Leites Quantitative Forest Ecology Lab
Advances in quantitative methods and computing capabilities combined with varied data sources at different spatial and temporal scales present new and exciting opportunities for understanding, quantifying and modeling forest ecosystems and their response to the environment.
We use quantitative methods and varied data sources to understand forest ecosystems by quantifying, modeling and mapping ecosystem attributes and processes. We are especially interested in modeling forest ecosystem responses to changes in climate and to human-driven effects, and in quantifying and mapping forest ecosystem attributes that are essential for monitoring ecosystem changes at different scales.
Students interested in working in the Quantitative Forest Ecology Lab should contact Laura Leites
Latest News
August 22, 2024
Joshua Gershey successfully defends his MS thesis
Thesis title: OAK RECRUITMENT IN YOUNG FORESTS: MODELING THE ROLE OF FOREST CHARACTERISTICS BEFORE DISTURBANCE AND THEIR INTERACTIONS WITH THE ABIOTIC ENVIRONMENT
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June 4, 2024
White Oak (Quercus alba) assisted migration experiment
Our white oak (Quercus alba) assisted migration experiment is progressing nicely! Seedlings are growing at the Mira Llyod Dock Resource Conservation Center, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. We are growing natural populations from climates warmer than State College up to white oak's southernmost range limit (all the way to Georgia). We seek to understand how populations will respond to warmer climates and to delineate guidelines for assisted migration and seed movement. Mary McCafferty and Nathan LaDuke have been doing a fantastic job! Grateful to Annetta Ayers and her team!
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January 29, 2024
Leites and Muth receive the Translational Research Award from the Institute of Energy and the Environment (IEE)
This award recognizes a team of two or more Penn State faculty researchers for their collaborative, interdisciplinary research efforts on a topic within one of the five IEE themes that have benefited society.
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July 17, 2023
Leites speaks at the Forest Genetics Conference 2023: Discovery and Innovation in Changing Climates.
Her talk "Forest trees adaptation to climate: Building on the legacy of genecology to anticipate responses to climate and guide seed movement" reflected on the importance of ecological genetics in helping build the reforestation pipeline to maintain adapted and resilient forests.
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