Paul Schaberg
Title: Research Plant Physiologist
Unit: Biological and Environmental Influences on Forest Health and Productivity
Address: NRS
The University of Vermont Aiken Center
81 Carrigan Drive, Room 208B
Burlington, VT 05405
Phone: 802-656-1715
E-mail: Contact Paul Schaberg
Jump to Publications
Education
- The University of Vermont (UVM), Burlington, VT, Ph.D. Botany, 1996
- Southern Connecticut State University, New Haven, CT, teaching certification, 1989
- UVM, Burlington VT , M.S. Forestry, 1985
- UVM, Burlington, VT, BS Forestry with a coordinate major in Environmental Studies, 1981
Civic & Professional Affiliations
Ecological Society of America, American Institute of Biological Sciences, International Association for Ecology, Society for Conservation Biology, Society of American Foresters, The American Chestnut Foundation, Xi Sigma Pi
Current Research
- I currently coordinate a diverse collaborative group of scientists from the USDA Forest Service, The University of Vermont and other institutions that evaluate the influence of human-associated stress (e.g., pollution additions, climate change, etc.) on forest health and productivity.
- This research concentrates on the impacts of anthropogenic stress on aspects of tree physiology, including tissue cold tolerance, carbohydrate and nutrient relations, foliar pigments and antioxidant enzymes.
- Current issues that I am working on include: red spruce winter injury and other aspects of conifer cold tolerance, sugar maple decline, the impacts of calcium depletion on tree health, the biological basis of red pigment expression in the fall, and cold tolerance as a limitation to American chestnut restoration in the north.
Why is This Important
Forests provide valuable ecosystem services (e.g., wood products, bioenergy, carbon sequestration, nutrient cycling, gas exchange, food and medical products, etc.) upon which all life and human societies rely. My research focuses on understanding and preventing the real-world decline of forest tree species - thereby preserving the continued flow of ecosystem services that are an important foundation for sustainable human health and prosperity.
Future Research
- I want to explore the possibility that human-induced change is not only subjecting forests to many new, complex, and potentially interacting stresses, but may be also eroding the natural biological and ecological mechanisms that forests rely on to respond, adapt to, and survive stress.
- I will examine the cause and consequences of emerging tree decline scenarios (e.g., yellow-cedar and birch decline) that have no apparent biologic (insect or disease) basis, but seem to be occurring with increasing frequency.
Featured Publications
- Comerford, Daniel P.; Schaberg, Paul G.; Templer, Pamela H.; Socci, Anne M.; Campbell, John L.; Wallin, Kimberly F. 2013. Influence of experimental snow removal on root and canopy physiology of sugar maple trees in a northern hardwood forest. Oecologia. 171: 261-269.
- Richardson, Andrew D.; Carbone, Mariah S.; Keenan, Trevor F.; Czimczik, Claudia I.; Hollinger, David Y.; Murakami, Paula; Schaberg, Paul G.; Xu, Xiaomei. 2013. Seasonal dynamics and age of stemwood nonstructural carbohydrates in temperate forest trees. New Phytologist. 197: 850-861.
- Crowley, K.F.; McNeil, B.E.; Lovett, G.M.; Canham, C.D.; Driscoll, C.T.; Rustad, L.E.; Denny, E.; Hallett, R.A.; Arthur, M.A.; Boggs, J.L.; Goodale, C.L.; Kahl, J.S.; McNulty, S.G.; Ollinger, S.V.; Pardo, L.H.; Schaberg, P.G.; Stoddard, J.L.; Weand, M.P.; Weather, K.C. 2012. Do nutrient limitation patterns shift from nitrogen toward phosphorus with increasing nitrogen deposition across the northeastern United States?. Ecosystems. 15: 940-957.
- Groffman, Peter M.; Rustad, Lindsey; Templer, Pamela H.; Campbell, John; Christenson, Lynn M.; Lany, Nina K.; Socci, Anne M.; Vadeboncoeur, Matthew A.; Schaberg, Paul; Wilson, Geoffrey F.; Driscoll, Charles T.; Fahey, Timothy J.; Fisk, Melany C.; Goodale, Christine L.; Green, Mark B.; Hamburg, Steven P.; Johnson, Chris E.; Mitchell, Myron J.; Morse, Jennifer L.; Pardo, Linda H.; Rodenhouse, Nicholas L. 2012. Long-term integrated studies show complex and surprising effects of climate change in northern hardwood forests. BioScience. 62(12): 1056-1066
- Saielli, Thomas M.; Schaberg, Paul G.; Hawley, Gary J.; Halman, Joshua M. 2012. Nut cold hardiness as a factor influencing the restoration of American chestnut in northern latitudes and high elevations. Canadian Journal of Forest Research. 42: 849-857.
Additional
Online Publications
- Hennon, Paul E.; D'Amore, David V.; Schaberg, Paul G.; Wittwer, Dustin T.; Shanley, Colin S. 2012. Shifting climate, altered niche, and a dynamic conservation strategy for yellow-cedar in the North Pacific coastal rainforest. BioScience. 62: 147-158.
- Schaberg, Paul G.; Lazarus, Brynne E.; Hawley, Gary J.; Halman, Joshua M.; Borer, Catherine H.; Hansen, Christopher F. 2011. Assessment of weather-associated causes of red spruce winter injury and consequences to aboveground carbon sequestration. Canadian Journal of Forest Research. 41: 359-369.
- Schaberg, Paul G.; Minocha, Rakesh; Long, Stephanie; Halman, Joshua M.; Hawley, Gary J.; Eagar, Christopher. 2011. Calcium addition at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest increases the capacity for stress tolerance and carbon capture in red spruce (Picea rubens) trees during the cold season. Trees. 25: 1053-1061.
- Schaberg, Paul G.; D'Amore, David V.; Hennon, Paul E.; Halman, Joshua M.; Hawley, Gary J. 2011. Do limited cold tolerance and shallow depth of roots contribute to yellow-cedar decline?. Forest Ecology and Management. 262: 2142-2150.
- Gurney, Kendra M.; Schaberg, Paul G.; Hawley, Gary; Shane, John B. 2011. Inadequate cold tolerance as a possible limitation to American chestnut restoration in the northeastern United States. Restoration Ecology. 19: 55-63.
- Neufeld, Howard S.; Poindexter, Derick B; Murakami, Paula F.; Schaberg, Paul G. 2011. Observations on the relationship between above- and below-ground anthocyanin production in Galax urceolata (Poir.) Brummitt growing in sun-exposed and shaded locations. Castanea. 76: 84-98.
- Halman, Joshua M.; Schaberg, Paul G.; Hawley, Gary J.; Hansen, Christopher F. 2011. Potential role of soil calcium in recovery of paper birch following ice storm injury in Vermont, USA. Forest Ecology and Management. 261: 1539-1545.
- Schaberg, Paul G.; Miller, Eric K.; Eagar, Christopher. 2010. Assessing the threat that anthropogenic calcium depletion poses to forest health and productivity. In: Pye, John M.; Rauscher, H. Michael; Sands, Yasmeen; Lee, Danny C.; Beatty, Jerome S., tech. eds. 2010. Advances in threat assessment and their application to forest and rangeland management. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-802. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest and Southern Research Stations: 37-58
- Schaberg, Paul G.; Hawley, Gary J. 2010. Disruption of calcium nutrition at Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest (New Hampshire) alters the health and productivity of red spruce and sugar maple trees and provides lessons pertinent to other sites and regions. In: Rentch, James S.; Schuler, Thomas M., eds. 2010. Proceedings from the conference on the ecology and management of high-elevation forests in the central and southern Appalachian Mountains. 2009 May 14-15; Slatyfork, WV. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-P-64. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 190-200.
- Gurney, Kenda; Schaberg, Paul. 2010. Life in the cold - another challenge to American chestnut restoration?. Journal of the American Chestnut Foundation. 24(3): 12-14.
- D'Amore, David V.; Hennon, Paul E.; Schaberg, Paul G.; Hawley, Gary J. 2009. Adaptation to exploit nitrate in surface soils predisposes yellow-cedar to climate-induced decline while enhancing the survival of western redcedar: a new hypothesis. Forest Ecology and Management. 258: 2261-2268.
- Strimbeck, G.R.; Schaberg, P.G. 2009. Going to extremes: low temperature tolerance and acclimation in temperate and boreal conifers. In: Gusta L.; Wisniewski, M.; Tanino, K., eds. Plant cold hardiness: from the laboratory to the field. CAB International: 226-239.
- Schaberg, Paul G.; Gurney, Kendra M.; Janes, Benjamin R.; Halman, Joshua M.; Hawley, Gary J. 2009. Is nut cold tolerance a limitation to the restoration of American chestnut in the northeastern United States?. Ecological Restoration. 27(3): 266-268.
- Schaberg, Paul G.; DeHayes, Donald H.; Hawley, Gary J.; Nijensohn, Samuel E. 2008. Anthropogenic alterations of genetic diversity within tree populations: Implications for forest ecosystem resilience. Forest Ecology and Management. 256: 855-862.
- Schaberg, P.G.; Murakami, P.F.; Turner, M.R.; Heitz, H.K.; Hawley, G.J. 2008. Association of red coloration with senescence of sugar maple leaves in autumn. Trees. 22: 573-578.
- Halman, Joshua M.; Schaberg, Paul G.; Hawley, Gary J.; Eagar, Christopher. 2008. Calcium addition at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest increases sugar storage, antioxidant activity and cold tolerance in native red spruce (Picea rubens). Tree Physiology 28:855-862
- Strimbeck, G. Richard; Kjellsen, Trygve D.; Schaberg, Paul G.; Murakami, Paula F. 2008. Dynamics of low-temperature acclimation in temperate and boreal conifer foliage in a mild winter climate. Tree Physiology. 28: 1365-1374.
- Schaberg, Paul G.; Hennon, Paul E.; D'Amore, David V.; Hawley, Gary J. 2008. Influence of simulated snow cover on the cold tolerance and freezing injury of yellow-cedar seedlings. Global Change Biology 14:1-12
- Murakami, P.F.; Schaberg, P.G.; Shane, J.B. 2008. Stem girdling manipulates leaf sugar concentrations and anthocyanin expression in sugar maples trees during autumn. Tree Physiology. 28: 1467-1473.
- Strimbeck, G. Richard; Kjellsen, Trygve D.; Schaberg, Paul G.; Murakami, Paula F. 2007. Cold in the common garden: comparative low-temperature tolerance of boreal and temperate conifer foliage. Trees. 21: 557-567.
- Huggett, Brett A.; Schaberg, Paul G.; Hawley, Gary J.; Eager, Christopher. 2007. Long-term calcium addition increases growth release, wound closure, and health of sugar maple (Acer saccharum) trees at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 37:1692-1700
- Schaberg, Paul G.; Tilley, James W.; Hawley, Gary J.; DeHayes, Donald H.; Bailey, Scott W. 2006. Associations of calcium and aluminum with the growth and health of sugar maple trees in Vermont. Forest Ecology and Management. 223: 159-169.
- Hawley, Gary J.; Schaberg, Paul G.; Eagar, Christopher; Borer, Catherine H. 2006. Calcium addition at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest reduced winter injury to red spruce in a high-injury year. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 36:2544-2549
- Hennon, P.; D'Amore, D.; Wittwer, D.; Johnson, A.; Schaberg, P.; Hawley, G.; Beier, C.; Sink, S.; Juday, G. 2006. Climate warming, reduced snow, and freezing injury could explain the demise of yellow-cedar in southeast Alaska, USA. World Resource Review. 18(2): 427-450.
- Hawley, Gary; DeHayes, Donald; Schaberg, Paul; Brissette, John. 2006. Genetic Effects of Diameter-Limit Cutting. In: Kenefic, Laura S.; Nyland, Ralph D. eds. Proceedings of the conference on diameter-limit cutting in northeastern forests.; 2005 May 23-24; Amherst, MA. Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-342. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Forest Service: 41-42.
- Lazarus, Brynne E.; Schaberg, Paul G.; Hawley, Gary J.; DeHayes, Donald H. 2006. Landscape-scale spatial patterns of winter injury to red spruce foliage in a year of heavy region-wide injury. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 36:142-152
- Pardo, L.H.; Templer, P.H.; Goodale, C.L.; Duke, S.; Groffman, P.M.; Adams, M.B.; Boeckx, P.; Boggs, J.; Campbell, J.; Colman, B.; Compton, J.; Emmett, B.; Gundersen, P.; Kjonaas, J.; Lovett, G.; Mack, M.; Magill, A.; Mbila, M.; Mitchell, M.J.; McGee, G.; McNulty, S.; Nadelhoffer, K.; Ollinger, S.; Ross, D.; Rueth, H.; Rustad, L.; Schaberg, P.; Schiff, S.; Schleppi, P.; Spoelstra, J.; Wessel, W. 2006. Regional assessment of N saturation using foliar and root δ15N. Biogeochemistry. 80: 143-171.
- Borer, Catherine H.; Schaberg, Paul G.; DeHayes, Donald H. 2005. Acidic mist reduces foliar membrane-associated calcium and impairs stomatal responsiveness in red spruce. Tree Physiology. 25: 673-680.
- Murakami, Paula F.; Turner, Michelle R.; van den Berg, Abby K.; Schaberg, Paul G. 2005. An instructional guide for leaf color analysis using digital imaging software. Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-327. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station. 33 p.
- Nijensohn, Samuel E.; Schaberg, Paul G.; Hawley, Gary J.; DeHayes, Donald H. 2005. Genetic subpopulation structuring and its implications in a mature eastern white pine stand. Canadian Journal of Forest Research. 35: 1041-1052.
- Schaberg, Paul G.; Hennon, Paul E.; D, Amore, David V.; Hawley, Gary J.; Borer, Catherine H. 2005. Seasonal differences in freezing tolerance of yellow-cedar and western hemlock trees at a site affected by yellow-cedar decline. Canadian Journal of Forest Research.35: 2065-2070.
- Hawley, Gary J.; Schaberg, Paul G.; DeHayes, Donald H.; Brissette, John C. 2005. Silviculture alters the genetic structure of an eastern hemlock forest in Maine, USA. Canadian Journal of Forest Research. 35(1): 143-150.
- Borer, Catherine H.; Schaberg, Paul G.; DeHayes, Donald H.; Hawley, Gary J. 2004. Accretion, partitioning and sequestration of calcium and aluminum in red spruce foliage: implications for tree health. Tree Physiology. 24: 929-939.
- Lazarus, Brynne E.; Schaberg, Paul G.; DeHayes, Donald H.; Hawley, Gary J. 2004. Severe red spruce winter injury in 2003 creates unusual ecological event in the northeastern United States. Canadian Journal of Forest Research. 1784-1788.
- Schaberg, Paul G.; Hawley, Gary J.; DeHayes, Donald H.; Nijensohn, Samuel E. 2004. Silvicultural management and the manipulation of rare alleles. In: Beaulieu, J., ed. Silviculture and the conservation of genetic resources for sustainable forest management, proceedings of the symposium of the North American forest commission, forest genetic resources and silviculture working groups, and the International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO); 2003 September 21; Quebec City, Canada. Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service: 67-74.
- Schaberg, P.G.; Van Den Berg, A.K.; Murakami, P.F.; Shane, J.B.; Donnelly, J.R. 2003. Factors influencing red expression in autumn foliage of sugar maple trees. Tree Physiology. 23: 325-333.
- Vasseur, L.; Schaberg, P. G.; Hounsell, J.; Ang, P. O., Jr.; Cote, D.; et. al.. 2002. Ecosystem health and human health: healthy planet, healthy living. In: Costanza, Robert; Jorgensen, Sven Erik, eds. Understanding and Solving Environmental Problems in the 21st Century; Toward a new, integrated hard problem science. New York, NY: Elsevier: 189-219.
- Schaberg, Paul G.; DeHayes, Donald H.; Hawley, Gary J.; Murakami, Paula F.; Strimbeck, G. Richard; McNulty, Steven G. 2002. Effects of chronic N fertilization on foliar membranes, cold tolerance, and carbon storage in montane red spruce. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 32:1351-1359
- Hawley, Gary J.; Schaberg, Paul G.; DeHayes, Donald H. 2002. The importance of preserving genetic uniqueness in pitch pine restoration (Vermont). Ecological Restoration. 20: 281-282.
- Schaberg, Paul G.; DeHayes, Donald H.; Hawley, Gary J. 2001. Anthropogenic calcium depletion: a unique threat to forest ecosystem health?. Ecosystem Health. 7(4): 214-228.
- Van den Berg, Abby K.; Donnelly, John R.; Murakami, Paula F.; Schaberg, Paul G. 2001. Development of fall foliage color in sugar maple. In: The Tree 2000. Isabelle Quentin Ed. IQ Press, Montreal: 356-360.
- Borer, Catherine H.; Schaberg, Paul G.; DeHayes, Donald H.; Hawley, Gary J. 2001. Physiological implications of anthropogenic environmental calcium depletion. In: The Tree 2000. Isabelle Quentin Ed. IQ Press, Montreal: 295-300.
- DeHayes, Donald H.; Schaberg, Paul G.; Strimbeck, G.Richard. 2001. Red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.) cold hardiness and freezing injury susceptibility. Chapter 18. In: Bigras, F.; Columbo, S.J., eds. Conifer cold hardiness. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, The Netherlands: 495-529.
- Schaberg, P.G.; DeHayes, D.H.; Hawley, G.J.; Strimbeck, G.R.; Cumming, J.R.; Murakami, P.F.; Borer, C.H. 2000. Acid mist and soil Ca and Al alter the mineral nutrition and physiology of red spruce. Tree Physiology. 20: 73-85.
- Shaberg, P.G.; Strimbeck, G.R.; Hawley, G.J.; DeHayes, D.H.; Shane, J.B.; Murakami, P.F.; Perkins, T.D.; Donnelly, J.R.; Wong, B.L. 2000. Cold tolerance and photosystem function in a montane red spruce population: physiological relationships with foliar carbohydrates. Journal of Sustainable Forestry. 10: 173-180.
- Schaberg, P.G.; Strimbeck, G.R.; Hawley, G.J.; DeHayes, D.H.; Shane, J.B.; Murakami, P.F.; Perkins, T.D.; Donnelly, J.R.; Wong, B.L. 2000. Cold tolerance and photosystem function in a montane red spruce population: physiological relationships with foliar carbohydrates. Journal of Sustainable Forestry. 10(1/2): 173-180.
- DeHayes, Donald H.; Jacobson, George L., Jr.; Schaberg, Paul G.; Bongarten, Bruce; Iverson, Louis; Dieffenbacher-Krall, Ann C. 2000. Forest responses to changing climate: lessons from the past and uncertainty for the future. In: Mickler, Robert A.; Birdsey, Richard A.; Hom, John, eds. Responses of northern U.S. forests to environmental change. Ecological studies 139. New York: Springer-Verlag: 495-540.
- Perkins, T.D.; Adams, G.T.; Lawson, S.T.; Schaberg, P.G.; McNulty, S.G. 2000. Long-term nitrogen fertilization increases winter injury in montane red spruce foliage (Picea rubens) foliage. Journal of Sustainable Forestry. 10: 165-172.
- Schaberg, Paul G.; DeHayes, Donald H. 2000. Physiological and environmental causes of freezing injury in red spruce. In: Mickler, Robert A.; Birdsey, Richard A.; Hom, John, eds. Responses of northern U.S. forests to environmental change. Ecological studies 139. New York: Springer-Verlag: 181-227.
- Schaberg, P.G.; Snyder, M.C.; Shane, J.B.; Donnelly, J.R. 2000. Seasonal patterns of carbohydrate reserves in red spruce seedlings. Tree Physiology. 20: 549-555.
- Schaberg, P.G. 2000. Winter photosynthesis in red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.): limitations, potential benefits, and risks. Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research. 32: 375-380.
- DeHayes, Donald H.; Schaberg, Paul G.; Hawley, Gary J.; Strimbeck, G. Richard. 1999. Acid rain impacts on calcium nutrition and forest health. BioScience. 49(10): 789-800.
- Schaberg, P.G.; Shane, J.B.; Cali, P.F.; Donnelly, J.R.; Strimbeck, G.R. 1998. Photosynthetic capacity of red spruce during winter. Tree Physiology. 18. 271-276.
- Schaberg, Paul G.; Perkins, Timothy D.; McNulty, Steven G. 1997. Effects of chronic low-level N additions on foliar elemental concentrations, morphology, and gas exchange of mature montane red spruce. Canadian Journal of Forest Research. 27: 1622-1629.
- DeHayes, D.H.; Schaberg, P.G.; Hawley, G.J.; Borer, C.H.; Cumming, J.R.; Strimbeck, J.R. 1997. Physiological implications of seasonal variation in membrane-associated calcium in red spruce mesophyll cells. Tree Physiology. 17: 687-695.
- Borer, Catherine H.; Schaberg, Paul; Cumming, Jonathan R. 1997. Relative quantification of membrane-associated calcium in red spruce mesophyll cells. Trees. 12: 21-26.
- Schaberg, P.G.; Shane, J.B.; Hawley, G.J.; Strimbeck, G.R.; DeHayes, D.H.; Cali, P.F.; Donnelly, J.R. 1996. Physiological changes in red spruce seedlings during a simulated winter thaw. Tree Physiology. 16: 567-574.
- Strimbeck, G.R.; Schaberg, P.G.; DeHayes, D.H.; Shane, J.B.; Hawley, G.J. 1995. Midwinter dehardening of montane red spruce during a natural thaw. Canadian Journal of Forest Research. 25: 2040-2044.
- Schaberg, P.G.; Wilkinson, R.C.; Shane, J.B.; Donnelly, J.R.; Cali, P.F. 1995. Winter photosynthesis of red spruce from three Vermont seed sources. Tree Physiology. 15: 345-350.
- Wilkinson, Ronald C.; Schaberg, Paul G. 1992. Altitudinal variation in growth, bud break and susceptibility to balsam twig aphid damage of balsam fir from 6 Vermont seed sources. In: Proceedings of the 1st northern forest genetics conference; 1991 July 23-25; Burlington, VT. The University of Vermont: 171-180.
- Donnelly, John R.; Shane, John B.; Schaberg, Paul G. 1990. Lead mobility within the xylem of red spruce seedlings: Implications for the development of pollution histories. Journal of Environmental Quality. 19: 268-271.
Last Modified:
02/15/2012