Brian R. Sturtevant

Title: Research Ecologist
Unit: Institute for Applied Ecosystem Studies: Theory and Application of Scaling Science in Forestry
Previous Unit: Principles of Landscape Ecology for Managing Temporate Ecosystems
Address: Northern Research Station
5985 Highway K
Rhinelander, WI 54501-9128
Phone: 715-362-1105
E-mail: Contact Brian R. Sturtevant

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Education

• University of Maryland at College Park, Ph.D., Ecology, 2001
• Utah State University, M.S., Wildlife Ecology, 1996
• Rutgers University, B.S., Natural Resources Management, 1992

Civic & Professional Affiliations

International Association for Landscape Ecology (U.S. Chapter), Ecological Society of America, Society for Conservation Biology

Current Research

I am interested in the multi-scale processes affecting the health and function of forested and mixed-use landscapes, and I have focused on three research avenues falling under this broader theme. First, I am investigating the spatial-temporal dynamics and impacts of disturbance by forest insect defoliators, using a combination of remote sensing, pattern analysis, and simulation modeling. Second, I am investigating interactions between natural and human processes as they influence fire dynamics. This research includes analyses of modern fire databases in the upper Midwest, and the simulation of fire disturbance patterns as influenced by human activities, forest management, and insect disturbances. Third, I am working with Canadian scientists to develop a "multi-scale toolkit" approach to providing information for sustainable forest management across diverse ecological and socioeconomic systems.

Why is This Important

Insects cause more economic damage to forest resources in the conterminous United States than any other disturbance, but our understanding of the landscape-scale factors affecting their dynamics is poorly understood. Insight into landscape pattern interacts with the dynamics of forest pests can lead to the design of "pest-resistant" landscapes through forest management. We also know that humans have enormous influence over the structure and character of our forested land base. Understanding how forested systems respond to human processes will allow managers to better balance multiple and sometimes conflicting objectives for our public lands (e.g., biodiversity, recreation, public safety, water quality, etc.). This new complexity in land management also requires effective decision support tools to enable land managers to make better strategic decisions based on the best available science.

Future Research

I will continue to pursue our understanding of the drivers underlying spatial patterns of insect disturbances, employing technologies from other disciplines including molecular techniques and atmospheric modeling. The effect of climate change on insect disturbance regimes is another key area of research I wish to pursue. Finally, I am interested in how human development patterns will interact with forest disturbances and other ecosystem processes at decade to century time scales.

Featured Publications

Additional Online Publications