How cool is this? "Khipus are a unique form of writing based on coloured and knotted cords. Andean people of the past used them as a record of the climate, and studied them to understand the patterns of what was going on. Efforts are now underway to get accurate radiocarbon dates." Read more ...
Plants CRAVE electrolytes!
Can you please add me?
📢 The @paqlab.bsky.social is recruiting a PhD (or MSc), and you don't want to miss that - best place ever to do you PhD! 😉 To work in IDENT, a network of experiments of the effects of diversity on forest functioning. Foreign student? It's gotten harder 😞 but we can help.
paqlab.uqam.ca
Starflower, Trientalis borealis
Bunchberry, dwarf dogwood, Cornus canadensis
Canada mayflower, Maianthemum canadense
Goldthread Coptis trifolia (groenlandica)
I enjoy the lush herbaceous plants of nutrient rich mesic temperate deciduous forests. These species with more boreal distributions are more diminutive, but also showy, exciting to see, and among my first (botanical) loves from my undergraduate research in the Boundary Waters. #forestecol #Ecology
Done!
In temperate forests, harvests are often conducted in the winter over deep snow and froze soils. This has likely contributed to past resilience. Climate change is reducing the window for these winter harvests and will probably result in more disturbance to the forest floor and ground layer.
However, it remains unclear whether they can remain resilient under intensive silvicultural regimes, in the face of increased pressure from climate change, increased deer herbivory, invasive earthworms, and introduced plant species.
Our research, and that of others, suggests that diversity and composition has generally been resilient to past disturbance (clearcutting and heavy partial cuts).
Ground layer plant communities are 2-10+ times more diverse than the overstory in temperate forests. They are sensitive indicators of environmental conditions. Our research has shown respond to a complex hierarchy of controls and can be severely limited by dispersal.
I the long term we will examine growth and survival, and physiology, of these seedlings, as well as species composition and structure at the community level, and how these relate to a broad range of values, ecosystem functions and services.
The climate is changing faster than trees can migrate to new suitable habitat. Transitioning composition to species that are better adapted to future climate conditions is one silvicultural adaptation strategy we are testing.
We planted all species within 1-acre patch openings and shelterwoods. It will be interesting to contrast species and see if the shelterwoods facilitate better survival for the more southern species by mitigating harsh environmental conditions (frost).
We are taking our first measurements of tree seedlings planted in assisted migration plantings. We are looking at whether we can convert a northern hardwood stand into an oak-hickory stand with some white pine and tulip poplar. #forestecology #climatesciences
#silviculture
#ecophysiolgy
#forestry
200+ scientists are in the middle of a marathon livestream to show why weather and climate science is so important and needs all our help to continue.
It is here: wclivestream.com/watch
MLive, a local Michigan News site, today wrote a little article promoting my ongoing interest in "lake-effect sun".
Cloud cover data indicate that the tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula is the sunniest location in Eastern North America this time of year.
www.mlive.com/life/2025/05...
I had similar problems recently with those and returned them and went with HOBO sensors and data loggers. HOBOs are more expensive. However, you can replace batteries with HOBOs. The process is not straightforward with ibuttons which are made to be disposable. You basically have to break them open.
Sorry, that is up to 3.82 billion years!
We went to see this rock that was estimated to be 3.6 billion years old, and "America's Oldest Rock", it was gneiss 😄. www.sciencenews.org/article/unit...
Awesome can they consider USDA and fire season next? Please and thank you.
Serviceberry/saskatoon trees are in full bloom in the UP. These gorgeous flowers will soon turn into delicious sweet fruits that will feed birds and numerous other wildlife species. I love how the dainty and delicate flowers seem to just float in the modstory and contrast with the rugged landscape.
We kicked off our first year of post-treatment sampling on our Adaptive Capacity Through Silviculture experiment with spring ephemeral surveys. We are comparing alternative climate change adaptation strategies, including resilience and transition, to business as usual and no action.
Our graduate students presented their research at the Ecosystem Science Center at Michigan Tech's annual Student Research Forum last week, a great chance to showcase and celebrate their amazing work! Here is a sample from the students I am honored to work with.
Good question, it may slow things down a bit! Burns and Honkala forever, or for now anyway.
These states, specifically? New Mexico, Arizona, Michigan, California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington and Vermont.
Yes, it was a very warm and long autumn here in Michigan's UP, increasing Lake Superior's water temperature and preventing ice despite the cold snaps. Last year, snowfall was at a record low due to the warm winter. Climate change effects on snow can be complex and multifaceted.
If you know someone that is looking for a grad student opportunity in 2025 in fire ecology / dendroecology / spatial analyses -- please pass on this announcement. Julia Burton, Jed Meunier, Eric Rebitzke and myself are looking for a student to join our team and be based here at Michigan Tech.