My research interests are primarily in the fields of forest pathology and disturbance ecology. I study how disease-causing organisms interact with their physical and biological environments in forest ecosystems, and how forest management practices can affect those interactions.

 

I have two main areas of research: 1) stand dynamics (stand age and size structure, species composition, recruitment and mortality rates) resulting from biotic disturbance agents; 2) epidemiology and population genetics of forest pathogens and resultant impacts of forest management practices.

 

Current projects include the following:

• Reconstruction of fire regimes in the wintering ground of the Bathurst caribou herd and relationships with climate change and lichen abundance.
• Sensitivity of western red cedar to climate variables, and interaction of climate with outbreaks of western hemlock looper.
  
• Predicting decay and degrade rates in standing and fallen trees killed by mountain pine beetle.
• Examination of the distribution and severity of past outbreaks of Dothistroma septosporum in northwestern B.C. and relationships with past climate.
• Genetic diversity of Dothistroma septosporum and relationships with toxin production (dothistromin).
• Site and climate factors that influence epidemiology and disease severity of red band needle blight, caused by Dothistroma septosporum.
  
• Small-scale disturbance patterns in spruce dominated forests, with emphasis on linking forest structure and disturbance agents using dendrochronology methods.
• Genotypic and phenotypic diversity of Geocaulon lividum and the influence on severity of disease caused by Cronartium comandra.
  

  Some of my research involves tree ring analysis; here is a link to the tree ring lab.

Graduate student opportunity - Ecology of Tree Fall

I am seeking a graduate student to work on the ecology of tree fall of trees killed by mountain pine beetle. This project will involve investigation of wood-boring insects, decay fungi, site and tree factors that influence the rate of tree fall. This project also provides an opportunity to learn about tree-ring analysis which will be used to date mortality and fall of trees.   Preferred start date is September 2010 or earlier, and a graduate student stipend of $15,000 per year is available. Please contact Dr. Kathy Lewis (lewis@unbc.ca) for further information.