Forest and Land

The goal of this strategic initiative is to deliver research solutions for forests and other terrestrial ecosystems that provide for a sustainable, resource-based economy and a healthy environment.

Expertise and capabilities include:

• Sampling multiple taxa -- vegetation, birds, mammals, numerous others -- and integrate this information to quantify ecosystem health.
• Long-term datasets associated with forest birds and wildlife useful for quantifying forest health.
• Spatial analysis capabilities, including LiDAR and other remotely sensed data relevant to forestry.
• Processing of large datasets, including development of data visualization utilities for researchers and agencies.
• World-renowned genetic stock of hybrid poplar adapted to northern climates and knowledge of field testing design and interpretation.
• Large, long-term installed base of red pine thinning and productivity study sites and aspen productivity and thinning tests in cooperation with industrial and public land managers.
• Knowledge of forest resource analysis, harvesting equipment and economics of wood procurement to help clients assess opportunities for expansion in forest products and biomass energy sectors.
• Hosting numbers of interpretive websites that translate data into information critical for decision-making and management. 

Initiative Director: George Host, ghost@d.umn.edu, (218) 788-2664

For more information on this initiative, please navigate to a specific research area.