Forest ThreatNet

EFETAC Partners with University of North Carolina Asheville to Enhance Technology Transfer

EFETAC and the University of North Carolina Asheville’s National Environmental Modeling and Analysis Center (NEMAC) have entered into a joint venture agreement that extends established collaborative efforts to enhance delivery of forest science to a range of stakeholders through 2015. NEMAC contributes unique skills in computer modeling and programming, database management, Geographic Information Systems, and education and outreach to assist EFETAC in developing web-based resources and related communication materials.

Threat Assessment Conference Results in Comprehensive Two-Volume Publication

EFETAC and sister center, the Western Wildland Environmental Threat Assessment Center, hosted a conference themed, “Advances in Threat Assessment and Their Application to Forest and Rangeland Management,” that drew more than 170 researchers and managers from the United States, Canada, and Mexico to discuss the state of the science in environmental threat assessment. A two-volume compilation of the peer-reviewed papers presented during the 3-day conference was recently published. The report—organized by topics of land, air and water, fire, and pests/biota—features syntheses and case studies and is intended to foster exchange and collaboration between forest and rangeland managers and scientists developing knowledge and tools for threat assessment. View, download, or request the report at http://www.forestthreats.org/publications.

Upcoming Compass Magazine Issue to Highlight EFETAC Climate Change Research

The spring 2011 issue of the Southern Research Station’s (SRS) Compass magazine will focus on SRS research strategies aimed at forest adaptation in response to climatic changes and disturbances. Several articles will feature EFETAC research projects and tools including the Template for Assessing Climate Change Impacts and Management Options, Comparative Risk Assessment Framework and Tools, Water Supply Stress Index model, and Forecasts of Climate-Associated Shifts in Tree Species (ForeCASTS), as well as research investigating the effects of climate change on invasive plant species. Current and archived issues of Compass are available at http://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/compass.

EFETAC Invasive Insect Risk Research Featured in Online and Radio News Stories

Recently published research on rates of invasive insect introductions by EFETAC North Carolina State University cooperating scientist Frank Koch and EFETAC biometrician and co-author Bill Smith is highlighted in a LiveScience Web article titled “Insect Scourge: Two New Species Invade U.S. Every Year.” Koch also discussed biological and economic impacts of insect invasion in a radio interview that aired on KRLD News Radio 1080 in Dallas, TX. Read more and listen in at http://www.forestthreats.org/news-events/in-the-news.

Natural Inquirer Features EFETAC Hydrology Research

The Natural Inquirer, a Forest Service Research and Development middle school science education journal, features EFETAC hydrology research in a climate change themed edition. EFETAC scientists Johnny Boggs, Ge Sun, Steve McNulty, and Emrys Treasure are also profiled for the article, adapted from a research paper presented during a 2009 American Water Resources Association conference. The article, “Did They Make the Gradient? Climate and Stream Temperatures Now and Into the Future,” can be accessed at http://www.forestthreats.org/news-events/in-the-news.