Current Research

Present-day forest management goals are complex and elusive because objectives are multi-faceted and may include simultaneously producing or maintaining sense-of-place, old growth, forest products and enhancing or protecting water resources and wildlife habitat while increasing the ability to adapt to disturbance. My broad research program focus, is to develop integrated management strategies that have application for objectives including, but not limited to, producing forest products, installing fuel treatments, creating disturbance resilient and resistant forests, enhancing or creating wildlife habitat, restoring forests, and developing old forest conditions. To develop management strategies that can adapt to disturbance, also requires research on pre- and post-disturbance environments to develop fuel or other forest management treatments to encourage rapid recovery or promote adaptation to disturbances such as wildfire. To evaluate the treatments I develop, I use an experimental forest network in partnership with forest managers to determine economic and operational feasibility of implementing treatments followed by monitoring vegetation response in accordance with desired wildlife habitat components such as snags, woody debris and plant production, growth and yield of trees, and diversity in species composition and forest conditions. The advantage of my research being implemented on an experimental forest provides numerous benefits, the most important benefit is that this place-based research gives future scientists, managers, landowners, and people of all ages and backgrounds a place to learn about forest ecology and management.

Research Interests

My interest involves discovering and describing natural phenomena but also demands that such discoveries be integrated into silvicultural methods (vegetation and forest floor treatments) and systems (planned series of treatments through time) and be tested across multiple spatial scales and within multiple forest structures and compositions. Although silvicultural methods and systems are well developed for producting forest products, they are ill defined or non-existent when it comes to treating fuels, providing sense-of-place, maintaining wildlife habitat, or managing for other societal values both known and unforeseen.

Past Research

Contrary to traditional thinking that western white pine can only grow in large openings, I discovered the species can establish and grow within many different sized canopy gaps. This discovery subsequently led to developing canopy opening thresholds (i.e., establishment, competitive advantage, and free-to-grow) for the species to explicitly aid in management decisions and applications. The impact of this research has resulted in consensus building among the differing management philosophies of stakeholders and forest managers. I used my canopy opeing knowledge discovery to produce silvicultural systems to create a diversity of forest structures and compositions within and among landscapes. Contrary to applying treatments at a stand scale (~10 ha), the systems I designed are applicable for treating landscapes, a rarity in science of silviculture.

In this field of science, because it is so diverse, I have been involved in studies associated with maintaining long-term soil productivity, implimenting and understanding the benefits and trade-offs of mastication, and devoping treatment strategies for restoring old ponderosa pine and western larch.

Why This Research is Important

My goal in my job is not to succeed personally as a research scientist. I work for the citizens of the United State; thus I think it is very important to focus on applied science that is applicable to managers, forest landowners and the public. Thus the greatest compliment I receive is when managers or citizens come to me and say you taught me something and you are making a difference in the future of our forests. Only then do I know I am on the right track. Thus the results of my research studies are applicable for, but are not limited to, restoring forests, producing wildlife habitat, and for treating fuels to modify wildfire behavior and burn severity throughout the western United States. However, the concepts I introduce also have a wider range of application beyond the western United States; for example, some of these concepts are being included in a new document called Research to Practice through the European Research Institute.

Education

• University of Idaho, Moscow, Bachelors Forest Management 1982
• University of Idaho, Moscow, Masters Silviculture and soil process 1994
• University of Idaho, Moscow, Ph.D. Silviculture, landscape ecology, and applied statistics 2001

Professional Experience

Professional Organizations

• Society of American Foresters, Forest Science, Associate Editor (2011 - Current)
  I am associate editor for Forest Science in fire and silviculture.
• Ecological Society of America, Member (2010 - Current)
• Association of Fire Ecology, Member (2008 - Current)
• Society of American Foresters, Western Journal of Applied Forestry, Associate Editor (2007 - Current)
  I have been associate editor for the Western Journal of Applied Forestry in silviculture, forest ecology, and fire.
• Society of American Foresters (SAF), Member (1989 - Current)
  I have been an active member of the SAF; in the last 15 years; I have taken different leadership roles. These have provided opportunities to network with a variety of disciplines in the field of forest resoruces.

Awards & Recognition

Featured Publications & Products

• Jain, Theresa B.; Battaglia, Mike A.; Han, Han-Sup; Graham, Russell T.; Keyes, Christopher R.; Fried, Jeremy S.; Sandquist, Jonathan E. 2012. A comprehensive guide to fuel management practices for dry mixed conifer forests in the northwestern United States.
• Jain, Theresa B.; Graham, Russell T. 2015. Decrease in sapling nutrient concentrations for six northern Rocky Mountain coniferous species.
• Jain, Theresa B.; Pilliod, David S.; Graham, Russell T.; Lentile, Leigh B.; Sandquist, Jonathan E. 2012. Index for characterizing post-fire soil environments in temperate coniferous forests.
• Jain, Theresa B.; Gould, William A.; Graham, Russell T.; Pilliod, David S.; Lentile, Leigh B.; Gonzalez, Grizelle. 2008. A soil burn severity index for understanding soil-fire relations in tropical forests.
• Jain, Theresa B.; Battaglia, Michael A.; Graham, Russell T. 2014. Northern Rocky Mountain experimental forests: Settings for science, management, and education alliances.
• Jain, Theresa B.; Graham, Russell T.; Adams, David. 2010. Carbon concentrations and carbon pool distributions in dry, moist, and cold mid-aged forests of the Rocky Mountains.
• Graham, Russell T.; Jain, Theresa B.; Loseke, Mark. 2009. Fuel treatments, fire suppression, and their interaction with wildfire and its impacts: the Warm Lake experience during the Cascade Complex of wildfires in central Idaho, 2007.
• Jain, Theresa B.; Graham, Russell T. 2005. Restoring dry and moist forests of the inland northwestern U.S..
• Jain, Theresa B. 2013. Silviculture research: The intersection of science and art across generations.

Publications

• Graham, Russell T.; Asherin, Lance A.; Jain, Theresa B.; Baggett, L. Scott; Battaglia, Michael A. 2019. Differing ponderosa pine forest structures, their growth and yield, and mountain pine beetle impacts: Growing stock levels in the Black Hills.
• Keane, Robert E.; Mahalovich, Mary Frances; Bollenbacher, Barry L.; Manning, Mary E.; Loehman, Rachel A.; Jain, Terrie B.; Holsinger, Lisa M.; Larson, Andrew J.; Webster, Meredith M. 2018. Effects of climate change on forest vegetation in the Northern Rockies Region Chapter 6.
• Keane, Robert E.; Mahalovich, Mary Frances; Bollenbacher, Barry L.; Manning, Mary E.; Loehman, Rachel A.; Jain, Terrie B.; Holsinger, Lisa M.; Larson, Andrew J. 2018. Effects of climate change on forest vegetation in the northern Rockies Chapter 5.
• Keane, Robert E.; Sikkink, Pamela G.; Jain, Theresa B. 2018. Physical and chemical characteristics of surface fuels in masticated mixed-conifer stands of the U.S. Rocky Mountains.
• Jain, Theresa ; Sikkink, Pamela ; Keefe, Robert ; Byrne, John . 2018. To masticate or not: Useful tips for treating forest, woodland, and shrubland vegetation.
• Fekety, Patrick A.; Falkowski, Michael J.; Hudak, Andrew T.; Jain, Theresa B.; Evans, Jeffrey S. 2018. Transferability of lidar-derived basal area and stem density models within a northern Idaho ecoregion.
• Fried, Jeremy S.; Jain, Theresa B.; Loreno, Sara; Keefe, Robert F.; Bell, Conor K. 2017. A framework for evaluating forest restoration alternatives and their outcomes, over time, to inform monitoring: Bioregional inventory originated simulation under management.
• Sikkink, Pamela G.; Jain, Theresa B.; Reardon, James; Heinsch, Faith Ann; Keane, Robert E.; Butler, Bret; Baggett, L. Scott. 2017. Effect of particle aging on chemical characteristics, smoldering, and fire behavior in mixed-conifer masticated fuel.
• Hanberry, Brice B.; Kabrick, John M.; Dunwiddie, Peter W.; Hartel, Tibor; Jain, Theresa B.; Knapp, Benjamin O. 2017. Restoration of temperate savannas and woodlands Chapter 11.
• Graham, Russell T.; Asherin, Lance A.; Battaglia, Michael A.; Jain, Terrie; Mata, Stephen A. 2016. Mountain pine beetles: A century of knowledge, control attempts, and impacts central to the Black Hills.
• Jain, Theresa B. 2015. Northwest research experimental forests: A hundred years in the making.
• Page-Dumroese, Deborah S.; Jain, Terrie; Sandquist, Jonathan E.; Tirocke, Joanne M.; Errecart, John; Jurgensen, Martin F. 2015. Reburns and their Impact on carbon pools, site productivity, and recovery Chapter 13.
• Jain, Theresa B.; Graham, Russell T. 2015. Restoring dry and moist forests of the inland northwestern United States Chapter 23.
• Jain, Theresa B.; Battaglia, Mike A.; Han, Han-Sup; Graham, Russell T.; Keyes, Christopher R.; Fried, Jeremy S.; Sandquist, Jonathan E. 2014. A comprehensive guide to fuel management practices for dry mixed conifer forests in the northwestern United States: Inventory and model-based economic analysis of mechanical fuel treatments.
• Jain, Theresa B.; Battaglia, Mike A.; Han, Han-Sup; Graham, Russell T.; Keyes, Christopher R.; Fried, Jeremy S.; Sandquist, Jonathan E. 2014. A comprehensive guide to fuel management practices for dry mixed conifer forests in the northwestern United States: Mechanical, chemical, and biological fuel treatment methods.
• Jain, Theresa B.; Battaglia, Mike A.; Han, Han-Sup; Graham, Russell T.; Keyes, Christopher R.; Fried, Jeremy S.; Sandquist, Jonathan E. 2014. A comprehensive guide to fuel management practices for dry mixed conifer forests in the northwestern United States: Monitoring.
• Jain, Theresa B.; Battaglia, Mike A.; Han, Han-Sup; Graham, Russell T.; Keyes, Christopher R.; Fried, Jeremy S.; Sandquist, Jonathan E. 2014. A comprehensive guide to fuel management practices for dry mixed conifer forests in the northwestern United States: Prescribed fire.
• Morgan, Penelope; Keane, Robert E.; Dillon, Gregory K.; Jain, Theresa B.; Hudak, Andrew T.; Karau, Eva C.; Sikkink, Pamela G.; Holden, Zachery A.; Strand, Eva K. 2014. Challenges of assessing fire and burn severity using field measures, remote sensing and modelling.
• Foster, G. Sam; Mower, Todd; Graham, Russell; Jain, Theresa B. 2014. EFRs in the Rocky Mountain Research Station: Understanding patterns of forest growth, weather and disturbance Chapter 2.8.
• Dobre, Mariana; Wu, Joan Q.; Elliot, William J.; Miller, Ina S.; Jain, Theresa B. 2014. Effects of topographic features on postfire exposed mineral soil in small watersheds.
• Ross-Davis, Amy L.; Stewart, Jane E.; Hanna, John W.; Shaw, John D.; Hudak, Andrew T.; Jain, Theresa B.; Denner, Robert J.; Graham, Russell T.; Page-Dumroese, Deborah S.; Tirocke, Joanne M.; Kim, Mee-Sook; Klopfenstein, Ned B. 2014. Forest soil microbial communities: Using metagenomic approaches to survey permanent plots.
• Graham, Russell T.; Jain, Theresa B.; Graham, Kathy L.; Denner, Robert; Hardy, Colin. 2014. One-hundred years of wildfire research: A legacy of the Priest River, Deception Creek, and Boise Basin Experimental Forests of Idaho Chapter 21.
• Miller, Sue; Jain, Theresa; Battaglia, Mike A.; Han, Han-Sup; Graham, Russell T.; Keyes, Christopher R.; Fried, Jeremy S.; Sandquist, Jonathan E. 2014. Science You Can Use Bulletin: Revisiting disturbance: A new guide for keeping dry mixed conifer forests healthy through fuel management.
• Jain, Theresa B. 2014. The human and fire connection.
• Fried, Jeremy S.; Jain, Theresa B. 2013. Opportunities abound for affordable mechanical fuels treatment in dry mixed-conifer forests.
• Dobre, Mariana; Elliot, William J.; Wu, Joan Q.; Link, Timothy E.; Glaza, Brandon; Jain, Theresa B.; Hudak, Andrew T. 2012. Relationship of field and LiDAR estimates of forest canopy cover with snow accumulation and melt.
• Jain, Theresa B. 2012. The role of experimental forests in science and management.
• Hudak, Andrew T.; Jain, Theresa B.; Morgan, Penelope; Clark, Jess T. 2011. Remote sensing of WUI fuel treatment effectiveness following the 2007 wildfires in central Idaho.
• Fraver, Shawn; Jain, Terrie; Bradford, John B.; D'amato, Anthony W.; Kastendick, Doug; Palik, Brian; Shinneman, Doug; Stanovick, John. 2011. The efficacy of salvage logging in reducing subsequent fire severity in conifer-dominated forests of Minnesota, USA.
• Jain, Theresa; Barrett, Tara M. 2011. The western Kenai Peninsula: An opportunity to study fire and its effects on soils and trees.
• Graham, Russell T.; Jain, Theresa B.; Kingery, James L. 2010. Ameliorating conflicts among deer, elk, cattle and/or other ungulates and other forest uses: a synthesis.
• Jain, Theresa B.; Fried, Jeremy S. 2010. Field instructions for the annual inventory of California, Oregon, and Washington 2010: Supplement for: Fire effects and recovery study.
• Graham, Russell T.; Jain, Theresa B.; Matthews, Susan. 2010. Fuel management in forests of the Inland West.
• Jain, Theresa B.; Graham, Russell T.; Sandquist, Jonathan. 2010. Integrated management of carbon sequestration and biomass utilization opportunities in a changing climate: Proceedings of the 2009 National Silviculture Workshop; 2009 June 15-18; Boise, ID..
• Jain, Theresa B. 2010. Introduction.
• Clark, Rachael; Jain, Theresa. 2009. Breakthrough at the Missouri River Breaks: A quick tool for comparing burned and unburned sites.
• Schnepf, Chris; Graham, Russell T.; Kegley, Sandy; Jain, Theresa B. 2009. Managing organic debris for forest health: Reconciling fire hazard, bark beetles, wildlife, and forest nutrition needs.
• Jain, Theresa B.; Gould, William A.; Graham, Russell T.; Pilliod, David S.; Lentile, Leigh B.; Gonzalez, Grizelle. 2008. A soil burn severity index for understanding soil-fire relations in tropical forests Chinese version.
• Dumm, Gabriel; Fins, Lauren; Graham, Russell T.; Jain, Theresa B. 2008. Distribution of fine roots of ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir in a central Idaho forest.
• Graham, Russell T.; Jain, Theresa B. 2008. Learning, connecting, reconnecting: Summary of the 2007 National Silviculture Workshop.
• Jain, Theresa B.; Graham, Russell T.; Sandquist, Jonathan; Butler, Matthew; Brockus, Karen; Frigard, Daniel; Cobb, David; Sup-Han, Han; Halbrook, Jeff; Denner, Robert; Evans, Jeffrey S. 2008. Restoration of northern Rocky Mountain moist forests: Integrating fuel treatments from the site to the landscape.
• Graham, Russell T.; Jain, Theresa B. 2007. Changes in forest soils as the result of exotic diseases, timber harvest, and fire exclusion and their implications on forest restoration.
• Jain, Theresa B.; Juillerat, Molly; Sandquist, Jonathan; Sauer, Brad; Mitchell, Robert; McAvoy, Scott; Hanley, Justin; David, John. 2007. Forest descriptions and photographs of forested areas along the breaks of the Missouri River in eastern Montana, USA.
• Graham, Russell T.; Jain, Theresa B.; Sandquist, Jonathan. 2007. Free selection: a silvicultural option.
• Jain, Theresa; Juillerat, Molly; Sandquist, Jonathan; Ford, Mike; Sauer, Brad; Mitchell, Robert; McAvoy, Scott; Hanley, Justin; David, Jon. 2007. Photographic handbook for comparing burned and unburned sites within a dry forested and grassland mosiac: a tool for communication, calibration, and monitoring post-fire effects.
• Graham, Russell T.; Jain, Theresa B. 2007. Stand and fuel treatments for restoring old-growth ponderosa pine forests in the interior west (Boise Basin Experimental Forest).
• Jain, Theresa B.; Graham, Russell T. 2007. The relation between tree burn severity and forest structure in the Rocky Mountains.
• Graham, Russell T.; Jain, Theresa B. 2007. Treatments that enhance the decomposition of forest fuels for use in partially harvested stands in the moist forests of the northern Rocky Mountains (Priest River Experimental Forest).
• Jain, Theresa; Juillerat, Molly; Sandquist, Jonathan; Ford, Mike; Sauer, Brad; Mitchell, Robert; McAvoy, Scott; Hanley, Justin; David, Jon. 2007. Vegetation and soil effects from prescribed, wild, and combined fire events along a ponderosa pine and grassland mosaic.
• Jain, Theresa B.; Graham, Russell T.; Pilliod, David S. 2006. The relation between forest structure and soil burn severity.
• Halbrook, Jeff; Han, Han-Sup; Graham, Russell T.; Jain, Theresa B.; Denner, Robert. 2006. Mastication: A fuel reduction and site preparation alternative.
• Graham, Russell T.; Jain, Theresa B. 2005. Application of free selection in mixed forests of the inland northwestern United States.
• Peterson, David L.; Johnson, Morris C.; Agee, James K.; Jain, Theresa B.; McKenzie, Donald; Reinhardt, Elizabeth D. 2005. Forest structure and fire hazard in dry forests of the Western United States.
• Graham, Russell T.; Jain, Theresa B. 2005. Ponderosa pine ecosystems.
• Graham, Russell T.; Jain, Theresa B. 2005. Silvicultural tools applicable in forests burned by a mixed severity fire regime.
• Graham, Russell T.; Jain, Theresa B.; Cannon, Phil. 2005. Stand establishment and tending in the Inland Northwest.
• Graham, Russell T.; Jain, Theresa B. 2004. Boise Basin Experimental Forest (Idaho).
• Graham, Russell T.; Jain, Theresa B. 2004. Deception Creek Experimental Forest (Idaho).
• Jain, Theresa Benavidez; Graham, Russell T. 2004. Enhancing moist forest restoration opportunities in riparian systems.
• Jain, Theresa Benavidez; Graham, Russell T. 2004. Is forest structure related to fire severity Yes, no, and maybe: Methods and insights in quantifying the answer.
• Graham, Russell T.; Jain, Theresa Benavidez. 2004. Past, present, and future role of silviculture in forest management.
• Graham, Russell T.; Jain, Theresa B. 2004. Priest River Experimental Forest (Idaho).
• Graham, Russell T.; McCaffrey, Sarah; Jain, Theresa B. 2004. Science basis for changing forest structure to modify wildfire behavior and severity.
• Hudak, Andrew; Morgan, Penelope; Stone, Carter; Robichaud, Pete; Jain, Terrie; Clark, Jess. 2004. The relationship of field burn severity measures to satellite-derived Burned Area Reflectance Classification (BARC) maps.
• Jain, Theresa B.; Graham, Russell T.; Pilliod, David S. 2004. Tongue-tied: Confused meanings for common fire terminology can lead to fuels mismanagement.
• Jain, Theresa B.; Graham, Russell T.; Morgan, Penelope. 2004. Western white pine growth relative to forest openings.
• Jain, Theresa B.; Their, Ralph; Michael, Wilson. 2003. Fire effects assessment using FIA data in the northern and central Rocky Mountains.
• Jain, Theresa B.; Graham, Russell T. 2003. Fire severity classification: Uses and abuses.
• Peterson, David L.; Johnson, Morris C.; Agee, James K.; Jain, Theresa B.; McKenzie, Donald; Reinhardt, Elizabeth D. 2003. Fuels planning: Managing forest structure to reduce fire hazard.
• Jain, Theresa B.; Graham, Russell T.; Morgan, Penelope. 2002. Western white pine development in relation to biophysical characteristics across different spatial scales in the Coeur d'Alene River basin in northern Idaho, U.S.A.
• Jain, Theresa, B. 2001. Biophysical characteristics influencing growth and abundance of western white pine (Pinus monticola) across spatial scales in the Coeur d'Alene River Basin, Idaho.
• Graham, Russell T.; Jain, Theresa Benevidez; Harvey, Alan E. 2000. Fuel: Logs, sticks, needles, duff, and much more.
• Graham, Russell T.; Jain, Theresa B. 1999. An effective and efficient assessment process.
• Graham, Russell T.; Jain, Theresa, B..; Haynes, Richard A.; Sanders, Jim; Cleaves, David L. 1999. Assessments for ecological stewardship.
• Graham, Russell T.; Harvey, Alan E.; Jain, Theresa B.; Tonn, Jonalea R. 1999. The effects of thinning and similar stand treatments on fire behavior in Western forests..
• Graham, Russell T.; Jain, Theresa B.; Tonn, Jonalea R. 1999. Uneven-aged silviculture in cedar-hemlock-grand fir ecosystems of the northern Rocky Mountains.
• Graham, Russell T.; Jain, Theresa B. 1998. Silviculture's role in managing boreal forests.
• Jain, Theresa B.; Graham, Russell T.; Adams, David L. 1997. Carbon to organic matter ratios for soils in Rocky Mountain coniferous forests.
• Ferguson, Dennis E.; Applegate, Victor J.; Aune, Philip S.; Carlson, Clinton E.; Geier-Hayes, Kathleen; Graham, Russell T.; Jacobsen, Glenn L.; Jain, Theresa B.; Powell, David C.; Shepperd, Wayne D.; Sloan, John P.; Youngblood, Andrew. 1997. Communicating the role of silviculture and Forest Service silviculture research in the interior West.
• Jurgensen, M. F.; Harvey, A. E.; Graham, R. T.; Page-Dumroese, D. S.; Tonn, J. R.; Larsen, M. J.; Jain, T. B. 1997. Impacts of timber harvesting on soil organic matter, nitrogen, productivity, and health of inland northwest forests.
• Graham, Russell T.; Jain, Theresa B.; Reynolds, Richard T.; Boyce, Douglas, A. 1997. The role of fire in sustaining northern goshawk habitat in Rocky Mountain forests.
• Jain, Theresa B.; Graham, Russell T. 1996. Deception Creek Experimental Forest.
• Jain, Theresa B.; Graham, Russell T. 1996. Priest River Experimental Forest.
• Graham, Russell T.; Jain, Theresa B. 1995. Closing remarks: A visit to Dr. Stout's and Dr. Murphy's forest health clinic.
• Graham, Russell T.; Tonn, Jonalea R.; Jain, Theresa B. 1995. Cone and seed production of western larch in response to girdling and nitrogen fertilization - an update.
• Graham, R. T.; Harvey, A. E.; Jurgensen, M. F.; Page-Dumroese, D. S.; Tonn, J. R.; Jain, T. B. 1995. Response of western larch to site preparation.
• Jain, Theresa B. 1994. Carbon storage and carbon-to-organic matter relationships of three forested ecosystems of the Rocky Mountains.
• Graham, Russell T.; Jain, Theresa B.; Reynolds, Richard T.; Boyce, Douglas A. 1994. From single species management to ecosystem management, "The goshawk".
• Graham, Russell T.; Harvey, Alan E.; Jurgensen, Martin F.; Jain, Theresa B.; Tonn, Jonalea R.; Page-Dumroese, Deborah S. 1994. Managing coarse woody debris in forests of the Rocky Mountains.
• Graham, Russell T.; Tonn, Jonalea R.; Jain, Theresa B. 1994. Managing western white pine plantations for multiple resource objectives.
• Reinhardt, Elizabeth D.; Graham, Russell T.; Jain, Theresa B.; Simmerman, Dennis G. 1994. Short-term effects of prescribed fire in grand fir-white pine-western hemlock slash fuels.
• Graham, Russell T.; Tonn, Jonalea R.; Jain, Theresa B.; Adams, David L. 1994. The role of silviculture in ecosystem management: a practice in transition.

Research Highlights

Highlight	Title	Year
RMRS-2017-212	Experimental Forests: Great places to learn about forest science and management Scientists used an experimental forest network to develop different management strategies and make science accessible for managers and other par ...	2017
RMRS-2017-193	Goshawks, bark beetles, and timber management: Can they coexist? Wildlife habitat and timber production are critical elements of the management of many national forests. The Black Hills National Forest in West ...	2017
RMRS-2018-90	The Region 4 — RMRS Science Partner Program: Working to improve management strategies and communication through shared stewardship In 2016, the Rocky Mountain Research Station launched the Region 4—Rocky Mountain Research Station Science Partner Pilot program. The program' ...	2018