Forest Ecology Lab

Research in the Forest Ecology Lab at the University of Findlay examines changes in plant communities resulting from various disturbances, including fire, timber harvesting, and invasive species.  We are particularly interested in the dynamics of mesic oak forest ecosystems which are shifting to a maple and beech dominated forest-type throughout much of Ohio and other forest regions of the eastern United States.  Our work has included  modeling the impact of emerald ash borer on forest plant communities, pollinator ecology of the invasive tree, Callery pear, and the ecology of temperate forest canopies.