Switzer, Joshua
Research
Ecosystem restoration
My thesis title is:
"Thinning and prescribed fire for ecosystem restoration in the Rocky Mountains of British Columbia: changes in chemical, physical and biological properties of forest floors and soil over time".
Abstract:
Management of fuel loadings is critical to preventing uncontrolled wildfire and restoring the structure and function of Rocky Mountain forests. Thinning of the forests and removal of the biomass through prescribed fire is one means of managing fuel loadings. Pile burning is another option, but this greatly increases the costs of ecological restoration efforts. The objective of this study is to determine how much thinned fuel can be left on the ground without causing fire temperatures high enough to impair soil physical, chemical and biological properties that are essential to maintaining forest productivity and function. We assess the effects of different fuel loadings on multiple indicators of soil health (forest floor depth, soil pH, carbon and nutrient levels, and soil bacteria and fungi communities) over time and explore relationships among fuel loadings, fire temperatures and indicators of soil health.
I hope that my research will provide answers on how to make ecosystem restoration projects more efficient, while ensuring that we learn from our mistakes and let natural forest processes direct our actions.
Like most graduate students, I wasn't sure about what I wanted to do after obtaining my bachelor's degree. All I knew was that I wanted to learn more in the field of forest ecology, as wells as have a better chance of landing a great career.
The Belowground Ecosystem Group here at UBC has a great reputation among North American universities for conducting sound ecosystem-based research and having an amazing group of well-published professors.
Opportunities for snowboarding at Whistler and mountain biking on the North Shore definately made my decision easier.
Not really; there is little difference between universities in the U.S. and Canada.
Playing beach volleyball every week at Jericho Park with other forestry graduate students during the beautiful Vancouver summer.
Snowboarding, downhill mtn. biking, cross-country mtn. biking, kayaking, trail running, disc golf, hiking
I hope to become a forest silviculturist or a fire ecologist with a conservation land trust or government agency.
