Understanding forest ecologythat is, how environmental factors and human activities affect tree growth and forest community dynamicsis essential in developing successful management programs and conserving forest resources.
At MSU, graduate training in forest ecology combines courses in soil science, botany, plant pathology, ecology, conservation biology, and evolution with studies in forest ecology to provide a firm foundation for both research and management.
Ongoing forest ecology research includes understanding the mechanisms of plant competition and nutrient utilization and cycling; plant community dynamics at the landscape level; photosynthate allocation in response to environmental stress; and physiological and ecosystem responses to global change.
Students who have strong interests in interdisciplinary forest ecology studies may choose to complete master's or doctoral degree studies in the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Program. Faculty from several university departments with training and interests in one or more areas of ecology and evolution serve as program advisors. Because the program is interdisciplinary, it can be tailored to meet each student's particular interests, capabilities, and professionals goals.