Research |
Teaching |
My research focuses on the biology and ecology of forests under stress by insects, diseases, and abiotic stress agents. I am interested in insect and disease biology, forest management, biological control, and many other aspects of forest health.
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Current Projects
Dung and carrion beetles in forests Dung and carrion beetles are important for nutrient cycling in forested systems. Habitat fragmentation is increasingly changing the range and distribution of mammals that act as nutrient sources to these beetle assemblages. We are investigating how the exclusion of predators, namely bobcats, affect dung and carrion beetle communities with implications for future impacts on fragmented forests. Pollinators in invaded forests Forests provide many benefits to native pollinators and, in turn, pollinators provide many ecosystem services to forested systems. Invasive trees like mimosa (Albizia julibrissin) and Chinese tallow tree (Triadica sebifera) provide pollen and nectar which likely divert pollinators from native trees to invasive trees. We are looking at changes in pollinator preferences and how these changes may significantly impact forest and pollinator health. Prescribed fire and bark beetles Bark beetles are important forest pests and are both negatively and positively affected by fire. These effects are not well understood and likely have important impacts on forest management. We are investigating how prescribed fire affects bark beetle outbreaks to determine how we can best use fire to manage for species like Ips. |