30, 2005
2006-2008
Report
1
Table of Contents
Introduction to ESC – A Message from the Director ....................................................................3
ESC Members & Focus Area........................................................................................................4
ESC Financial Synopsis ...............................................................................................................9
ESC Active Awards ....................................................................................... 10
ESC Member Publications July 1, 2006-May 1, 2008 ...............................................................19
ESC Activities..............................................................................................................................23
Distinguished Ecologist Lecture Series ................................................................................ 24
Sponsored Graduate Student Travel Grants........................................................................ 26
Sponsored Undergraduate Student Research Grant ............................................................ 27
Sponsored Graduate Student Research Grants ................................................................... 28
3rd and 4th Annual ESC/BRC Graduate Research Forum .................................................. ...30
Global Change Teachers' Institute- ………………………………………………………………32
AERC membership and meeting .......................................................................................... 35
USFS PASS class - Spring 2007 .......................................................................................... 36
Facing the Future Meeting. ................................................................................................. 37
This document summarizes the activities of the Ecosystem
Science Center for the period from July 1, 2006 ─ May 1, 2008.
2
Introduction to ESC – A Message from the Director
The Ecosystem Science Center completed its fourth year with some major changes and
accomplishments. The center has continued to promote ecosystem science by supporting educational
experiences for forest industry professionals, high school teachers, and especially our own graduate and
undergraduate students. This year we took on a new project to promote connections between our
faculty and other institutions overseas with a new faculty exchange initiative.
Our research activity and expenditures rank us as one of the top centers and institutes on campus. We
have continued our popular graduate student research forum, as well as research and travel grants for
several graduate and undergraduate students. Many of our graduate students traveled to professional
meetings such as the annual meeting of the Ecological Society of America and the Midwest Fish and
Wildlife Conference. We continued our support for the popular Distinguished Ecologist Lecture Series,
and our members hosted a very successful Global Change Teacher’s Institute, which attracted middle
and high school teachers from around the country.
A major change occurred at ESC this year as I became ESC director, as former director; Kurt Pregitzer
moved to the University of Nevada-Reno. We thank Kurt for his vision in establishing ESC and we
look forward to continuing to promote excellence in ecosystem science and education at Michigan
Tech. We hope you enjoy the report and look forward to seeing you at one of our ESC-sponsored
coffee breaks on Friday mornings during the academic year. Please feel free to contact me if you have
any questions about the report or the Center.
Dave Karnosky
Professor & Director
Ecosystem Science Center
School of Forest Resources & Environmental Science Michigan Tech University
1400 Townsend Drive
Houghton, MI 49931 USA
karnosky@mtu.edu
phone: 906-487-2898
3
ESC Members & Focus Area
Andrew Burton, Research Associate Professor, Director of the Midwest
Center of the National Institute for Climatic Change Research
Research Interests:
Forest responses to global change factors
Belowground processes
Carbon and nutrient cycling
Physiological ecology of tree roots
Undergraduate involvement in research
Rod Chimner, Assistant Professor
Research Interests:
Applied wetland ecology
Riparian and wetland restoration
Peat lands
Mountain wetlands
Tropical peat lands
Ecosystem carbon cycling
Wetland ecohydrology
Jennifer Eikenberry, Assistant Research Scientist
Research Interests:
Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (RIMS). Gas Chromatography(GC), High Pressure
Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), Total Organic Carbon analysis (TOC analyzer),
Elemental Analysis.
David Flaspohler, Associate Professor
Research Interests:
Avian ecology
Conservation biology
Community and population ecology
4
Jacqualine Grant, Assistant Professor
Research Interests:
Landscape ecology / Conservation biology
Molecular ecology
Herpetology
Behavioral ecology
Ecological genetics
Robert Froese, Assistant Professor
Research Interests:
Forest vegetation simulation modeling
Site quality estimation based on tree physiology
Applied statistics for resource analysis and modeling
Measurement error statistical models
Marty Jurgensen, Professor
Research Interests:
Forest soil productivity, management and sustainability
Global climate change impact on soil biology
Organic matter decomposition and ecosystem nutrient cycling
Dave Karnosky, Professor , Director of the ESC
Research Interests:
Genetic and genomic aspects of air pollution and climate change
Larch breeding and hybridization
Genetic and genomic aspects of yield and carbon sequestration
Improvement of West African mahoganies
Erik Lilleskov, Research Ecologist – USDA Forest Service
Research Interests:
Relationship between ecosystem attributes and microbial community
structure and function
Mechanisms that structure mycorrhizal communities at the stand level
Spatial structure of ectomycorrhizal fungal communities
Nutrient availability alterations of mycorrhizal communities
5
Linda Nagel, Associate Professor
Research Interests:
Silviculture and forest vegetation dynamics
Ecophysiology of forest stand structures
Management of invasive species
Rolf Peterson, Professor
Research Interests:
Ecology and population dynamics of mammals
Carnivore ecology
Predator-prey relationships
Wolf-prey dynamics and other ecological studies at Isle Royal National Park
Tom Pypker, Assistant Professor
Research Interests:
Forest Hydrology
Micrometeorology
Ecohydrology
Carbon Cycling
Stable isotopes
Sigrid Resh, Adjunct Assistant Professor
Research Interests:
Forest ecology
Nutrient cycling
Carbon cycling
Soil nutrient dynamics
Andrew Storer, Associate Professor
Research Interests:
Forest insect ecology
Insect/fungus/plant interactions in forest ecosystems
Impacts of exotic species on forest ecosystems
Interactions among fire, insects and disease on forest ecosystems
6
Chris Swanston, Research Ecologist – USDA Forest Service
Research Interests:
Below ground processes in nutrient cycling
Carbon cycling in forested systems
Catherine Tarasoff, Adjunct Assistant Professor
Research Interests:
Invasive plant ecology
Applied restoration ecology
Coordinator of Invasive Species Network for the upper Midwest
John Vucetich, Assistant Professor
Research Interests:
Demographic and genetic aspects of population biology
Conservation of endangered and recovering species
Ecological modeling
Trophic interactions
Wildlife biology
Chris Webster, Assistant Professor
Research Interests:
Plant community ecology
Ecology of invasive species
Forest stand dynamics, and silviculture
Ecological restoration
7
ESC Staff
Jill Fisher
Program Manager
906 487 3564
jhfisher@mtu.edu
Trish Burton
Financial Manager
906 487 3564
trish@mtu.edu
Carrie Richards
Web Manager
906 487 3148
carrie@mtu.edu
For more information or to see past annual reports, visit our website at:
http://ecosystem.mtu.edu/
8
John Vucetich preparing to access one of his research sites on Isle Royale
FY07
ESC Financial Synopsis
ESC
Centers/Institutes
at MTU (17 total)
Number of Awards:
35
308
Award Amount:
$6,132,874
$34,335,846
Number of Projects:
48
404
FY07 Expenditures:
$5,268,074
$30,367,994
Members of the ESC submitted 48 proposals in FY07, of which 33 were funded for a funding
rate of 69%.
July 1,2007-May 1, 2008
ESC Financial Synopsis
ESC
Number of Awards:
30
Award Amount:
$3,761,526
Official numbers for research centers will not be available until early fall 2008 and will include
the full fiscal year ending June 30th. The following table summarizes all active grants during
FY07 and FY08 through April.
9
ESC Active Awards FY07- May 1, 2008
Name
PI, Co-PI(s)
Sponsor
Name
Burton,
A.J.
University of Nevada-Reno
From Genes to Ecosystems: Mechanisms
Controlling Long-Term Ecosystem Response to
Nitrogen Deposition
Burton,
A.J.
University of Nevada-Reno
Ecosystem response to Elevated Tropospheric
CO2 and O3 is Regulated by Plant-Microbe
Interactions in Soil
Burton,
A.J.
US Dept of Energy
Burton,
A.J.
US Dept of Energy
Burton,
A.J.
USDA Forest Service
Chimner,
R.
Chimner,
R.
US Dept of Agriculture
US Dept of Interior
Project Title
Midwestern Regional Center of the National
Institute for Climatic Change Research
Subs:RFP01-3rd yr, RFP02 2nd yr, RFP03 1st yr
Midwestern Regional Center of the National
Institute for Climatic Change Research:
Admin year 3
Analysis of Weevils for Carbon and Nitrogen
Stable Isotopes
Developing Methods for Restoring Fens in the
San Juan National Forest, Colorado
Analyze Water Isotopes to Determine Impacts of
Burning in Mesic Burr Oak Forest
Measuring the Value of Fish and Wildlife Habitat
Restoration on Northern Wisconsin Lakes: The
Wisconsin Lakeshore Restoration Project
Start Date
End Date
Award Amount
6/15/07
8/31/08
$117,978
8/14/07
$48,162
6/15/07
8/14/08
$93,721
12/1/07
11/30/08
$1,456,035
12/1/07
11/30/08
$200,000
4/1/08
6/30/09
$1,000
2/23/07
12/30/09
$17,499
6/21/07
4/1/10
$17,059
7/1/06
6/30/08
$47,601
6/15/07
Flaspohler,
D.J.
Wisconsin DNR
Flaspohler,
D.J.
Cornell University
Golden-Winged Warbler Conservation Initiative
5/1/07
8/30/08
$15,000
Flaspohler,
D.J.
US Dept of Agriculture
The Influence of Residential Development on
Near shore Forest and Aquatic Ecosystems
10/1/07
9/30/08
$7,000
10
ESC Active Awards FY07- May 1, 2008– continued
Name
PI, Co-PI(s)
Sponsor
Name
Flaspohler,
D.J.
Ruffed Grouse Society
Froese, R
Detroit Edison
Froese, R.,
Hyslop, M.
Michigan State University
Land Policy Program
Froese, R
USDA Forest Service
Froese, R.
Wolverine Power
Cooperative
Froese, R.
Project Title
Optimizing Both Habitat Quality for
Conservation-Concern Bird Species and Tree
Productivity in Aspen Forests in the Great Lakes
Region
Feasibility Study: Managing Carbon in
Michigan's Upper Peninsula
The Role of Corporate Timberland Ownership
Change in Land Use, Conservation, & Local
Prosperity in Michigan's Upper Peninsula
Extending Structural Based Prediction and
Regional Soil Parent Material Maps to the
Prognosis Mortality Model
Biomass Co-Firing for the Wolverine Clean
Energy Venture
Start Date
End Date
Award Amount
1/1/08
12/31/09
$6,000
12/01/05
09/30/06
$27,910
03/01/06
09/30/07
$50,000
10/1/06
9/30/07
$7,000
8/18/07
5/31/08
$83,948
US Dept of Agriculture
Decision Support for Biomass Production in
Northern Forests
10/1/07
9/30/08
$7,000
Froese, R.
Wolverine Power
Cooperative
Energy Crop Trials for the Wolverine Clean
Energy Venture
2/1/08
1/31/09
$39,298
Jurgensen,
M.F.
US Dept of Agriculture
Develop Forest Plan Soil Quality Monitoring
Protocols and Validate in Region 1
6/16/06
12/31/08
$15,000
06/16/06
12/31/08
$141,190
7/2/03
12/31/06
$10,000
8/29/05
5/15/08
$40,000
Jurgensen,
M.F.
US Dept of Agriculture
Jurgensen,
M.F.
US Dept of Agriculture
Retention and Recruitment of Coarse Woody
Debris in High and Low Gradient Streams in
Managed and Old Growth Forests
Interactions of Soil Phosphorus, Fumigation,
Soil Bulk Density, and Ectomycorrhizal
Colonization on Jack Pine Seedling Growth at
the James W. Tourney Nursery in Watersmeet,
Michigan
11
ESC Active Awards FY07- May 1, 2008– continued
Name
PI, Co-PI(s)
Sponsor
Name
Project Title
Start Date
End Date
Award
Amount
Jurgensen,
M.F.
US Dept of Agriculture
Validation of Soil Monitoring Methods and their
Relationship to Vegetative Growth and Belowground
Processes
8/22/07
8/22/07
8/22/07
12/31/09
12/31/09
12/31/09
$45,000
$150,000
$25,000
Jurgensen,
M.F.
US Dept of Agriculture
Harvesting Effects on Residual Stand Growth and the
Inherent Productive Capacity of Soils
10/1/07
9/30/08
$10,920
USDA McIntire-Stennis
Impacts of Interacting Atmospheric CO2 and O3 on
Northern Forest Ecosystems
10/1/06
9/30/07
$7,000
10/1/07
9/30/08
$7,000
4/1/07
3/31/08
$1,592,273
4/1/08
3/31/09
$1,108,180
4/1/07
3/31/08
$55,993
7/1/07
6/30/08
$39,000
Karnosky,
D. F.
Impacts of Elevated CO2 and O3 Alone and in
Combination, on the Structure and Functioning of a
Northern Forest Ecosystem: Operating the Aspen FACE
User Facility
An Integrated Functional Genomics Consortium to
Increase Carbon Sequestration in Poplars: Completing
Transcriptomic Analyses
Karnosky,
D.F.
US Dept of Energy
Karnosky,
D.F.
US Dept of Energy
Karnosky,
D.F.
Michigan Technological
University
REF- IE - Expanding the capability of the isotope facility in
the Ecosystem Science Center
Karnosky,
D. C.J.
Tsai
US Dept of Energy
An Integrated Functional Genomics Consortium to
Increase Carbon Sequestration in Poplars: Optimizing
Aboveground Carbon Gain
04/01/06
03/31/07
$316,393
Karnosky,
D.F.
US Dept of Agriculture
Starting the Second Decade: Operating the Aspen FACE
Experiment
5/16/06
4/24/11
$29,999
Nagel. L.
USDA McIntire-Stennis
Diameter Distributions of Northern Hardwoods Across
Spatial Scales
10/01/05
09/30/06
$7000
12
ESC Active Awards FY07- May 1, 2008– continued
Name
PI, Co-PI(s)
Sponsor
Name
Project Title
Start Date
End Date
Award
Amount
Nagel. L.
US Dept of Agriculture
Certified Silviculturist Program of the US Forest Service
Ecological Systems Course
2/9/07
2/8/08
$102,116
Nagel. L.
USDA Forest Service
A proposal to Conduct the Lake States Silviculture Short
Course of the USDA PASS
3/23/06
8/31/06
$37,564
Nagel, L.
US Dept of Agriculture
Assessment of Control Methods for Glossy Buckthorn
2/6/06
1/1/07
$5,000
Nagel. L.
US Dept of Agriculture
National Advanced Silviculture Program II of the US
Forest Service, Ecological Systems Course
2/9/07
9/30/09
$104,915
Nagel. L.
USDA McIntire-Stennis
Vegetation Dynamics of Underrepresented Species in the
Great Lakes Region
10/1/07
9/30/08
$7,000
Nagel, L.
US Dept of Agriculture
National Advanced Silviculture Program II of the US
Forest Service, Ecological Systems Course
2/9/07
9/30/2009
$104,915
Peterson,
R.O.
Michigan Dept of Natural
Resources
Ecology of the gray wolf in Michigan
10/1/06
6/30/08
$26,000
Peterson,
R., J.
Vucetich
Wolf/Moose Population Monitoring, Isle Royale National
Park, 2005-2010
01/01/05
09/30/10
$26,600
US Dept of Interior
02/07/06
12/31/10
$36,600
13
ESC Active Awards FY07- May 1, 2008– continued
Name
PI, Co-PI(s)
Sponsor
Name
Project Title
Start Date
End Date
Award
Amount
Pregitzer,
Kurt S.
US Dept of Energy
Midwestern Regional Center, National Institute for Climate
Change Research- Subs: RFP01 1st yr
12/1/05
11/30/07
$597,967
Pregitzer,
Kurt S.
National Science
Foundation
From Genes to Ecosystems: Mechanisms Controlling
Long-Term Ecosystem Response to Nitrogen Deposition
9/15/06
8/31/08
$590,001
Pregitzer,
Kurt S.
Ecosystem Response to Elevated Tropospheric CO2 and
O3 is Regulated by Plant - Microbe Interactions in Soil
8/10/06
6/15/07
$188,880
University of Michigan
01/15/94
12/31/06
$269,358
Pregitzer,
Kurt S.
US Dept of Energy
Midwestern Regional Center of the National Institute for
Climatic Change Research- Subs:RFP01-2nd yr, RFP02
1st yr
12/1/05
11/30/07
$1,521,231
Pregitzer,
K.
Using Stable Isotopes to Determine the Rate and Fate of
Canopy CO2 Flux in the Aspen FACE Experiment
08/02/05
09/30/09
$35,000
US Dept of Agriculture
08/02/05
09/30/09
$30,000
Pregitzer,
K.
07/02/03
06/18/08
$20,004
US Dept of Agriculture
07/02/03
06/18/08
$10,000
Pregitzer,
K., A.
Burton
National Science
Foundation
Nitrogen Saturation: Mechanisms and Consequences of
Altered Ecosystem Metabolism
09/01/03
08/31/06
$210,000
09/01/03
08/31/06
$6,000
Pregitzer,
K., C.
Giardina,
W. Loya
North Carolina State
University
Effects of Down-and Up-Regulated Lignin Biosynthesis of
Populus on Soil Carbon Transformation and Storage
03/01/04
03/31/07
$166,330
Woody Plants, Carbon Allocation & Fine Roots
14
ESC Active Awards FY07- May 1, 2008– continued
Name
PI, Co-PI(s)
Sponsor
Name
Pregitzer,
K.
US Dept of Agriculture
Pregitzer,
K.
US Dept of Agriculture
Pregitzer,
K.. A.
Burton
Pregitzer,
K.. A.
Burton
Project Title
Soil Carbon Cycling and Storage in Response to Elevated
Tropospheric CO2 and 03 at the Aspen FACE Experiment
Stable Isotope Analysis to Elucidate the Physiological
Basis of Silvicultural Treatment Response in Great Lakes
Pine Ecosystems
Start Date
End Date
Award
Amount
07/01/05
06/30/10
$39,000
08/02/05
09/30/09
$35,000
US Dept of Energy
Midwestern Regional Center of the National Institute for
Climatic Change Research-Subs: Admin yrs 1&2
12/01/05
11/30/07
$399,999
US Dept of Energy
Midwestern Regional Center of the National Institute for
Climatic Change Research-Subs: NIGEC carryovers,
12/01/05
11/30/07
$1,191,667
08/01/03
08/01/03
09/30/06
09/30/06
$122,500
$129,765
4/1/06
3/31/08
$131,618
4/24/06
6/30/07
$30,000
4/1/06
12/31/07
$16,000
3/1/06
6/30/07
$5,300
9/8/06
6/14/11
$5,000
7/1/03
1/31/08
$2,000
4/1/07
6/30/08
$392,790
4/1/07
7/31/08
$39,365
Storer, A.
US Dept of Agriculture
Storer, A.
US Dept of Agriculture
Storer, A.
Wisconsin DNR
Storer, A.
US Dept of Agriculture
Storer, A.
US Dept of Agriculture
Storer, A.
US Dept of Agriculture
Storer, A.
US Dept of Agriculture
Storer, A.
US Dept of Agriculture
Storer, A.
US Dept of Agriculture
Monitoring and Evaluating Health of Ash Trees in
Michigan's Rural Forests
Multistate Comparison of Emerald Ash Borer Trapping
and Survey Tools
Detection Survey for Emerald Ash Borer on State Land in
Wisconsin
Evaluation of Public Awareness of Issues Relating to
Movement of Firewood and the Exotic Emerald Ash Borer
2006 Michigan and Northern Wisconsin Emerald Ash
Borer Detection Survey
Effect of Invasive Earthworms On Ecosystem Function,
Forest Health and Biodiversity in Northern Hardwood and
Hemlock Forest Ecosystems
Distinguished Ecologist Lecture Series
2007 Michigan and Wisconsin Emerald Ash Borer
Detection Survey
Determination of the Impact of Emerald Ash Borer in Core
Areas - Developing a Catalog of Live Trees
15
ESC Active Awards FY07- May 1, 2008– continued
Name
PI, Co-PI(s)
Sponsor
Name
Storer, A.
US Dept of Agriculture
Storer, A.
US Dept of Agriculture
Storer, A.,
L. Nagel
Storer, A.,
E. Lilleskov,
D. Richter
US Dept of Agriculture
Huron Mountain Wildlife
Foundation
Storer, A.
US Dept of Agriculture
Storer, A.,
L. Nagel
US Dept of Agriculture
Storer, A.
US Dept of Agriculture
Storer, A.
US Dept of Agriculture
Storer, A.
US Dept of Agriculture APHIS
Storer, A.
WI DNR
Storer, A.
US Dept of Agriculture
Storer, A.
US Dept of Agriculture
Storer, A.
US Dept of Agriculture
Storer, A.
USDA McIntire-Stennis
Project Title
Living with Emerald Ash Borer: Refinement of Trap Tree
Technologies
2007 Ash Damage Survey - Ground Evaluation of Aerial
Imagery
Interactions Among Prescribed Fire, Mechanical
Treatments, Insect Pests and Pathogens in Red Pine
Effect of Invasive Earthworms on Soil Carbon and
Biodiversity of Northern Hardwood and Hemlock Forest
Ecosystems
Michigan and Northern Wisconsin Emerald Ash Borer
Detection Survey 2005
Modeling Phloem Removal from Ash Stands to Reduce
the Density of Emerald Ash Borer While Maximizing
Genetic Diversity of Ash
2006 Michigan and Northern Wisconsin Emerald Ash
Borer Detection Survey
Evaluation of Public Awareness of Issues Relating to
Movement of Firewood and the Exotic Emerald Ash Borer
Multistate Comparison of Emerald Ash Borer Trapping
and Survey Tools
Detection Survey for Emerald Ash Borer on State Land in
Wisconsin
Identification of wood and bark infesting beetle species
caught in Sirex woodwasp detection traps in Michigan
Demonstration Plots of Implementation of Ash Phloem
Model
2007 Detection Survey for Sirex Noctilio in Michigan Supplement
Interactions among fire, insects and fungi in coniferous
ecosystems
Start Date
End Date
Award
Amount
4/1/07
8/31/08
$81,330
5/15/07
8/31/08
$60,999
04/01/04
04/03/06
04/01/04
12/31/08
12/31/08
12/31/05
$30,106
$28,999
$5,059
04/01/06
03/31/07
$4,380
03/01/05
06/30/06
$359,205
03/01/05
04/30/07
$109,208
03/01/06
06/30/07
$367,568
04/01/06
06/30/07
$34,952
04/01/06
03/31/08
$131,617
04/24/06
06/30/06
$20,000
06/01/06
05/31/07
$6000
3/1/05
12/31/09
$117,877
4/1/07
6/30/08
$20,065
10/1/07
9/30/07
$7,000
16
ESC Active Awards FY07- May 1, 2008– continued
Name
PI, Co-PI(s)
Sponsor
Name
Project Title
Start Date
End Date
Awarded
Amount
3/1/05
12/31/09
$117,877
11/15/04
12/31/06
$490,154
9/15/06
8/31/07
$89,999
1/1/05
12/31/10
$36,600
National Science
Foundation
National Science
Foundation
Demonstration Plots of Implementation of Ash Phloem
Model
A Functional Genomics Approach to Investigate
Regulation of Phenolic Glycoside Metabolism in Populus
Yellowstone Wolves: Their Ecology and Community
Consequences
US Dept of Interior
Wolf-Moose Monitoring, Isle Royale National Park
Vucetich, J.
Peterson,
R.
National Science
Foundation
LTREB: Multi-Level Trophic Dynamics of Wolves, Moose,
and Vegetation
08/15/99
07/31/11
$90,000
8/1/04
7/31/12
$90,001
Vucetich,
J..A.
USDA McIntire-Stennis
Wolf/Moose Population Monitoring, Isle Royale National
Park
10/1/06
9/30/07
$7,000
10/1/07
9/30/08
$7,000
Storer, A.
Tsai, C.J.
Vucetich,
J. A.
Vucetich,
J. A.
US Dept of Agriculture
Webster, C
Keweenaw Community
Forest Company
Mesic Conifer Restoration Monitoring
06/01/05
05/31/06
$2,457
Webster, C
Research Planning, Inc.
Modeling Biomass Recovery Following an Oil Fire at
Obed Wild & Scenic River
08/08/05
12/31/05
$5,046
10/01/05
09/30/06
$7,000
USDA McIntire-Stennis
Restoration of Underrepresented Trees and Shrubs in the
Western Upper Peninsula of Michigan
10/1/06
9/30/07
$7,000
10/1/07
9/30/08
$7,000
Senior Design: Gratiot Lake Conservancy
1/1/05
12/31/06
$1,000
Senior Design: 2005 Bete Gris and 2006 Bruneau Project
1/1/05
12/31/06
$1,000
Forestry and Land Management Consultation for the
Huron Mountain Club
4/2/07
11/30/07
$11,000
Webster, C
Webster, C
Webster, C
Webster, C
Keweenaw Community
Forest Company
Keweenaw Community
Forest Company
Forest Guild
17
ESC Active Awards FY07- May 1, 2008– continued
Name
PI, Co-PI(s)
Sponsor
Name
Webster, C
US Dept of Agriculture
Webster, C
US Dept of Interior
Project Title
Stable Isotope Analysis to Elucidate the Physiological
Basis of Silvicultural Treatment Response in Great Lakes
Pine Ecosystems
Determine the Impacts of Aluminum Toxicity and Calcium
Loss on Threatened High Elevation Spruce-Fir
Start Date
End Date
Awarded
Amount
8/2/05
9/30/09
$15,000
7/1/07
7/1/09
$27,146
18
ESC Member Publications
from July 1, 2006 through May 1, 2008
Note that ESC faculty members are bolded and ESC supported graduate students are
underlined.
Burton, A.J., and K.S. Pregitzer. (in press). Measuring forest floor, mineral soil, and root carbon stocks.
Chap. 10 In R. Birdsey and C. Hoover (eds). Handbook of Measurements for Landscape Scale
Carbon Monitoring. Springer.
Busse, M.D., M.F. Jurgensen, D.S..Page-Dumroese, and R.F. Powers. 2007. Contribution of actinorhizal
shrubs to site fertility in a northern California mixed pine forest. Forest Ecology and Management 244:
68 – 75.
Calfapietra, C., A.E. Wiberley, T.G. Falbel, A.R. Linskey, G. Scarascia-Mugnozza, D.F. Karnosky, F. Loreto,
and T.D. Sharkey. 2007. Isoprene synthase expression and protein levels are reduced under
elevated O3 but not under elevated CO2 (FACE) in field-grown aspen trees. Plant Cell Environ.
30:654-661.
Chimner, R.A. and J.M. Karberg. 2008. Long-term carbon accumulation in tropical mountain peatlands,
Andes Mountains, Ecuador. Mires and Peat 3: Art. 4. (Online: http://www.mires-andpeat.net/map03/map_03_04.htm).
Darbah, J.N.T., M.E. Kubiske, N. Nelson, E. Oksanen, E. Vapaavuori, and D.F. Karnosky. 2007. Impacts of
elevated atmospheric CO2 and O3 on paper birch (Betula papyrifera): reproductive fitness. The
Scientific World Journal 7(S1):240-246.
Darbah, J.N.T, M.E. Kubiske, N. Nelson, E. Oksanen, E. Vapaavuori, and D.F. Karnosky. 2008. Effects of
decadal exposure to interacting CO2 and/or O3 on paper birch (Betula papyrifera) reproduction.
Environmental Pollution (In press) DOI 10.1016/jenvpol.2008.01.033.
19
Flaspohler, D.J., C. Webster, and R. Froese. (In press) Bioenergy, Biomass, and Biodiversity: A review of
key issues for terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Chapter 7 in Renewable energy from forest
resources in the United States, B. Solomon and V. Luzadis, eds.
Griggs, J.A., J.H. Rock, C.R. Webster, and M.A. Jenkins. 2006. Vegetative legacy of a protected deer herd in
Cades Cove, Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Natural Areas Journal 26: 126-136.
Janowiak, M.K., L.M. Nagel, and C.R. Webster. (in press). Spatial scale and stand structure: implications for
quantifying diameter distributions in northern hardwood forests. Forest Science.
Jenkins, M.A., C.R. Webster, and J.H. Rock. 2007. Effects of chronic herbivory and historic land use on
population structure of a forest perennial, Trillium catesbaei. Applied Vegetation Science 19: 441-450.
Karnosky, D.F., J.M. Skelly, K.E. Percy, and A.H. Chappelka. 2007. Perspectives regarding 50 years of
research on effects of tropospheric ozone air pollution on U.S. Forests. Environ. Pollut. 147:489-506.
Karnosky, D.F., M. Tallis, J. Darbah, and G. Taylor. 2007. Direct effects of elevated CO2 on forest tree
productivity. In: Freer-Smith, P.H., Broadmeadow, M.S.J. and Lynch, J.M. (eds), Forestry and
Climate Change. CABI Publishing.
Karnosky, D.F., H. Werner, T. Holopainen, K. Percy, T. Oksanen, E. Oksanen, C. Heerdt, P. Fabian, J.
Nagy, W. Heilman, R. Cox, N. Nelson, and R. Matyssek. 2007. Free-air exposure systems to scale
up ozone research to mature trees. Plant Biology 9:181-190.
King, J.S., C.P. Giardina, K.S. Pregitzer, and A.L. Friend. 2007. Biomass partitioning in red pine (Pinus
resinosa Ait.) along a chronosequence in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Canadian Journal of
Forest Research 37(1):93-102.
Kubiske, M.E., V.S. Quinn, P.E. Marquardt, and D.F. Karnosky. 2007. Effects of elevated CO2 and/or O3 on
intra- and interspecific competitive ability of aspen. Plant Biology 9:342-355.
Marshall, J.M., and A.J. Storer. 2006. Influence of Centaurea biebersteinii patch size on Urophora
quadrifasciata (Dipt. Tephritidae) in Michigan. USA Journal of Applied Entomology 130 (2): 91-95.
Monson, K., N. Trahan, T.N. Rosenstiel, P. Veres, D. Moore, M. Wilkinson, R.J. Norby, A. Volder, M.G.
Tjoelker, D.D. Briske, D.F. Karnosky, and R. Fall. 2007. Isoprene emission from terrestrial
ecosystems in response to global change: minding the gap between models and observations. 2007.
Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society 365:1677-1695.
Moser, W.K., M.H. Hansen, M.D. Nelson, S.J. Cocker, C.H. Perry, B. Schulz, C.W. Woodall, L.M. Nagel and
M.E. Mielke. 2007. After the Blowdown: A Resource Assessment of the Boundary Waters Canoe
Area Wilderness, 1999-2003. USDA Forest Service GTR NRS-7, 63p.
Moyano, F.E., O.K. Atkin, M. Bahn, D. Bruhn, A.J. Burton, A. Heinemeyer, W. Kutsch, and G. Wieser. (in
press). Respiration from roots and the associated microorganisms. Chap. 6 In W. Kutsch, A.
Heinemeier and M. Bahn (eds). Soil Carbon Flux Measurements: An Integrated Methodololgy.
Cambridge University Press.
Nagel, L.M., R.G. Corace and A.J. Storer. 2008. An experimental approach to testing the efficacy of
management treatments for glossy buckthorn (Frangula alnus) at Seney National Wildlife Refuge,
Upper Michigan. Ecological Restoration. 26: 136-142
Neuendorff, J.K., L.M. Nagel, C.R. Webster and M.K. Janowiak. 2007. Stand structure and composition in a
northern hardwood forest after 40 years of single-tree selection. Northern Journal of Applied Forestry
24(3):197-202.
O’Hara, K.L. and L.M. Nagel. 2006. A Functional comparison of productivity in even-aged and multiaged
stands: a synthesis for Pinus ponderosa. Forest Science 52(3):290-303.
Opuni-Frimpong, E., D.F. Karnosky, A.J. Storer and J.R. Cobbinah. 2007. Key roles of leaves, stockplant
age and auxin concentration in vegetative propagation of two African mahoganies: Khaya anthotheca
Welw. and Khaya ivorensis A. Chev. New Forests (In press) Published on line (DOE
10.1007/S11056-008-9087-6)
20
Opuni-Frimpong, E., D.F. Karnosky, A.J. Storer, E.A. Abeney and J.R. Cobbinah. 2008. Relative
susceptibility of four species of African mahogany to the shoot borer Hypsipyla robusta (Lepidoptera:
Pyralidae) in the moist semideciduous forest of Ghana. Gorest Ecology and Management 255: 313319.
Opuni-Frimpong, E., D.F. Karnosky, A.J. Storer and J.R. Cobbinah. 2008. Silvicultural systems for
plantation mahogany in Africa: Influences of canopy shade on tree growth and pest damage. Forest
Ecology and Management 255:328:333.
Page-Dumroese, D.S. and M.F. Jurgensen. 2006. Soil carbon and nitrogen pools in mid- to late-successional
forest stands of the northwestern United States: potential impact of fire. Canadian Journal of Forest
Research 36: 2270 - 2284.
Paoletti, E., A. Bytnerowicz, C. Andersen, A. Augustaitis, M. Ferretti, N. Grulke, M.S. Günthardt-Goerg, J.
Innes, D. Johnson, D. Karnosky, J. Luangjame, R. Matyssek, S. McNulty, G. Müller-Starck, R.
Musselman, and K. Percy. 2007. Impacts of air pollution and climate change on forest ecosystems –
emerging research needs. The Scientific World Journal 7(S1):1-8.
Percy, K.E., M. Nosal, W. Heilman, T. Dann, A.H. Legge, J. Sober, and D.F. Karnosky. 2007. New
exposure-based metric approach for evaluating O3 risk to North American aspen forests.
Environmental Pollution 147:554-566.
Percy, K.E. and D.F. Karnosky. 2007. Air quality in natural areas: interface between the public, science and
regulation. Environmental Pollution. 149:256-267.
Pokharel, B. and R.E. Froese. 2008. Evaluating alternative implementations of the Lake States FVS
diameter increment model. Forest Ecology and Management, 255 (5-6), 1759-1771.
Potvin, M.J., D. Beyer, T.D. Drummer, R.O. Peterson, J.A. Vucetich, & J. Hammill. 2006. Monitoring and
habitat analysis for wolves in Upper Michigan. Journal of Wildlife Management. 69(4):16601669.
Powers, M.D. and L.M. Nagel. (in press). Disturbance dynamics influence Pennsylvania sedge abundance in
a northern hardwood forest. Journal of the Torrey Botanical Society.
Pregitzer, K.S., A.J. Burton, D.R. Zak, and A.F. Talhelm. (in press). Simulated chronic nitrogen deposition
increases carbon storage in northern temperate forests. Global Change Biology
Pregitzer, K.S., D.R. Zak, W.M. Loya, N.J. Karberg, J.S. King and A.J. Burton. 2007. The contribution of
root – rhizosphere interactions to biogeochemical cycles in a changing world. Chapter 7. p. 155-178
In Z. Cardon and J. Whitbeck (eds). The Rhizosphere: An Ecological Perspective, Elsevier
Academic Press, San Diego.
Riikonen, J., K. Kets, J. Darbah, E. Oksanen, A. Sober, E. Vapaavuori, M.E. Kubiske, N. Nelson, and D.F.
Karnosky. 2008. Carbon gain and bud physiology in Populus tremuloides and Betula papyrifera
grown under long-term exposure to elevated concentrations of CO2 and O3. Tree Physiology 28:243254.
Rosemier, J., and D.J. Flaspohler. 2006. Island-specific ecological release of small mammals in Lake
Michigan and potential consequences for ground-nesting birds. George Wright Forum. (4)24-32.
Shields, J.M., C.R. Webster, and L.M. Nagel. 2007. Factors influencing tree species diversity and Betula
alleghaniensis establishment in silvicultural openings. Forestry 80 (3): 293-307.
Shields, J.M., C.R. Webster, and J. Glime. 2007. Bryophyte community response to silvicultural opening size
in a managed northern hardwood forest. Forest Ecology and Management 252:222-229.
Shields, J.M. and C.R. Webster. 2007. Ground-layer response to group selection with legacy tree retention in
a managed northern hardwood forest. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 37: 1797-1807.
Shields, J.M., C.R. Webster, and A.J. Storer. 2008. Short-term community-level response of arthropods to
group selection with seed-tree retention in a northern hardwood forest. Forest Ecology and
Management 255: 129-139.
21
Smemo, K.A., D.R. Zak, K.S. Pregitzer, and A.J. Burton. 2007. Characteristics of DOC exports from
northern hardwood forests receiving chronic experimental NO3- deposition. Ecosystems 10:369-379.
Snively, M. and D. Flaspohler. 2006. A Comparative Study of Cadmium and Copper in Ruffed Grouse
(Bonasa umbellus) in regions with and without historic mining. Ecotoxicology and Environmental
Safety 65:165-170.
Taylor, G., M.J. Tallis, C. Giardina, K.E. Percy, F. Miglietta, P.S. Gupta, B. Bioti, C. Calfapietra, B. Gielen,
M.E. Kubiske, G.E. Scarascia-Mugnozza, K. Kets, S.P. Long, and D.F. Karnosky. 2008. Future
atmospheric CO2 leads to delayed autumnal senescence in Populus over two continents. Global
Change Biol. 14:264-275.
Theberge J.A., M.T. Theberge, J.A. Vucetich, & P.C. Paquet. 2006. Pitfalls of applying adaptive
management to a wolf population in Algonquin Provincial Park , Ontario . Journal of Environmental
Management, 37(4):451-60.
Van Diepen, L.T.A., E.A. Lilleskov, K.S. Pregitzer, R.M. Miller. 2007. Decline of arbuscular mycorrhizal
fungi in northern hardwood forests exposed to chronic nitrogen additions. New Phytologist 176: 175183.
Vucetich, J.A., M.P. Nelson, and M.K. Phillips. 2006. The normative dimension and legal meaning of
‘endangered’ and ‘recovery’ within the United States ’ Endangered Species Act. Conservation
Biology. (20)5: 1383-1390.
Wangen, S.R., and C.R. Webster. 2006. Potential for multiple lag phases during biotic invasions:
reconstructing an invasion of the exotic tree Acer platanoides. Journal of Applied Ecology 43: 258268.
Wangen, S.R, C.R. Webster, and J.A. Griggs. 2006. Spatial characteristics of the invasion of Acer
platanoides on a temperate forested island. Biological Invasions 8:1001-1012.
Webster, C.R., and N.R. Jensen. 2007. A shift in the gap dynamics of Betula alleghaniensis in response to
single-tree selection. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 37: 682-689.
Webster, C.R., M.A. Jenkins, and S. Jose. 2006. Woody invaders and the challenges they pose to forest
ecosystems in the eastern United States. Journal of Forestry 104 (7): 366-374.
Webster, C.R., C.J. Huckins, and J.M Shields. 2008. Spatial distribution of riparian zone coarse woody
debris in a managed northern temperate watershed. American Midland Naturalist 159: 225-237.
Webster, C.R., J.H. Rock, R.E. Froese, and M.A. Jenkins (in press). Drought-herbivory interaction disrupts
competitive displacement of native plants by Microstegium vimineum, 10 year results. Oecologia
Webster, C.R. and M.A. Jenkins. (in press). Age structure and spatial patterning of Trillium populations in
old-growth forests. Plant Ecology (DOI: 10.1007/s11258-008-9410-5)
Wilmers, C.C., E.S. Post, R.O. Peterson, & J.A. Vucetich. 2006. Disease mediated switch from top-down to
bottom-up control exacerbates climatic effects on moose population dynamics. Ecology Letters 9:
383-389.
Woodall, C.W. and L.M. Nagel. 2006. Coarse woody type: A new method for analyzing coarse woody debris
and forest change. Forest Ecology and Management 227:115-121
Woodall, C.W. and L.M. Nagel. 2007. Downed woody fuel loading dynamics of a large-scale blowdown in
northern Minnesota, U.S.A. Forest Ecology and Management 247:194-199.
Zak, D.R., W.E. Holmes, M.J. Tomlinson, K.S. Pregitzer, and A.J. Burton. 2006. Microbial cycling of C and
N in northern hardwood forests receiving chronic atmospheric NO3- deposition. Ecosystems 9:242253.
22
ESC
Activities:
Weekly ESC sponsored coffees
ESC/BRC Graduate Research Forum
Global Climate Change Teachers Institute
23
Distinguished Ecologist Lecture Series – Fall 2006
Michigan Technological University, the USDA Forest Service - North Central Research
Station, the Ecosystem Science Center, and the Graduate School supported the Distinguished Ecologist
Lecture Series with the following objectives:
o
to provide students, faculty and researchers at MTU and NCRS with opportunities to hear prominent
ecologists discuss their research.
o
to provide graduate students with a unique seminar experience.
o
to provide leading ecologists with an opportunity to learn more about research being conducted at
MTU and the NCRS.
Each fall semester, the Distinguished Ecologist Lecture Series hosts internationally recognized ecologists.
Each visit by an ecologist includes: delivering the Distinguished Lecture, leading a graduate seminar on a
topic of the ecologist's choice, meeting with students and faculty, touring MTU and NCRS research facilities,
and attending social events. Below is a list of the Distinguished Ecologist who visited the MTU campus in Fall
of 2006. The instructors for this year were Andrew Storer and Erik Lilleskov.
September 14, 2006
Svata Louda, University of Nebraska, Lincoln
Seminar based on the following two papers:
Evaluation of Ecological Risk to Populations of Threatened Plant
from an Invasive Biocontrol Insect.
Nontarget Effects - The Achilles' Heel of Biological Control?
September 28, 2006
Julio L Betancourt, US Geological Survey
Seminar: An Environmental History of the Atacama Desert:
Nature's Experiment at the Edge of Life
Special seminar: Progress on Establishing a USA-National
Phenology Network
October 12, 2006
Richard Mack, Washington State University
Seminar: Invasion! Immigration Routes and Ecological
Genetics of Bromus tectorum (cheatgrass) in North
America
24
Distinguished Ecologist Lecture Series – Fall 2007
Below is a list of the Distinguished Ecologist who visited the MTU campus in Fall of 2006.
The instructors for this year were Andrew Storer and Erik Lilleskov.
Elizabeth Losos is the President and CEO of the Organization for
Tropical Studies (OTS), whose mission is to promote leadership in
research, education, and the responsible use of natural resources.
Before joining OTS last year, Dr. Losos spent almost a dozen years
directing the Smithsonian’s Center for Tropical Forest Science, a
network of 18 long-term, large-scale Forest Dynamics Plots in Latin
America, Asia, and Africa.
Dr. Elizabeth Losos
Duke University
Seminar: Seeing the Forest for the Trees: Changing Tropical
Ecosystems
October 3-5, 2007
"I am a Soil Scientist on the research staff at the U.S. Geological
Survey where I have served as project scientist and/or project chief
since 1982. I have contributed to research on geologic mapping,
geochronology, geologic faulting, paleoclimate, landform evolution,
carbon cycling and biogeochemical interactions in soil systems."
Seminar: A Paradigm for Soil Resilience
October 10-12, 2007
Dr. Jennifer Harden
USGS, Menlo Park California
Paul Beier conducts research in wildlife ecology and conservation
biology with a focus on conservation planning at landscape scales. He
has worked on “missing linkages” efforts in California and Arizona to
promote science-based efforts to maintain wildlife corridors on large
regional scales. Beier serves on the Board of Governors of the Society
for Conservation Biology. In this capacity, he successfully helped to
make SCB the first society of professional ecologists to take
responsibility for its greenhouse gas emissions.
Dr. Paul Beier
University. Northern Arizona
Seminar: Cougars, Corridors, and Missing Linkages: 20 years of
science, conservation, and advocacy
October 17-19, 2007
25
ESC Sponsored Graduate Student
Travel Grants
2006-2007
Applicant
Advisor
Clara Anton
Fernandez
Cinzia
Fissore
Dan Haskell
Jennifer
Karberg
Froese
Jessica
Metzger
Bharat
Pokharel
Storer
Meeting
Status
Granted
Third Forest Vegetation Simulation Conference, Fort Presented $500
poster
Collins, CO
Presented $500
Soil Science Society of America Annual Meeting,
Giardina
poster
Indianapolis, IN
attended $348
Flaspohler Wildlife tracking skills workshop, Tomahawk, WI
Conduct research in Ecuador with Dr. Rod Chimner “ Did field $500
Gale
work-Exploring the hydro-ecological conditions of high
paper
elevation wetlands in the Andes Mountains”
submitted
Froese
Entomological Society of America Annual Meeting,
Indianapolis, IN
Third Forest Vegetation Simulation Conference, Fort
Collins, CO
Gave talk
Presented
poster
Total
$500
$500
$2,848
2007-2008
Applicant
Advisor
Chris Miller Froese
Dan Haskell Flaspohler
Sarah Stehn
Webster
Amber Roth Flaspohler
Rita Koch
Storer
Mathew
Powers
Meagan
Harless
Carrie
Andrew
Linda Van
Diepen
Webster
Grant
Lilleskov
Lilleskov
Meeting
th
6 Forestand Wildlife Research Review, Duluth,
MN
68th Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference,
Madison, WI
Association of Southern Biologists, also visit
herbaraium at Duke for bryophyte ID
68th Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference,
Madison, WI
93rd Ecological Society of America meeting,
Milwaukee WI
93rd Ecological Society of America meeting,
Milwaukee WI
NE Transportation and Wildlife Conference,
Meredith NH
93rd Ecological Society of America meeting,
Milwaukee WI
93rd Ecological Society of America meeting,
Milwaukee WI
Status
Granted
Presented
poster
$494
Presented
poster
$500
Meeting
attended and
ID work
$500
Presented talk
Submitted
poster
Submitted talk
Submitted
poster
Will give talk
Submitted talk
Total
$500
$500
$500
$500
$500
$500
$4,494
26
ESC Sponsored Undergraduate Student
Research Grants
2006-2007
Applicant
Advisor
**Elsa
Jensen
**Sarah
Molitoris
Study
Items
Chimner Ecohydrological conditions of a Bete
Grise coastal wetland
Webster Understory plant diversity in relation
to legacy trees in aspen forests
Granted
$500
Water chemistry
analysis, travel to site
Field supplies, travel
to site
$500
** WINNER OF A 2007 AWARD FOR SURF (MTU’S SUMMER UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
FELLOWSHIP) COMPETITION
Ecohydrological conditions of a Beta Grise coastal wetland Elsa Jensen and Rod Chimner, School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI
Introduction
Intact coastal wetlands along the Great Lakes are
ecologically valuable, but are getting increasingly rare
as most have been significantly altered or eliminated.
The Keweenaw Land Trust and The Nature
Conservancy have acquired one of the largest (~445
ha) remaining intact coastal dune and swale wetlands
on the Great Lakes (Figure 1). The goals of this
project were to quantify the ecohydrologic conditions
in the wetland preserve that will help develop long-
%
Results
We developed vegetation communities using cluster
analysis. Our analysis indicated that the wetland has
six different vegetation communities (Figure 2).
Common vegetation types are alder fen (Figure 3a),
northern wet meadow (3b), open peatland (3c),
moderately rich fen (3d), swale (3e-wet middle), and
ridge (3e-treed area on side). Vegetation communities
were correlated with water table levels (Figure 4).
22
pz 6A,B
b
Alnus incana, Sphagnum girgensonii, and Carex gynocrates
Carex utriculata, Clintonia borealis, and Iris versicolor
c
d
pz 5A,B
%
16 15
%
a
pz 3A,B
13
10
%
pz 4A,B
%
3
%
pz 1A,B
Vaccinium oxycoccos, Carex limosa, and Gaultheria hisispidula
pz 2A,B
Vaccinium macrocarpa, Saix pedicellaris, and Vaccinium
myrtilloides
e
Dry Ridge
Figure 1. Arial map of Bete Grise study site. Circles
indicate wells proposed for long-term monitoring.
Hexigons are piezometers.
Figure 2. Vegetation communities as determined by cluster analysis.
Different colors represent different communities.
Figure 3a-e. Photos of vegetation communities
and associated plant species.
140
120
depth to water table
Methods
Our sampling took place in a 80 ha parcel in the
Northern portion of the preserve (Figure 1). This
undergraduate research project has two main
objectives: (1) Map the different plant communities
using field inventories and corrected digital
orthophotos, and (2) Quantify the hydrologic regime
associated
with
the
different
vegetation
communities by monitoring 25 existing groundwater
wells, 5 piezometer nests, and 3 staff gauges
through the summer.
Wet swale
Sphagnum
rubbellum, Thuja
occidentalis, and
Betula pumila
Epigaea repens,
Pinus strobus,
and Pluerozium
spp.
100
wt low
80
wt ave
60
wt high
40
20
0
a
b
c
d
e
f
Vegetation types
Figure 4. Average water table levels of different
vegetation communities.
Management Implications
The original well network consisted of 25 wells
scattered about the wetland with no regard to
vegetation communities. Our analysis indicates that
many of the wells are redundant and do not need
further monitoring. We suggest that one well in each
vegetative community should be monitored over the
long-term to facilitate management and preservation
of this coastal wetland (Figure 1).
2007-2008
Applicant
Breanne
Carne
Advisor
Flaspohler
Study
Influence of Legacy Tree Retantion in Aspen Forests
on Golden-winged Warbler Habitat
Items
Transportation to
site
Granted
$500
27
ESC Sponsored Graduate Student
Research Grants
2006-2007
Applicant
Advisor
Carrie
Andrew
Lilleskov
Tara
Eberhart
Storer
Stacie
Holmes
Webster
Matthew
Powers
Amber
Roth
Pregitzer
Sarah
Stehn
Alan
Talhelm
Linda
Van
deipen
Jill Witt
Study
Species resolution to explain the
differences in TRFLP groups of fungal
ectomycorrhizas under elevated CO2 and
O3
Tree ring analysis to determine relative
growth rates of ash tree with and without
emerald ash borer at Brimley State Park,
MI
Regeneration response following a stand
replacing fire in a hemlock stand
Physiological dynamics following
ecosystem management treatment
Flaspohler Optimizing both habitat quality for avian
species of conservation concern and tree
productivity in aspen forests managed for
ethanol production in the Great Lakes
States
Webster
Effects of acid deposition on vegetation in
spruce-fir forests of the southern
Appalachians.
Pregitzer
Using δ18 O to assess changes in
photosynthetic gas exchange of sugar
maple stands experiencing chronic N
additions
Lilleskov Study of the presence and role of
saprotrophic and arbuscular mycorrhizal
fungal mycellium by use of isotopic
signatures (15N and 13C) and fatty acid
analysis
Webster
Winter Canopy closure as a factor
influencing white-tailed deer selection of
eastern hemlock stands
Total research grant money
Items
Granted
$750
Double stranded
sequencing analysis
Travel to research site ,
undergraduate lab
assistant
$750
Travel to field site,
undergraduate filed
assistant
$750
Sample prep kits, sample
analysis
$750
$750
Field equipment, travel to
site, undergraduate labor
Field supplies, travel to site,
undergraduate field
assistant
$750
$750
Stable isotope analysis
$744
PLFA analysis
Isotope analysis
Digital fish eye camera,
undergraduate lab assistant
$750
$7744
ESC members who participated on the grant review panel this year were Andy
Burton, Andrew Storer, Linda Nagel and Jill Fisher.
28
ESC Sponsored Graduate Student
Research Grants
2007-2008
Applicant
Advisor
Carrie Andrew
Lilleskov
Joseph Bump
Peterson
Meagan Harless
Grant
Dan Haskell
Flaspohler
Stacie Holmes
Webster
Nicholas Jensen
Grant
Kathryn Marlor
Chimner
Mathew Powers
Webster
Amber Roth
Flaspohler
Sarah Stehn
Webster
Linda Van Diepen
Lilleskov
Jill Witt
Webster
Total research grant money
Study
The response of ectomycorrhizal fungi on root
tips to elevated CO2 and O3 across time
Can prey body condition be determined using
postmortem stable isotope analysis?
Sublethal effects of road deicing chemicals on
larval amphibians.
Does the presence of woody material in the
shoreline buffer zone increase plant survival on
restored lakeshores in northern Wisconsin?
Two year regeneration response following fire in
a hemlock-hardwood stand.
Shifts in understory dynamics of eastern hemlock
stands due to nitrogen deposition by white-tailed
deer
Examining the relationship between Phalaris
arundinacea L. and anthropogenic disturbances
using a landscape-based perspective.
Piscivorous birds and aquatic-terrestrial nutrient
flux as drivers of spatial heterogeneity and
structural complexity in terrestrial forests.
Optimizing habitat quality for birds of
conservation concern and tree productivity in
aspen forests managed for ethanol production in
the Great Lakes states.
Effects of acid deposition on vegetation
communities in spruce-fir forests of the southern
Appalachians.
What is the contribution of mycorrhizal extra
radical hyphae to soil respiration under chronic
N deposition?
A bird's eye view: Illustrating the contrasting
landscape surrounding remnant eastern hemlock
stands.
Items
DNA sequencing
Isotopic analysis of
prey body tissues
Aquarium supplies,
chemicals, travel
Rain gages, two
electric water
pumps
Undergrad field
assistant, travel to
site
Motor pool vehicle
Travel to research
sites
Soil analysis, travel
to research site
Travel for field crew
to sites
Travel to site in
Appalachians,
undergrad lab
assistant
Field bag supplies,
PLFA Chemicals,
isotopic analysis
Publication quality
aerial photos
Granted
$750
$750
$750
$750
$750
$750
$750
$750
$750
$750
$750
$750
$9500
ESC members who participated on the two grant review panels this year were
Andy Burton, Andrew Storer, Erik Lilleskov, Tom Pypker, Sigrid Resh, John
Vucetich and Jill Fisher.
29
3rd Annual ESC/BRC
Graduate Research Forum – February 23, 2007
The ESC and Biotech Research Center co-sponsored the third graduate research forum in
the atrium of the School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science. A total of 35
masters and Ph.D graduate students from 5 departments submitted posters.
The Graduate Research Forum provided an opportunity for students to share their ideas
and results with each other, faculty and guests. Posters covered a variety of research
topics in the areas of Biosynthesis, Molecular Genetics, Nutrient Cycling, Insects and
Diseases, Plant Physiology, Population and Community Ecology, and Wildlife Biology, and
modeling among others.
Eric Lilleskov and David Flaspohler initiated a
poster workshop to help students improve the
quality of their posters. Twenty students
participated in the workshop.
Judges for the 2007 forum included Jackie
Grant, David Flaspohler, Eric Lilleskov and
Chris Swanston.
The ESC and BRC each presented
four awards The ESC judges employed
a scoring sheet based on several finer
points of the following three
categories: appearance, content, and
the oral presentation
ESC presented the following
awards:
Grand Prize ($500) – Linda van Diepen
Merit Award ($100) – Matthew Powers
Merit Award ($100) – Jennifer Karberg
Merit Award ($100) – Alan F Talhelm
30
4th Annual ESC/BRC
Graduate Research Forum – February 29, 2008
Eric Lilleskov and David Flaspohler
again held a poster workshop in
February which drew 18 students from
ESC, BRC and other programs.
Feb 08 ESC awards:
Grand Prize ($500) – Joseph Bump
Thirty masters and Ph.D graduate
students from 6 departments submitted
posters in this year’s Graduate
Research Forum.
Merit Award ($100) –Stacie Holmes
Merit Award ($100) – Clara AntonFernandez
Honorable Mention ($50) –Chris Miller
Honorable Mention ($50) –Tim Wilson
Judges this year included Marty
Jurgenson, Robert Froese, Linda Nagel
and Chris Swanston.
The ESC and BRC each presented four
awards The ESC judges employed a
scoring sheet based on several finer
points of the following three categories:
appearance, content, and the oral
presentation
31
Global Change Teacher Institute July 2006
Midwest Middle and high school teachers,
participated in the intensive five-day Institute to
study real-world current effects of global change.
The potential impacts of climate change,
elevated carbon dioxide and ozone levels,
nitrogen saturation, acid rain, and invasive
species on ecosystems were examined through
lecture, hands-on data collection and field trips.
Participants interacted with scientists and gained
the knowledge and skills to add global change to
their curricula. The teachers were provided with
standards-based professional development and
the time to plan, discuss, and develop new
classroom curricula. They also received a
course notebook, handouts, a CD with ready-touse presentations from the course, and other
curriculum-support materials.
Participants visited the Aspen FACE Experiment
site where the effects of elevated CO2 and
ozone on forest productivity are observed.
Participants visited the long-term research sites
to understand the subtle impacts of nitrogen
deposition and climatic variability on forest
growth, and the new rhizotron research facility to
see how scientists study carbon sequestration.
The 2006 Institute was taught by ESC faculty
members Dr. Kurt Pregitzer, Dr. Andrew Burton,
Dr. Erik Lilleskov, of ESC & USDA FS North
Central Research Station, post decorate
member, Dr. Kate Bradley as well as Dr. William
(Bill) Holmes from the School of Natural
Resources and Environment, U of M, and Dr.
Janet Vail from Grand Valley State University.
Note the article published this year from a
former participant of the Institute:
Jenn Carlson, a teacher participant in
the 2005 Global Change Teacher
Institute at Michigan Tech, has had an
article about her teaching unit that
focused on the FACE site published in
the National Science Teachers
Association (NSTA)'s January 2008
issue of The Science Teacher:
"Thinking Like a\n Ecologist" (PDF of
article)
32
Following is a table of teaching units created by the 16 students from the 2006 course. Links
to these lessons are found at :
http://wupcenter.mtu.edu/education/Global_Climate_Change/lesson_plans.htm
Global Change Lesson Plans / Teaching Units from 2006
(PDF files)
TITLE (TARGET GRADE) AUTHOR
G
l
o
b
a
l
C
A t m o s p h e r e
T h i n k i n g
A i r
h
a
a n d
a s
a
Q u a l i t y
n
g
A i r
e
(
i
g
h
S
P o l l u t i o n
S c i e n t i s t a n d
H
A c i d
h
o o
( M i d d l e
R a i n
C h e m i s t r y
c
L
e
r
S c h o o l )
( M i d d l e
( H i g h
l )
r
A k o m
S c h o o l )
S c h o o l )
n e
O j a l a
H e c k m a n
Atmospheric CO2 Concentration, Human Activity and Green House Effect (High School/ College) Robles-Gil
Acid Deposition Distribution in La Paz and Surroundings (High School/ College) Robles-Gil
M e a s u r i n g
G l o b a l
C l i m a t e
C h a n g e
( M i d d l e
S c h o o l )
Global Warming and Invasive Species (High School) Wilson Pg 1
A i r
Q u a l i t y
I n v e s t i g a t i o n
A i r ,
A t m o s p h e r e
a n d
C l i m a t e
( M i d d l e
( H i g h
Pg 2
S c h o o l )
S c h o o l )
M u s s i o
Pg 3
B r y e
G r a p e n t i n e
Climate Change, Invasive Species, Atmospheric Changes/Greenhouse Gases, and Land Use (Middle School) McGuffin
Air Pollution and How it Impacts Human Life (Middle School) LaPointe
T i m e s
a r e
a
C h a n g i n g
( M i d d l e
S c h o o l )
C a r e y
Effects of Air, Water and Soil Pollution on Human and Environmental Health/ Quality (High School) Mountain
“ W h a t
i s
I n
O u r
A i r ? ”
( H i g h
S c h o o l )
R a n d a l l
Atmospheric Phenomena-Meteorology (Middle School) Leatherman
Alternative Energy, CO2 in the Atmosphere, Invasive Species & Exploring our Atmosphere Bradley
33
Global Change Teacher Institute July 2007
Once again, many ESC members collaborated with Joan Chadde to host the Global Climate
Teacher institute In July of 2007. Twenty-one middle and high school teachers, from
Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, Maryland, California and Connecticut participated in the intensive
five-day Institute to study real-world current effects of global change.
2007 Instructors:
The Institute was taught by ESC faculty member Dr. Andrew Burton, ESC Graduate Student
Alan Talhelm, Dr. Kristen Hofmockel, School of Natural Resources and Environment,
University of Michigan, Dr. Janet Vail, Annis Water Resources Institute, Grand Valley State
University, and Joan Chadde, K-12 Education & Outreach Program Coordinator, Western U.P
Center for Science, Mathematics & Environmental Education.
July 2007 Teacher’s Institute
Participants at the FACE site in
Rhinelander, WI. The curriculum
and field trips were similar to the
previous year.
Dr. Andrew Burton
instructs the 2007
participants at one of the
gradient sties.
34
2006
The Ecosystem Science Center joined the 38 other reputable institutions in membership to the
Association of Ecosystem Research Centers in 2007. See their website at
ttp://www.ecosystemresearch.org/ .
David Flaspohler represented MTU’s Ecosystem Science Center at the Annual meeting of the AERC at
the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C. The ESC was invited to join as a member in 2006. The
AERC summary of the 2006 symposium held is below.
“The November 2006 meetings of the Association of Ecosystem Research Centers (AERC) brought together
ecosystem scientists, congressional staff, and agency representatives to consider the challenges posed as
ecosystems around the world approach ecological tipping points. In a packed briefing room, we listened to
examples of tundra, coral reefs, and the Arctic Ocean ecosystems poised on the verge of irreversible
transformation. The final presentation involved a discussion of using the National Ecological Observatory
Network as a continental scale instrument for forecasting ecological change. The annual AERC symposium
covered these subjects in greater depth, and also included presentations on threats to arid ecosystems. A report
on the congressional briefing will appear in the March issue of Watershed & Wet Weather Technical Bulletin and
a synthesis of the symposium has been submitted to BioScience.”
2007
David Flaspohler again represented MTU’s Ecosystem Science Center at the Annual meeting of the
AERC at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C. The Titles of the 2007 AERC symposium on
biofuel is below.
Robin L. Graham (Oak Ridge National Laboratory): “Considering the ecosystem sustainability of
bioenergy feedstocks: A primer on the issues”
JoAnn Hanowski (University of Minnesota-Duluth) : “Planning for the expansion of biomass
production in the Midwest: Remaining wildlife neutral”
Jane M. F. Johnson (USDA-ARS): “Balancing biomass for bioenergy and conserving the soil resource"
Carl C. Trettin (USDA-ARS): “Effects of woody biofuel production on water resources”
Stephen Polasky ( University of Minnesota ): “Bioeconomics of biofuels: Environmental and
economic consequences of shifting towards renewable biomass for energy”
35
USFS PASS class – Spring 2007
Linda Nagel (director) and Christopher Webster (assistant director) ran the Ecological Systems Course of the
National Advanced Silviculture Program (NASP) for the US Forest Service to provide their members with
coursework towards the Minimum National Standards for Silvicultural Certification (formerly the PASS program).
The course was held at the SFRES building on the MTU campus from May 14-25, 2007 with field trips to the
Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, the Ford Forestry Center, and the Hiawatha National Forest.
Ecosystem function and structure and linkages between topic areas were stressed throughout the session.
Topics were covered at a variety of spatial scales (site, stand, forest, landscape, etc.), and examples were shown
in the field when possible. Discussion of the impact of forest management on components of the environment
was encouraged throughout. The session was taught at the graduate level with each topic beginning with a basic
review to ensure all students understood fundamental concepts that provided the basis for the level of instruction
for this session.
The two week intensive course included 35 students from all regions of the US, and were from the US Forest
Service, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the Bureau of Land Management.
Specific content covered in the NASP Course included (ESC member instructors bolded):
Topic
Forest Ecology
Contact
Hours
16
Geology, landforms, soils
Hydrology and watersheds
Tree physiology
16
8
12
Silvics of forest trees
Fires ecology, fire behavior
4
8
Course eval., tests, etc
Total hours
4
76
Instructor
Nagel, Webster,
Storer, Frelich
Hyslop, Burton
Pypker
Friend, Lilleskov,
Swanston, David
Nagel, Webster
Morris, Froese,
Dickmann
Nagel, Webster
36
Facing the Future Meeting
A Joint Meeting of AspenFACE, SoyFACE, and SFB 607
Rhinelander, WI April 2-4, 2008
Group photo taken at the Face Site during the Facing the Future Meeting, April 4th, 2008
This meeting brought together 93 researchers
from across the US and Europe. Thirty seven
talks and 36 posters were presented as well as
an awards banquet honoring those that made
special contributions to the decade of climate
change research conducted at the Aspen
FACE site. A field trip to the Aspen FACE
site concluding the meeting was a highlight
for many of the foreign participants.
37