The 10 scientists and 20 support personnel conduct
field, laboratory, computer modeling, and theoretical studies on disturbance
dynamics and effects at multiple scales. The unit has particular strengths in
fire ecology, fire behavior, ecophysiology, soil ecology, meteorology,
climatology, air quality, mathematical modeling, and restoration ecology.
Scientists have expertise in temperate and tropical pine and hardwood
silviculture, and soil macroarthropod and earthworm taxonomy. Locations in Athens GA and Clemson, SC. Project Leader: Scott Goodrick Research Focus Areas(1) Understanding disturbance mechanisms/processes and their impact on forest ecosystems, particularly fire and meteorological events; ecosystem responses to disturbance processes; and interactions and impacts of multiple disturbances and feedback mechanisms Understanding Disturbances (2) Managing disturbances by developing strategies for reducing vulnerability of southern forests to severe disturbance events, invasion by exotic species, and climate change/variability; methods for restoring ecosystems degraded by natural disasters, anthropogenic activity, and invasive species and developing tools and techniques for managing wildland fire and reducing impacts on air resources.Managing Disturbances (3) Modeling and synthesis of disturbance processes using a
High Performance Computing Center for the Eastern United States to provide
visualization of large three-dimensional, time-dependent data sets and access
to complex physical, meteorological, ecological, and spatial models; applying
numerical modeling and advanced statistical methods to understand and predict
disturbance processes and their effects; and integrating and synthesizing
knowledge of multiple disturbances and/or effects on multiple ecosystem components. Models and Syntheses |
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About CFDS |