We are interested in exploring how humans can best manage forests in areas where natural disturbance regimes have been suppressed or altered. For example, while deforestation is a major conservation issue at a global scale, in some regions, such as the eastern United States, forest cover is increasing. In these regions, a lack of disturbance has had negative impacts on many native species. By using prescribed fire and partial timber harvest, we may be able to emulate natural disturbance regimes and increase habitat quantity, and improve habitat quality, for disturbance-dependent species.

We are currently investigating the utility of partial timber harvest for understory nesting species in the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley and for the post-fledging stage of the Cerulean Warbler in eastern hardwood forests.