Dr. Lynn Christenson, Vassar College

Seminar Abstract: Herbivory affects both the structure and function of plant communities and therefore influences ecosystem processes. Herbivores include a wide range of taxa including both vertebrate and invertebrate organisms. Common to all herbivore activity is the incorporation of feces into the ecosystem. This research follows the fate of fecal N into forested systems. Plants receive similar amounts of N comparing moose feces to gypsy moth frass. Forest floor soils are a more significant sink of frass N while mineral soils retain more moose fecal N. Total soil leaching losses under moose or insect fecal inputs was minimal. Ungulate versus lepidopteran activity can influence where in the soil N is stored over a 2 yr. period.

Research Interests: Lynn Christenson is receiving her PhD from SUNY ESF (December 7, 2007) and is currently an adjunct instructor at Vassar College in both the Biology Departments and the Environmental Studies Program. She teaches a multidisciplinary course on Global Change and an applied course in Environmental Biology. Dr. Christenson's research has focused on the complex interactions among plants, herbivores and biogeochemical cycling associated with changing climate. Understanding how human activity influences terrestrial ecosystems and how herbivore activity feeds back into the functioning and structure of these systems continues to be the focus of Lynn's research.

Host: Dr. Gary Lovett