|
|
Neal Scott,
Ph.D.
|
Neal’s research explores carbon and nitrogen cycling processes in terrestrial ecosystems, and how human-induced disturbance influences these processes. Current questions of interest include1) how do forest management practices and other disturbances, particularly non-stand-replacing events, alter rates of C exchange with the atmosphere 2) how does conversion of former agricultural land to forest influence soil C storage and 3) what is the fate of different forms of N added to forest ecosystems, and how does this exogenous N influence rates of C exchange between the forest and the atmosphere. He is also interested the impact of historical land-use patterns on contemporary C and N cycling processes. When possible, he uses his research results to help address key environmental policy issues. Neal did his bachelor’s degree at Williams College (Williamstown, MA), and his MSc (Soil Science/Ecology) and Ph.D (Forest Ecology) at Colorado State University (Fort Collins, CO). He did a postdoc, and became a program leader at Landcare Research in Palmerston North New Zealand (until 2000), and worked at the Woods Hole Research Center from 2000 to 2005.
