Lucas Nave

Biography

As a forest ecologist, I study the factors that structure ecosystems, such as landforms and climate, the structure of the ecosystems themselves, especially their vegetation and soils, and the functions that those ecosystems perform. The functions of greatest interest to me are the biogeochemical cycles of carbon and other elements, ecosystem processes like disturbance, succession, and soil development, and what these mean for the provisioning of natural resources that support life as we know it: water, wood, and healthy soils being a few examples. In my research I seek to understand the mechanisms that make ecosystems work, and that means I am also dedicated to research, teaching, and training that help us work with them as stewards and managers. In support of that, being a staff scientist with the Northern Institute of Applied Climate Science allows me to engage closely with landowners and professionals who manage natural resources, a pleasure that provides for rewarding work and frequent reality checks on what people need from ecosystem science in this day and age.