June 23, 2016

Table of Contents

CLIMATE CHANGE AND ECOSYSTEM RESEARCH

Montana Team Studies Climate Change in Iceland

Researchers from Montana State University conduct field experiments in Iceland’s geothermally warmed streams to understand how rising temperatures affect aquatic ecosystems, food webs, and ecosystem services.

Key topics include:

• Climate change impacts
• Stream ecology
• Freshwater ecosystems
• Global warming research
• Iceland field studies
• Ecosystem services
• Water quality and nutrient cycling

Update: The Montana Climate Assessment

Researchers provide progress on Montana’s first statewide climate assessment, a stakeholder-driven effort examining how climate change may affect agriculture, forestry, water resources, communities, and ecosystems.

Focus areas include:

• Climate adaptation
• Montana agriculture
• Water resources
• Forest management
• Stakeholder engagement
• Climate science communication

Researchers Identify Gravel-Bed Floodplains as Critical Habitat Corridors

Scientists working across the Yellowstone-to-Yukon region identify gravel-bed river floodplains as ecological hotspots supporting birds, mammals, fisheries, and biodiversity throughout mountain landscapes.

Research themes:

• River ecology
• Floodplain conservation
• Wildlife habitat
• Yellowstone-to-Yukon ecosystems
• Landscape connectivity
• Biodiversity protection

STUDENT RESEARCH AND FELLOWSHIPS

NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Supports Wildfire and Vegetation Modeling

MSU doctoral student Kristen Emmett uses ecosystem models to examine how climate change may alter forest growth, wildfire frequency, and fire severity in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

Topics include:

• Wildfire science
• Forest ecology
• Climate modeling
• Yellowstone ecosystems
• Land management planning

Institute on Ecosystems Graduate Enhancement Awards Support 34 Research Projects

Graduate students across Montana universities receive support for research involving:

• Watershed restoration
• Whitebark pine conservation
• Wolf ecology
• Trout genetics
• Soil science
• Bat health
• Indigenous landscape studies
• Carbon and nitrogen cycling
• Pollinator research
• Invasive species management

Undergraduate Interns Conduct Research Across Montana and Beyond

Student researchers investigate:

• Yellowstone hot-spring microbiology
• Climate impacts on agriculture
• Carbon and nutrient cycling
• Wildfire history
• Water use by forests
• Pollinator health
• River ecology
• Whitebark pine genetics
• Glacier National Park microbiology
• Alpine ecosystem dynamics

PEOPLE AND RECOGNITION

University of Montana Climate Studies Director Receives National Clean Energy Award

Nicky Phear is honored by the U.S. Clean Energy Education & Empowerment initiative for leadership in climate education and clean-energy outreach.

Institute Researchers Featured in National Geographic and The Economist

Research on Yellowstone development, wildfire ecology, and mountain pine beetles receives national media attention.

INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH

Fulbright Fellow Studies Climate Adaptation in Slovenia

University of Montana geographer Sarah Halvorson examines how mountain communities perceive climate risks and respond to environmental change.

Research areas include:

• Climate adaptation
• Community resilience
• Mountain environments
• International environmental studies
• Climate vulnerability

EDUCATION AND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT

Researchers Bring Ecosystem Science to Montana Classrooms

Institute scientists engage hundreds of Montana students through hands-on environmental science experiences and ecosystem education programs.

Montana Participates in National NanoDays Science Outreach

Faculty, students, and community partners connect the public with research in microbiology, water quality, and environmental science.

MSU Professor Publishes New Research on Edible Insects and Sustainable Food Systems

Florence Dunkel contributes major publications exploring insects as sustainable protein sources and future food systems.

OUTREACH AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

Yellowstone: Color It Wild Launches Ecosystem Education Through Art

A collaboration between Yellowstone National Park and the Institute on Ecosystems produces a regional coloring book featuring artists, writers, ecological interpretation, and public engagement opportunities.

Highlights include:

• Yellowstone National Park
• Environmental education
• Science communication
• Public outreach
• Arts and conservation
• Visitor engagement