Sustainability Research Fellowship Cohort: 2012-2013

Ph.D. Candidate, Department of Ecosystem Science and Sustainability

Research Summary: The landscape of North America was historically dominated by large, intact forest. Despite diminishing in size over the last century, these valuable ecosystems continue to provide crucial services to residents of both our wild lands and urban centers. Forest trees are ecosystem engineers that, among other things, promote clean water, provide nutrients for other plants, utilize excessive atmospheric carbon, provide wildlife habitat, and offer both aesthetic and cultural services. In other words, forests (and the trees within them) keep our air and water clean, our wildlife sheltered, our forage-able food (berries and mushrooms) naturally  fertilized, and our natural playgrounds beautiful.