I am very interested in how human activities alter the structure and function of ecosystems. As we continue to exploit and manipulate genes, communities, ecosystems, and the atmosphere, what will happen? How can we utilize ecosystems to provide the goods and services we need, while maintaining their sustainability and ecological integrity?

"How will global climatic change alter the structure and function of terrestrial ecosystems?”

Every student should become a naturalist! I love to challenge students to listen, to think, to communicate, and to become life-long learners. Sustainable ecosystems and services depend upon citizens, managers and policy makers who are knowledgeable field ecologists - people who understand the organisms, communities and ecosystems they want to manage.

Specific Interests:
Plant Ecology
Ecosystem science
Biogeochemical cycling
Global climatic change
Sustainable management of terrestrial ecosystems

Euskirchen, E S., K S. Pregitzer, and J. Chen 2006. Carbon fluxes in a young, naturally regenerating jack pine ecosystem, J. Geophys. Res., 111, D01101, doi:10.1029/2005JD005793.

Loya, W.M., K.S. Pregitzer, N.J. Karberg, J.S. King, C.P. Giardina. 2003. Reduction of soil carbon formation by tropospheric ozone under increased carbon dioxide levels. Nature 425:705-707.

Pregitzer, K.S., W.M. Loya, M. Kubiske, D.R. Zak. 2006. Soil respiration in northern forests exposed to elevated carbon dioxide and ozone. Oecologia 148:503-516.

Pregitzer, K.S. and J.S. King. 2005. Effects of soil temperature on nutrient uptake. pp. 277- 310. In H. BassiriRad, ed. Nutrient acquisition by plants, an ecological perspective. Ecological Studies, Vol. 181. Springer-Verlag, Berlin Heidelberg. 347 p.

Pregitzer, K.S. and Euskirchen, E.S. 2004. Carbon cycling and storage in world forests: Biome patterns related to forest age. Global Change Biology 10:2052-2077.

Pregitzer, K.S., D.R. Zak, A.J. Burton, J.A. Ashby, N.W. MacDonald. 2004. Chronic nitrate additions dramatically increase the export of carbon and nitrogen from northern hardwood ecosystems. Biogeochemistry 68:179-197.

Pregitzer, K.S. 2003. Woody plants, carbon allocation and fine roots. New Phytologist 158:421-423. Pregitzer, K.S. 2002. The fine roots of trees – a new perspective. New Phytologist 154:267-273.

Pregitzer, K.S. 2002. Carbon cycling in forest ecosystems with an emphasis on belowground processes. pp. 93-107. In Kimble, J.M., L.S. Heath, R.A. Birdsey, and R. Lal, eds. The Potential of U.S. Forest Soils to Sequester Carbon and Mitigate the Greenhouse Effect. CRC Press, Boca Raton.

Pregitzer, K.S., J.A. DeForest, A.J. Burton, M.F. Allen, R.W. Ruess, and R.L. Hendrick. 2002. Fine root architecture of nine North American Trees. Ecological Monographs. Ecological Monographs 72:293-309. 2