RESEARCH | marknorris

Terrestrial Plant & Ecosystem Ecology Lab

Research projects generally involve both community and ecosystem level analyses with respect to various natural and anthropogenic disturbances/management. The emerging theme in current work is an exploration of biodiversity and how nature works in our suburban campus environment. Previously, we have focused on novel ecosystems that result from invasive species or pests. The future goals as well as the broader context of this work is that we will be able to apply our findings to restoration plans to maintain native diversity in both natural and managed systems. My background is largely in ecosystem patterns and processes (e.g. plant productivity, nutrient cycling, soil-plant interactions, etc.) with respect to land-use change resulting from land management.

My perspective of our work is that ecological research is essential for providing scientific knowledge to guide appropriate land-use recommendations and policies geared towards ensuring a sustainable future. Focusing on the ecosystem-scale affords the appropriate resolution for exploring the interactions between the abiotic and biotic components as well as the effects of anthropogenic influence. In addition to performing basic research, it is crucial to educate the public and the leaders of tomorrow about the importance of good stewardship of their environment. Ecology provides both the scientific understanding and the framework within which environmental awareness should be taught. Therefore, it is my long-term goal and desire to expand upon my knowledge of ecological systems and to share that understanding within an environmental construct.

Research videos

by Stevenson University

Salamander project

Arboreal project (1)

Arboreal project (2)

My youtube channel has additional videos including drone footage of arboreal project, timelapse videos from campus trail cameras, and more.

Arboreal community

Tree canopy community by tree location, species, and canopy height.

Red-backed salamanders

Exploring the presence/absence of salamanders and associating with forest traits

Invasive pests

Forest community and ecosystem effects of simulated and actual emerald ash borer infestations.

Urban-rural forest gradient

Shifts in forest patterns & processes

Invasive plant and pests

Dynamics and consequences of invasive species

Restoration ecology

Effectiveness of restoration compared to natural habitats and for wildlife habitat

Land cover change

Ecosystem consequences of land cover and land use change

Conference presentations

Recent presentations (* = undergraduate student, ** = graduate student, + = invited talk)

M. Norris, B. Dolan, J. Kilgore, B. Hoffman*, J. Martin, E. Olson, D. Robinson, Jr., A. Tomaskovic. Temporal and spatial variation in the biodiversity of the temperate forest canopy. Ecological Society of America Annual Meeting, Baltimore, MD. 2025.
J. Bylen* and M. Norris. Biodiversity of arboreal organisms across vertical strata of forest edge and interior Quercus rubra trees. Ecological Society of America Annual Meeting, Baltimore, MD. 2025.
K. Johnson* and M. Norris. Availability of prey species and Plethodon cinereus density. Ecological Society of America Annual Meeting, Baltimore, MD. 2025.
M. Norris. Enhancing ecological pedagogy with individual mandala projects. Ecological Society of America Annual Meeting, Baltimore, MD. 2025.
E. Connell* and M. Norris. Species Diversity and Distribution within Edge-Interior and Canopy-Understory Quercus rubras in a Temperate Deciduous Forest. Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the Ecological Society of America meeting, Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, PA. 2025.
M. Sehnert*, L. Sober*, and M. Norris. Understory Complexity, Soil Conditions, and Landscape Characteristics as Potential Drivers of Eastern Red-backed Salamander Presence in Varied Forest Habitats. Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the Ecological Society of America meeting, Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, PA. 2025.
M. Norris. The mystery of red-backed salamanders in our campus forest Paul D. Lack Scholars Showcase. Stevenson University, Owings Mills, MD. 2025
J. Kilgore, B. Hoffman*, & M. Norris, et al. ARBOREAL: A new network to support undergraduate researchers investigating temperate forest canopy biodiversity. Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the Ecological Society of America meeting, Kutztown University, Kutztown, PA. 2024.
E. Stevens(*) & M. Norris. Patterns of herbivory, photosynthesis, and leaf traits in the canopies of mature red oak canopies. Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the Ecological Society of America meeting, Kutztown University, Kutztown, PA. 2024.
S. Hyatt* & M. Norris. Exploring Biodiversity Over a Vertical Gradient in Two Red Oak Trees. Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the Ecological Society of America meeting, Kutztown University, Kutztown, PA. 2024.
E. Vickery* & M. Norris Surveying salamanders' presence and absence to determine the health of local forests. Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the Ecological Society of America meeting, Kutztown University, Kutztown, PA. 2024.
P. Arbour*, I. Berner*, & M. Norris. Assessing the Presence of Amphibians in Forests Facing Development. Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the Ecological Society of America meeting, University of Delaware, Newark, DE. 2023.
I. Sachs* & M. Norris. Vertical structure of biodiversity and microhabitats of forest trees. Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the Ecological Society of America meeting, University of Delaware, Newark, DE. 2023.
M. Norris. Biodiversity of tree canopies: Growing a new collaborative project. Paul D. Lack Scholars Showcase. Stevenson University, Owings Mills, MD. 2023
A.J. Morales* and M. Norris. Use of trail cameras in a suburban environment to observe and catalog wildlife. Northeastern Natural History Conference, Albany, NY. 2022.
A. Lambert*, E. Wise*, and M. Norris. Overstory effects of emerald ash borer (EAB) on riparian forests. Northeastern Natural History Conference, Albany, NY. 2022.
A. Lambert*, E. Wise*, and M. Norris. Impacts of emerald ash borer on a riparian forest ecosystem. Paul D. Lack Scholars Showcase. Stevenson University, Owings Mills, MD. 2019.
M. Norris. Enhancing ecological pedagogy with individual mandala projects. Northeastern Natural History Conference, virtual. 2021.
M. Stech* and M. Norris. Comparison of community composition in recently restored and natural wetlands. Northeastern Natural History Conference, virtual. 2021.
+ Norris, M. Campus mandala: A year of observing the forest. SU CES. Apr. 2020
+ Norris, M. Environmental stewardship. Epworth United Methodist Church. Oct. 2019
+ Mark Norris. Invasive pests - A threat to Maryland forests. Irvine Nature Center, MD. 2019.
Langston X. Gash* and Mark D. Norris. Invertebrate and vertebrate biodiversity in a chronosequence of forest restoration. Northeastern Natural History Conference, Springfield, MA. 2019.
Ashton D. Leschke* and Mark D. Norris. Effects of restoration efforts on forest development and abiotic factors across a restoration chronosequence. Northeastern Natural History Conference, Springfield, MA. 2019.
+ Mark Norris. Forest troubles - the problem of invasive pests. Irvine Nature Center, MD. 2018.
+ Mark Norris. The role of forests in climate change. Aldersgate United Methodist Church, PA. 2018.
Lydia R. Shreeve* and Mark D. Norris. Comparison of the arboreal community in tree canopy habitats of a deciduous forest. Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the Ecological Society of America meeting, Rutgers University Newark. 2018.
Zachary F. Cather* and Mark D. Norris. The effect of eastern hemlock on forest and stream ecosystems. Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the Ecological Society of America meeting, Rutgers University Newark. 2018.
+ Mark Norris. Development of novel ecosystems following simulated emerald ash borer outbreak in ash-dominated forests. Sweet Briar College, VA. 2018.
Mark D. Norris and Rebecca L. Bernacki. Development of novel ecosystems following simulated emerald ash borer outbreak in ash-dominated forests. Science & Management of Ash Forests after Emerald Ash Borer Workshop, Duluth, MN. 2017.
Catarina N. Torres, Samantha M. Paulus, and Mark D. Norris. Tree seedling dynamics in response to a simulated emerald ash borer outbreak and restoration. Northeastern Natural History Conference, Cromwell, CT. 2017
Mark D. Norris and Rebecca L. Bernacki**. Development of novel ecosystems following simulated emerald ash borer outbreak in ash-dominated forests. Ecological Society of America Annual Meeting, Fort Lauderdale. 2016.
Catarina N. Torres*, Samantha M. Paulus*, and Mark D. Norris. Tree seedling dynamics in response to a simulated emerald ash borer outbreak and restoration. Ecological Society of America Annual Meeting, Fort Lauderdale. 2016.
Ashley Myers*, Zachary Greeley*, & Mark Norris. Effects of non-native invasive insect pests in Central Maryland. Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the Ecological Society of America meeting, Kutztown University. 2016.
Mark D. Norris, Chelsea J. V. Raras*, Emily G. Hicks*, Bethany P. Liberto*, and Garrett J. Perau*. Oak forest characteristics and functioning along an urban-rural gradient. Ecological Society of America Annual Meeting, Baltimore. 2015.

Rebecca L. Bernacki**, Samantha M. Paulus*, and Mark D. Norris. Community and ecosystem effects of simulated and actual emerald ash borer outbreaks in ash-dominated forests. Ecological Society of America Annual Meeting, Baltimore. 2015.
Jordan Brown** and Mark Norris. Chronosequences show soil changes lag behind plant community recovery in restored wetlands. Ecological Society of America Annual Meeting, Baltimore. 2015.

Publications (* = undergraduate student, ** = graduate student)

Bernacki, R.** and M. Norris. In Revision. Development of novel ecosystems following simulated emerald ash borer outbreak in ash-dominated forests.
Brown, J.** and M.D. Norris. 2018. Detecting soil and plant community changes in restored wetlands using a chronosequence approach. Wetland Ecology and Management. 26(3):299–314. DOI: 10.1007/s11273-017-9574-7
Richards, P.L., M.D. Norris, and B.B. Lin. 2013. The hydrologic implications of oldfield succession: depression storage and leaf litter. Ecohydrology. 6(5):863-877. DOI: 10.1002/eco.1310
Norris, M.D., P.B. Reich, P.G. Avis, and S.Hobbie. 2013. Positive feedback between decomposition and nitrogen fertility gradients. Plant and Soil. 367(1-2):347-361. DOI: 10.1007/s11104-012-1449-3
Norris, M.D. 2012. Land cover change in Western New York: Consequences for soil C dynamics. Northeastern Naturalist. 19(6):89-100.
Bernacki, R.* and M. Norris. 2011. Old growth forests threatened by invasive pests. Proceedings of the National Conference on Undergraduate Research. 2011:470-478.
Norris, M.D. and P. B. Reich. 2009. Modest nitrogen conservation via retranslocation across two N fertility gradients. Plant and Soil. 316(1):193-204.
Norris, M.D., J.M. Blair, and L.C. Johnson. 2007. Altered ecosystem nitrogen dynamics as a consequence of land cover change in tallgrass prairie. American Midland Naturalist. 158(2):432-445.
McKinley, D.C., M.D. Norris, J.M. Blair, and L.C. Johnson. 2007. Altered ecosystem processes as a consequence of Juniperus virginiana L. encroachment into North American tallgrass prairie. Pages 170-187 in Van Auken (ed.) Western North American Juniperus Communities: A Dynamic Vegetation Type. Springer.
Norris, M.D., J.M. Blair, and L.C. Johnson. 2001. Land cover change in eastern Kansas: litter dynamics of closed-canopy eastern redcedar forests in tallgrass prairie. Can. J. Bot. 79(2):214-222.
Norris, M.D., J.M. Blair, L.C. Johnson, and R.B. McKane. 2001. Developing regression equations to assess shifts in biomass, productivity, and nutrient stores following Juniperus virginiana forest establishment in tallgrass prairie. Can. J. Forest Research. 31(11):1940-1946.