Dr. Andrew J. Andrade.

Department of Integrative Biology
Graduate Thesis Defense.

Andres Andrade photo

 

UPDATE!

We are pleased to announce that Andrew is now Dr. Andrew J. Andrade!  Andrew is joining the Desert Research Institute in Reno, Nevada as a postdoctoral fellow where he’ll be examining the relationship between increasing aridity in the western US and wildfires, particularly how desiccated conifer needle cells might be conducive to explosive fire growth.

Congratulations Andrew on successfully defending your thesis and all the best to you in your new endeavors!

 

 

 

 

 

Andrew's Thesis Defense:

Andrew J. Andrade
Ph.D. Candidate in Dr. Diana Tomback's Lab
CU Denver Department of Integrative Biology
Dr. Diana Tomback, Forest Ecology Lab

Competing Environmental Influences on Early Understory Successional Development Following Severe Fire: Potential Implications for a Warming Climate

Understory plant communities (forbs, graminoids, legumes, and shrubs) are biodiverse components of western coniferous forests that play a critical role in post-fire ecosystem recovery.  Oftentimes, understory plant species re-establish before the dominant conifer species, stabilizing soils and providing food and habitat for wildlife.  However, climate change is increasing the severity of wildfires in western forests, which may reduce the capacity of the understory to respond to these disturbances.  Additionally, the frequency of post-fire drought is also increasing due to climate change, which may further alter understory successional trajectories.  Here, I present the results of a 30-year study of understory successional development following the 1988 Yellowstone fires.  Collectively, these fires were the largest fire event in the recorded history of Yellowstone National Park.  I highlight two major environmental influences on understory successional development: soil moisture regime and post-fire tree stand development.  Additionally, I infer the potential consequences of continued climate change on the understory of western forests