The Intricate Life of Trees: Revealing the extraordinary impact of trees in our world

This presentation and the larger discussion will address the ecological significance, environmental value, and climate change impact of trees.

Dr. Mark A. Bradford, Professor, Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies

Dr. Robert J. Warren II, Associate Professor, SUNY Buffalo State, Biology Department

Sponsored by the SUNY Buffalo State Friends of the MGH Arboretum and the Burchfield Penney Art Center

Free and open to the public

Mark A. Bradford is Professor of Soils and Ecosystem Ecology at the Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies. His group’s research reveals how soil microbial processes govern carbon cycle responses to global change and environmental management. Their current work spans questions that address uncertainties in Earth system feedbacks to quantifying soil and forest health outcomes and processes. He is particularly interested in how organisms and their interactions affect decomposition and carbon stocks. He is author of over 170 academic papers and is an ISI highly-cited author in the area of Environment/ Ecology.

Bradford connects to policy and practice through collaborations with NGOs and other agencies to produce and synthesize evidence that helps inform the management of soils to restore and protect soil carbon and hence soil fertility; and also to inform the management of forests for native species and greenhouse gas mitigation. He teaches soil science and ecosystem science, with application to developing and managing ecosystem budgets. He holds a BSc and PhD in Biological Sciences from Exeter University (UK), did postdoctoral research at Imperial College, London and Duke University, and joined the faculty at the University of Georgia, Athens in 2005. He moved to Yale in 2009.

Robert J. Warren II is Associate Professor of Global Change Ecology at SUNY Buffalo State. His lab’s research focuses on how species interactions respond to habitat fragmentation, non-native species invasion and climate change. The current work focuses on how classic ecological theory explains the impacts of non-native ants on both vertebrate and invertebrate communities. The lab also does a lot of research in the realm of urban ecology, again examining how classic ecological theory explains novel ecosystems. Warren is author of more than 50 academic papers. He holds a PhD from the University of Georgia (Athens) and did postdoctoral research at Wright State and Yale Universities. He moved to SUNY Buffalo State in 2012. Dr. Warren is a member of the Executive Committee for the SUNY Buffalo State Friends of the MGH Arboretum. He has played a significant role in the Big Digs, choosing trees based upon their ecological impact and value.

Sponsored by the SUNY Buffalo State Friends of the MGH Arboretum and the Burchfield Penney Art Center