing their research. We also have focused on professional
development that has included geospatial workshops, giving faculty, graduate students, and professional conservation partners the
opportunity to strengthen analytical skills. One of our strongest tools for human resource development is attending local, regional,
national and international conferences, and workshops. All Center participants are not only given the opportunity to attend, but are
encouraged to share their research and learn from others. The Center has been enhancing its safety training and organizes regular
field safety training, as well as American Heart Association First Aid / CPR / AED training to students, faculty, and field-going staff.
Though many of our graduate students have received assistantships through the CFEA CREST project, many students have also
received other grants, scholarships, and assistantships through other programs. For examples, three CFEA students were awarded
Alabama EPSCOR Graduate Fellowships, 2 students received research grants from two professional societies, and several students
received travel awards to present at professional meetings and conferences.
One of the key goals of the Center has been to educate future natural resource scientists, especially students from groups currently
under-represented in science and technology fields. Often by college students have identified there areas of interested thus one of the
strategies that CFEA has adopted to achieve this goal is to form partnerships with neighboring high schools and other educational
organizations in a program called 'EnvironMentors'. This program is being carried out in collaboration with the North Alabama Center for
Educational Excellence (NACEE) and Johnson High School (JHS). The EnvironMentors Chapter continues to initiate a pipeline for
attracting and training underrepresented minority students from nearby high schools to attend AAMU, and help in providing
opportunities for minorities to be involved in science and environmental studies. EnvironMentors Chapter fits into the overall goal of
AAMU by contributing to the development of future leaders in the environmental sciences discipline. This program serves as a vehicle
in addressing some of the major environmental issues of our time at the high school level. Such environmental problems include but are
not limited to the buildup of greenhouse gases and global warming, water quality issues, as well as issues of sustainability in
agricultural and environmental management. Today's major global environmental issues are yet to be adequately introduced at the high
school level to start preparing students for future leadership in those areas. Eight students participated in the 2012-2013 academic year.
Among those students three were selected (Akeeta Barnaby, Michaela Guzman, and Queena Merrimon) to participate at the
EnvironMentors National Fair in Washington, DC. This summer we also conducted five weeks GIS workshop for area high school
students. The workshop was intended to explore a wide variety of topics related to using GIS and Remote Sensing as integral
components of solving environmental issues. Four of EnvironMentors program participants were selected to attend this workshop.
Center faculty have been continually providing formal mentorship, through professional societies such as the Ecological Society of
America (ESA), for underrepresented undergraduate students at all annual meetings, which have involved introducing the mentee to
researchers in the field of interest of the student and helping them with networking, providing advice on future options for graduate work
and funding, helping the student navigate the many different sessions, attending together, discussing, and critiquing presentations,
among others. Our faculty also serve as the ESA Diversity Program’s faculty advisor at the Alabama A&M University campus where the
local student chapter helps inform students from other majors about educational, internship, and work-related opportunities in the field
of forestry and ecology. One of our undergraduate students, Sylvia Staples, applied for and earned two travel awards from the ESA to
attend a field trip at an NSF LTER site as well as the leadership meetings. The center has promoted and supported students to
participate and present at professional meetings and conference. Many our students have received award for their work. CFEA is also
active collaborate for annual AAMU Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics conference. Most our students have presented
at this conference.
One of the major initiatives of the Center has been to enhance its international collaboration in research and education. With the
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support from USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and NSF Research Experience of Undergraduates, the Center has
been strengthening AAMU's capacity and capability to develop globally competent students and faculty through collaborative
partnerships with universities and research organizations in China, in the field of agricultural and environmental sciences. During
2013-14 grant period, eight undergraduate students from five different institutions across USA including AAMU, four AAMU graduate
students, and five faculty and staff participated the program. The program started with a three day orientation to prepare for
international travel. Once arrived at China, students and faculty took language, cultural, and history classes at NFU. Each student was
then paired with mentors of graduate students and faculty of NFU and AAMU with similar research interest to conduct a research
project. These research projects include a diverse topics such as “Urbanization Effect on Birds,” “Effects of Forest Thinning on Soil
Microbial Diversity,” “Spatial Dynamics of Air Quality in the Jiangsu Province of China,” and “Anthocyanin Pathway Gene Expression of
Peach Flowers.” Students learned to design research, collect data, operating research equipment, analyses data, and prepare report.
Recently (summer 2014), Alabama A&M University and Nanjing Forestry University were granted formal permission by the Chinese
government to establish a Confucius Institute on campus. This institute will provide new opportunities for international collaborative
research efforts and greater opportunities for underserved minorities to gain international experiences. One graduate student, Kevin
Messenger (PhD candidate) is currently working to receive a dual degree from both AAMU and NFU. Additionally, two NFU visiting
faculty will arrive in Huntsville and will teach language and cultural courses at AAMU for the 2014-2015 academic school year. AAMU is
providing housing for these faculty. Two undergraduate students from NFU will also arrive at AAMU and will attend the university for this
academic schoolyear.
During the 2013-2014, a total of 102 people have been involved with CFEA activities including 23 graduate students, 12 undergraduate
students, and 8 high school students.
What is the impact on physical resources that form infrastructure?
A portion of our facility and equipment maintenance, purchases, and repairs were supported through CREST-CFEA funds, and are
available for use by other researchers in other disciplines within the University. Several additional work trucks have been purchased
with leveraged funds and are being shared with CFEA researchers, including a new 4x4 field truck and one van. New computers are
currently being ordered through leveraged funds to updating the GIS teaching lab. Most of the personnel within the project are housed
in the same building and freely exchange ideas, concepts, and problems, so that common solutions can be reached with such
concentration of resources. For example, the acquisition of gene expressing arrays, RT-PCR and high throughput DNA sequencing
equipment by the University has great enhance our capability of conducting molecular and genetic related research in several fields
such as vegetation, animal wildlife, and soil micro-organisms.
What is the impact on institutional resources that form infrastructure?
New statistical analysis (SAS), ARC-GIS, and other software packages have been purchased with leveraged funding and provided by
the university, which allows all students at AAMU to use. Through center funding and program, the faculty and students are becoming
expert in the field of forest ecosystem and related fields, and they have been providing human capitals for AAMU to develop research
programs and enhance teaching components.
What is the impact on information resources that form infrastructure?
The Center maintains two websites, one for CFEA and other for the REU China program. These websites are updated periodically. The
Center webpage provides information on the project, participants, activities, and outcomes. It also contains information for current and
prospective students, a calendar, and resources for field going students and technicians, as well as links to outside resources. The
project's experimental design and implementation is also contained within the webpages, so that other researchers with similar
research goals and objectives can emulate our methods and protocols. We plan to continuously update this website to make it a major
portal for communication within the Center and to the public. The REU website provides comprehensive information about the program,
mentor, research projects, and application related materials. It also has the webpages developed each of the past participants, these
webpages have information about their research experience, research paper, cultural report, photos, PowerPoint presentations. These
websites greatly facilitate the information dissemination and applying our programs by new students. Center also have developed
different proceedings, brochures, newsletters, etc. to disseminate the information related to center and academic programs.
What is the impact on technology transfer?
In spring of 2013, CFEA collaborated and lead the Southern Leadership Tour. This biannual tour involved natural resource leaders from
industry, government, NGO's, state forestry organizations, and universities to discuss and plan for regional forest research and
management needs. The Southern Leadership Tour provides a forum for regional leaders to identify new challenges and opportunities,
develop new partnerships and ways to work together more effectively, and learn about key issues each group is facing. The 2013
Southern Leadership Tour was held at the historic Monte Sano Lodge in Huntsville, Alabama and focused on developing opportunities
in challenging economic times, including setting priorities, reaching new stakeholders, and developing future leaders. During the field
tour, the team visited the research sites of AAMU CREST-CFEA at William B. Bankhead National Forest in northwestern Alabama,
where the focus was on restoration management of southern pine and upland hardwood forests and associated research, as well as
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some of the issues and challenges faced by the agencies, institutions and various stakeholders associated with the forest.
As human populations increase and our demand for resources grows, management of forest resources is increasingly in need of
precise forest management plans that have originated from long-term studies on tree and forest responses to a variety of management
plans, as well as short- and long-term effects on ecosystems and watersheds. The response of various forest components to forest
management has received much attention because of their interrelationships and dependence. One of the major strengths of our
Center is its close relationship and collaboration with USDA Forest Service, the agency tasked with managing the public forests in
many of our study areas. Research results will be available immediately to resource managers, forest landowners, and concerned
groups. These groups are looking for ways to implement management plans that meet their goals and objectives in an ecologically
sustainable and cost effective manner. The findings of CFEA research will provide several different burning and thinning regimes, which
will allow landowners and managers more options in implementing management activities that are more sensitive to the environment.
What is the impact on society beyond science and technology?
We strongly believe that the dissemination of the results of CFEA research and educational outreach activities is imperative to our
success and is considered as an integral part of the CFEA mission. We have therefore taken an aggressive posture to inform the
scientific and educational community of our research findings. The Bankhead Liaison Panel is one of the best forums available for us to
communicate our research findings to the interested community. We have also hosted several on campus activities to engage students
within the university and local area high schools. The activities include the annual STEM Day and an educational visit by the
Birmingham Water Works Board (BWWB) Young Water Ambassadors, which is also a good recruiting activity. Off-campus activities
have also included the BWWB Young Water Ambassadors as well as community workshops.
In addition to forest research, research in the Black-belt region continues to educate minority landowners and provide empirical data
that can influence public policy for the resource-dependent communities, as well as insight into the socioeconomic developmental
strategies of rural communities. For example, we found that forest growth trends were not evenly distributed and did not show a
consistent pattern in all areas within the west-central Black Belt region of Alabama, which raises some interesting questions about
natural resource-based economic development. Classification maps showed that forest growth occurred in certain geographic areas
(such as in and around industrial or corporate lands, outskirts of major highways, industrial zones, etc). Such unique pattern of resource
concentration or expansion may relate to the existing resource distribution policy at the county or state level. These findings provide
much needed information to policy makers and administers for making natural resource and economic development decisions and
strategic planning.
We have established a medium for information sharing and technology transfer that provides an outlet for the people with varied and
vested interests in the Bankhead National Forest. Our Center continues to provide valuable input into the Bankhead Management Plan
through active participation in the BNF Liaison Panel meetings and in hosting and cohosting a variety of educational activities geared
towards landowners. These outreach activities educate the public about the fast changing natural resources and environment-related
issues that society is facing, and also helps to raise public awareness of the importance of protecting these resources for future
generations. We also advise the environmental group Wild South on various aspects of upland hardwood forest restoration methods
and goals. In addition, the Center's teams continue to participate in outreach activities, from Earth Day to the Landowner Education and
Assistance programs.
Continuation of this research is important so that the long term impact of forest disturbance can be better understood to help facilitate
precise natural resource management decisions. Our findings will encourage greater participation by user groups in the decision and
policy making process, especially on federal lands. We also provide a forum for common ground discussions between landowners and
resource managers to better interact with concerned groups that may be opposed to forest management practices. Development of
brochures, pamphlets, and presentations materials to disseminate at landowner and concern group field day and state wide meetings
provide resource managers with real world solutions based on sound science to better manage all natural resources for future
generations. In collaborating with the Bankhead Liaison Panel, we have established a medium for information sharing and technology
transfer that provide a much needed outlet for the people with varied interest in the Bankhead National Forest. This group continues to
provide valuable input into the Bankhead Management Plan and continues to provide full support of the establishment of the Center for
Forest Ecosystem Assessment.
The Center's teams continue to participate in outreach activities, from Earth Day to the Landowner Education and Assistance programs.
We also advised the environmental group Wild South on various aspects of upland hardwood forest restoration methods and goals.
These outreach activities educate the public about the fast changing natural resources and environment-related issues that society is
facing, and also helps to raise public awareness of the importance of protecting these resources for future generations. The Center has
been working with the USDA Forest Service and The Natural Conservancy (TNC) to establish the Bankhead Center for Research and
Education (BCRE) within Bankhead National Forest. BCRE is a proposed multi-use facility designed for forestry and natural resource
management field research, educational and outreach activities, including lodging for faculty, staff and students working remotely in the
vicinity of Bankhead National Forest. CFEA personnel has conducted Naturalist Hikes for the Huntsville Land Trust on Huntsville Land
Trust properties for the general public. These hikes helped to increase public awareness of the high biodiversity in northern Alabama
and increase the local appreciation of these properties
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The Center for Forest Ecosystem Assessment continues to graduate students, the majority of whom are minorities, and primarily
African American. As the Center continues to grow, more minorities will become aware of the career opportunities in non-medical
scientific disciplines, be attracted to the type of work that we do, and increase our success through our graduates. Successful alumni of
our Center are the best recruiters for future minority researchers and educators in these disciplines. As these minority scientists
become recognized in their disciplines and their communities, a growing recognition of the relevance and importance of ecological
research and education by an increasing segment of our society is likely to gain greater political and economic support for
environmental quality and ecological research in the future.
Changes/Problems
Changes in approach and reason for change
Nothing to report.
Actual or Anticipated problems or delays and actions or plans to resolve them
Nothing to report.
Changes that have a significant impact on expenditures
Nothing to report.
Significant changes in use or care of human subjects
Nothing to report.
Significant changes in use or care of vertebrate animals
Nothing to report.
Significant changes in use or care of biohazards
Nothing to report.
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