Scientists

His research focuses on geomorphology and riparian vegetation as key drivers of riverine ecosystems. His current research interests include influences of valley and river channel morphology on salmon habitats and populations, using land use and restoration scenarios to estimate salmon population responses and evaluate restoration alternatives, and adapting river restoration plans and project designs for climate change.

My work is centered on the role of forests in carbon cycling, and includes research into the flow of carbon and the role of climate in driving these processes. Currently my research is focused on three themes: (1) the role of fire in forest recovery and carbon sequestration (2) the sensitivity of carbon fluxes to climatic drivers in different forest ages and types, and (3) the link between above ground carbon sequestration and soil carbon loss at various temporal scales. Specifically, I look at the feedbacks between climate change, terrestrial carbon sequestration, wildland fire, and ecosystem stability. Measuring and modeling above and belowground carbon fluxes and storage across space and time. Linking above and belowground carbon cycling processes to climate, landscape and land use patterns. Impacts of biofuel production on ecosystem processes in forest and grassland ecosystems.

Dr. Shannon McNeeley received her doctoral degree in Environmental Change and Sustainability Science (ecological anthropology, ecology, climatology) from the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) in the interdisciplinary Resilience and Adaptation Program as an NSF IGERT Fellow then as an NSF Graduate Research Fellow. Her doctoral research focused on climate variability and change impacts, vulnerabilities, and adaptive capacity of indigenous people (Athabascan Indians) in the remote, rural Interior region of Alaska. This was in close collaboration with tribes, state, and federal agency partners. She first began working for the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in 2000 as an associate scientist before starting her doctoral degree in the fall of 2004. Her work is interdisciplinary and cross-cultural incorporating the social and natural sciences in order to understand human-environment relationships and how people are impacted by and respond to environmental change. She has been involved in climate change education and research for over 16 years. Most recently, as a postdoctoral fellow at NCAR, her research focused on water scarcity and sustainability in the context of climate variability and change and the Yampa/White Basins region of northwest Colorado. Then as a research fellow at the School of Natural Resources and Environment the University of Michigan, Dr. McNeeley co-wrote the Adaptation chapter of the upcoming U.S. National Climate Assessment and led research on climate adaptation actions implemented across the globe through the Global Environmental Facility financing mechanisms for developing and Least Developed Countries. She is currently a postdoctoral fellow at the DOI-sponsored North Central Climate Science Center at Colorado State University. In addition to continuing research on vulnerability and adaptation in water resource management, this will also entail working to build the capacity of the NCCSC to conduct and support regional assessment on climate change adaptive capacity and decision making.

Nathan Kettle is a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow for the Alaska Center for Climate Assessment and Policy (ACCAP) and the USGS Alaska Climate Science Center. His research focuses on the human dimensions of global environmental change, risk and uncertainty, trust, and the role of networks in climate change adaptation. He is also interested in risk-based management approaches for climate adaptation and scenario planning.

My current research focuses on constraining CO2 fluxes and ocean acidification in coastal regions, particularly at high latitudes. I do this by using a variety of platforms including the collection of discrete DIC, TA, pH and pCO2 measurements from ships as well as data collected from moorings, gliders and floats.

Julie Vano is a project scientist in the Hydrometeorological Applications Program at the National Center for Atmospheric Research. Julie's research interests include hydrology, water resource management, science policy, climate change impacts, and system dynamics. Her current work aims to better connect climate science and the applications community and use these connections to develop innovative ways to address climate impacts on local water resources.

Amanda's research interests are in the ecology and conservation of freshwater fishes with an emphasis on the role of ecological processes in shaping fish distributions, population characteristics, and community structure.

John has been working to integrate bird conservation with natural resource management in the Pacific Northwest since 1992. He is focused on applying bird conservation science as a tool for advancing ecosystem conservation regionally, nationally, and internationally. His expertise includes participatory action research; ecological monitoring and research using standard bird and habitat sampling techniques; the use of scientific results for overcoming land stewardship challenges; and the development of applied science tools and teaching materials for natural resource management professionals, community members, and students of all ages.

Environmental Management and Economics, Ecosystem Service Values, Urbanizing Regions, Business Sustainability , Sustainability effects of Genetically Engineered Crops

My scientific interests began with a focus on arboreal organisms living in the crowns of tall trees, but has recently shifted to the trees themselves, particularly the five species with living individuals over 300 feet tall. How fast do they grow, what limits their maximum size, and how will they respond to a changing climate? My team is also considering how second-growth forests might be managed to accelerate the development of old-growth forest complexity and biodiversity.

Jessi Kershner is an environmental specialist that works at the interface of scientific research on climate and resource management decision-making. She has a background in ecology, physiology, marine biology and oceanography, and natural resources policy and management. Her education and work experiences have been focused on natural resources management strategies for natural and human influences (including climate change) in terrestrial, freshwater, and coastal and marine ecosystems.

Effects of built infrastructure on societal water needs, ecohydrologic patterns and processes, ecological restoration, green design, water interventions

He has broad interests in hydrology, climate dynamics, water resource systems analysis, risk management and sustainability.

During more than 20 years at CIESIN, Dr. Chen has helped initiate and manage a wide range of projects and data development efforts, including CIESIN's widely used Gridded Population of the World (GPW) data set, its Environmental Treaties and Resource Indicators (ENTRI) service, its global poverty data collection, and the Geospatial Data Preservation Resource Center. He is currently leading or co-leading research and data development projects on topics such as earthquake risk assessment, environment and security, climate adaptation, and sustainability education.