Mary Ann Fajvan

• In 2005-07 I established two new research projects using silvicultural treatments in an attempt to make stands more resistant to hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) and beech bark disease. For HWA, I selected four non-infested hemlock stands on the Allegheny National Forest and designed a thinning study to reduce stand density and improve hemlock vigor before HWA attack. We are now expanding the study into New England. We will examine growth changes in released trees as well as monitor their foliar nutrient content over time. The objective of the beech bark disease study is to determine if visually resistant beech trees can serve as a source of resistant beech regeneration as part of the shelterwood regeneration method. The project is also on the Allegheny NF and involves using herbicides to eliminate nonresistant beech regeneration.
• Two other new studies involve (1) modeling tree regeneration height growth in oak shelterwood studies and (2) using dendrochronolgy to model growth in mature oak forests.

My research program focuses on studies of stand dynamics and silviculture in oak-dominated forests and associated hemlock forests in response to natural and human disturbances, including invasive species. I would like to develop new projects that examine the combined disturbance effects of exploitative harvesting practices, invasive species, and over browsing by white-tailed deer on stand development.

My research examines the dynamics of how forests change in relationship to natural and human disturbances. Understanding these ecological trends assists scientists, managers and landowners in maintaining forest sustainability.