Forest Vegetation Ecology

Researchers

The overarching goal of the forest vegetation ecology research effort is to better understand interactions of forest plants with each other, and with the other biotic and abiotic components of the forested ecosystem. This includes understanding interrelationships of plants with animals and microbes, feedbacks between plants and soil, and relationships of plants with extrinsic disturbance factors, notably fire.

Research is also focused on the role of forest understory vegetation (e.g., shrubs, mosses) in driving forest community structure and ecosystem processes. The majority of the work is focused on the Swedish boreal forest, but with a significant research effort also in New Zealand rainforests, Ethiopian highlands and subarctic tundra.

Forest Ecology & Management