Forest Climate Change Initiative
FCCI Scientists
Aaron Weiskittel
Professor of Forest Biometrics and Modeling, School of Forest Resources
Affiliations: Director, Center for Research on Sustainable Forests
My work has been focused on developing a new growth and yield model for the Acadian Region, evaluating stem taper/volume equations, and exploring the potential influence of climate change on forest productivity. Learn More.
Research Focus: Forecasting future changes in forest composition and productivity to climate change.
Ivan Fernandez
Professor of Soil Science, Climate Change Institute & School of Forest Resources
Affiliations: School of Food and Agriculture; Center for Research on Sustainable Forests
I am a soil scientist with interests in the biogeochemistry of forested ecosystems in a changing chemical and physical climate. I am also interested in how we are developing adaptation strategies for managing ecosystem response to climate change, particularly as it relates to terrestrial ecosystems and the freshwater resources they encompass. Learn More.
Research Focus: Biogeochemical response of ecosystems to air pollution and climate change, adaptation and mitigation to climate change.
Sandra De Urioste-Stone
Associate Professor of Nature-based Tourism, School of Forest Resources
Affiliations: Center for Research on Sustainable Forests
My interests are in developing collaborative and interdisciplinary research to address what makes some societies and communities more resilient to global and local changes–including climate change. Learn More.
Research Focus: Climate change and sustainable rural livelihoods, risk perceptions, community resilience and vitality, community engagement, and collaborative natural resource management.
Adam Daigneault
Assistant Professor of Forest, Conservation, and Recreation Policy, School of Forest Resources
Affiliations: Senator George J. Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions
My work has been to develop quantitative models to assess the socio-economic impacts of environmental policy on the natural resource sectors. This includes climate change mitigation and adaptation. Learn More.
Research Focus: Climate change and freshwater policy analysis; equilibrium modeling, land use and land cover change, timber market analysis, benefits and costs of invasive species management
Nick Fisichelli
Forest Ecology Director, Schoodic Institute
Affiliations: Center for Research on Sustainable Forests
As a forest ecologist, my work examines natural resource dynamics in a continuously changing world. My focus is on ecosystem dynamics and land management challenges through scientific understanding, education efforts, and stewardship guidance developed concurrently, iteratively, and collaboratively in diverse partnerships. Learn More.
Research Focus: Forest responses to global change, tree regeneration dynamics, and climate change adaptation
Shawn Fraver
Assistant Professor, Forest Ecology, School of Forest Resources
Affiliations: Center for Research on Sustainable Forests
My research addresses a range of applied and basic questions related to the ecology of both natural and managed forests. Much of this work relies heavily on dendrochronology methods to assess tree growth and forest productivity through time. Learn More.
Research Focus: Forests response to various disturbances (wind, insect outbreaks, fire, harvesting) and stressors (competition, drought, climate change).
Daniel Hayes
Assistant Professor of Geospatial Analysis & Remote Sensing, School of Forest Resources
Affiliations: Director, Barbara Wheatland Geospatial Analysis Laboratory; Center for Research on Sustainable Forests
My research, teaching and outreach interests broadly involve scaling questions and geospatial applications in forests and ecosystems. My research activities range from historical remote sensing analysis of tropical deforestation to biogeochemical modeling of ecosystem-climate feedbacks in the Arctic; from airborne measurement of forest structure to national- and global- scale greenhouse gas inventories. Learn More.
Research Focus: Terrestrial ecology, carbon cycle science, remote sensing, ecosystem modeling
Sarah J. Nelson
Director of Research, Appalachian Mountain Club
Prior Affiliations: University of Maine: Program in Ecology & Environmental Sciences; Senator George J. Mitchell Center
My research has included atmospheric deposition, surface water acidification, watershed mass balances, climate effects on water resources, and spatial geochemical modeling, with a strong focus on mercury fate and transport. Learn More.
Research Focus: Climate effects on water resources, and spatial geochemical modeling with a strong focus on mercury fate and transport.
Jay Wason
Assistant Professor of Forest Ecosystem Physiology, School of Forest Resources
Affiliations: Center for Research on Sustainable Forests
I use lab and field studies to determine the physiological responses of northeastern forest trees to novel future climate conditions. Learn More.