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Research Courses |
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Forest Ecology Research Lab
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Feel free to contact me for research opportunities, ecology information, or anything to do with a higher education here at Fresno State. |
Ruth Ann Kern, Ph.D. Assistant Professor 316A Science Building 559-278-4075 |
Sequoiadendron giganteum Robert Plotts © California Academy of Sciences
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| Mission Statement: The Sierra Nevada mixed conifer forest is an important economic resource for California, not only because of the wood produced, but also the wildlife habitat, recreation, and essential ecosystem "services" such as water delivery, air purification, and maintenance of biodiversity. With California's human population rapidly expanding, careful stewardship of these forests is even more crucial. Unfortunately, the health of our forests is under increasing pressure from air pollution, global climate change, and changing fuel loads and fire regimes. While large conifers are the backbone of our forest ecosystem, we have only an elementary understanding of how natural regeneration is controlled in these forests. In order to obtain more information on these processes, my students and I in the Forest Ecology Lab at California State University, Fresno, are attempting to quantify the patterns of conifer seedling establishment, growth, and survival in Sierra Nevada Forest. The work includes studying patterns of seeding establishment, growth, and survival throughout forest elevational ranges and investigating the effects of light and soil moisture availability on seedling dynamics. Results from this research will enable management decisions to more effectively preserve our important forest resources. |
Research - Current Projects
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Current Courses |
Research Links |
Last Modified:
December 2, 2003
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