Associate Professor, Forest Ecology/Biogeochemistry
PhD, Forest Ecology, 1999, University of Michigan;
MS, Forest Ecology, 1995, University of Michigan;
BA, Biology and Environmental Studies,1992, University of California, Santa Cruz
Contact Information
113 Natural Resources Building
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824
Phone: (517) 432-335
Fax: (517) 432-1143
Email: rothste2@msu.edu
Research Interests
The goal of my research program is to develop a mechanistic understanding of processes driving the biogeochemical cycling of carbon and nutrients in both natural and managed forests. In particular, I am interested in studying feedbacks within the plant-soil system that control both the availability of nutrients in soil, and losses of nutrients from ecosystems. This work involves research at a wide range of scales: from the quantification of ecosystem-level fluxes of carbon and nutrients to the study of plant and microbial metabolism. For a more detailed description of my current research please check out my lab web page: Lab Web Page
Opportunities for Graduate Students
There are two avenues available for joining my lab as a graduate student:
- Occasionally I am actively seeking a graduate student to work on a funded grant. In this case I will post an advertisement here, on my lab web page and over the Ecological Society of America and Forest Soils listservs. CURRENTLY, I HAVE NO UNFILLED ASSISTANTSHIPS
- I also will consider unsolicited applications from talented students who want to pursue graduate study in my lab. Students who enter through this route have to work harder to secure funding, but typically have more flexibility to design their own research projects. There is a limited amount of funding available for such students through competitive fellowships. Excellent GRE scores, high undergraduate GPA and previous research experience are essential to be competitive for these awards. Please contact me directly before applying.
Selected Publications
LeDuc, SD and Rothstein DE. Soil carbon and nitrogen dynamics following disturbance in jack pine forests: a comparison of wildfire and clearcut harvesting. In Revision. Soil Biology and Biochemistry.
Yermakov, Z. and Rothstein DE. 2006. Recovery of soil carbon and nitrogen cycling following wildfire in Michigan jack pine forests. Oecologia 149: 690-700.
Rothstein, DE and Lisuzzo, NL. 2006. Optimal nutrition and diagnosis for Abies fraseri plantations in Michigan. Northern Journal of Applied Forestry 23 (2): 106-113.
Rothstein, DE and Cregg, BM. 2005. Effects of nitrogen form on nutrient uptake and physiological performance of Fraser fir (Abies fraseri). Forest Ecology and Management. 219 (1): 69-80.
Rothstein, DE. 2005. Nitrogen management in an Abies fraseri Christmas tree plantation: effects of fertilization on soil N availability, tree performance and nitrate leaching. Forest Science 51 (2): 175-184.
Rothstein, DE, Vitousek, PM, Simmons, B. 2004. An exotic tree alters decomposition and nutrient cycling in a Hawaiian montane tropical forest. Ecosystems. 7 (8): 805 - 814
Rothstein, DE, Yermakov, Z, Buell, AL. 2004. Loss and recovery of ecosystem carbon pools following stand-replacing wildfire in Michigan jack pine forests. Canadian Journal of Forest Research. 34:1908-1918.
Rothstein DE, and DR Zak. 2001. Photosynthetic adaptation and acclimation to exploit seasonal periods of direct irradiance in three temperate, deciduous-forest herbs. Functional Ecology 15:722-731.
Rothstein DE, and DR Zak. 2001. Relationships between plant nitrogen economy and life history in three deciduous-forest herbs. Journal of Ecology 89:385-394.
Rothstein, D. E. 2000. Spring ephemeral herbs and nitrogen cycling in a northern hardwood forest: an experimental test of the vernal dam hypothesis. Oecologia, 124: 446-453.
Rothstein, D. E., D. R. Zak, K. S. Pregitzer, and P. S. Curtis. 2000. Kinetics of nitrogen uptake by Populus tremuloides in relation to atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration and soil nitrogen availability. Tree Physiology 20: 265-270.
Rothstein, D. E., D. R. Zak, and K. S. Pregitzer. 1996. Nitrate deposition in northern hardwood forests and the nitrogen metabolism of Acer saccharum Marsh. Oecologia 108: 338-344.