College of Forestry

Meet Michael P. Nelson, Ruth H. Spaniol Chair of Renewable Resources and Lead Principal Investigator for the HJ Andrews Experimental Forest. When Michael talks about his work, he mentions carcasses and cadavers to a startling degree — startling because Nelson is not a physician or a veterinarian or even a biologist. He’s a philosopher.

A new study out of Oregon State University suggests that overgrazing could be helping an invasive grass to flourish. That differs from previous studies that have found grazing can better manage that plant — cheatgrass — which threatens rangeland habitat. The invasive plant cheatgrass can increase the frequency and severity of rangeland fires. FES Department Head Paul Doescher is one of the study’s authors.

Researchers at Oregon State University, US, have analysed over 500 years' worth of nitrate and ammonium data from a number of streams across the US. "Much of what we know about changes in stream water quality comes from studies of basins that have been affected by human activity," explained Alba Argerich, a postdoctoral research associate in the College of Forestry and the study's lead author.

Some of Oregon's trees aren't faring so well this spring, especially the Douglas first and other conifers in the northwestern part of the state.  "My best explanation is drought stress," said Brad Withrow-Robinson, a forester with the Oregon State University Extension. "We had a pretty hard end of summer last year - no rain until mid-October - then boom! It was winter."