Northern Research Station
11 Campus Blvd., Suite 200
Newtown Square, PA 19073
(610) 557-4017
(610) 557-4132 TTY/TDD
![[image:] Chris Eagar](/local-resources/images/people/ceagar.jpg)
Chris Eagar
*Please note that this person is no longer an employee of the Northern Research Station.
Education
1985 - University of Tennessee, PhD, Ecology
1978 - University of Tennessee, MS, Forestry
1969 - University of Tennessee, BS, Business
Current Research
The effects of acidic deposition on forest ecosystems, with a focus on determining how calcium depletion and aluminum mobilization impact sugar maple.
Synthesis of effects of acidic deposition on forest ecosystems for decision makers.
A significant part of my time is devoted to coordinating activities at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest and administering a competitive grants program of the Northeastern States Research Cooperative.
Why is This Important
Atmospheric deposition of strong acids and acid forming substances has been a significant environmental problem in New England forest and aquatic ecosystems for over 50 years. Chronic inputs of acidic deposition to forest soils in the northeastern U.S. have contributed to depletion of essential nutrient base cations and to the mobilization and increased bioavailability of toxic cations, including aluminum and manganese. Although we understand the basic processes of soil acidification, we do not understand how inherent factors such as mineral weathering, hydrology, and biological cycling influence the rate of acidification or the degree of nutrient depletion. Understanding how these inherent factors influence the effects of acidic deposition will help us improve our ability to identify areas that are susceptible to acidic deposition. A final concern is how these changes in soil chemistry affect forest health and productivity. Resource managers, state and federal policy makers, and other interested organizations and individuals require improved scientific understanding of this complex issue in order to make land management decisions and evaluate the need for additional reductions in emissions.
Online Publications
- Halman, Joshua M.; Schaberg, Paul G.; Hawley, Gary J.; Eagar, Christopher. 2008. Calcium addition at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest increases sugar storage, antioxidant activity and cold tolerance in native red spruce (Picea rubens). Tree Physiology 28:855-862
- Huggett, Brett A.; Schaberg, Paul G.; Hawley, Gary J.; Eager, Christopher. 2007. Long-term calcium addition increases growth release, wound closure, and health of sugar maple (Acer saccharum) trees at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 37:1692-1700
- Campbell, John L.; Driscoll, Charles T.; Eagar, Christopher; Likens, Gene E.; Siccama, Thomas G.; Johnson, Chris E.; Fahey, Timothy J.; Hamburg, Steven P.; Holmes, Richard T.; Bailey, Amey S.; Buso, Donald C. 2007. Long-term trends from ecosystem research at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-17. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station. 41 p.
- Hawley, Gary J.; Schaberg, Paul G.; Eagar, Christopher; Borer, Catherine H. 2006. Calcium addition at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest reduced winter injury to red spruce in a high-injury year. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 36:2544-2549
- Fenn, M. E.; Huntington, T. G.; McLaughlin, S. B.; Eagar, C.; Gomez, A.; Cook, R. B. 2006. Status of soil acidification in North America. Journal of Forest Science 52:3-13
- Bailey, Amey Schenck; Hornbeck, James W.; Campbell, John L.; Eagar, Christopher. 2003. Hydrometeorological database for Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest: 1955-2000. Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-305. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station. 36 p.
- Campbell, John L.; Eagar, Christopher; McDowell, William H. 2002. Patterns of streamwater acidity in Lye Brook Wilderness, Vermont, USA. Environmental Management. 30(2): 234-248.
- Kobe, Richard K.; Likens, Gene E.; Eagar, Christopher. 2002. Tree seedling growth and mortality responses to manipulations of calcium and aluminum in a northern hardwood forest. Canadian Journal of Forest Research. 32: 954-966.
- Hornbeck, James W.; Alexander, Michelle M.; Eagar, Christopher; Carlson, Joan Y.; Smith, Robert B. 2001. Database for chemical contents of streams on the White Mountain National Forest. . Gen Tech. Rep. NE-282. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station. 12 p.
- Campbell, John L.; Eagar, Christopher; McDowell, William H.; Hornbeck, James W. 2000. Analysis of nitrogen dynamics in the Lye Brook Wilderness Area, Vermont, USA. Water, Air, and Soil Pollution. 122: 63-75.
- Eagar, Christopher; Bailey, Scott; Bailey, Amey. 1999. Response of northern hardwood forests to nutrient perturbation. In: Horsley, Stephen B.; Long, Robert P., eds. Sugar maple ecology and health: proceedings of an international symposium; 1998 June 2-4; Warren, PA. Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-261. Radnor, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station: 89.
Other Publications by Chris Eagar *
- Juice, Stephanie M.; Fahey, Timothy J.; Siccama, Thomas G.; Driscoll, Charles T.; Denny, Ellen G.; Eagar, Christopher; Cleavitt, Natalie L.; Minocha, Rakesh; Richardson, Andrew D. 2006 Response of sugar maple to calcium addition to northern hardwood forest. Ecology. 87(5): 1267-1280.
*Due to policy or copyright restrictions, we are unable to provide full-text versions of these publications. Please check with your local library or Contact Chris Eagar to inquire about reprints.
Last Modified: 02/15/2012