Entomology is a taxon based category within zoology defined as the scientific study of insects and that related. RMRS researchers focus largely on Bark Beetle effects in coniferous forests, while some other research topics include Western Spruce budworm research, douglas fir tussock moth research and disturbance ecology of western defoliators.

A large number of entomologists are currently conducting research on Douglas-fir bark beetles. These insects normally breed in weakened or down hosts and can rapidly multiply in the right conditions. Bark beetles accelerate the rate of decomposition of down host material by introducing decay fungi and increasing access to the wood for other agents of deterioration.

Barbara Bentz
Research Entomologist

See Also: Fire/Fuel, Geography

Logan Bark Beetle Research Lab

Interests:

• Bark Beetles

• Phylogeography

• Wildfire impacts

• Temperature

• Genetics

Geographical Areas: Idaho; Montana; Utah; Northern Rocky Mountains.

Ann Lynch
Research Entomologist

See Also: Ecology

SW Forest Sciences Lab, Flagstaff

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Interests:

• Disturbance ecology of western defoliators

• Impact assessment

• Modeling

• Decision support

Geographical Areas: Sacramento Mountains, New Mexico; Flagstaff, Arizona.

Jose Negron
Research Entomologist

See Also: Biology, Ecology, Fire/Fuel

Fort Collins Forestry Sciences Lab: Landscapes

Interests:

• Biology

• Ecology

• Western bark beetle management

• Fire and insect interaction

• Fuel loads

Geographical Areas: Colorado Front Range; Sacramento Mountains, NM; Upper Pine Creek Research Natural Area, SD; Central and Northern Rockies; Arizona; Utah.

Jack Butler
Supervisory Research Ecologist

See Also: Ecology

Forest and Grassland Research Lab, Rapid City

Interests:

• Ecology
• Leafy spurge
• Flea beetle
• Bunchgrass
• Effects of differential livestock use on key plant species and rodent populations

Geographical Areas: Glen Canyon National Recreation Area; Black Hills Colorado Front Range.

Kelly Elder
Supervisory Research Hydrologist

See Also: Hydrology

Fort Collins Forestry Sciences Lab

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Interests:

• Hydrology

• Recovery in subalpine, beetle induced tree mortality and basin runoff

• Snowpack

Geographical Areas: Fraser Experimental Forest Watersheds, Colorado; Rocky Mountains.

Paulette Ford
Research Ecologist

See Also: Ecology, Fire/Fuel

Albuquerque Forestry Sciences Lab

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Interests:

• Disturbance ecology

• Scale and ecosystem resilience

• Shortgrass steppe

• Fire effects

• Soil and plant nutrient cycling

• Small mammal and invertebrate community

• Native grama grasses

• Drought

• Bark beetles

• Pinon-juniper woodland ecosystems

Geographical Areas: Southern Great Plains; Chihuahuan Desert Grasslands; Middle Rio Grande Basin.

Robert Hubbard
Research Ecologist

See Also: Atmospheric Science,
Ecology, Hydrology, Stream-Riparian Environments

Fort Collins Forestry Sciences Lab

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Interests:

• How changes in species composition and forest structure alters stream flow in watersheds following mountain pine beetle attack

• How resource availability controls forest water use

• Effects of climate change on ecosystem water and carbon cycling

• Quantifying the contribution of transpiration to total site water balance on a forested and regenerating hillslope

• Understanding the effects of fertilization and irrigation;on stand water use and water use efficiency in fast growing Eucalyptus plantations in Brazil

• Physiological controls on Salix distribution in the Fraser Experimental Forest

• Quantifying the effects of tree metabolism on soil respiration in conifer and deciduous watersheds

Geographical Areas: Southern Appalachians; Fraser Experimental Forest; Western Montana, Brazil.

Charles Rhoades
Research Biogeochemist

See Also: Biogeochemistry, Chemistry, Stream-Riparian Environments

Fort Collins Forestry Sciences Lab   

Interests:

• Biogeochemistry

• Water quality and nutrient export

• Snowpack and streamwater chemistry

• Alpine biogeochemistry

• Linkage between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems

• Role of upland and riparian soils and vegetation in regulating nitrogen and carbon retention

• Anthropogenic disturbance alterating processes

• Biogeochemical linkages in bark beetle outbreak on stream water nutrient export

• Riparian corridor protection for effectively maintaining aquatic condition

• Snow redistribution on alpine biogeochemistry and soil development

• Wildfire on stream water chemistry

• Forest nitrogen retention and forest fuel reduction treatments on soil productivity and water quality

Geographical Areas: Fraser Experimental Forest Watersheds, Colorado; Central Rocky Mountains of Colorado; Central Kentucky; Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky; Northwestern Alaska; Central Missouri Oak Savanna.

Interests:

• Ecosystem metabolism

• Forest productivity

• Global carbon cycle effects and forests

• Plant respiration

• Carbon/nitrogen interactions

• Decomposition of soil carbon

Geographical Areas: Colorado.