New paper published in J. of Environmental Management by Clearwater!

Hutchinson, J.T., Clearwater, T, Kent, J, Kapoor, V, Dessouky, S. 2026. Spontaneous vegetation diversity in managed stormwater swales and detention basins in the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone of Central Texas, Journal of Environmental Management, Volume 406: 129841. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2026.129841

Swales and detention basins represent novel engineered ecosystems dominated by ruderal plants tolerant of inundation, drought, and extreme heat. In this study, we documented the plant species coverage and biomass in swales and detention basins. In total, we documented 115 plant species (89 native and 26 non-native) in the swales, and 94 plant species (68 native and 26 non-native) in detention basins. Spontaneous plant communities in swales and detention basins are distinct, sharing only a 33% similarity. Swales exhibited higher mean species richness (ranging from 8.6 to 11.0) and higher mean vegetation cover (58 to 129%) compared to detention basins. Dry above-ground biomass was higher in swales, largely driven by graminoids. Although initial planting in newly constructed swales and detention basins should utilize native grasses, allowing spontaneous native vegetation to establish following planting is recommended. These species form resilient novel ecosystems that are inherently adapted to environmental changes.

New paper in Fire Ecology by PD Kaili Brande!

Brande, K., Davis, F.W. & Kendall, B.E. Bark traits and fire vulnerability in three California foothill oak species. fire ecol 22, 43 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1186/s42408-026-00488-2

Conclusion

Bark traits and growth patterns can confer fire adaptation in tree species. Q. agrifolia showed stronger evidence of fire-adapted bark traits than Q. douglasii or Q. lobata. More work is needed to develop reliable general models relating time to trunk tissue kill to bark traits for oaks in fire-prone ecosystems.

Extreme Wildfire Workshop in Boulder

James, Melissa and Rob Scheller (NCSU) led an ESIIL-funded workshop in Boulder focused on modeling extreme wildfire with LANDIS-II We invited seven researchers from OR (Clearwater), NM (Zach Robbins, Adam Atchley, Matt Hurteau), NY (Sam Flake), WI (Brian Sturtevant, and CA (Alex Syphard). Pictures from our workshop, followed pics from our fun adventures in Boulder- walking around Boulder and the Denver Art Museum. Thanks ESIIL!!!

New $1.7 million NSF grant!

Led by the Missouri Botanical Garden (Dr. Jalene LaMontagne) in collaboration with UConn (Dr. Beth Lawrence), we received a $1.7 million NSF grant to study boreal tree reproduction.

NFS DEB: Collaborative Research: IUSC: Using the past, present, and future to investigate the effects of global change agents on tree reproduction across the boreal forest

Seed production by trees plays an essential role in the ecological and economic stability of future forests because seeds directly contribute to the growth of new trees. This is especially critical in boreal forests, which cover about 30% of the Earth’s area. Previous studies of the effects of environmental variability on boreal tree species have focused on tree growth and species’ range shifts, however a key gap in knowledge is understanding how tree reproduction is affected by abiotic conditions, such as temperature or precipitation. Advancing our understanding of the North American boreal forest is challenging because it is very large, the environmental conditions vary by region, and boreal tree species differ in their habitats and traits. Also, current forest models either ignore tree reproduction entirely or simplify it to assume that seed availability is constant. This project will test how abiotic factors (CO2 levels, temperature, water availability, nitrogen deposition, wildfire) interact to affect seed quantity and quality (seed mass, seed chemistry, seed germination rates). This information will be used in models to predict the future of boreal forests. This research will inform federal and state agencies about drivers of seed production and viability, increase public scientific literacy about tree dynamics and boreal forests, and add cone specimens from North American boreal forests to the Missouri Botanical Garden herbarium for future use. The project will train three graduate students and six undergraduates in conducting scientific research, as well as support a youth training program.