Robert A. Slesak

Olympia, WA 98512-1101
United States
- Site-soil classifications
- Soil-plant resource dynamics
- Quantifying uncertainty
https://www.fs.usda.gov/pnw/groups/genetics-and-silvicultural-foundations-management
- Oregon State University, PhD Forest Soils, Effects of intensive management practices on soil properties and stand development, 2009
- State University of NY, College of Environmental Science and Forestry, MS Forest Ecosystem Science, soil-plant nutrition diagnostics, 2004
- State University of NY, College of Environmental Science and Forestry, BS Forest Resources Management, Forest Management , 2002
- SUNY-ESF Ranger School , AAS Forest Technology, forest tech disciplines and techniques, 2000
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Faculty, Natural Resources Science and Management Graduate Program,
University of Minnesota ,
2013 -
Current
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Adjunct Assistant Professor ,
Department of Forest Resources, University of Minnesota ,
2010 -
Current
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Director of Applied Research,
Minnesota Forest Resources Council ,
2010 -
2020
- Society of American Foresters (SAF), Current
- Carter, David R.; Slesak, Robert A.; Harrington, Timothy B.; Peter, David H.; D’Amato, Anthony W.. 2019. Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius) modifies microenvironment to promote nonnative plant communities
- Diamond, Jacob S.; McLaughlin, Daniel L.; Slesak, Robert A.; D'Amato, Anthony W.; Palik, Brian J.. 2018. Forested versus herbaceous wetlands: Can management mitigate ecohydrologic regime shifts from invasive emerald ash borer
- Kolka, Randall K.; D'Amato, Anthony W.; Wagenbrenner, Joseph W.; Slesak, Robert A.; Pypker, Thomas G.; Youngquist, Melissa B.; Grinde, Alexis R.; Palik, Brian J.. 2018. Review of ecosystem level impacts of emerald ash borer on black ash wetlands: What does the future hold
- Slesak, Robert A.; Palik, Brian J.; D'Amato, Anthony W.; Kurth, Valerie J.. 2017. Changes in soil physical and chemical properties following organic matter removal and compaction: 20-year response of the aspen Lake-States Long Term Soil Productivity installations
- Slesak, Robert A.; Harrington, Timothy B.; Peter, Dave; DeBruler, Daniel G.; Schoenholtz, Stephen H.; Strahm, Brian D.. 2016. Effects of intensive management practices on 10-year Douglas-fir growth, soil nutrient pools, and vegetation communities in the Pacific Northwest, USA
- Littke, K.M. ; Holub, S.M. ; Slesak, R.A. ; Littke, W.R. ; Turnblom, E.C.. 2021. Five-year growth, biomass, and nitrogen pools of Douglas-fir following intensive forest management treatments
- Curzon, Miranda T.; Slesak, Robert A.; Palik, Brian J.; Schwager, Julia K.. 2022. Harvest impacts to stand development and soil properties across soil textures: 25-year response of the aspen Lake States LTSP installations
- Cianciolo, Thomas R.; Diamond, Jacob S.; McLaughlin, Daniel L.; Slesak, Robert A.; D'Amato, Anthony W.; Palik, Brian J.. 2021. Hydrologic variability in black ash wetlands: Implications for vulnerability to emerald ash borer
- Slesak, Robert A.; Harrington, Timothy B.; D'Amato, Anthony W.; Carter, David R.. 2021. Legacy effects of non-native Cytisus scoparius in glacial outwash soils: Potential impacts to forest soil productivity in western Washington
- Friesen, Hannah C.; Slesak, Robert A.; Karwan, Diana L.; Kolka, Randall K.. 2021. Effects of snow and climate on soil temperature and frost development in forested peatlands in Minnesota, USA
- McEachran, Zachary P.; Karwan, Diana L.; Sebestyen, Stephen D.; Slesak, Robert A.; Ng, Gene-Hua Crystal.. 2021. Nonstationary flood-frequency analysis to assess effects of harvest and cover type conversion on peak flows at the Marcell Experimental Forest, Minnesota, USA
- James, Jason ; Page-Dumroese, Deborah ; Busse, Matt ; Palik, Brian ; Zhang, Jianwei ; Eaton, Bob ; Slesak, Robert ; Tirocke, Joanne ; Kwon, Hoyoung. 2021. Effects of forest harvesting and biomass removal on soil carbon and nitrogen: Two complementary meta-analyses
- Palik, Brian ; D'Amato, Anthony ; Slesak, Robert A.. 2021. Wide-spread vulnerability of black ash (Fraxinus nigra Marsh.) wetlands in Minnesota USA to loss of tree dominance from invasive emerald ash borer
- Palik, Brian J.; D'Amato, Anthony W.; Slesak, Robert A.; Kastendick, Doug ; Looney, Chris ; Kragthorpe, Josh. 2021. Eighth-year survival and growth of planted replacement tree species in black ash (Fraxinus nigra) wetlands threatened by emerald ash borer in Minnesota, USA
- Harrington, Timothy B.; Slesak, Robert A.; Dollins, James P.; Schoenholtz, Stephen H.; Peter, David H.. 2020. Logging-debris and vegetation-control treatments influence competitive relationships to limit 15-year productivity of coast Douglas-fir in western Washington and Oregon
- Youngquist, Melissa B.; Wiley, Chandra ; Eggert, Sue L.; D'Amato, Anthony W.; Palik, Brian J.; Slesak, Robert A.. 2020. Foundation Species Loss Affects Leaf Breakdown and Aquatic Invertebrate Resource Use in Black Ash Wetlands
- Grinde, Alexis R.; Slesak, Robert A.; D'Amato, A.W. ; Palik, B.P.. 2020. Effects of tree retention and woody biomass removal on bird and small mammal communities
- Carter, David R.; Slesak, Robert A.; Harrington, Timothy B.; D'Amato, Anthony W.. 2019. Comparative effects of soil resource availability on physiology and growth of Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius) and Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) seedlings
- Toczydlowski, Alan J.Z.; Slesak, Robert A.; Kolka, Randall K.; Venterea, Rodney T.; D'Amato, Anthony W.; Palik, Brian J.. 2020. Effect of simulated emerald ash borer infestation on nitrogen cycling in black ash (Fraxinus nigra) wetlands in northern Minnesota, USA
- Toczydlowski, Alan J.Z.; Slesak, Robert A.; Kolka, Randall K.; Venterea, Rodney T.. 2020. Temperature and water-level effects on greenhouse gas fluxes from black ash (Fraxinus nigra) wetland soils in the Upper Great Lakes region, USA
- Carter, David R.; Slesak, Robert A.; Harrington, Timothy B.; D’Amato, Anthony W.. 2019. Effects of irrigation and phosphorus fertilization on physiology, growth, and nitrogen-accumulation of Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius)
- Watts, Andrea ; Harrington, Tim ; Peter, Dave ; Slesak, Robert. 2019. Managing competing vegetation in Douglas-Fir plantations: The benefits of forest floor complexity
- Engelstad, Peder S.; Falkowski, Michael J.; D'Amato, Anthony W.; Slesak, Robert A.; Palik, Brian J.; Domke, Grant M.; Russell, Matthew B.. 2019. Mapping black ash dominated stands using geospatial and forest inventory data in northern Minnesota, USA
- DeBruler, Daniel G.; Schoenholtz, Stephen H.; Slesak, Robert A.; Strahm, Brian D.; Harrington, Timothy B.. 2019. Soil phosphorus fractions vary with harvest intensity and vegetation control at two contrasting Douglas-fir sites in the Pacific northwest
- D'Amato, Anthony ; Palik, Brian ; Slesak, Robert ; Edge, Greg ; Matula, Colleen ; Bronson, Dustin. 2018. Evaluating Adaptive Management Options for Black Ash Forests in the Face of Emerald Ash Borer Invasion
- Harrington, Timothy B.; Peter, David H.; Slesak, Robert A.. 2018. Logging debris and herbicide treatments improve growing conditions for planted Douglas-fir on a droughty forest site invaded by Scotch broom
- Youngquist, Melissa B.; Eggert, Sue L.; D'Amato, Anthony W.; Palik, Brian J.; Slesak, Robert A.. 2017. Potential effects of foundation species loss on wetland communities: A case study of black ash wetlands threatened by emerald ash borer
- Looney, Christopher E.; D'Amato, Anthony W.; Palik, Brian J.; Slesak, Robert A.. 2017. Canopy treatment influences growth of replacement tree species in Fraxinus nigra forests threatened by the emerald ash borer in Minnesota, USA
- Looney, Christopher E.; D'Amato, Anthony W.; Palik, Brian J.; Slesak, Robert A.; Slater, Mitchell A.. 2017. The response of Fraxinus nigra forest ground-layer vegetation to emulated emerald ash borer mortality and management strategies in northern Minnesota, USA
- Slesak, Robert A.; Schoenholtz, Stephen H.; Harrington, Timothy B.; Meehan, Nathan A.. 2011. Initial response of soil carbon and nitrogen to harvest intensity and competing vegetation control in douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) plantations of the Pacific Northwest
- Telander, Andrew C.; Slesak, Robert A.; D'Amato, Anthony W.; Palik, Brian J.; Brooks, Kenneth N.; Lenhart, Christian F.. 2015. Sap flow of black ash in wetland forests of northern Minnesota, USA: Hydrologic implications of tree mortality due to emerald ash borer
- Looney, Christopher E.; D'Amato, Anthony W.; Palik, Brian J.; Slesak, Robert A.. 2015. Overstory treatment and planting season affect survival of replacement tree species in emerald ash borer threatened Fraxinus nigra forests in Minnesota, USA
- Slesak, Robert A.; Harrington, Timothy B.; D′Amato, Anthony W.. 2016. Invasive scotch broom alters soil chemical properties in Douglas-fir forests of the Pacific Northwest, USA
- Slesak, Robert A.; Lenhart, Christian F.; Brooks, Kenneth N.; D'Amato, Anthony W.; Palik, Brian J.. 2014. Water table response to harvesting and simulated emerald ash borer mortality in black ash wetlands in Minnesota, USA
- Harrington, Timothy B., Ph.D..; Slesak, Robert A.; Schoenholtz, Stephen H.. 2013. Variation in logging debris cover influences competitor abundance, resource availability, and early growth of planted Douglas-fir
- Slesak, Robert A.; Schoenholtz, Stephen H.; Harrington, Timothy B., Ph.D... 2011. Soil carbon and nutrient pools in Douglas-fir plantations 5 years after manipulating biomass and competing vegetation in the Pacific Nortwest
- Devine, Warren D.; Harrington, Timothy B., Ph.D..; Terry, Thomas A.; Harrison, Robert B.; Slesak, Robert A.; Peter, David H.; Harrington, Constance A.; Shilling, Carol J.; Schoenholtz, Stephen H.. 2011. Five-year vegetation control effects on aboveground biomass and nitrogen content and allocation in Douglas-fir plantations on three contrasting sites
- Kirkland, John; Harrington, Timoth B.; Peter, David H.; Slesak, Robert A.; Schoenholtz, Stephen H.. 2012. Logging debris matters: better soil, fewer invasive plants
- Slesak, Robert A.; Schoenholtz, Stephen H.; Harrington, Timothy B., Ph.D... 2010. Soil respiration and carbon responses to logging debris and competing vegetation
- Slesak, Robert A.; Harrington, Timothy B.; Schoenholtz, Stephen H.. 2010. Soil and Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) foliar nitrogen responses to variable logging-debris retention and competing vegetation control in the Pacific Northwest
- Slesak, Robert A.; Schoenholtz, Stephen H.; Harrington, Timothy B., Ph.D..; Strahm, Brian D.. 2009. Dissolved carbon and nitrogen leaching following variable logging-debris retention and competing-vegetation control in Douglas-fir plantations of western Oregon and Washington
- Slesak, Robert A.; Briggs, Russell D.. 2005. Assessing Christmas Tree Response to N Fertilization
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Harrington, T.B., R.A. Slesak, J. Dollins, S.H. Schoenholtz, and D. Peter. 2020. Logging-debris configuration and vegetation control influence 15-year changes in soil C and N and stand characteristics of planted coast Douglas-fir in western Washington and Oregon. Forest Ecology and Management https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2020.118288
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Littke, K., T.B. Harrington, R.A. Slesak, S. Holub, J. Hatten, A. Gallo, W. Littke, R. Harrison, and E. Turnblom. 2020. Longer-Term Effects of Organic Matter Removal and Vegetation Control on Aboveground and Belowground Nutrients and Douglas-fir Growth at Three Contrasting Pacific Northwestern Forest Sites. Forest Ecology and Management 468. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2020.118176
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Youngquist, M.B., C. Wiley, S.L. Eggert, A.W. D’Amato, B.J. Palik, and R.A. Slesak. 2020. Linking emerald ash borer to changes in ecosystem function: host loss effects on leaf decomposition and invertebrate growth. Wetlands. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13157-019-01221-3
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Host, T.K., M.B. Russell, M.A. Windmuller-Campione, R.A Slesak, and J.F. Knight. 2020. Ash Presence and Abundance derived from Composite Landsat and Sentinel-2 Time Series and Lidar Surface Models in Minnesota, USA. Remote Sensing 12, 1341; doi:10.3390/rs12081341
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Grinde, A., R.A. Slesak, A.W. D’Amato, and B.J. Palik. 2020. Effects of tree retention and woody biomass removal on bird and small mammal communities in Minnesota. Forest Ecology and Management 465: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2020.118090
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Vogeler, J.C., R.A. Slesak, P.A. Fekety, and M.J. Falkowski. 2020. Characterizing four decades of forest disturbance in Minnesota. Forests 11(3): https://doi.org/10.3390/f11030362
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Diamond, J. S., D.L. McLaughlin, R.A., Slesak, and A. Stovall. 2020. Microtopography is a fundamental organizing structure in black ash wetlands. Biogeosciences 17: 901-915. https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-17-901-2020
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Diamond, J., D. McLaughlin, R. Slesak, and A. Stovall. 2019. Pattern and structure of microtopography implies autogenic origins in forested wetlands. Hydrology and Earth Systems Sciences. 23 (12): 5069-5088.
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Stoval, A., J.S. Diamond, R.A. Slesak, D.L. McLaughlin, and H. Shugart. 2019. Quantifying wetland microtopography with terrestrial laser scanning. Remote Sensing and the Environment.
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McEachran, Z.P, R.A. Slesak, and D.L. Karwan. 2018. From skid trail to landscapes: vegetation is the dominant factor influencing erosion after forest harvest in a low relief glaciated landscape. Forest Ecology and Management 430:299-311.
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Vogeler, J., J.D. Braaten, R.A. Slesak, and M.J. Falkowski. 2018. Extracting the full value of the Landsat archive: Inter-sensor harmonization for the mapping of Minnesota forest canopy cover (1973-2015). Remote Sensing of Environment. 209:363-374.
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Slesak, R.A., J. Corcoran, and R. Rossman. 2018. A holistic monitoring approach for water quality BMP and forest watershed risk assessment. Journal of Forestry 116(3): 283-290.
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Costanza, K.L., W.H. Livingston, D.M. Kashian , R.A. Slesak, J.C. Tardiff, J.P. Dech, A.K. Diamond, J.J. Daigle, D.J. Ranco, J.S. Neptune, L. Benedict, S.R. Fraver, M. Reinikainen, and N. Siegert. 2017. The precarious state of a cultural keystone species: tribal and biological assessments of the role and future of black ash. Journal of Forestry https://doi.org/10.5849/jof.2016-034R1
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Slesak, R.A., and T. Kaebisch. 2016. Using LiDAR to assess impacts of forest harvest landings on vegetation height and the potential for recovery over time. Canadian J. Forest Research. 46(6): 869-875.
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Slesak, R.A., S.H. Schoenholtz, and D. Evans. 2015. Hillslope erosion two and three years after wildfire, skyline salvage logging, and site preparation in southern Oregon, USA. Forest Ecology and Management 342:1-7.
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Kurth, V.J., J.B. Bradford, R.A. Slesak, and A.W. D’Amato. 2014. Initial soil respiration response to biomass harvesting and green-tree retention in aspen-dominated forests of the Great Lakes region. Forest Ecology and Management 328:342-352.
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Slesak, R.A. 2013. Soil temperature following logging-debris manipulation and aspen regrowth in Minnesota: implications for sampling depth and alteration of soil processes. Soil Science Society of America Journal 77:1818-1824.
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Slesak, R.A. and R.D. Briggs. 2010. Foliar mass and nutrition of Abies concolor Christmas trees following application of organic and inorganic fertilizer. Northern Journal Applied Forestry 27(1): 28-33.
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Slesak, R.A. and R.D. Briggs. 2007. Christmas tree response to N fertilization and the development of critical foliar N levels in New York. Northern Journal Applied Forestry 24(3):209-217.
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Toczydlowski, A., R.A. Slesak, R.K. Kolka, R.T. Venterea, A.W. D’Amato, and B.J. Palik. 2020. Effect of simulated emerald ash borer infestation on nitrogen cycling in black ash (Fraxinus nigra) wetlands in northern Minnesota, USA. Forest Ecology and Management 458: 117769 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2019.117769
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Carter, D.R., R.A. Slesak, T.B. Harrington and A.W. D’Amato. 2019. Effects of irrigation and phosphorus fertilization on physiology, growth, and nitrogen-fixation of Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius). Plant Physiology Reports https://doi.org/10.1007/s40502-019-00459-7
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Carter, D.R., R.A. Slesak, T.B. Harrington and A.W. D’Amato. 2019. Comparative effects of soil resource availability on physiology and growth of Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius) and Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) seedlings. Forest Ecology and Management 453. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2019.117580