Dr. Melissa Thomas-Van Gundy
The Ohio University Environmental & Plant Biology Colloquium Series presents Dr. Melissa Thomas-Van Gundy on “Long term research on the Fernow Experimental Forest in West Virginia” on Friday, Nov. 15, in Porter 104 from 11:50 a.m. to 12:50 p.m.
Thomas-Van Gundy is a Research Forester with the USDA Forest Service in Parsons, WV.
Abstract: In 1934, about 4,000 acres in West Virginia were set aside and dedicated to long term research on forestry and watershed questions. This forest, the Fernow Experimental Forest, is part of the Monongahela National Forest and is administered by the USDA Forest Service’s Northern Research Station. After a pause in funding during World War II, research began again with the unit name of the Timber and Watershed Laboratory and an office in Parsons, WV. The oldest silvicultural study on the experimental forest date to 1949 and many of the weirs for watershed research were installed in the 1950s. Melissa Thomas-Van Gundy, research forester and scientist in charge of the Fernow, will present an overview of some of the long term projects taking place on the Fernow. The Fernow is not stuck in the past, however, and recent and future research work also will be discussed.
Fernow Experimental Forest
