Titus to describe how forests are changing in Kasling Memorial Lecture

Biology Professor Jon Titus will explore “The Forest, not the Trees” at the 39th Robert W. Kasling Memorial Lecture on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2 p.m., at Rosch Recital Hall.

In his talk, Dr. Titus will deliver a report summarizing his current research that’s addressing some of the many aspects of rapid changes underway in forests throughout the area.

“Our forests are changing very fast due to non-native invasive plant species, tree diseases (beech bark disease, hemlock wooly adelgid and emerald ash borer), deer overpopulation and climate change,” Dr. Titus explained, “so I am tracking tree growth and understory vegetation across the county to understand the change that is occurring.”

Titus has set up permanent forest plots in the College Lodge property and campus woodlot, as well as four wetland sites across the county, where he measures tree growth, tree diseases and mortality, vines, downed woody debris and the understory vegetation.

A survey of the species-rich College Lodge property has disclosed more than 400 plant species – which includes 10 species that had not been known to exist in the county along with two threatened and two endangered plant species.

Titus has also encountered evidence that debunks a long-held forest management paradigm. By measuring diameter of the oldest and largest trees, he has determined that old-growth forest areas are growing the fastest and have the greatest productivity.

“This upends the stale paradigm that old forests are decedent and need to be logged,” Titus said.

The Kasling Lecture recognizes prior research Titus has conducted in the Pacific Northwest and Desert Southwest, among other areas. A member of the Biology department faculty since 2005, Titus teaches introductory courses in biology and advanced courses in botany and ecology.

Also to be recognized at the lecture will be Dr. Natalie Gerber of the Department of English, who is the recipient of the William T. and Charlotte N. Hagan Young Scholar/Artist Award. The annual award, which was established through the Fredonia College Foundation, recognizes and individual who has made outstanding recent achievements in research or creativity, named in honor of the late Dr. William T. “Tom” Hagan, an eminent scholar and specializing in the history of the American Indian, who was a SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor and Fredonia emeriti.

Dr. Gerber holds a B.S. in Film and Broadcasting and a B.A. in English from Boston University, an M.A. in American Studies from New York University, and a Ph.D. in English from the University of California at Berkeley. A member of the English department faculty since 2004, her research draws on linguistics to explore poets’ and lyricists’ intuitive use of the resources of the English language to craft works that astonish and delight.