Carolyn Thomas

the decomposition of leaf and fine root litter: An intersite comparison. Global Change Biology, In review. Shaked, Shanna and W. S. Currie. Temperature and evapotranspiration drive seasonal patterns of entropy production in a temperate forest ecosystem. Ecological Complexity, In review

by Susan Monteleone, Bob Pohlad, and Carolyn Thomas

Ecosystem ecology, including carbon balance, nutrient cycling, and energy flows and exchanges, pr... more Ecosystem ecology, including carbon balance, nutrient cycling, and energy flows and exchanges, primarily in forests, wetlands, and human-dominated landscapes; ecosystem modeling and simulation; integrative modeling of social-ecological systems to explore scenarios, dynamics, and sustainability including biofuels and agricultural systems. Inter-and transdisciplinary research and teaching.

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SYMP 5-2: The use of Appalachian watersheds in undergraduate and community experiential education

by Carolyn Thomas and Bob Pohlad

Through collaboration, diverse science faculty, from 9 regional colleges representing five Appala... more Through collaboration, diverse science faculty, from 9 regional colleges representing five Appalachian states in the Appalachian College Association (ACA) consortium are strengthening their science curricula using teaching and learning experiences in locally delineated small watersheds. The participating faculty and colleges are: a.) creating a research-rich field learning environment, b.) infusing the small watershed approach methods into our curricula, c.) improving our laboratory instrumentation, d.) implementing ...

Phenology in Higher Education: Ground-Based and Spatial Analysis Tools

by Bob Pohlad, Susan J . Mazer, Lorianne Barnett, and Carolyn Thomas

Phenology: An Integrative Environmental Science, 2013

Title: Synergistic benefits to environmental justice in a couple’s ecological careers at a primarily undergraduate institution

by Carolyn Thomas and Bob Pohlad

OOS 23-3: How to do collaborative watershed teaching and research at the undergraduate level using web pages and a methods e-manual

by Carolyn Thomas and Bob Pohlad

The 93rd ESA Annual Meeting, Aug 8, 2008

Faculty and students at small private colleges in the Appalachians often have limited access to d... more Faculty and students at small private colleges in the Appalachians often have limited access to diverse instrumentation and faculty expertise for independent research. Through a network of college faculty from a number of colleges, we have developed a program comparable to larger research institutions with diverse research programs. In our Collaboration through Appalachian Watershed Studies (CAWS) project, faculty and students perform on campus and cross-campus large scale research taking advantage of the ...

Forest to reclaimed mine land use change leads to altered ecosystem structure and function

by Bob Pohlad, Jeffrey Simmons, and Carolyn Thomas

The United States' use of coal results in many environmental alterations. In the Appalachian coal... more The United States' use of coal results in many environmental alterations. In the Appalachian coal belt region, one widespread alteration is conversion of forest to reclaimed mineland. The goal of this study was to quantify the changes to ecosystem structure and function associated with a conversion from forest to reclaimed mine grassland by comparing a small watershed containing a 15-year-old reclaimed mine with a forested, reference watershed in western Maryland.

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2014 Smith Mountain Lake Water Quality Monitoring Report

by Delia Heck and Carolyn Thomas

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Effect of riparian shade on stream water temperature: A collaboration among eleven primarily undergraduate institutions

by Bob Pohlad, Frank Kuserk, Liette Vasseur, Daniel Hornbach, Jeffrey Simmons, and Carolyn Thomas

Through the Ecological Research as Education Network (EREN), researchers from the United States a... more Through the Ecological Research as Education Network (EREN), researchers from the United States and Canada have been developing collaborative research projects aimed at analyzing broad ecological patterns. The Riparian Buffers Affect Stream Temperature (RBAST) project is one of these activities. Temperature variation across ecosystems can be assessed at various spatial and temporal scales. These variations in spatiotemporal patterns can be found in terrestrial and aquatic systems and significantly influence ecosystem ...

Smith Mountain Lake Water Quality Monitoring Program 2013 Report

by Bob Pohlad and Carolyn Thomas

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Transforming ecological science at primarily undergraduate institutions through collaborative networks

by Bob Pohlad, David Bowne, Kathleen Logiudice, Joseluis Machado, Kathleen L Shea, Daniel Hornbach, and Carolyn Thomas

Ecologists at primarily undergraduate institutions (PUIs) are well positioned to form collaborati... more Ecologists at primarily undergraduate institutions (PUIs) are well positioned to form collaborative networks and make transformative contributions to the study and teaching of ecology. The spatial and temporal complexity of ecological phenomena rewards a collaborative research approach. A network of PUI ecologists can incorporate closely supervised data collection into undergraduate courses, thereby generating data across spatial gradients to answer crucial questions.

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Symptoms of nitrogen saturation in an aggrading forested watershed in western Maryland

by Bob Pohlad, Keith Eshleman, and Carolyn Thomas

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the nitrogen (N) biogeochemistry of an 18–22... more Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the nitrogen (N) biogeochemistry of an 18–22 year old forested watershed in western Maryland. We hypothesized that this watershed should not exhibit symptoms of N saturation. This watershed was a strong source of nitrate (NO 3−) to the stream in all years, with a mean annual export of 9.5 kg N ha− 1 year− 1 and a range of 4.4–18.4 kg N ha− 1 year− 1.

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the decomposition of leaf and fine root litter: An intersite comparison. Global Change Biology, In review. Shaked, Shanna and W. S. Currie. Temperature and evapotranspiration drive seasonal patterns of entropy production in a temperate forest ecosystem. Ecological Complexity, In review

Ecosystem ecology, including carbon balance, nutrient cycling, and energy flows and exchanges, pr... more Ecosystem ecology, including carbon balance, nutrient cycling, and energy flows and exchanges, primarily in forests, wetlands, and human-dominated landscapes; ecosystem modeling and simulation; integrative modeling of social-ecological systems to explore scenarios, dynamics, and sustainability including biofuels and agricultural systems. Inter-and transdisciplinary research and teaching.

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Add Ecology to the Pre-Medical Curriculum

Science, 2012

1. Science. 2012 Mar 16;335(6074):1301. Add ecology to the pre-medical curriculum. Beck C, Klemow... more 1. Science. 2012 Mar 16;335(6074):1301. Add ecology to the pre-medical curriculum. Beck C, Klemow K, Paulson J, Bernstein A, Lam M, Middendorf G, Reynolds J, Belanger K, Cardelus C, Cid C, Doshi S, Gerardo N, Jablonski L, Kimmel H, Lowman M, Macrae-Crerar A, Pohlad B, de Roode J, Thomas C. Comment on Science. 2011 Nov 11;334(6057):760-1. PMID: 22422958 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]. Publication Types: Comment; Letter. MeSH Terms. ...

FOREST TO RECLAIMED MINE LAND USE CHANGE LEADS TO ALTERED ECOSYSTEM STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION

by Jeffrey Simmons, Bob Pohlad, Carolyn Thomas, and SE Monteleone

Ecological Applications, 2008

The United States' use of coal results in many environmental alterations. In the Appalachian coal... more The United States' use of coal results in many environmental alterations. In the Appalachian coal belt region, one widespread alteration is conversion of forest to reclaimed mineland. The goal of this study was to quantify the changes to ecosystem structure and function associated with a conversion from forest to reclaimed mine grassland by comparing a small watershed containing a 15-year-old reclaimed mine with a forested, reference watershed in western Maryland. Major differences were apparent between the two watersheds in terms of biogeochemistry. Total C, N, and P pools were all substantially lower at the mined site, mainly due to the removal of woody biomass but also, in the case of P, to reductions in soil pools. Mineral soil C, N, and P pools were 96%, 79%, and 69% of native soils, respectively. Although annual runoff from the watersheds was similar, the mined watershed exhibited taller, narrower storm peaks as a result of a higher soil bulk density and decreased infiltration rates. Stream export of N was much lower in the mined watershed due to lower net nitrification rates and nitrate concentrations in soil. However, stream export of sediment and P and summer stream temperature were much higher. Stream leaf decomposition was reduced and macroinvertebrate community structure was altered as a result of these changes to the stream environment. This land use change leads to substantial, long-term changes in ecosystem capital and function.

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Improved access and targeting of musculoskeletal services in northwest Wales: targeted early access to musculoskeletal services (TEAMS) programme

BMJ, 2004

The hospital based musculoskeletal service in northwest Wales was unable to cope with the demand ... more The hospital based musculoskeletal service in northwest Wales was unable to cope with the demand for referrals from general practitioners. Waiting times were long, duplicate referrals to other departments were common, and general practitioners were reluctant to refer patients with common problems because of the perceived lack of service. Many referrals were made to the inappropriate specialty, especially orthopaedics. At least part of this problem was due to a lack of coordination between the four hospital departments providing musculoskeletal services and the emphasis on district general hospital based rather than community provision. Design Review over 18 months of impact of the targeted early access to musculoskeletal services (TEAMS) programme on accessibility to musculoskeletal services. Setting Northwest Wales. Key measures for improvement Number of patients referred and seen with musculoskeletal problems, waiting times, number of duplicate referrals, and surgery conversion rates in orthopaedic clinics. Strategies for change Establishing with central clinical triage a common pathway for all musculoskeletal referrals so that patients attend the appropriate department. A back pain pathway led by extended scope physiotherapists was developed, and general practitioners with special interests and extended scope physiotherapists were trained to provide services for patients with uncomplicated musculoskeletal problems in the community. Effects of change Over 18 months the number of referrals more than doubled. Despite this, waiting times for musculoskeletal services fell; this was noticeable for rheumatology and pain management. Duplicate referrals were abolished. Surgery conversion rates did not, however, change. Questionnaires from the clinics showed a high level of patient satisfaction. Lessons learnt Integration of hospital services that traditionally have worked in isolation can result in greatly improved access to musculoskeletal services. Community based multidisciplinary clinics run by specially trained general practitioners with special

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Symptoms of nitrogen saturation in an aggrading forested watershed in western Maryland

by Jeffrey Simmons, Mark Castro, and Carolyn Thomas

Biogeochemistry, 2007

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the nitrogen (N) biogeochemistry of an 18–22... more Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the nitrogen (N) biogeochemistry of an 18–22 year old forested watershed in western Maryland. We hypothesized that this watershed should not exhibit symptoms of N saturation. This watershed was a strong source of nitrate (NO 3−) to the stream in all years, with a mean annual export of 9.5 kg N ha− 1 year− 1 and a range of 4.4–18.4 kg N ha− 1 year− 1. During the 2001 and 2002 water years, wet deposition of inorganic N was 9.0 kg N ha− 1 year− 1 and 6.3 kg N ha− 1 year− 1, ...

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A comparison of the stream temperature regime of short stream segments under forested and non-forested riparian zones at eleven sites across North America

by Jeffrey Simmons, Bob Pohlad, Carolyn Thomas, and Frank Kuserk

When forested riparian zones are cleared for agriculture or development, major changes can occur ... more When forested riparian zones are cleared for agriculture or development, major changes can occur in the stream temperature regime and consequently in ecosystem structure and function. Our main objective was to compare the summer temperature regimes of streams with and without forest canopy cover at multiple sites. The secondary objective was to identify the components of the stream heat budget that have the greatest influence on the stream temperature regime. Paired stream reaches (one forested and one non-forested or “open”) were identified at eleven sites distributed across the U.S. and Canada. Stream temperature was monitored at the upstream and downstream ends of 80- to 130-m-long reaches during summer and five variables were calculated to describe the stream temperature regime. Overall, compared to forested reaches, open reaches tended to have significantly higher daily mean (mean difference = 0.33 ± 1.1 °C) and daily maximum (mean difference = 1.0 ± 1.7 °C) temperatures and wider daily ranges (mean difference = 1.1 ± 1.7 °C). Mean and maximum daily net heat fluxes in open reaches tended to be greater (or less negative) than those in forested reaches. However, certain sites showed the opposite trends in some variables because 1) daily mean and maximum temperatures were biased by differences between paired reaches and 2) inputs of cold groundwater exerted a strong influence on temperature. Modeling and regression results suggested that within sites, differences in direct solar radiation were mainly responsible for the observed differences in stream temperature variables at the daily scale.

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