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George L. McCaskill, PhD

Former Employee
George L. McCaskill, PhD
Pacific Northwest Research Station
Land and Watershed Management
1401 Gekeler Lane
La Grande, OR 97850
United States
Current Research

Dr. McCaskill evaluates the resilency of ponderosa pine, dry mixed conifer, moist mixed conifer, and lodgepole pine forests in response to restoration treatments through the collection and analysis of data on forest structure including downed woody debris, plant species richness, soil net ammonification and nitrification fluxes, numbers of ammonium-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB), soil bacterial-to-fungal ratios, and soil chemical properties (available-P, pH, soil organic matter content); as indicators for change. Benchmarks along the restoration trajectories of each forest type are identified by chronosequencial analysis. A restoration dynamics model (RESDYN) will be developed based upon the analyzed field and laboratory data, and utilizing the object-oriented Python programming language.These bio-indicators are also used to evaluate the resilency of these four forest types to major disturbances such as bark beetles, western spruce budworm, extended drought, and wildfire. There is a special focus on the forest ecosystem of the Blue Mountains of Northeastern Oregon and Southeastern Washington State.

 

McCaskill, George L.; Albright, Thomas; Barnett, Charles J.; Butler, Brett J.; Crocker, Susan J.; Kurtz, Cassandra M.; McWilliams, William H.; Miles, Patrick D.; Morin, Randall S.; Nelson, Mark D.; Widmann, Richard H.; Woodall, Christopher W. 2016. Maine Forests 2013. Resour. Bull. NRS-103. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station. 103 p.
Past Research
As a member of the Northern Research Station's Forest Inventory & Analysis (FIA) program, Dr. McCaskill focused on the productivity of Northern Forests within Maine and across the northeast. He examined changes in forest composition within the spruce-fir groups as well as within the northern hardwood types in order to determine the resiliency/productivity of these forests to continue to supply wood while evolving through spruce budworm, gypsy moth, and beech bark disease outbreaks, along with the introduction of new invasive pests. He was the FIA Analyst for the State of Maine and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

He studied the ecology of Northern white-cedar across the northern states and its adaption to changing habitats, while working with other scientists to monitor the productivity of Northern white-cedar across the Northern Region.

Dr. McCaskill designed and implemented a major research project for the purpose of monitoring the restoration of coastal wet longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill). The study involved the collection and laboratorial analysis of forest inventory and soil bio-indicator data while completing his doctoral studies at the University of Florida. The monitoring of the Pt. Washington restoration project required data on forest structure including downed woody debris, plant species richness, soil net ammonification and nitrification fluxes, numbers of ammonium-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) versesnitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB), soil bacterial-to-fungal ratios, and soil chemical properties (available-P, pH, soil organic matter content), as indicators for change. The bio-indicator data was collected from the restoration site and three reference sites along a 500-mile gulf coastline, as well as a 110-year chronosequence in order to evaluate restoration dynamics.
Research Interest
Dr. McCaskill has a special interest in the evolutionary ecology of the "cedar" species within the Cypress Family. He will coninue to determine the various relationships between the origins of the different North American and South American "cedar" species.
Why This Research Is Important

The forests within the northwestern United States are subjected to periods of drought and excessive precipitation. Having the ability to identify indicators for ecological resilency and to evaluate ecological conditiions after restoration treatments will give us the ability to predict future needs.

Education
  • University of Florida, Ph.D. Forest Resources, Forest Ecosystem Ecology and Restoration Ecology, 2008
  • California Polytechnic San Luis Obispo, M.S. International Agricultural Development, International Agroforestry, 1997
  • University of Arizona, B.S. Renewable Natural Resources, Forest Watershed Management, 1983
Professional Organizations
  • Full Member,  Society of American Foresters (SAF),  2017 - Current
    Present papers at annual convention.
  • Licensed To Practice Professional Forestry,  California Registered Professional Forester # No. 2345,  1986 - Current
    Exam covers the California Forest Practice Act and the multiple disciplines in Forestry. Passed first attempt, while 65% failed.
Awards & Recognition
  • Cash Award for Exceptional Performance, 2012
  • Cash Award for Exceptional Performance, 2011
Featured Publications
Other Publications

  • Better Together: Combined Thinning and Burning Yielded Best Growing Conditions for Ponderosa Pines 20 Years After Treatment

    Year: 2019
    Dry ponderosa pine forests in northeastern Oregon that received both prescribed fire and mechanical thinning treatments 20 years ago now have the lowest tree mortality and least amount ladder fuels, lowering their risk of severe fire. Study areas treated with only prescribed burns or mechanical thinning also showed improvement over non-treated areas; however, each treatment resulted in different forest conditions. This information can be used by managers to target different forest restoration goals.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/about/people/georgemccaskill