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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 that of 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.

Invasive pests
Invasive pests

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

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

Arboreal community
Arboreal community

Tree canopy community by tree location and canopy height.

Tree canopy community by tree location and canopy height.

Urban-rural forest gradient
Urban-rural forest gradient

Shifts in forest patterns & processes

Shifts in forest patterns & processes

Invasive plant and pests

Dynamics and consequences of invasive species

Dynamics and consequences of invasive species

Restoration ecology
Restoration ecology

Effectiveness of restoration compared to natural habitats and for wildlife habitat

Effectiveness of restoration compared to natural habitats and for wildlife habitat

Land cover change

Ecosystem consequences of land cover and land use change

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

  • + 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 Review. Development of novel ecosystems following simulated emerald ash borer outbreak in ash-dominated forests. Forests (special issue on EAB)

  • 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.

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