Michigan Forest Communities: Today and Tomorrow

Monday, January 20, 2014 at 6:30 p.m.

DONALD I. DICKMANN, Professor Emeritus, Michigan State University

What a better way to start our 2014 theme “Michigan Trees: Their Past and Future” than to have Donald Dickmann speak to us.  Regarding his topic “Michigan Forest Communities: Today and Tomorrow” He states “The forests that blanket the state of Michigan have evolved through recurrent cycles of disturbance and recovery.  Today they constitute a fascinating array of distinct forest communities that is more diverse than any other state in the region. We’ll take a tour of some of these communities. How will these forests react as they face future forces of change? We may not like what happens, but we can be assured that the inherent resiliency of natural ecosystems—along with our help—will assure that forests always will be a defining feature of our state”.   

He will bring copies of his book “Michigan Forest Communities: A Field Guide and Reference”.  They will be on sale at a discounted price of $12.

Biographical Sketch

    B.S. in Forest Management, University of Washington, 1964

    Ph.D. in Plant Physiology, University of Wisconsin, 1969.

    Faculty member of Department of Forestry at MSU since 1973.

    Acting Chair of Department of Forestry, 2010-11.

    Taught undergraduate and graduate courses in silviculture, tree physiology, and forest ecology.

    Author of over 120 scientific papers and bulletins

    Principal author of five books. These include Michigan Forest Communities and The Forests of Michigan.