What We Do

The research we conduct at the Houghton Forestry Sciences Lab is designed to help us better understand what makes forests healthy and productive. By studying what goes on both above- and belowground we can develop policies and management practices that better sustain our forest ecosystems.

In our research, we look at how management activities, natural disturbances, and global environmental changes impact the growth of trees and the health of forests overall. We observe how water, nutrients, and minerals move through these ecosystems. We experiment with the ways carbon cycles through soil, trees, and the atmosphere so that we can better predict the effect future environmental developments will have on our forests.

The mission of our work is to create a comprehensive understanding of what will sustain and enhance the splendid biodiversity of our Lake States forests. Through better awareness of natural and human factors, we can develop knowledgeable guidance for management systems that will allow us to support forests and their many uses for years to come.