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Northern Research Station
11 Campus Blvd., Suite 200
Newtown Square, PA 19073
(610) 557-4017
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You are here: NRS Home / Scientists & Staff / Mary Beth Adams
Scientists & Staff

[image:] Mary Beth Adams Mary Beth Adams

Title: Research Soil Scientist
Unit: Ecological and Economic Sustainability of the Appalachian Forest in an Era of Globalization, Director's Office
Address: NRS
P.O. Box 404
Parsons, WV 26287
Phone: 304-478-2000 x130
E-mail: Contact Mary Beth Adams

Jump to Publications

Education

  • Ph.D. Soil Science and Forestry, North Carolina State University
  • M.S. Forestry, Purdue University
  • B.S. Forestry Purdue University

Civic & Professional Affiliations

Soil Science Society of America, Society of American Foresters, Ecological Society of America, Association for Women in Science, West Virginia Association of Professional Soil Scientists

Current Research

  • Much of my current research deals with nutrient cycling in forest ecosystems as affected by different management and disturbances. I work collaboratively with other scientists in the Forest Service, and at universities and other agencies.
  • I am lead PI of the Fernow Watershed Acidification Study, which is using ammonium sulfate fertilizer to look at acidification of an entire forested watershed; we recently published a book summarizing and synthesizing the first 15 years of the acidification study.
  • I am also evaluating the role of soil nutrients in sustaining the long-term productivity and diversity of Appalachian hardwood forests. This latter study is affiliated with the national Long Term Soil Productivity Study.
  • I am a huge fan of Experimental Forests and Ranges, and spent a significant amount of time working with other scientists on cross-site and synthesis research utilizing these national treasures.

Why is This Important

Long-term research is a hallmark of Forest Service research. It is important for us to understand that the trends we are observing are due to various management treatments or other causal factors, and not just due to annual variability in rainfall and temperature. My research will help us better manage our forests sustainably for many years.

Future Research

  • I am particularly interested in developing management recommendations for ecosystem restoration and/or rehabilitation.
  • Finally, I am also interested in evaluating the effects of energy development on natural resources, and I am continuing with remeasurements of my LTSP plots and gleaning information from those data.

Featured Publications

Additional Online Publications

Other Publications by Mary Beth Adams *

  • Kerr, J.G.; Elmers, M.C.; Creek, I.F.; Adams, M.B.; Beall, F.; Burns, D.; Campbell, J.L.; et al. 2011. The effect of seasonal drying on sulphate dynamics in streams across southeastern Canada and the northeastern USA. Biogeochemistry. Doi: 10.1007/s10533-011-9664-1
  • Stone, Madeleine M.; Weiss, Marissa S.; Goodale, Christine L.; Adams, Mary Beth; Fernandez, Ivan J.; German, Donovan P.; Allison, Steven D. 2011. Temperature sensitivity of soil enzyme kinetics under N-fertilization in two temperate forests. Global Change Biology. doi: 10.111/j.1365-2486.2011.02545.x

*Due to policy or copyright restrictions, we are unable to provide full-text versions of these publications. Please check with your local library or Contact Mary Beth Adams to inquire about reprints.

Last Modified: 02/15/2012