Johnny M. Grace, III

General Engineer

Florida A & M University - USDA Forest Service
1740 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., 303 North Perry-Paige Bldg, Suite 303 North
Tallahassee, FL 32307

Phone: 850-412-7383
Fax: 850-412-7384
johnny.m.grace@usda.gov

Research
Education
and Experience
Organizations
and Awards
Publications
and Products

Current Research

The core research program of work aims to improve the current understanding of the influence of forest operations and management (forest biomass, harvesting, thinning, site preparation, and road operations) on forest soil and water quality. Forest watershed science research focuses on understanding the influence of management, climate change, and disturbances on forest watersheds, water resources, and hydrology. This is accomplished by conducting research and development (R&D) to better understand the effects of roads, land-use change, and unmanaged recreation on water resources with a changing climate and exploring methods to adapt best management practices (BMPs) in forest watersheds to changing conditions. Forest biomass related research includes evaluating recovery efficiency and residue distribution with state-of-the-art recovery systems, sustainability, nutrient dynamics within biomass harvests, and soil and water resource conservation issues. Forest BMP related research investigates the influence of BMPs on water resource load reductions, soil erosion, and sediment control from forest watersheds. Forest road related research concentrates on evaluating the environmental effects of road management in the southern United States, understanding the effect of various forest road treatment techniques, advancing the understanding of the fate of sediment from road drainage structures, and understanding the mechanisms driving soil erosion and sediment transport in Southern Appalachian watersheds. Agroforestry related research aims to gain a more adept understanding of nutrient, water resource, and BMP issues in agroforestry systems.

Research Interests

The sustainability of the southern forests, as we now know it, will depend on how we address economic opportunities of emerging markets and environmental challenges related to climate change, land use patterns, forest fragmentation, and water resources in general. My research interests lie within four primary areas which include water resource quality and quantity under changing conditions, forest roads, understanding effectiveness and adapting forest best management practices (BMPs), and evaluating agroforestry alternatives. The forest watershed research that I have interest in exploring relate to quantifying the impacts of land use and climate change on water resources, quantify the factors (both natural and anthropogenic) influencing water resources (water quality and quantity), assessing how influencers impact benefits provided by forests, and providing management options and tools to forecast and/or mitigate negative impacts in the context of changing conditions. Research interests within the forest roads area focus on evaluating the environmental effects of road management in the southern United States. Research interests in the forest BMP area aim to quantify the influence of BMPs on water resource load reductions and to access the benefits of BMPs at the watershed scale. Research interests in the agroforestry area focuses on exploring nutrient, water resource, and BMP issues within agroforestry systems and development of alternative systems to satisfy the nation's food, fuel, fiber, and feed demands.

Past Research

The forest road research that I led originally focused on reducing soil erosion from forest road surfaces. However, the research focus expanded to evaluate benefits of existing forest BMPs and explore new alternatives for sediment control from forest roads. In this research on low-volume forest road systems, critical information was discovered and provided related on filtering associated with alternative sediment control practices. This work on sediment control has received application throughout the South, particularly on the National Forests of Alabama and Georgia. Additionally, research has been undertaken to evaluating the effects of forest operations and management on hydrology, water quality, and soil physical properties from poorly drained watersheds. In this research, my team participated with a team of scientist to lead research to gain a more adept understanding of the effects of forest operations on soil and water resources in these sensitive systems. Through this research, my team provided critical information required to modify a hydrological and water management model developed for agriculture (DRAINMOD) to be used as a planning tool (hydrologic model) for forest management on drained forestlands with deep organic surface soils.

Why This Research is Important

The research that has been undertaken, and that is a focus in my research program, covers four primary areas but concentrates on water resources (quantity and quality) within forest watersheds which remain some of the healthiest watersheds in the nation. The research explored in these areas of interest aims to maintain or improve on the health of these critical forest watersheds under the changing conditions presented by climate, disturbances, and land-use. In many ways, forest watersheds serve as natural filters of most other land-use categories since these watersheds are most closely associated with drinking water in the majority of the nation's watersheds. Maintaining the quality of waters flowing from the public forest lands is one of the primary emphasis areas for the USDA Forest Service and perpetuates a goal that links back to the creation of the agency. In addition, the research proposed under the alternative cropping / bioenergy area links to the Agencies commitment on hazardous fuels by exploring issues related to quantification of biomass availability, recovery, energy content of bioenergy species, and assessing benefits/consequences of residual biomass in forested systems.

Education

Ph.D. in Biological and Agricultural Engineering, 2004: North Carolina State University
M.S. in Agricultural Engineering, 1996: Auburn University
B.S. in Agricultural Engineering, 1994: Auburn University

Professional Organizations

American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, Full Member (1994—Current)
International Erosion Control Association, Full Member (1998—2014)

Featured Publications and Products

Grace III, J. M. 2017. Predicting forest road surface erosion and storm runoff from high-elevation sites.
Grace, J. McFero, III.; Skaggs, R.W. 2013. Determination of field-effective soil properties in the tidewater region of North Carolina.
Grace, Johnny M., III.; Zarnoch, Stanley J. 2013. Influence of forest road buffer zones on sediment transport in the Southern Appalachian Region.
Grace, Johnny M., III. 2005. Forest operations and water quality in the south.
Grace, Johnny M., III.; Skaggs, R.W.; Cassel, D.K. 2006. Soil physical changes associated with forest harvesting operations on a organic soil.
Grace, Johnny M., III.; Skaggs, R. W.; Chescheir, G. M. 2006. Hydrologic and water quality effects of thinning Loblolly Pine.
Grace, Johnny M., III.; Skaggs, R. W. 2006. Water balance of drained plantation watersheds in North Carolina.
Grace, Johnny M., III.; Rummer, Robert; Stokes, Bryce J. 1997. Sediment production and runoff from forest road sideslopes.

Publications

Panda, S.S. ; Amatya, D.M. ; Grace, J.M. ; Caldwell, P. ; Marion, D.A. . 2022. Extreme precipitation-based vulnerability assessment of road-crossing drainage structures in forested watersheds using an integrated environmental modeling approach.
Reeves, Zach ; Panda, Sudhanshu S.; Pilgrim, Zach ; Quyang, Ying ; Grace, Johnny M. II; Amatya, Devendra M. 2022. Groundwater and surface-water contamination susceptibility determination through automated geospatial models using combined modeling approach of DRASTIC and RUSLE.
Ouyang, Ying ; Grace, Johnny; Parajuli, Prem B.; Caldwell, Peter V. 2022. Impacts of Multiple Hurricanes and Tropical Storms on Watershed Hydrological Processes in the Florida Panhandle.
Ouyang, Ying ; Dev, Satyanarayan ; Grace III, Johnny M.; Amatya, Devendra M.; Leininger, Theodor D. 2022. Simulating biomass production and water use of poplars in a plantation using a STELLA-Based model.
Ouyang, Ying ; Feng, Gary ; Renninger, Heidi ; Leininger, Theodor D.; Parajuli, Prem ; Grace, Johnny M. 2021. A STELLA-Based Model to Simultaneously Predict Hydrological Processes, N Uptake and Biomass Production in a Eucalyptus Plantation.
Bugna, Glynnis C.; Grace, Johnny M.; Hsieh, Yuch-Ping . 2020. Sensitivity of using stable water isotopic tracers to study the hydrology of isolated wetlands in North Florida.
Ngatia, Lucy , W..; Grace III, Johnny , M..; Moriasi, Daniel ; Bolques, Alejandro ; Osei, George , K..; Taylor, Robert , W. 2019. Biochar phosphorus sorption-desorption: Potential phosphorus eutrophication mitigation strategy.
Ouyang, Ying ; Jin, Wei ; Grace, Johnny M.; Obalum, Sunday E.; Zipperer, Wayne C.; Huang, Xiaoqing . 2019. Estimating impact of forest land on groundwater recharge in a humid subtropical watershed of the Lower Mississippi River Alluvial Valley.
Grace III , J. McFero; Klepac, J. F.; Taylor, Steve E. 2019. Evaluating forest biomass recovery in south central Alabama pine plantations.
Ngatia, L. ; Grace III, J.M. ; Moriasi, D. ; Taylor, R. . 2019. Nitrogen and phosphorus eutrophication in marine ecosystems.
Ouyang, Ying; Grace, Johnny M.; Zipperer, Wayne C.; Hatten, Jeff; Dewey, Janet. 2018. A simple approach to estimate daily loads of total, refractory, and labile organic carbon from their seasonal loads in a watershed.
Nwaokorie, Kelechi James; Mbuya, Odemari Stephen; Grace, Johnny. 2016. Impact of thinning on soil properties and biomass in Apalachicola National Forest, Florida.
Grace III, Johnny; Klepac, John; Taylor, S.; Mitchell, Dana. 2016. Residue distribution and biomass recovery following biomass harvest of plantation pine.
Bryant-Mason, April; Xu, Y. Jun; Grace, Johnny M., III. 2013. Stream carbon dynamics in low-gradient headwaters of a forested watershed.
Carter, E.A.; Grace, John M. III. 2011. Assessing soil impacts related to forest harvest operations.
Grace, J. McFero, III.; Elliot, William J. 2011. Influence of forest roads and BMPs on soil erosion.
Grace, J.M. III; Davis, E. 2010. Efficacy of buffer zones in disconnecting roads and streams in the coastal plain.
Dougherty, M.; Baharanyi, A.; Guertal, B.; Grace, J. , III. 2010. Techniques for establishing vegetation for long-term erosion control on disturbed slopes in Alabama.
Grace, Johnny M., III.; Clinton, Barton D. 2009. Protecting soil and water in forest road management..
Grace, Johnny M. III. 2008. Determining the range of acceptable forest road erosion.
Woodrow, R. J.; Shelton, T. G.; Oshiro, R. J.; Grace, J. K., III.; Wagner, T. L. 2008. Effects of Disturbance-induced trauma on foraging by subterranean termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae).
Grace, Johnny M. III. 2008. Influence of storm characteristics on soil erosion and storm runoff.
Mason, April; Xu, Y. Jun; Grace, Johnny M., III. 2007. Comparison of stream nutrient conditions in a subtropical lowland watershed to EPA suggested criteria.
Grace, Johnny M. III; Clinton, Barton D. 2007. Protecting soil and water in forest road management.
Mason, April; Xu, Y. Jun; Saksa, Philip; Viosca, Adrienne; Grace, Johnny M., III.; Beebe, John; Stich, Richard. 2007. Streamflow and nutrient dependence of temperature effects on dissolved oxygen in low-order forest streams.
Grace, Johnny M., III. 2006. A new design to evaluate erosion and sediment control.
Grace, Johnny M., III.; Skaggs, R. W.; Cassel, D. Keith. 2006. Influence of thinning Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda L.) on hydraulic properties of an organic soil.
Grace, Johnny M., III. 2005. Application of WEPP to a Southern Appalachian Forest road.
Grace, Johnny M., III. 2005. Factors influencing sediment plume development from forest roads.
Grace, Johnny M., III. 2004. NPS pollution related to forest management activities in southern states.
Grace, Johnny M., III. 2004. Sediment plume development from forest roads: How are they related to filter strip recommendations.
Grace, Johnny M., III. 2004. Soil erosion following forest operations in the Southern Piedmont of central Alabama.
Grace, Johnny M., III.; Skaggs, R.W.; Malcom, H.R.; Chescheir, G.M.; Cassel, D.K. 2003. Increased water yields following harvesting operations on a drained coastal watershed.
Grace, Johnny M., III.; Skaggs, R.W.; Malcom, H.R.; Chescheir, G.M.; Cassel, D.K. 2003. Influence of thinning operations on the hydrology of a drained coastal plantation watershed.
Grace, Johnny M., III. 2003. Minimizing the Impacts of the Forest Road System.
Grace, Johnny M., III. 2002. Control of Sediment Export From The Forest Road Prism.
Grace, Johnny M., III. 2002. Effectiveness of Vegetation in Erosion Control From Forest Road Sideslopes.
Grace, Johnny M., III. 2002. Overview of best management practices related to forest roads: The southern states.
Grace, Johnny M., III. 2002. Sediment Transport Investigations on the National Forests of Alabama.
Grace, Johnny M., III. 2002. Sediment movement from forest road systems-roads: a major contributor to erosion and stream sedimentation.
Grace, Johnny M. III; Carter, Emily A. 2001. Sediment and Runoff Losses following Harvesting/Site Prep Operations on a Piedmont Soil in Alabama.
Grace, Johnny M., III. 2000. Forest road sideslopes and soil conservation techniques.
Grace, Johnny M., III.; Carter, Emily A. 2000. Impact of Harvesting on Sediment and Runoff Production on a Piedmont Site in Alabama.
Grace, Johnny M., III. 1999. Erosion Control Techniques on Forest Road Cutslopes and Fillslopes in North Alabama.
Grace, Johnny M., III.; Wilhoit, John; Rummer, Robert; Stokes, Bryce. 1999. Surface Erosion Control Techniques on Newly Constructed Forest Roads.
Grace, Johnny M., III.; Rummer, Bob; Stokes, Bryce J.; Wilhoit, J. 1998. Evaluation of erosion control techniques on forest roads.
Grace, Johnny M., III. 1998. Sediment Export from Forest Road Turn-outs: A Study Design and Preliminary Results.

Research Highlights

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