Christel Kern

Title: Research Forester
Unit: Center for Research on Ecosystem Change
Address: NRS
1831 Hwy 169E
Grand Rapids, MN 55744
Phone: 218-326-7134
E-mail: Contact Christel Kern

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Education

• Ph.D. in Natural Resource Science and Management at University of Minnesota, 2011
• M.S. in Natural Resources at University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, 2000
• B.S. in Biology at University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, 1997
• Certified Forest Service Silviculturist, Region 9, since 2006, last certified in 2010

Civic & Professional Affiliations

• Society of American Foresters
• Ecological Society of America

Current Research

• Plant community response to harvest-created canopy gaps and aggregate leave patches
• In relation to diversity, function, and stability of managed forests
• Long term (50+ years) effects of management on overstory tree composition, structure, growth, and regeneration
• In relation to sustainability and resilience of managed forests

Why is This Important

My work focuses on managed forests both at present and retrospectively over past decades. Analysis of past work provides a rare insight into long term responses that cannot be detected in a short term study or even during one's career! In light of this, I have the fortunate opportunity to study decades of silvicultural research from earlier scientists to evaluate management approaches in light of complex issues such as forest sustainability. Moreover, I have been studying ground-layer plant communities, a species-rich vegetation layer, of forests. Besides diversity and species analysis, I study common characteristics ("traits") among all species that can be used as surrogates of community function among management approaches. These research results will provide information and tools to adapt silvicultural systems to the changing needs of the future.

Future Research

• Managing northern latitude oak into the future - enhanced growing conditions for local species and migration of new species into northern forests
• In relation to the maintenance of forest goods and services - timber yield, wildlife habitat, and plant diversity

Featured Publications

Additional Online Publications