“Scale” is the heart of the Unit’s research. Knowledge on how ecological processes are linked across subcellular to community scales and from local to global scales increases the ability to improve resiliency of forest ecosystems and populations against changing conditions. Scientists develop and deliver scientific knowledge and tools relating ecological changes across multiple scales and disturbance gradients to better integrate science with landscape-scale restoration and contemporary conservation challenges.

The research team includes tree physiologists, geneticists, landscape ecologists, and simulation modelers.  Laboratories, a greenhouse, experimental forests, and field infrastructure allows staff to conduct experiments and observations at a variety of scales that can be scaled up using state-of-the-art simulation models for large landscapes.

We research various aspects of ecosystems and populations at risk from contemporary issues such as shifting land uses, altered fire regimes, and insects and disease to equip natural resource managers (and everyone who cares about natural resources) with knowledge about how to conserve, restore, and sustain resilient, productive forests and populations. 

• Increase resilience of forest ecosystems to extreme disturbances that alter large-scale spatial patterns
• Maintain forest ecosystem services at landscape scales using decision support tools
• Ensure populations of conservation or restoration concern remain connected in changing landscapes
• Advance renewable energy sources and pollution remediation through short rotation woody crop production systems
• Improve forest management guidelines in changing climate and atmosphere