Welcome!

Thank you for visiting our lab's webpage! In the Forest Disturbance Ecology Lab at Mississippi State University, we conduct applied and basic research to aid in the prevention and management of abiotic and biotic forest disturbances. We are based in the Department of Forestry within the College of Forest Resources at Mississippi State University and share lab space with Dr. Christine Fortuin’s lab (collectively, the Forest Disturbance, Invertebrate, & Conservation Ecology [DICE] Lab). Please explore the lab website to learn more about us, our research and other activities, and how you could join the lab. Feel free to contact Dr. Ashley Schulz ([email protected]) if you would like more information or have questions.

• Undergraduate researcher Anna Sisson graduated in December 2024 and submitted her research paper to the International Oaks journal. 
• Ashley and Elizabeth hosted award winning science author, Julia Rosen, in October 2024 to teach her a bit about cogongrass, an invasive plant in the southeastern United States. This MSU press release has more info on Julia's visit.
• Ashley and Drew were coauthors on extension fact sheets published on non-native and native shrubs of Mississippi, non-native and native trees of Mississippi, and yard tree placement and risk assessment. Ashley also published a cogongrass fact sheet with Dr. Brady Self.

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Lab Fun Photo Board

2024 Forestry REU students, including David, Devin, and Sasha, who all worked with Ashley on their projects

Checking out red cockaded woodpecker habitat in DeSoto National Forest for Julia Rosen's visit

Cogongrass fieldwork means all hands on deck

Elizabeth with some cool pitcher plants in DeSoto National Forest (some had bugs trapped in them)

Our lab mascot, Bessie, in her natural habitat

Drew impressing the masses with his tree climbing and chainsaw skills at DAFVM Discovery Day (Photo by Dominique Belcher)

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Caliciopsis pinea ascocarp on eastern white pine

Cherokee National Forest; Vonore, TN

Zimmerman Lake surrounded by sub-alpine fir and Engelmann spruce; Larimer County, CO

Eastern white pine; Crandall, GA

Oak-maple woodland at Cuivre River State Park; Troy, MO

Downy rattlesnake plantain (Goodyera pubescens) near Enota Mountain Retreat; Hiawassee, GA

Water tupelo (Nyssa aquatica) at Cupola Pond in Ripley County, MO

Pleasing fungus beetle (Aegithus spp.); Guácimo, Costa Rica

Baldcypress (Taxodium distichum) pneumatophores in Noxubee Wildlife Refuge; Winston County, MS

Bigleaf magnolia (Magnolia macrophylla) leaves; Bankhead National Forest, AL

Pitcher plant bog; Buttercup Flats, DeSoto National Forest, MS

Amongst the redwoods; Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve, Guerneville, CA

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Mississippi State University, Department of Forestry, Thompson Hall, Box 9681, Mississippi State, MS 39762
The views and opinions expressed on this website are not endorsed by and do not reflect the views of Mississippi State University. The contents of this website have not been reviewed or approved by Mississippi State University.