Christel Kern

Title: Forester/Scientist Trainee
Unit: Center for Research on Ecosystem Change
Previous Unit: Ecology & Silviculture of the Lake States Forests
Address: Northern Research Station
1561 Lindig Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55108
Phone: 651-649-5100
E-mail: Contact Christel Kern

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Education

• In progress, Graduate studies in Natural Resource Science and Management at University of Minnesota
• Certified Forest Service Silviculturist, Region 9, 2007
• M.S. in Natural Resources at University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, 2000
• B.S. in Biology at University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, 1997

Civic & Professional Affiliations

• Society of American Foresters
• Ecological Society of America

Current Research

• Plant community and tree regeneration response to harvest-created canopy gaps
• Long term effects of management on forest dynamics and yield
• Ecological forestry approaches in pine ecosystems

Why is This Important

Long term perspectives on a variety of approaches to forest management are exceptionally important as environmental conditions and societal values continue to change. My work focuses on ecological underpinnings of plant community dynamics in managed forests both at present and retrospectively over past decades. Analysis of past work provides a rare insight into long term trends and responses that cannot be detected in a short term study or even during one?s career! In light of this, I have the fortunate opportunity to study decades of silvicultural research from earlier scientists to evaluate impacts on complex issues such as forest sustainability and ecosystem integrity. These research results will provide information and tools to adapt silvicultural systems to the changing needs of the future.

Future Research

• Role of silvicultural systems in forest dynamics’ response to climatic oscillations
• Influence of overstory retention and pathogen presence to spatial and temporal seedling mortality

Featured Publications