Research

Faculty in this department have typically been the most productive researchers/publishers among the nation's forestry schools. Research is enhanced by excellent laboratory facilities, state-of-the-art equipment, strong research in allied departments on campus, the presence of a unique statistical consulting service, and the presence of important institutes such as the USDA Forest Products Laboratory, the National Park Service Midwest Region GIS Unit, and the Land Tenure Center.

Areas of primary emphasis are:

• Landscape-scale forest ecology, modeling, and management.
• Computer simulation of forest ecosystems and processes.
• Forest sector analysis.
• Breeding of trees for resistance and improved yield.
• Remote sensing of the environment and geographic information systems.
• Effects of airborne pollutants and global climate change on forest ecosystems.
• Ecology and management of tropical forests.
• Restoration of degraded ecosystems.
• Demand and supply modeling of forest-products markets.
• Forest tax policy.
• Management alternatives to clear-cutting.
• Restoration and ecology of old-growth forests.
• Quantitative modeling of forest management.
• Energy and nutrient budgets in terrestrial ecosystems.
• Forest-based economic development.
• Community forestry.
• Property rights and forestry.

For descriptions of ongoing research and publications by the department, visit the lab web pages below.

Forest Ecosystem Ecology Laboratory

Forest Landscape Ecology Laboratory

SILVIS (Spatial analysis for conservation and sustainability) Laboratory

RSFOR (Remote Sensing for Forest Observation and Research

Forest Economics and Forest Operations Lab

Updated: 2008.04.14