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Homepage of Cazzolla Gatti

Roberto Cazzolla Gatti, Ph.D.

Research Associate at FACAI Lab and Coordinator of the GFBI Hub, 

Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, 

Purdue University, 715 W. State St, West Lafayette, IN 47906, USA 

 

Head and Scientific coordinator of the MSc in Biodiversity,

Associate Professor, Biological Institute, 

Tomsk State University, Russian Federation 


E-mail address: robertocgatti@gmail.com

Personal website: http://robertocazzollagatti.com

EDUCATION

  • 2005, Ph.D. (Forestry), University of Wisconsin-Madison

  • 2001, B.S. (Ecology- Environmental Sciences), Peking University

 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

  • 2018 - present Assistant Professor of Quantitative Forest Ecology, Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University

  • 2017– 2018 Associate Professor of Forest Ecology, School of Natural Resources, West Virginia University

  • 2011—2017 Assistant Professor of Forest Ecology, School of Natural Resources, West Virginia University

  • 2007—2011 Assistant Professor of Forest Biometrics and Management, School of Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks

  • 2006—2007 Post-doctoral Biometrician
    Forest Sciences Laboratory, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rocky Mountain Research Station

  • 2005—2006 Research Associate
    Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison

  • 2001—2005 Research Assistant
    Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison

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EDITORSHIP

  • Since 2011, Associate Editor, Canadian Journal of Forest Research

  • Since 2017, Associate Editor, Scientific Data

  • Since 2017, Associate Editor, Forest Ecosystems

 

CERTIFICATION

  • 2010-present, Certified Forester, Society of American Foresters, CN#4052

  • 2015, MSHA Part 46

  • 2013-2015, Emergency Medical Technician, State of West Virginia, CN#WV075263

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Recent Keynote and Invited Presentations

  • 2017 (keynote) — Exploring global biodiversity-forest productivity relationship using GFBI data. 2017 Annual Conference of . New Orleans, USA

  • 2017 (invited) — GFBI data and structure.

  • 2017 (invited) —Biodiversity-ecosystem functioning relationship and global forest ecosystems. Universitat de Lleida, Spain

  • 2017 (invited) —Stand Initiation Diversity Experiment and Biodiversity-ecosystem functioning relationship. University of Freiburg, Germany

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Notable Synergistic Activities

  • 2017: Co-Founder— Secured grants of $200,000 to establish two Global Forest Biodiversity Research Centers, in Lleida Spain and Beijing China. Three more facilities will be developed in other countries to complete the global network of five centers

  • 2017: Co-Chair—Inaugural Global Forest Biodiversity Initiative Conference & GFBI-FECS Joint Symposium 2017 (Beijing China, September 6-9 2017, with >100 participants from >50 countries)

  • 2017: Developed Global Forest Biodiversity Initiative database (GFBI v.2.0), the most comprehensive global forest inventory database

  • 2016-present: Co-Founder and Coordinator— Global Forest Biodiversity Initiative (GFBI, http://www.gfbinitiative.org/, with 150 members from 96 countries)

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Featured Publications

 

Liang, J, T. W. Crowther, N. Picard, S. Wiser, M. Zhou, G. Alberti, E.-D. Schulze, A. D. McGuire, F. Bozzato, H. Pretzsch, S. de-Miguel, A. Paquette, B. Hérault, M. Scherer-Lorenzen, C. B. Barrett, H. B. Glick, G. M. Hengeveld, G.-J. Nabuurs, S. Pfautsch, H. Viana, A. C. Vibrans, C. Ammer, P. Schall, D. Verbyla, N. Tchebakova, M. Fischer, J. V. Watson, H. Y. H. Chen, X. Lei, M.-J. Schelhaas, H. Lu, D. Gianelle, E. I. Parfenova, C. Salas, E. Lee, B. Lee, H. S. Kim, H. Bruelheide, D. A. Coomes, D. Piotto, T. Sunderland, B. Schmid, S. Gourlet-Fleury, B. Sonké, R. Tavani, J. Zhu, S. Brandl, J. Vayreda, F. Kitahara, E. B. Searle, V. J. Neldner, M. R. Ngugi, C. Baraloto, L. Frizzera, R. Bałazy, J. Oleksyn, T. Zawiła-Niedźwiecki, O. Bouriaud, F. Bussotti, L. Finér, B. Jaroszewicz, T. Jucker, F. Valladares, A. M. Jagodzinski, P. L. Peri, C. Gonmadje, W. Marthy, T. O’Brien, E. H. Martin, A. R. Marshall, F. Rovero, R. Bitariho, P. A. Niklaus, P. Alvarez-Loayza, N. Chamuya, R. Valencia, F. Mortier, V. Wortel, N. L. Engone-Obiang, L. V. Ferreira, D. E. Odeke, R. M. Vasquez, S. L. Lewis, and P. B. Reich. 2016. Positive biodiversity-productivity relationship predominant in global forests. Science 354.
Details and downloads

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Liang J, Zhou M, Tobin PC, McGuire AD, & Reich PB (2015) Biodiversity influences plant productivity through niche-efficiency. PNAS 112(18):5738-5743.
PDF
Details and Downloads

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​Liang, J. (2012) Mapping large-scale forest dynamics: a geospatial approach. Landscape Ecology 27(8): 1091-1108.
ABSTRACT, PDF

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FeaturePubs_Liang

Full List of Publications

 
PEER-REVIEWED JOURNAL ARTICLES

 

2017

46. Zhang, C., Y. Cheng, H. He, L. Gao, J. Liang, and X. Zhao. 2017. Structural drivers of biomass dynamics in two temperate forests in China. Ecosphere 8(3):e01752. 10.1002/ecs2.1752

45. Fan C, Tan L, Zhang P, Liang J, Zhang C, Wang J, Zhao X, von Gadow K (2017) Determinants of mortality in a mixed broad-leaved Korean pine forest in northeastern China. Eur J For Res:1-13. doi:10.1007/s10342-017-1045-4

2016

44. Liang, J, T. W. Crowther, N. Picard, S. Wiser, M. Zhou, G. Alberti, E.-D. Schulze, A. D. McGuire, F. Bozzato, H. Pretzsch, S. de-Miguel, A. Paquette, B. Hérault, M. Scherer-Lorenzen, C. B. Barrett, H. B. Glick, G. M. Hengeveld, G.-J. Nabuurs, S. Pfautsch, H. Viana, A. C. Vibrans, C. Ammer, P. Schall, D. Verbyla, N. Tchebakova, M. Fischer, J. V. Watson, H. Y. H. Chen, X. Lei, M.-J. Schelhaas, H. Lu, D. Gianelle, E. I. Parfenova, C. Salas, E. Lee, B. Lee, H. S. Kim, H. Bruelheide, D. A. Coomes, D. Piotto, T. Sunderland, B. Schmid, S. Gourlet-Fleury, B. Sonké, R. Tavani, J. Zhu, S. Brandl, J. Vayreda, F. Kitahara, E. B. Searle, V. J. Neldner, M. R. Ngugi, C. Baraloto, L. Frizzera, R. Bałazy, J. Oleksyn, T. Zawiła-Niedźwiecki, O. Bouriaud, F. Bussotti, L. Finér, B. Jaroszewicz, T. Jucker, F. Valladares, A. M. Jagodzinski, P. L. Peri, C. Gonmadje, W. Marthy, T. O’Brien, E. H. Martin, A. R. Marshall, F. Rovero, R. Bitariho, P. A. Niklaus, P. Alvarez-Loayza, N. Chamuya, R. Valencia, F. Mortier, V. Wortel, N. L. Engone-Obiang, L. V. Ferreira, D. E. Odeke, R. M. Vasquez, S. L. Lewis, and P. B. Reich. 2016. Positive biodiversity-productivity relationship predominant in global forests. Science 354.
Details and downloads

43. Liang J, Watson JV, Zhou M, Lei X (2016) Effects of productivity on biodiversity in forest ecosystems across the United States and China. Conservation Biology 30:308-317 (DOI: 10.1111/cobi.12636).
PDF
Details and Downloads

42. Ma, W., J Liang, JR Cumming, E. Lee, A. B. Welsh, J. V. Watson, and M. Zhou. (2016) Fundamental shifts of central hardwood forests under climate change. Ecological Modelling 332:28-41.
PDF
Details and Downloads

41. A. Hovi, J. Liang, L. Korhonen, H. Kobayashi, M. Rautiainen, (2016) Quantifying the missing link between forest albedo and productivity in the boreal zone. Biogeosciences 2016,1-35.
Details and Downloads

2015

40. Liang J, Zhou M, Tobin PC, McGuire AD, & Reich PB (2015) Biodiversity influences plant productivity through niche-efficiency. PNAS 112(18):5738-5743.
PDF
Details and Downloads

39. Watson, JV, Liang, J., Tobin, PC, Lei, X., Rentch, JS, & Artis, CE (2015). Large-scale forest inventories of the United States and China reveal positive effects of biodiversity on productivity. Forest Ecosystems 2: 22.
Abstract , PDF

38. Lee, E., He, Y., Zhou, M., Liang, J. (2015): Potential feedback of recent vegetation changes on summer rainfall in the Sahel, Physical Geography, DOI: 10.1080/02723646.2015.1120139
Details and Downloads

2014

37. Picard, N., Liang, J. (2014) Matrix models for size-structured populations: unrealistic fast growth or simply diffusion? PLoS ONE 9(6): e98254. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0098254.

36. Liang, J., Zhou, M. (2014) Large-Scale Geospatial Mapping of Forest Carbon Dynamics. Journal of Sustainable Forestry 33：S104-S122.
PDF

35. Peterson, R.L., Liang, J., Barrett, T.M. (2014) Modeling Population Dynamics and Woody Biomass in Alaska Coastal Forest. Forest Science 60(2): 391-401(11).
PDF

2013

34. Liang, J., Picard, N. (2013) Matrix Model of Forest Dynamics: An Overview and Outlook. Forest Science 59(3): 359-378.
ABSTRACT, PDF

33. T. Malone, J. Liang, E.C. Packee. (2013) Total and merchantable volume of white spruce in Alaska. Western Journal of Applied Forestry 28(2): 71-77.

2012

32. Liang, J. (2012) Mapping large-scale forest dynamics: a geospatial approach. Landscape Ecology 27(8): 1091-1108.
ABSTRACT, PDF

31. F.-M. Yuan, S.-H. Yi, A. D. McGuire, K.D. Johnson, J. Liang, J.W. Harden, E.S. Kasischke, and W.A. Kurz. (Accepted) Assessment of Historical Boreal Forest C Dynamics in Yukon River Basin: Relative Roles of Warming and Fire Regime Change. Ecological Applications 22:2091–2109. http://dx.doi.org/10.1890/11-1957.1.

2011

30. Liang, J., M. Zhou, D.L. Verbyla, L. Zhang, A.L. Springsteen, T. Malone. 2011. Mapping Forest Dynamics under Climate Change: A Matrix Model. Forest Ecology and Management 262: 2250-2262.
ABSTRACT, PDF

29. Young, B., J. Liang, F.S. Chapin III. 2011. Effects of Species and Tree Size Diversity on Recruitment in the Boreal Forest: A Geospatial Approach. Forest Ecology and Management 262(8): 1608-1617.
ABSTRACT

28. Ping, C-L., G.J. Michaelson, L. Guo, M.T. Jorgenson, M. Kenevskiy, Y. Shur, F. Dou, J. Liang. 2011. Soil Carbon and Material Fluxes across the Eroding Alaska Beaufort Sea Coastline. Journal of Geophysical Research 116, G02004, doi:10.1029/2010JG001588
ABSTRACT

2010

27. Liang, J., M. Zhou. 2010. A Geospatial Model of Forest Dynamics with Controlled Trend Surface. Ecological Modelling 221: 2339-2352.
ABSTRACT, PDF

26. Liang, J. 2010. Dynamics and Management of Alaska Boreal Forest: An All-aged Multi-species Matrix Stand Growth Model. Forest Ecology and Management 260: 491-501.
ABSTRACT, PDF

2009

25. Malone, T., Liang, J. 2009. A bark thickness model for white spruce in Alaska northern forests. International Journal of Forestry Research doi:10.1155/2009/876965.
HTML and PDF

2008

24. Liang, J., D.E. Calkin, K.M. Gebert, T.J. Venn, R.P. Silverstein. 2008. Factors influencing large wildland fire suppression expenditures. International Journal of Wildland Fire 17: 650-659.
HTML, PDF

23. Zhou, M., Liang, J., Buongiorno, J. 2008. Adaptive versus fixed policies for economic or ecological objectives in forest management. Forest Ecology and Management 254:178-187.
ABSTRACT

22. Zhou, M., Buongiorno, J., Liang, J. 2008. Economic and Ecological Effects of Diameter Caps: A Markov decision model for Douglas-fir/western hemlock forests. Forest Science 54(4): 397-407.
ABSTRACT

2007

21. Liang, J., J. Buongiorno, R.A. Monserud, E.L. Kruger, M. Zhou. 2007. Effects of diversity of tree species and size on forest basal area growth, recruitment, and mortality. Forest Ecology and Management 243: 116-127.
ABSTRACT, PDF

2006

20. Liang, J., J. Buongiorno, R.A. Monserud. 2006. Bootstrap simulation and response surface optimization of management regimes for Douglas-fir/western hemlock stands. Forest Science 52(5):579-594.
ABSTRACT, PDF

2005 and older

19. Liang, J., J. Buongiorno, and R.A. Monserud. 2005. Growth and Yield of All-aged Douglas-fir/western hemlock Stands: A Matrix Model with Stand Diversity Effects. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 35: 2369-2382.
ABSTRACT, PDF

18. Liang, J., J. Buongiorno, R.A. Monserud, and J. Fried. 2005. Estimation and Application of a Growth and Yield Model for Uneven-aged Mixed Conifer Stands in California. International Forestry Review 7(2):101-112.
HTML and PDF

17. Liang, J., 2001. Study on the desertification of Ecotone. Acta Scientiarum Naturalium Universitatis Pekinensis 37(4): 543-549.
ABSTRACT, PDF

 

BOOKS and REPORTS

16. Hand, M.S., Gebert, K.M., Liang, J., Calkin, D.E., Thompson, M.P., Zhou, M. 2014. Economics of Wildfire Management: The Development and Application of Suppression Expenditure Models. Springer, New York, NY. ISSN 2193-6595.
 

15. Liang, J., Watson, J.V. Handbook of Trees. (In development)
 

14. Zhou, M., Buongiorno, J., Liang, J. 2012. Bootstrap simulation, Markov decision process models, and role of discounting in the valuation of ecological criteria in uneven-aged forest management. In: Pukkala T. andGadow K. v. (eds), Continuous Cover Forestry, Second edn. Springer, New York, NY
 

13. T. Malone, E.C. Packee, and Liang, J. 2012. List of Plant Species Present on Forest Permanent Sample Plots in Interior and Southcentral Alaska. University of Alaska Fairbanks – Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station MP-2012-01. 10p.
 

12. Liang, J., and J. Buongiorno. 2009. Optimizing Wood Quality and Stand Diversity in Uneven-aged Forest Management. In: R.A. Monserud and D. Dykstra (Editor), 2007 IUFRO Conference on Forest Growth and Timber Quality, Portland, OR. p169-176.
 

11. Malone, T., Liang, J., Packee, E.C., 2009. Cooperative Alaska Forest Inventory, USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, PNW-GTR-785. Portland, OR. 42p.
PDF
 

10. Liang, J., J. Buongiorno, and R.A. Monserud. 2006. WestProPlus: A spreadsheet program for the management of all-aged Douglas-fir/western hemlock forests in the Pacific Northwest. USDA Forest Service PNW-GTR-674. 42p.
PDF
 

9. Liang, J., J. Buongiorno, A. Hubbell, and B. Schulte. 2004. NorthPro: A spreadsheet program for the management of uneven-aged northern hardwood stands. Department of Forest Ecology and Management, University of Wisconsin-Madison. 36p.
PDF
 

8. Liang, J., J. Buongiorno, and R.A. Monserud. 2004. CalPro: A spreadsheet program for the management of California mixed-conifer stands. USDA Forest Service PNW-GTR-619. 32p.
PDF
 

Conference Proceedings and Other Publications

7. Liang, J., Watson, J.V. (2014) Is Forestry a Dying Profession? Here’s What Our Students Say. The Forestry Source 19(3):6.
PDF
 

6. Liang, J., J. Buongiorno, R. A. Monserud (2012) Bootstrap simulation and response surface optimization in forest management. Proceedings of the 2012 Southern Forest Economics Workers (SOFEW) Annual Meeting.

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5. Liang, J. 2011 Population Dynamics of Alaska Boreal Forest under Climate Change. In: 2011 Society of American Foresters National Convention, Honolulu, HI 2011. vol 109. Journal of Forestry, p. 493

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4. Liang, J. Geospatial Mapping of Forest Dynamics. In: 2011 Society of American Foresters National Convention, Honolulu, HI 2011. vol 109. Journal of Forestry, p. 501

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3. Liang, J. 2010 Does tree diversity increase forest productivity? SciTopics. http://www.scitopics.com/Does_Tree_Diversity_Increase_Forest_Productivity.html

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2. Zhou, M., and Liang, J. 2010. Modeling Alaska boreal forests with a controlled trend surface approach. 2010 Joint Meeting of the Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) Symposium and the Southern Mensurationists, McWilliams W & Roesch FA (eds): pp 25-39.

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1. Liang, J. and M. Zhou. 2010 Dynamics and Management of Alaska Boreal Forest. SciTopics . http://www.scitopics.com/Dynamics_and_Management_of_Alaska_Boreal_Forest.html

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Stand Initiation Diversity Experiment

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Stand Initiation Diversity Experiment (SIDE), located on the Ohio River in the western West Virginia, is a collaborative research project conducted by scientists from around the country and abroad. The experimental site is approximately 8 acres, and was initiated in 2012 with over 15,000 seedlings in 14 angiosperm and gymnosperm species planted in 182 subplots following a completely randomized design. The primary objective of SIDE is to study the effect of biodiversity on forest ecosystem functioning. With more scientists joining in, we are also studying the economic aspects of biodiversity and entomological and soil microbial responses to changes in biodiversity.
 

An aerial view of the SIDE experimental sites in West Virginia. The 3.07-ha Site consists of 182 plots. Each 10m×6m plot contains 77 tree seedlings planted with 1m×1m spacing. A, B, and C represent a monoculture, a low diversity, and a high diversity plot, respectively. Figure courtesy of Patrick Tobin and Laura Blackburn (USDA Forest Service).

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