Robert A. Slesak

Research Forester

Land and Watershed Management

3625 93rd Ave. SW
Olympia, WA 98512-1101
United States

Phone

360-753-7717

Research
Education & Experience
Organizations & Awards
Publications & Products

Current Research

Broadly, my research focuses on the effects of forest management and other ecosystem stressors on stand development and soil functions, and the development of mitigative actions or adaptive systems to minimize detrimental effects. Most of my research is conducted using experimental manipulation to directly quantify ecosystem responses. Current projects include assessment of ecological impacts of the invasive emerald ash borer in black ash wetlands, determining the effects of invasive Scotch broom on soil and plant communities and options for its control, and effects of intensive management (vegetation control, organic matter removal, soil compaction) on soil and stand factors in Douglas-fir and aspen forests. I am currently developing a research emphasis evaluating the influence of genotype, soil properties, and management practices on seedling drought susceptibility.

Past Research

My past research includes similar work to my current research, but also includes many additional topics relevant to sustainable resource management. These include evaluation of erosion following forest harvesting (traditional and salvage logging), use of remote sensing products (Landsat, Lidar) to evaluate forest disturbance patterns and harvesting impacts, development of diagnostic criteria for tree nutrition, and evaluation of the effectiveness of forest management guidelines to achieve intended outcomes.

Research Interest

- Adaptive silviculture
- Site-soil classifications
- Soil-plant resource dynamics
- Quantifying uncertainty

Why This Research Is Important

Forest ecosystems and the services they provide are constantly threated by changing conditions and stressors associated with management, natural disturbances, and climate change. My research is inherently focused on mitigating these threats by providing science-based information for the development of effective management practices and policy in operational settings. Forest managers use my research to make complex decisions to maintain the future supply of benefits that forest provide. To that end, I am keenly interested in improving the application of research in operational settings, including use of experiments that are expressly designed with research application as a primary objective.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/pnw/groups/genetics-and-silvicultural-foundations-management

Education

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

Professional Experience

Faculty, Natural Resources Science and Management Graduate Program, University of Minnesota , 2013 - Current
Adjunct Assistant Professor , Department of Forest Resources, University of Minnesota , 2010 - Current
Director of Applied Research, Minnesota Forest Resources Council , 2010 - 2020

Professional Organizations

Society of American Foresters (SAF), Current

Featured Publications

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
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?
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?
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

Other Publications

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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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)
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.; 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
Kirkland, John; Harrington, Timoth B.; Peter, David H.; Slesak, Robert A.; Schoenholtz, Stephen H.. 2012. Logging debris matters: better soil, fewer invasive plants
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
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
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
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... 2010. Soil respiration and carbon responses to logging debris and competing vegetation
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

Citations of Non-Forest Service Publications

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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.