Fire | Soils | Forests | Ecosystem Ecology
The Miesel Fire and Ecosystem Ecology Research Group in the Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences at Michigan State University investigates forest ecosystem response to fire and forest management treatments. Our work uses field and laboratory studies to understand disturbance effects on forest carbon, and the biogeochemical factors that regulate carbon and nitrogen dynamics in forest soil. Characterizing the ecological role of pyrogenic carbon is a major focus of our current work.
Ecosystem ecology focuses on the interactions among living and non-living components of an ecosystem. It includes study of the structure and function of an ecosystem, their relationships, and their responses to natural and human-induced change. Ecosystem ecology is inherently an interdisciplinary field of study, and interdisciplinary approaches are essential for accurate understanding of specific ecosystem types, and for designing human land-use strategies that support ecosystem processes.
We work closely with fire and forest managers and with researchers from diverse disciplines to advance ecological knowledge about fire-prone forest ecosystems. We welcome new collaborations as we seek to understand fire effects and forest recovery across contrasting ecosystem types.
Student Opportunities
Prospective graduate students can review current openings on the Opportunities page, and the graduate study pages for the Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences or the Department of Forestry for more information about how to apply. MSU’s Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, and Behavior Program or the Environmental Science and Policy Program may also be of interest. I also welcome contact from individuals interested in pursuing independent funding for graduate or postdoctoral study.
Contact
Jessica Miesel, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences
Michigan State University
1066 Bogue St., Room A286
East Lansing, MI 48824-1222
Office location: PSSB 560
Office phone: 517-353-0485
Lab location: Natural Resources 103
Email: mieselje@msu.edu
Social media:
Facebook: @mieselecologylab
Twitter: @JessicaRMiesel
Photo credit from top to bottom: Header- Jack pine barrens TNC (Jessica Miesel), Surface fire in red pine (Jack McGowan-Stinski), Plot sample (Jessica Miesel), Team photo (Jessica Miesel), Past research technician Ellie Domer presenting her research project (Kathleen Quigley)
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