The ecosystem services provided by conifer forests are threatened by the increasing frequency and severity of disturbances - drought, insect outbreak, wildfire - using the EcoSIM model we are examining how different subsurface properties (nutrient availability, porosity, etc.), and physical features (topography, aspect) determine resilience and resistance to disturbance and recovery or transition post-disturbance.
The EcoSIM model is a mechanistic model representing the coupled hydrological, physical, thermal, biogeochemical, and ecological processes. It explicitly represents plant-microbe interactions and is an ideal model for plot to hillslope representations.
Our current simulations are focusing on gradients in temperature & moisture replicating sites in California, Colorado, and Oregon.
Our current simulations are focusing on gradients in temperature & moisture replicating sites in California, Colorado, and Oregon.