STEM Shoutout: Dr. Marcy Litvak

Research should show effects of tree mortality on drier ecosystems

UNM Biology Professor Marcy Litvak is researching tree mortality and the effect it has on other living trees in semi-arid ecosystems.

Litvak is working on an extended grant. The original award was for $1,046,194 from the Department of Energy. A new National Science Foundation award was granted for $1,234,148. The research will extend into 2019.

“It advances our understanding of the links between tree mortality and hydrology in semi-arid systems…” Litvak said. “It also addresses an important and poorly-understood consequence of tree mortality, the effect of tree die-off on the environmental conditions that control future vegetation and ecosystem recovery from such a significant disturbance.”