Forest Biology | Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources
Source: http://www.warnell.uga.edu/research/content/forest-biology
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:12
Forest Biology | Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources
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Slideshow
Forest Biology
This research area aims to understand the biological processes that influence how trees grow, and how the physiological mechanisms of trees regulate ecosystem processes.
Main research themes across our faculty include
Water, carbon, and nitrogen cycling in forest ecosystems
Forest harvest scheduling
Landscape planning
Resource assessments
GIS, GPS, and emerging technologies for forest assessments
Forest pests and disturbance ecology
Graduate Degrees in Forest Biology
Tree growth and the development of forest stands are both controlled by a complex suite of biological and physical factors. The primary goal of the Forest Biology program is to generate and maintain healthy, productive forests by studying basic biological processes that influence forest development and function. The interaction of these processes with each other and with the physical environment also are studied by many of our faculty. Areas of specialization within Forest Biology include biotechnology, ecology, genetics, physiology, silviculture and soils. Integration of areas is encouraged.
CURRICULUM
Forest Biology can be pursued under the MNR, MS, and PhD degree programs. To pursue Forest Biology as an official area of emphasis, the following courses are required for each degree:
Course ID
Name
Hours*
Choose at least 1:
FORS 8030
Advanced Tree Physiology
3
FORS 8100
Advanced Forest Ecology
3
Electives:
FORS 6210
Forest Health and Protection
3
FORS 8080
Forest Health Seminar Series
1
FORS 8220/L
Advances Forest Entomology
3
FORS 8230/D
Tree Resistance Mechanisms and Plant Defense Theories
3
FORS 6010/L
Silviculture
4
FORS 6777
Precision Silviculture
3
FORS 6030
Regional Silviculture
3
WASR 6000/L
Forest Soil Management
3
FANR 8140
Functional Genomics
3
PBIO 6500
Introduction to Gene Technology
3
HORT 8150
Plant Growth and Development
3
*Total of 9 hours required for the area of emphasis.
Questions?
For general questions about pursuing a graduate degree at Warnell, contact a member of the graduate team:
Dr. Kyle Maurice Woosnam
, Graduate Coordinator
Office: 1-301A
Phone: 864-653-0167
Email:
woosnam@uga.edu
Kate deDufour
, Graduate Program Administrator
Office: 1-217
Phone: 706-542-1183
Prospective students should also contact faculty members for questions specific to this disciplinary area. Please check faculty members’ personal pages for information about their individual research interests and projects to ensure that you are contacting the most relevant ones.
Related Articles
Fall and winter tree insect pests
Tuesday, December 9, 2025 - 11:30am
Fall brings cooler temperatures and changing leaves, but it doesn’t always put an end to tree insect activity. Some pests remain active well into the season and can leave visible damage in branches and crowns, especially as foliage begins to thin.
Seminar: From Alice in Wonderland to Mel Tormé: Using Forest Biotechnology to Clean Up Heavy Metal Contamination and Restore Threatened Trees
Thursday, April 10, 2025 - 3:30pm
This is a recording of the "From Alice in Wonderland to Mel Tormé: Using Forest Biotechnology to Clean Up Heavy Metal Contamination and Restore Threatened Trees" seminar by Dr. Scott Merkle, Professor of Forest Biology at UGA's Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources.
Warnell Researchers Earn Top Honors at UGA Research Awards
Thursday, April 3, 2025 - 3:00pm
Honorees recognized during 2025 UGA Research Awards Banquet as part of Honors Week
Southern Pine Beetle Outbreaks in Georgia
Monday, December 9, 2024 - 1:00pm
Southern pine beetle (SPB) is a small native beetle that can cause a widespread damage in pine forests. SPB bore into pine trees and feed on the tree’s vascular tissue right under the bark. Female SPB will enter the tree and dig tunnels to lay their eggs.
UGA Professor Receives International Scientific Achievement Award
Monday, March 4, 2024 - 2:25pm
CJ Tsai, W.N. “Hanks” Haynes Professor in Forest Biotechnology and Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar at the University of Georgia, has been a named a recipient of the International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO) Scientific Achievement Award.
Personnel
Dr. Doug Aubrey
Associate Professor, Forest Ecophysiology & Energy Ecology
Chuck Bargeron
Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health (Bugwood), Senior Public Service Associate
David C. Clabo, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Silviculture Outreach
Forest Herbicides
Invasive Plant Management
Prescribed Fire
Pine and Hardwood Regeneration
Forest Restoration
Forest Productivity
Dr. Kim D. Coder
Professor of Tree Biology & Health Care, University Hill Fellow for Distinguished Public Service & Outreach
Dr. Joe Dahlen
Associate Professor - Wood and Fiber Quality
Dr. Kamal J.K. Gandhi
Professor, Forest Entomology
Patterns of invasion by non-native insects; Community ecology; Insect-plant interactions;Effects of forest disturbances on insects
Dr. Dan Johnson
Professor, Tree Physiology and Forest Ecology
Dr. Daniel Markewitz
Professor, Soil Site Productivity
My scientific interests are directed at quantifying how nutrient and hydrologic cycles control the chemistry of forest soils, drainage waters, and forest productivity. My research focuses on the management of the soil resource in an effort to maximize forest growth and to maintain ecosystem…
Dr. Elizabeth McCarty
Associate Professor, Forest Health Specialist
Current Research Areas
- Pine tip moth management
- Environmental effects of insecticide use in forests
- Hemlock woolly adelgid
- Bark beetles
- Aquatic insects
Dr. Scott Merkle
Professor, Forest Biology
In vitro propagation of forest treesSomatic embryogenesis in forest treesBiotechnology for restoration of threatened tree species
Dr. C.J. Tsai
Winfred N. "Hank" Haynes Professor, Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar
Caterina Villari
Associate Professor, Forest Pathology, Co-director, Southern Pine Health Research Cooperative
Dr. Sheng-I Yang
Assistant Professor of Forest Biometrics
Forest Biometrics; Applied Statistics; Forest Measurement
Support Warnell
We appreciate your financial support. Your gift is important to us and helps support critical opportunities for students and faculty alike, including lectures, travel support, and any number of educational events that augment the classroom experience.
Learn more about giving
.
Every dollar given has a direct impact upon our students and faculty.
Get in touch
Warnell School of Forestry
and Natural Resources
University of Georgia
180 E Green Street
Athens, GA 30602-2152
Phone:
706-542-2686
Fax:
706-542-8356
Login for Faculty and Staff
Submit a Student Complaint
Skip to main content
Skip to main menu
Skip to spotlight region
Skip to secondary region
Skip to UGA region
Skip to Tertiary region
Skip to Quaternary region
Skip to unit footer
Slideshow
Forest Biology
This research area aims to understand the biological processes that influence how trees grow, and how the physiological mechanisms of trees regulate ecosystem processes.
Main research themes across our faculty include
Water, carbon, and nitrogen cycling in forest ecosystems
Forest harvest scheduling
Landscape planning
Resource assessments
GIS, GPS, and emerging technologies for forest assessments
Forest pests and disturbance ecology
Graduate Degrees in Forest Biology
Tree growth and the development of forest stands are both controlled by a complex suite of biological and physical factors. The primary goal of the Forest Biology program is to generate and maintain healthy, productive forests by studying basic biological processes that influence forest development and function. The interaction of these processes with each other and with the physical environment also are studied by many of our faculty. Areas of specialization within Forest Biology include biotechnology, ecology, genetics, physiology, silviculture and soils. Integration of areas is encouraged.
CURRICULUM
Forest Biology can be pursued under the MNR, MS, and PhD degree programs. To pursue Forest Biology as an official area of emphasis, the following courses are required for each degree:
Course ID
Name
Hours*
Choose at least 1:
FORS 8030
Advanced Tree Physiology
3
FORS 8100
Advanced Forest Ecology
3
Electives:
FORS 6210
Forest Health and Protection
3
FORS 8080
Forest Health Seminar Series
1
FORS 8220/L
Advances Forest Entomology
3
FORS 8230/D
Tree Resistance Mechanisms and Plant Defense Theories
3
FORS 6010/L
Silviculture
4
FORS 6777
Precision Silviculture
3
FORS 6030
Regional Silviculture
3
WASR 6000/L
Forest Soil Management
3
FANR 8140
Functional Genomics
3
PBIO 6500
Introduction to Gene Technology
3
HORT 8150
Plant Growth and Development
3
*Total of 9 hours required for the area of emphasis.
Questions?
For general questions about pursuing a graduate degree at Warnell, contact a member of the graduate team:
Dr. Kyle Maurice Woosnam
, Graduate Coordinator
Office: 1-301A
Phone: 864-653-0167
Email:
woosnam@uga.edu
Kate deDufour
, Graduate Program Administrator
Office: 1-217
Phone: 706-542-1183
Prospective students should also contact faculty members for questions specific to this disciplinary area. Please check faculty members’ personal pages for information about their individual research interests and projects to ensure that you are contacting the most relevant ones.
Related Articles
Fall and winter tree insect pests
Tuesday, December 9, 2025 - 11:30am
Fall brings cooler temperatures and changing leaves, but it doesn’t always put an end to tree insect activity. Some pests remain active well into the season and can leave visible damage in branches and crowns, especially as foliage begins to thin.
Seminar: From Alice in Wonderland to Mel Tormé: Using Forest Biotechnology to Clean Up Heavy Metal Contamination and Restore Threatened Trees
Thursday, April 10, 2025 - 3:30pm
This is a recording of the "From Alice in Wonderland to Mel Tormé: Using Forest Biotechnology to Clean Up Heavy Metal Contamination and Restore Threatened Trees" seminar by Dr. Scott Merkle, Professor of Forest Biology at UGA's Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources.
Warnell Researchers Earn Top Honors at UGA Research Awards
Thursday, April 3, 2025 - 3:00pm
Honorees recognized during 2025 UGA Research Awards Banquet as part of Honors Week
Southern Pine Beetle Outbreaks in Georgia
Monday, December 9, 2024 - 1:00pm
Southern pine beetle (SPB) is a small native beetle that can cause a widespread damage in pine forests. SPB bore into pine trees and feed on the tree’s vascular tissue right under the bark. Female SPB will enter the tree and dig tunnels to lay their eggs.
UGA Professor Receives International Scientific Achievement Award
Monday, March 4, 2024 - 2:25pm
CJ Tsai, W.N. “Hanks” Haynes Professor in Forest Biotechnology and Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar at the University of Georgia, has been a named a recipient of the International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO) Scientific Achievement Award.
Personnel
Dr. Doug Aubrey
Associate Professor, Forest Ecophysiology & Energy Ecology
Chuck Bargeron
Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health (Bugwood), Senior Public Service Associate
David C. Clabo, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Silviculture Outreach
Forest Herbicides
Invasive Plant Management
Prescribed Fire
Pine and Hardwood Regeneration
Forest Restoration
Forest Productivity
Dr. Kim D. Coder
Professor of Tree Biology & Health Care, University Hill Fellow for Distinguished Public Service & Outreach
Dr. Joe Dahlen
Associate Professor - Wood and Fiber Quality
Dr. Kamal J.K. Gandhi
Professor, Forest Entomology
Patterns of invasion by non-native insects; Community ecology; Insect-plant interactions;Effects of forest disturbances on insects
Dr. Dan Johnson
Professor, Tree Physiology and Forest Ecology
Dr. Daniel Markewitz
Professor, Soil Site Productivity
My scientific interests are directed at quantifying how nutrient and hydrologic cycles control the chemistry of forest soils, drainage waters, and forest productivity. My research focuses on the management of the soil resource in an effort to maximize forest growth and to maintain ecosystem…
Dr. Elizabeth McCarty
Associate Professor, Forest Health Specialist
Current Research Areas
- Pine tip moth management
- Environmental effects of insecticide use in forests
- Hemlock woolly adelgid
- Bark beetles
- Aquatic insects
Dr. Scott Merkle
Professor, Forest Biology
In vitro propagation of forest treesSomatic embryogenesis in forest treesBiotechnology for restoration of threatened tree species
Dr. C.J. Tsai
Winfred N. "Hank" Haynes Professor, Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar
Caterina Villari
Associate Professor, Forest Pathology, Co-director, Southern Pine Health Research Cooperative
Dr. Sheng-I Yang
Assistant Professor of Forest Biometrics
Forest Biometrics; Applied Statistics; Forest Measurement
Support Warnell
We appreciate your financial support. Your gift is important to us and helps support critical opportunities for students and faculty alike, including lectures, travel support, and any number of educational events that augment the classroom experience.
Learn more about giving
.
Every dollar given has a direct impact upon our students and faculty.
Get in touch
Warnell School of Forestry
and Natural Resources
University of Georgia
180 E Green Street
Athens, GA 30602-2152
Phone:
706-542-2686
Fax:
706-542-8356
Login for Faculty and Staff
Submit a Student Complaint