Research

Upland Hardwood Ecology and Management does research in many fields. Explore the catagories below more information on the research we do. For additional information, visit our publications page.

Forest Management

Our research program focuses on characterizing and quantifying the response of upland hardwood forest systems across the South to both natural and silvicultural (planned) disturbances, stand dynamics, site classification, fire ecology, invasive plants, climate change and carbon storage, and American chestnut restoration.

Through our research, which includes experimental studies and modeling, we provide information to land managers regarding how forest structure, species composition, tree regeneration, and productivity respond to disturbances across the landscape.

The research conducted by scientists within the Upland Hardwood Ecology and Management Research Work Unit 4157 management oriented and primarily focused on providing land managers applied information and tools required to meet a wide range of management and restoration goals and objectives.

Forest Management Research Topics:

Wildlife Management

Managers require information on wildlife habitat requirements and responses to natural and human-induced disturbances to effectively manage, conserve, and recover wildlife populations on public and private lands.

They also require robust and efficient methods to inventory and monitor wildlife responses to management actions.

Scientists within the Upland Hardwood Ecology and Management Research Work Unit 4157, along with many collaborators and partners, focus on six areas of research (Fire and Other Disturbances; Threatened, Endangered, and Sensitive Species; Methods to Inventory and Monitor; Forest Structure and Habitat; Forest Foods for Wildlife, and Climate Change) to provide managers with the knowledge and tools they need to develop and improve conservation and management strategies for wildlife communities and endangered species in upland hardwood-dominated forests and associated ecosystems in the southern Appalachians.

Wildlife Management Research Topics:

Models and Tools

Understanding and predicting how forest management activities or natural disturbances affect species composition and structural development of forest stands is important for ecosystem restoration, forestry, and wildlife management. Scientists within the Upland Hardwood Ecology and Management Research Work Unit 4157, along with many collaborators and partners, have developed or contributed to the development of several models and tools that predict hardwood regeneration, stand development, growth and yield, site quality, landscape-level forest dynamics, and acorn production indices.

Models and Tools Research Topics:

View a list of all research articles →