Tom Brandeis

Supervisory Research Forester
Forest Inventory and Analysis
4700 Old Kingston Pike
Knoxville, TN 37919
United States
Knoxville, TN 37919
United States
Phone
865-862-2000
Current Research
- Coordinate the remeasurement of long-term forest monitoring plots in the El Yunque National Forest with the International Institute of Tropical Forestry.
- Describe tropical forest structure, stand dynamics, species composition, tree growth, mortality and removals using data collected during present and previous forest inventories for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
- Remeasurement and trend assessment in urban forest structure and dynamics in the San Juan Bay Estuary watershed, in collaboration with Dr. Wayne Zipperer, USDA Forest Service Southern Research Station's Centers for Urban and Interface Forestry, and Drs. Francisco Escobedo and Christina Lynn Staudhammer, University of Florida, School of Forest Resources and Conservation.
- Recent international cooperation includes:
- Preparing and editing forest status reports for the UN FAO's 2005, 2010 and 2015 Global Forest Resource Assessments
- Serving as a SilvaCarbon forest inventory and monitoring expert in Viet Nam, particularly in organizing technical transfer activities
- Hosting forest inventory study tours in the U.S. for groups from South and Central America
- Leading a team that created a forest inventory data analysis short course that has been taught in Honduras and Viet Nam
- Additional forest inventory consulting and technical exchange activities in the Dominican Republic, Guatemala and India
Past Research
- Assessed changes in the forest landscape, focusing on land cover mapping, forest recovery, loss, and fragmentation in highly disturbed landscapes, in collaboration with Dr. Eileen Helmer, USDA Forest Service International Institute of Tropical Forestry and Todd Kennaway, Colorado State University Center for Environmental Management of Military Lands.
- Described the climatic, geographic and topographic controls on secondary tropical forest tree community re-assembly after long-term, large-scale anthropomorphic disturbance, non-native species introduction, and landscape-scale forest fragmentation on Caribbean islands, in collaboration with Drs. Eileen Helmer and Ariel Lugo, USDA Forest Service International Institute of Tropical Forestry, and Dr. Humfredo Marcano, USDA Forest Service Southern Research Station.Quantified wood volume, aboveground woody biomass and carbon stored in Caribbean island forests, developing necessary models and allometric equations from locally-collected data in collaboration with Prof. Skip Van Bloem, University of Puerto Rico Mayagüez Campus.
- Modeled tropical tree height and crown structure in urban and rural trees, as well as develop techniques for monitoring forest damage and recovery following hurricanes in the Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, in collaboration with Dr. KaDonna Randolph, USDA Forest Service Southern Research Station and Michael Strub, Forest Biometrician, Weyerhaeuser Company.
- Incorporated down woody debris, forest floor, and mineral soil carbon estimates into forest stand carbon estimates, in collaboration with Dr. Christopher Woodall, USDA Forest Service Northern Research Station.
- Established relationships between forest structure, tree species composition, and Neotropical migratory birds' habitat preferences and make management recommendations to the Virgin Islands National Park on St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands, in collaboration with Sonja Oswalt, USDA Forest Service Southern Research Station, Dr. Scott Robinson, University of Florida Natural History Museum, and Dr. David Steadman, University of Florida Natural History Museum.
Education
- Oregon State University, Ph.D., Forest Science, 1999
- University of Illinois, M.S., Forestry, 1988
- University of Notre Dame, B.S., Biology, 1985
Professional Organizations
- Member, Society of American Foresters (SAF), 1996 - Current
Featured Publications
- Dooley, K.J.W.; Brandeis, T.J. 2014. Forests of east Texas, 2013
- Brandeis, Thomas J.; Hartsell, Andrew J.; Bentley, James W.; Brandeis, Consuelo. 2012. Economic dynamics of forests and forest industries in the Southern United States
- Brandeis, Thomas J.; Escobedo, Francisco J.; Staudhammer, Christina L.; Nowak, David J.; Zipperer, Wayne C. 2014. San Juan Bay Estuary watershed urban forest inventory
- Nowak, David J.; Cumming, Anne B.; Twardus, Daniel; Hoehn, Robert E.; Oswalt, Christopher M.; Brandeis, Thomas J. 2012. Urban forests of Tennessee, 2009
- Steadman, David; Montambault, Jensen; Robinson, Scott; Oswalt, Sonja; Brandeis, Thomas; Londono, Agustavo; Reetz, Matthew; Schelsky, Wendy; Wright, Natalie; Hoover, Jeffrey; Jankowski, Jill; Kratter, Andrew; Martínez, Arie; Smith, Jordan. 2009. Relative abundance, habitat use, and long-term population changes of wintering and resident landbirds on St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands
- Brandeis, Thomas J.; Helmer, Eileen; Marcano-Vega, H.; Lugo, Ariel E. 2009. Climate shapes the novel plant communities that form after deforestation in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands
- Timilsina, Nilesh; Escobedo, Francisco J.; Cropper, Wendell P., Jr..; Abd-Elrahman, Amr; Brandeis, Thomas; Delphin, Sonia; Lambert, Samuel. 2013. A framework for identifying carbon hotspots and forest management drivers
- Brandeis, Thomas J.; Turner, Jeffery A. 2013. Puerto Rico’s forests, 2009
- Tucker Lima, J. M.; Staudhammer, C. L.; Brandeis, T. J.; Escobedo, F. J.; Zipperer, W. 2013. Temporal dynamics of a subtropical urban forest in San Juan, Puerto Rico, 2001-2010
- Brandeis, Thomas J.; Turner, Jeffery A. 2013. U.S. Virgin Islands’ Forests, 2009
Other Publications
- Oswalt, Christopher M.; Brandeis, Thomas J.; Oswalt, Sonja N. 2022. Tennessee's forests, 2014 (with updates for 2016)
- Brandeis, Thomas; Turner, Jeffery; Baeza-Castro, Andres Alejandro; Brown, Mark; Lambert, Samuel. 2022. Assessing forest resource damage following natural disasters using national forest inventory plots: a case study of Hurricane Michael
- Oswalt, Christopher M.; Brandeis, Thomas J.; Oswalt, Sonja N. 2022. Kentucky's forests, 2014 (with updates for 2016)
- Zhu, Zhi-Xin ; Escobedo, Francisco J.; Revell, Liam J.; Brandeis, Thomas ; Xie, Jun ; Wang, Hua-Feng. 2021. Using phylogenetic diversity to explore the socioeconomic and ecological drivers of a tropical, coastal urban forest
- Brandeis, Thomas ; Brandeis, Consuelo. 2021. Assessing tree mortality probability in harvested hardwood stands using long-term forest inventory data
- Schelhas, John ; Brandeis, Thomas J.; Rudel, Thomas K. 2021. Planted forests and natural regeneration in forest transitions: patterns and implications from the U.S. South
- Caputo, Jesse ; Butler, Brett ; Brandeis, Thomas ; Riitters, Kurt. 2020. Changes in land use, forest ownership, parcel size, and fragmentation in forests of the U.S. South
- Brandeis, Thomas J. 2020. Celebrating progress, possibilities, and partnerships: Proceedings of the 2019 Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) Science Stakeholder Meeting.
- Forero-Montaña, Jimena ; Marcano-Vega, Humfredo ; Zimmerman, Jess K.; Brandeis, Thomas J. 2019. Potential of second-growth Neotropical forests for forestry: the example of Puerto Rico
- Vissage, John S.; Greer, Travis R., Jr..; Brandeis, Thomas J. 2019. Site class and site index: two estimates of site quality for the Southern Research Station Forest Inventory and Analysis Program
- Brandeis, Thomas J.; Brandeis, Consuelo; Hartsell, Andrew J. 2018. South Carolina’s forests, 2016
- Brandeis, T.J.; Hartsell, A.J.; Randolph, K.C.; Oswalt, C.M. 2018. Forests of Virginia, 2016
- Brandeis, Thomas J.; Hartsell, Andrew J.; Randolph, KaDonna C.; Oswalt, Christopher M. 2018. Virginia’s forests, 2016
- Lambert, S. ; Brandeis, T. 2018. Forests of Georgia, 2016
- Helmer, Eileen ; Ruzycki, Thomas ; Wilson, Barry ; Sherrill, Kirk ; Lefsky, Michael ; Marcano-Vega, Humfredo ; Brandeis, Thomas ; Erickson, Heather ; Ruefenacht, Bonnie. 2018. Tropical Deforestation and Recolonization by Exotic and Native Trees: Spatial Patterns of Tropical Forest Biomass, Functional Groups, and Species Counts and Links to Stand Age, Geoclimate, and Sustainability Goals
- Brandeis, Thomas J. 2017. Partial harvesting of hardwood sawtimber in Kentucky and Tennessee, 2002–2014
- Brandeis, T.J.; Hartsell, A.; Brandeis, C. 2017. Forests of South Carolina, 2016
- Brandeis, T.J.; Hartsell, A.J.; Brandeis, C. 2017. Forests of Virginia, 2015
- Brandeis, Thomas; Zarnoch, Stanley; Oswalt, Christopher; Stringer, Jeffery. 2017. The lack of adequate quality assurance/quality control data hinders the assessment of potential forest degradation in a national forest inventory
- Nowak, David J.; Bodine, Allison R.; Hoehn, Robert E.; Edgar, Christopher B.; Riley, Gretchen; Hartel, Dudley R.; Dooley, Kerry J.; Stanton, Sharon M.; Hatfield, Mark A.; Brandeis, Thomas J.; Lister, Tonya W. 2017. Houston’s Urban Forest, 2015
- Nowak, David J.; Bodine, Allison R.; Hoehn, Robert E.; Edgar, Christopher B.; Hartel, Dudley R.; Lister, Tonya W.; Brandeis, Thomas J. 2016. Austin's Urban Forest, 2014
- Brandeis, Thomas J.; McCollum, Joe; Hartsell, Andy; Brandeis, Consuelo; Rose, Anita K.; Oswalt, Sonja N.; Vogt, James T. (JT); Marcano-Vega, Humfredo. 2016. Georgia’s forests, 2014
- Brandeis, T.J.; Hartsell, A.; Brandeis, C.; Randolph, K.; Oswalt, S. 2016. Forests of South Carolina, 2015
- Brandeis, Thomas; Brandeis, Consuelo; Hartsell, Andy; Randolph, KaDonna; Oswalt, Sonja. 2016. Forests of Georgia, 2015
- Brandeis, Thomas; Hartsell, Andy; Randolph, KaDonna; Oswalt, Sonja; Brandeis, Consuelo. 2016. Forests of Kentucky, 2014
- Marcano Vega, Humfredo; Brandeis, Thomas J.; Turner, Jeffery A. 2015. Los bosques de Puerto Rico, 2009
- Brandeis, T.J. 2015. Forests of Georgia, 2013
- Brandeis, Thomas J. 2015. Forests of East Texas, 2014
- Brandeis, Thomas J. 2015. Georgia’s forests, 2009
- Staudhammer, Christina L.; Escobedo, Francisco J.; Holt, Nathan; Young, Linda J.; Brandeis, Thomas J.; Zipperer, Wayne; Other,. 2015. Predictors, spatial distribution, and occurrence of woody invasive plants in subtropical urban ecosystems
- Brandeis, Thomas; Oswalt, Christopher; Stringer, Jeffery; Zarnoch, Stan. 2015. Are observed trends in hardwood tree grade due to resource changes or data anomalies?
- Brandeis, Thomas; Hartsell, Andy. 2015. Forests of Georgia, 2014
- Adame, Patricia; Uriarte, Maria; Brandeis, Thomas. 2014. Diameter growth performance of tree functional groups in Puerto Rican secondary tropical forests.
- Brandeis, Thomas J.; Cooper, Jason A.; Bentley, James W. 2014. East Texas, 2012—Forest Inventory and Analysis Factsheet
- Erickson, H.E.; Helmer, E.H.; Brandeis, T.J.; Lugo, A.E. 2014. Controls on fallen leaf chemistry and forest floor element masses in native and novel forests across a tropical island
- Timilsina, Nilesh; Escobedo, Francisco; Staudhammer, Christina ; Brandeis, Thomas. 2014. Analyzing the causal factors of carbon stores in a subtropical urban forest
- Martinuzzi, S.; Lugo, A.E.; Brandeis, T.J.; Helmer, E.H. 2013. Case study: Geographic distribution and level of novelty of Puerto Rican forests
- Brandeis, T.J.; Turner, J.A. 2013. U.S. Virgin Islands, 2009—forest inventory and analysis factsheet
- Brandeis, Thomas J.; Meléndez-Ackerman, Elvia J.; Helmer, Eileen H. 2012. Forest vegetation cover assessment on Mona Island, Puerto Rico
- Gray, Andrew N.; Brandeis, Thomas J.; Shaw, John D.; McWilliams, William H.; Miles, Patrick. 2012. Forest Inventory and Analysis Database of the United States of America (FIA)
- Oswalt, Christopher M.; Oswalt, Sonja N.; Brandeis, Thomas J. 2010. Big trees in the southern forest inventory
- Helmer, E.H.; Ruzycki, Thomas S.; Wunderle, Jr. Joseph M.; Vogesser, Shannon; Ruefenacht, Bonnie; Kwit, Charles; Brandeis, Thomas J.; Ewert, David N. 2010. Mapping tropical dry forest height, foliage height profiles and disturbance type and age with a time series of cloud-cleared Landsat and ALI image mosaics to characterize avian habitat
- Brandeis, Thomas J. 2009. Diameter growth of subtropical trees in Puerto Rico
- Brandeis, Thomas J. 2009. Diameter growth of subtropical trees in Puerto Rico
- Steadman, D.W.; Montambault, J.R.; Robinson, Scott K.; Oswalt, S.N.; Brandeis, T.J.; Londoño, A. Gustavo; Reetz, M.J.; Schelsky, W.M.; Wright, N.A.; Hoover, J.P.; Jankowski, J.; Kratter, A.W.; Martinez, A.E.; Smith, J. 2009. Relative abundance, habitat use, and long-term population changes of wintering and resident landbirds on St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands
- Brandeis, Thomas; Helmer, Eileen; Marcano-Vega, Humfredo; Ariel, Lugo. 2009. Climate shapes the novel plant communities that form after deforestion in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands
- Kennaway, Todd; Helmer, Eileen ; Lefsky, Michael; Brandeis, Thomas; Sherrill, Kirk. 2009. Mapping land cover and estimating forest structure using satellite imagery and coarse resolution lidar in the Virgin Islands
- Brandeis, Thomas; Woodall, Christopher. 2009. Assessment of forest fuel loadings in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands
- Brandeis, Thomas; Randolph, KaDonna; Strub, Mike. 2009. <p>Modeling Caribbean tree stem diameters from tree height and crown width measurements</p>
- Brandeis, Thomas J.; Woodall, Christopher W. 2008. Assessment of forest fuel loadings in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands
- Kennaway, T.A.; Helmer, E.H.; Lefsky, M.A.; Brandeis, T.A.; Sherill, K.R. 2008. Mapping land cover and estimating forest structure using satellite imagery and coarse resolution lidar in the Virgin Islands
- Oswalt, Sonja N.; Brandeis, Thomas J. 2008. Contribution of dead wood to biomass and carbon stocks in the Caribbean: St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands
- Helmer, E. H.; Brandeis, Thomas J.; Lugo, Ariel E.; Kennaway, Todd. 2008. Factors influencing spatial pattern in tropical forest clearance and stand age: Implications for carbon storage and species diversity.
- Oswalt, Sonja N.; Brandeis, Thomas J. 2008. Contribution of Dead Wood to Biomass and Carbon Stocks in the Caribbean: St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands.
- Brandeis, Thomas J.; Helmer, Eileen H.; Oswalt, Sonja N. 2007. The status of Puerto Rico's forests, 2003
- Brandeis, Thomas J.; Oswalt, Sonja N. 2007. The status of U.S. Virgin Islands' forests, 2004
- Brandeis, Thomas J.; Helmer, Eileen H.; Oswalt, Sonja N. 2007. El Estado de los Bosques de Puerto Rico, 2003
- Brandeis, Thomas James. 2006. Assessing tree species assemblages in highly disturbed Puerto Rican karst landscapes using forest inventory data
- Brandeis, Thomas J.; Delaney, Matthew; Parresol, Bernard R.; Royer, Larry. 2006. Development of equations for predicting Puerto Rican subtropical dry forest biomass and volume
- Oswalt, Sonja N.; Brandeis, Thomas J.; Dimick, Britta P. 2006. Phytosociology of Vascular Plants on an International Biosphere Reserve: Virgin Islands National Park, St. John, US Virgin Islands.
- Brandeis, Thomas James. 2006. Assessing tree species assemblages in highly disturbed Puerto Rican karst landscapes using forest inventory data.
- Brandeis, Thomas J.; Delaney, Matthew; Parresol, Bernard R.; Royer, Larry. 2006. Development of equations for predicting Puerto Rican subtropical dry forest biomass and volume.
- Brandeis, Thomas J.; Rocio, Maria Del; Rozo, Suarez. 2005. Effects of model choice and forest structure on inventory-based estimations of Puerto Rican forest biomass
- Brandeis, Thomas J.; Kuegler, Olaf; Knowe, Steven A. 2005. Equations for merchantable volume for subtropical moist and wet forests of Puerto Rico
- BRANDEIS, THOMAS J.; SUAREZ ROZO, MARIA DEL ROCIO. 2005. Effects of Model Choice and Forest Structure on Inventory-Based Estimations of Puerto Rican Forest Biomass.
Research Highlights

Nationally consistent approach to forest inventory across the United States
Year: 2010
The passage of the 1998 Farm Bill led to the development of a nationally consistent approach to forest inventory across the United States.These documents (and the data that support these reports) are used by the State forestry agencies to understand the issues that are impacting the condition of the...

Scientists Quantify the Value of Ecosystem Services Provided by the San Juan Bay Estuary
Year: 2014
A decade long study of the urban forests and land uses within the watershed of Puerto Rico's San Juan Bay Estuary quantified the value of ecosystems services provided by the watershed's urban forests. These services include carbon sequestration, preservation of biodiversity, lowering of energy costs...

Forest Inventory and Analysis is Coming to a City Near You
Year: 2016
In collaboration with state and local partners, the U.S. Forest Service’s Forest Inventory and Analysis Program (FIA) has begun monitoring the urban forest resource with special focus on the nation’s largest cities. FIA recently completed its first urban inventory report that describes the urban for...