Recent Research

Studies on Invasive shrubs:

·        Demographic studies and shading/canopy cover associated with European buckthorn invasions.

·        Soil processes associated with European buckthorn – potential available nitrogen mineralization.

·        Estimating the total biomass of buckthorn in Illinois woodlands.

·        Nutrients budget analysis in invaded woodlands (including organic matter (leaf litter input) inputs in open and invaded woodlands).

·        Decomposition studies under European buckthorn in two Chicagoland woodlands using cotton assay techniques.

·        New techniques for restoration – does the removal of high N containing buckthorn litter accelerate the recovery of below ground processes?

Studies on nonnative earthworms in the Chicago region:

·        Evaluation and modification of alien earthworm sampling methodology.

·        Impact of earthworms on decomposition.

·        Earthworms and soil chemistry (in progress) along a restoration chronosequence.  Does above ground recovery of native plant species equate with restored below ground processes?

Urban forestry demography

·        The Intentional Forest: Analysis of distribution, diversity, and canopy shading in Chicago and Evanston. This project looks at the structure and function of a forest (the ‘forest’ of parkway trees that are the product of decisions by urban forester is contrasted with the semi-natural forest where human intentions played no role).

Urban forestry invasive species monitoring

·        Public outreach and monitoring of the Asian Longhorned Beetle in the Lincoln Park neighborhood.  Students monitored urban trees for signs of ALB activity and discussed the project with community members.