Becky K. Kerns

Much of my recent work sits at the nexus of plant ecology and fire, fuel, and climate science. Current projects are focused on 1) disturbance and plant invasion in forests, 2) current and future wildfire risk and novel fuels in western forests, 3) understory vegetation patterns and dynamics, and 4) modeling climate change impacts to vegetation and invasive species.

 

Kerns, Becky K.; Tortorelli, Claire; Day, Michelle A.; Nietupski, Ty; Barros, Ana M.G.; Kim, John B.; Krawchuk, Meg A. 2020. Invasive grasses: A new perfect storm for forested ecosystems?. Forest Ecology and Management. 463: 117985-. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2020.117985.

My past work has studied nontimber forest products, phytolith analysis, paleoecology, and geomorphology.

The goals of my research program are to understand vegetation changes and drivers across landscapes at multiple temporal and spatial scales, and formulate approaches to using this information to improve the management of landscapes.

Forests and rangelands are dynamic systems subject to a variety of disturbances, both natural and human-caused. These disturbances shape their composition and function and dictate, to some extent, the ecosystem services that are provided. Disturbances are a normal, necessary, and desired part of ecosystem dynamics. Human-caused disturbances may be unintentional or intentional and designed to effect a change in system function or to produce desired goods and services (e.g., timber harvest), but both may result in unanticipated and undesirable consequences. Studying invasive species aids in the search for generality in ecology while providing context specific information regarding invasion, and the potential for long term soil or vegetation change to land managers and restoration practitioners.