Vegetation

Hiring three students for forest dynamics research

News Brief Description: 

We are hiring up to three students to conduct research on forest dynamics in the Cascade Mountains of Oregon. Employees will traverse very steep slopes to evaluate the conditions and causes of tree mortality in young and old-growth forests impacted by a major snowstorm in 2019. Successful candidates must be capable and comfortable with hiking and navigating off-trail for long distances on steep, unstable slopes. We seek current students who are interested in ecological research, enjoy working outdoors as part of a team, and can live cooperatively with others. This work is part of the Pacific Northwest Permanent Sample Plot Program, one of the longest-running research projects of its kind in the world. For more information: http://pnwpsp.forestry.oregonstate.edu. Apply by May 17, 2019.  See full position announcement (pdf)

2018 PhenoChampions: Oregon Season Tracker

News Brief Description: 

Congratulations to Oregon Season Tracker (OST), winner of the 2018 PhenoChampion Award of the National Phenology Network.  Started by Oregon State University Extension and HJ Andrews Experimental Forest LTER in 2014, OST links natural resource managers, educators, researchers, and community members in the shared goal of understanding how plants respond and adapt to regional variations in climate. You can read about how OST is training the next generation of climate scientists in this article from Clearing Magazine. As the PhenoChampion Award winners, OST received a customizable trail sign to tell visitors about their efforts. Find out more or learn how to get involved at http://oregonseasontracker.forestry.oregonstate.edu/ 

Job opp: summer field crew in forest dynamics

News Brief Description: 

We are hiring a crew of three people to collect data for a study of tree growth and mortality in mature and old-growth forests of Oregon and Washington.  This research is part of the Pacific Northwest Permanent Sample Plot Program (http://pnwpsp.forestry.oregonstate.edu).  Our objective is to understand the long-term patterns and mechanisms of forest dynamics across a diversity of forest types in the mountains of the Northwest.  We seek individuals who are interested in ecological research, are detail-oriented, enjoy working outdoors as part of a team, and can live cooperatively with others.  The crew will be based at the Andrews Forest and will travel to other sites in the Northwest.  For more information, see full announcement (pdf).

Two forest ecology positions

News Brief Description: 

The LaManna lab in the Department of Biological Sciences at Marquette University is currently looking to hire two positions for summer field work at the Andrews Forest to address questions related to the maintenance of plant species diversity in old-growth forest along a 1,300 m elevational gradient in the Western Cascade Mountains of Oregon.
 
1. One lead research technician with experience in forest survey techniques 
2. Six research technicians with experience in forest survey techniques 

The work will occur at the HJ Andrews Experimental Forest. Pay will be commensurate with experience, and apartment-style housing at the Andrews Forest field station will be provided.

All applications for this position must be received through Marquette University’s electronic recruiting system:
More information and link for lead research technician position
More information and link for research technician positions

Honors Thesis Defense: Bryophytes

Event Date: 
Wednesday, May 23, 2018
Event Brief Description: 

Species and Microclimate Controls on Dynamics of Bryophyte Water Absorption and Retention.  Cristina Riani's Honors Thesis Defense.

May 23, 2018. 2 - 4 PM, Wilkinson 203

Seminar: New Insights into Old Forests

Event Date: 
Wednesday, January 24, 2018
Event Brief Description: 

New insights into old forests:  Forest ecology and conservation in the area of the Northwest Forest Plan.  Dr. Tom Spies

January 24, 2018 4PM, LINC 302

About the Seminar: The 1994 Northwest Forest Plan for federal forests was designed to conserve populations of species associated with complex old-growth forests within the range of the northern spotted owl.  Over the last 24 years we have learned that the ecology of old growth forests in the region is more diverse than we appreciated when the plan was developed.  Improved knowledge of historical fire regimes can inform old-growth forest conservation based on ecosystem perspectives, but it can also be a challenge to existing conservation approaches based on individual species associated with one type of old growth.  In addition, recent research indicates that forest conservation is more than just protecting existing areas of old-growth from disturbance: disturbance processes and other successional stages must also be considered.
 
About Dr. Spies: Thomas Spies is a Senior Scientist at the USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station in Corvallis, Oregon.  He is also a courtesy professor in the College of Forestry at Oregon State University. He received his Ph.D. in forest ecology 1983 from the University of Michigan.  His research interests include, old-growth forest ecology and conservation, remote sensing, landscape ecology, fire ecology, and coupled human and natural systems.  He is editor of the 2009 book “Old-growth in a New World:  A Pacific Northwest Icon Reexamined”, which explores the social, ecology and policy dimensions of old-growth forests.  He is currently leading a USFS effort to synthesize science and monitoring results to inform revision of national forest plans in the area of the Northwest Forest Plan. http://fpf.forestry.oregonstate.edu/faculty/thomas-spies
 
WebEx Address: https://oregonstate.webex.com/oregonstate/j.php?MTID=me0bf783a44637fd96c48f76817298f6c

Pages