Susan Stout
Title: Project Leader / Research Forester
Unit: Sustaining Forests in a Changing Environment
Address: Northern Research Station
PO Box 267
Irvine, PA 16329
Phone: 814-563-1040
E-mail: Contact Susan Stout
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Education
- Yale University, D.F. 1994
- State University of New York, M.S. Silviculture 1983
- Radcliffe College of Harvard University, A.B. 1972
Civic & Professional Affiliations
I serve on the Pennsylvania State Bureau of Forestry Ecosystem Management Advisory Council. I have served as the Chair of the Silviculture Working Group of the Society of American Foresters (SAF), as Co-Program Chair of the SAF National Convention in 2006, and I was elected a Fellow of the Society of American Foresters in 2003. I served on the Northeastern Research Station's Science Advisory Team. I have appointments as adjunct faculty at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry and the Pennsylvania State University. I was the President of the League of Women Voters of Warren County from 2001 through 2007, and am a member of the Board of Directors of the Warren County Chamber of Business and Industry, and have been an elder and Sunday School teacher at North Warren Presbyterian Church.
Current Research
My research interests include measuring crowding and diversity in forests, deer impact on forests, silvicultural systems, and translating results from ecosystem research into practical management guidelines for Pennsylvania's forests and beyond. Currently, I am collaborating with the Sand County Foundation and several landowners in a demonstration project called the Kinzua Quality Deer Cooperative. Landowners, land managers, hunters, and scientists are working together to improve both hunting and habitat on a 74,000 acre landscape in northwestern Pennsylvania. This research should strengthen evidence of practical indicators of deer impact. I have recently collaborated with colleagues at Penn State and the University of Georgia in development of a web site meant to serve as a central contact point for research results and management guidelines related to the interactions of deer and forests - www.deerandforests.org. I am active participant in the annual workshops in sustainable forestry offered by the Warren Forestry Sciences Laboratory team, and the lead scientist on on-going development of the SILVAH decision-support software package. In recent years, I have been collaborating with colleagues at Penn State and with the Pennsylvania Sustainable Forestry Initiative on tools for loggers and landowners to make quick assessments of the likely sustainability of planned timber harvests. As project leader of the Warren unit, I also understand the integration of results from diverse research into a coherent set of management guidelines as a major role.
Why is This Important
Especially in eastern North America, very high proportions of forestland are privately owned (75% in the region of the Northern Research Station). Translating basic and applied forestry research into guidelines that are accessible and useable by the variety of private owners is critical to sustaining our forests and the values and benefits they provide. This requires continued research on techniques for forest management, whether to provide specific kinds of wildlife habitat or wood for energy or high-value sawtimber products. It also requires truly interdisciplinary research that integrates strategies for responding to global change, air pollution, and invasive species (both native and exotic) and a commitment to engaging users through the full cycle of research and science delivery. In our region, white-tailed deer have been a particularly important force in shaping forest vegetation communities for many decades, and the problem is growing in other regions. Our research provides important guidance to those with emerging deer problems, and with recent changes in policy leading to a lower deer impact level locally, we can also provide valuable and practical information about indicators and rates of recovery.
Future Research
I anticipate that with consolidation of units through Northern Research Station reorganization, ever more of my time will be spent on the administrative side of my role. I am excited about the synergies that will emerge as we bring together the exciting research already underway in the three units that will soon form Work Group II.
Featured Publications
- Long, Robert P.; Trimpey, David W.; Wiemann, Michael C.; Stout, Susan L. 2012. Anomalous dark growth rings in black cherry. Northern Journal of Applied Forestry. 29(3): 150-154.
- Drohan, Patrick J.; Finley, James C.; Roth, Paul; Schuler, Thomas M.; Stout, Susan L.; Brittingham, Margaret C.; Johnson, Nels C. 2012. Oil and gas impacts on forest ecosystems: findings gleaned from the 2012 Goddard Forum at Penn State University. Environmental Practice. doi:10.10170S1466046612000300.
- Royo, Alejandro A.; Stout, Susan L.; deCalesta, David S.; Pierson, Timothy G. 2010. Restoring forest herb communities through landscape-level deer herd reductions: Is recovery limited by legacy effects? . Biological Conservation. 143: 2425-2434.
- Brose, Patrick H.; Gottschalk, Kurt W.; Horsley, Stephen B.; Knopp, Peter D.; Kochenderfer, James N.; McGuinness, Barbara J.; Miller, Gary W.; Ristau, Todd E.; Stoleson, Scott H.; Stout, Susan L. 2008. Prescribing regeneration treatments for mixed-oak forests in the Mid-Atlantic region. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-33. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station. 100 p.
- Finley, James C.; Stout, Susan L.; Pierson, Timothy G.; McGuinness, Barbara J. 2007. Managing timber to promote sustainable forests: a second-level course for the Sustainable Forestry Initiative of Pennsylvania. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-11. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station. 47 p.
Additional
Online Publications
- Stout, Susan L.; Brose, Pat; Gottschalk, Kurt; Miller, Gary; Knopp, Pete; Rutherford, Gary; Deibler, Mark; Frank, Gary; Gilmore, Gary. 2007. SILVAH-OAK: ensuring adoption by engaging users in the full cycle of forest research. In: Miner, Cynthia; Jacobs, Ruth; Dykstra, Dennis; Bittner, Becky, eds. 2007. Proceedings: international conference on transfer of forest science knowledge and technology. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-726. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station: 229-238.
- Hoover, Coeli; Stout, Susan. 2007. The carbon consequences of thinning techniques: stand structure makes a difference. Journal of Forestry. July/August: 266-270.
- Stout, Susan L.; Hoover, Coeli M.; Ristau, Todd E. 2006. Listening to old beech and young cherry trees - long-term research in the Alleghenies. In: Irland, Lloyd C.; Camp, Ann E.; Brissette, John C.; and Donohew, Zachary R., eds. Long-term Silvicultural & Ecological Studies: Results for Science and Management. New Haven, CT: Yale University: 10-25
- Stout, Susan L. 2005. Listening to Old Beech & Young Cherry Trees - Experiences in the Alleghenies & Nearby. In: Kenefic, Laura S.; Twery, Mark J., eds. Changing Forests - Challenging Times: Proceedings of the New England Society of American Foresters 85th Winter Meeting; 2005 March 16-18; Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-325. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station: 29
- Stout, Susan L.; Ristau, Todd E. 2005. Long-term Research on the USFS Kane Experimental Forest in Northwestern Pennsylvania. In: Kenefic, Laura S.; Twery, Mark J., eds. Changing Forests - Challenging Times: Proceedings of the New England Society of American Foresters 85th Winter Meeting; 2005 March 16-18; Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-325. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station: 76
- McWilliams, William H.; Bowersox, Todd W.; Brose, Patrick H.; Devlin, Daniel A.; Finley, James C.; Gottschalk, Kurt W.; Horsley, Steve; King, Susan L.; LaPoint, Brian M.; Lister, Tonya W.; McCormick, Larry H.; Miller, Gary W.; Scott, Charles T.; Steele, Harry; Steiner, Kim C.; Stout, Susan L.; Westfall, James A.; White , Robert L. 2005. Measuring Tree Seedlings and Associated Understory Vegetation in Pennsylvania's Forests. In: McRoberts, Ronald E.; Reams, Gregory A.; Van Deusen, Paul C.; McWilliams, William H.; Cieszewski, Chris J., eds. Proceedings of the fourth annual forest inventory and analysis symposium; Gen. Tech. Rep. NC-252. St. Paul, MN: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central Research Station. 21-26
- McWilliams, William H.; Bowersox, Todd W.; Brose, Patrick H.; Devlin, Daniel A.; Finley, James C.; Horsley, Steve; Gottschalk, Kurt W.; Lister, Tonya W.; McCormick, Larry H.; Miller, Gary W.; Steiner, Kim C.; Stout, Susan L.; Westfall, James A.; White, Robert L. 2004. Indicators of regenerative capacity for eastern hardwood forests. In: Proceedings, Society of American Foresters 2003 national convention; 2003 October 25-29; Buffalo, NY. Bethesda, MD: Society of American Foresters: 136-140.
- Stout, Susan; Finley, Jim. 2003. Deer and Healthy Forests. Pennsylvania Forests. 94(4): 13-14.
- McWilliams, William H.; Bowersox, Todd W.; Brose, Patrick H.; Devlin, Daniel A.; Finley, James C.; Horsley, Steve; Gottschalk, Kurt W.; King, Susan L.; Lister, Tonya W.; McCormick, Larry H.; Miller, Gary W.; Scott, Charles T.; Steiner, Kim C.; Stout, Susan L.; Westfall, James A.; White, Robert L. 2003. Indicators of regenerative capacity for native broadleaf forests: a case study of ungulate overpopulation in the Eastern United States. In: Congress proceedings, Xii world forestry congress; 2003 September 21-28; Quebec City, Canada. [Place of publication unknown]: [Publisher unknown]: 342.
- Brose, Patrick; Stout, Susan; Miller, Gary; Gottschalk, Kurt. 2003. SILVAH 5.1: developing interim guidelines for managing oak in Pennsylvania through multi-agency cooperation. In: Van Sambeek, J. W.; Dawson, Jeffery O.; Ponder Jr., Felix; Loewenstein, Edward F.; Fralish, James S., eds. Proceedings of the 13th Central Hardwood Forest Conference; Gen. Tech. Rep. NC-234. St. Paul, MN: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central Research Station: 360
- Horsley, Stephen B.; Stout, Susan L.; deCalesta, David S. 2003. White-tailed deer impact on the vegetation dynamics of a northern hardwood forest. Ecological Applications. 13(1): 98-118.
- Hoover, Coeli M.; Birdsey, Richard A.; Heath, Linda S.; Stout, Susan L. 2000. How to estimate carbon sequestration on small forest tracts estimate carbon sequestration on small forest tracts. Journal of Forestry. September: 13-19.
- Twery, Mark J. ; Rauscher, H. Michael; Bennett, Deborah J.; Thomasma, Scott A.; Stout, Susan L.; Palmer, James F.; Hoffman, Robin E.; DeCalesta, David S.; Gustafson, Eric; Cleveland, Helene; Grove, J. Morgan; Nute, Donald; Kim, Geneho; Kollasch, R. Peter. 2000. NED-1: integrated analyses for forest stewardship decisions. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture 27 (2000) 167-193
- Drohan, Patrick; Stout, Susan; Peterson, Gary. 1999. Spatial relationships between sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh), sugar maple decline, slope, aspect, and atmospheric deposition in northern Pennsylvania. In: Horsley, Stephen B.; Long, Robert P., eds. Sugar maple ecology and health: proceedings of an international symposium; 1998 June 2-4; Warren, PA. Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-261. Radnor, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station: 46-50.
- Yanai, Ruth D.; Twery, Mark J.; Stout, Susan L. 1998. Woody understory response to changes in overstory density: thinning in Allegheny hardwoods. Forest Ecology and Management. 102: 45-60.
- DeMarco, Lois M.; Stout, Susan L. 1997. Communicating the story of silviculture on the Allegheny National Forest. In: Communicating the role of silviculture in managing the national forests: Proceedings of the National Silviculture Workshop. 1997 May 19-22; Warren, PA.: Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-238. Radnor, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station. 148-152.
- Nowak, Chris; Stout, Susan; Stout, Susan; Brissette, John; Brissette, John; Kenefic, Laura; Kenefic, Laura; Miller, Gary; Miller, Gary; Leak, Bill; Leak, Bill; Yaussy, Dan; Schuler, Tom; Gottschalk, Kurt; Gottschalk, Kurt. 1997. Defining the role of silvicultural research in the Northeastern Forest Experiment Station. In: Communicating the role of silviculture in managing the national forests: Proceedings of the National Silviculture Workshop. 1997 May 19-22; Warren, PA.: Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-238. Radnor, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station. 115-122.
- McWilliams, William H.; White, Robert; Arner, Stanford L.; Nowak, Christopher, A.; Stout, Susan L. 1996. Characteristics of Declining Forest Stands on the Allegheny National Forest. Res. Note NE-360. Radnor, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station. 9 p.
- McWilliams, William H.; Stout, Susan L.; Bowersox, Todd W.; McCormick, Larry H. 1995. Adequacy of Advance Tree-Seedling Regeneration in Pennsylvania's Forests. North. J. Appl. For. 12(4):187-191.
- Stout, Susan L.; Nowak, Christopher A.; Redding, James A.; White, Robert; McWilliams, William H. 1995. Allegheny National Forest health. In: L. G. Eskew, comp. Forest health through silviculture: proceedings of the 1995 National Silviculture Workshop, Mescalero, New Mexico, May 8-11, 1995. Gen. Tech. Rep. RM-GTR-267. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station: 79-86
- Stout, Susan L.; deCalesta, David S.; Horsley, Stephen B.; Nowak, Christopher A.; Redding, James C. 1995. Ecosystems management research in hardwood forests dominated by deer. In: Gottschalk, Kurt W.; Fosbroke, Sandra L. C., ed. Proceedings, 10th Central Hardwood Forest Conference; 1995 March 5-8; Morgantown, WV.: Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-197. Radnor, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station: 577.
- McWilliams, William H.; Bowersox, Todd W.; Gansner, David A.; McCormick, Larry H.; Stout, Susan L. 1995. Landscape-level regeneration adequacy for native hardwood forests of Pennsylvania. In: Gottschalk, Kurt W.; Fosbroke, Sandra L. C., ed. Proceedings, 10th Central Hardwood Forest Conference; 1995 March 5-8; Morgantown, WV.: Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-197. Radnor, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station. 196-203
- McWilliams, W. H.; Stout, S. L.; Bowersox, T. W.; McCormick, L. H. 1993. An assessment of advance regeneration and herbaceous communities in Pennsylvania forests. In: Gillespie, Andrew R.; Parker, George R.; Pope, Phillip E.; Rink, George: eds. Proceedings of the 9th Central Hardwood Forest Conference; Gen. Tech. Rep. NC-161. St. Paul, MN: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central Forest Experiment Station: 489
- Marquis, David A.; Ernst, Richard L.; Stout, Susan L. 1992. Prescribing silvicultural treatments in hardwood stands of the Alleghenies. (Revised) . Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-96. Broomall, PA: U. S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experimental Station. 101 p.
- Ernst, R.L.; Stout, S.L. 1991. Computerized algorithms for partial cuts. In: McCormick, Larry H.; Gottschalk, Kurt W., eds. Proceedings, 8th Central Hardwood Forest Conference; 1991 March 4-6; University Park, PA. Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-148. Radnor, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station: 132-147.
- Stout, S.L. 1991. Stand density, stand structure, and species composition in transition oak stands of northwestern Pennsylvania. In: McCormick, Larry H.; Gottschalk, Kurt W., eds. Proceedings, 8th Central Hardwood Forest Conference; 1991 March 4-6; University Park, PA. Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-148. Radnor, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station: 194-206.
Last Modified:
02/15/2012