Ecosystem Ecology, Forest Soils, Global Climatic Change, Microbial Ecology, Restoration Ecology, Riparian Ecology (See Ecosystem Ecology Website)

Controls on Biogeochemical Processes and Ecosystem Productivity

Ecosystem Ecology is a sub-discipline of ecology that uses ecosystems as the observational unit, and attempts to understand the biotic and abiotic factors that regulate ecosystem structure and function.  Our laboratory group focuses on both basic and applied ecosystem research primarily in forests of the western U.S. Current projects include assessing:

• The influence of the genetics of a dominant plant on ecosystem processes
• The efficacy of using the natural abundance of ¹⁵N in the microbial biomass as an integrator of N cycling processes
• The role of nitrate in the internal nitrogen cycle of forests
• The effects of forest restoration treatments (e.g., thinning or prescribed fire) and wildfire on soil microbial communities, belowground processes, and ecosystem carbon pools
• The impact of climatic change on soil-plant-atmosphere interactions
• The biotic and geochemical controls on ecosystem development along a three million year soil chronosequence
• How insect herbivory alters ecosystem processes
• The utility of insect communities as indicators of forest ecosystem health

We use a variety of tools in these studies ranging from ecological genetics to isotopic analyses, to computer simulation modeling.  We have state-of-the-art laboratory facilities available for conducting this research, and NAU’s proximity to ecosystems from warm deserts to alpine tundra is unparalleled.  Our research is supported by the National Science Foundation, USDA NRI Competitive Grants Program, USDA Forest Service, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, State of Arizona, and the Ecological Restoration Institute.

Contact Information

Past Courses Taught

Dr. Hart's Publications

Last Updated ( Wednesday, 09 July 2008 )