Chuck Rhoades Email & Phone Number

Watershed Biogeochemistry Research examines the atmospheric, terrestrial and aquatic processes that regulate soil and water quality and that sustain ecosystem productivityWatershed StudiesIn snow-dominated watersheds of the Rockies, the biogeochemical consequences of forest disturbance and changing climate are poorly understood. My watershed biogeochemical research examines the carbon and nutrient links that influences both nutrient availability for ecosystem production and nutrient export in streamwater. This work relies on long-term monitoring of watersheds at the US Forest Service, Fraser Experimental Forest. A few recent studies consider the influence of: • Mountain pine beetle outbreaks on nitrogen retention and streamwater losses• High severity wildfires on stream chemistry and water quality• Atmospheric dust deposition events on snowpack chemistry• Headwater springs on basin-scale streamwater chemistryApplied ResearchMy applied research helps land managers evaluate the consequences of their management activities on soil and water quality, forest productivity and other watershed attributes. A few recent studies evaluate: • salvage logging on soil and forest productivity after pine beetle infestation• forest mulching treatments on soil nitrogen cycling and forest regeneration• effectiveness of dead riparian buffers at reducing water quality degradation• recovery and restoration options for soils affected by slash pile burning• potential of biochar and wood mulch amendments to mitigate severe wildfires

Listed skills include Ecosystem Ecology, Restoration Ecology, Watershed Assessment, Soil, and 11 others.