The annual Summer Lecture Series at the University of Michigan Biological Station explores scientific topics and celebrates notable achievements. Our lecture series is free and open to the public, allowing interested community members to learn more about the natural world, and the Biological Station.

Pettingill Endowed Lecture in Natural History - Global change impacts on forest ecosystems: Amplifying Indigenous voices to find community-driven solutions

Eastern US forests are losing a foundation tree species, the eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadenis), due to the exotic insect pests hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae) and elongate hemlock scale (Fiorinia externa). The widespread destruction of this important evergreen conifer has large ramifications for ecosystem processes and other species that depend on it for survival. Using an "accidental experiment" initiated by patch-level timber harvesting ~30 years ago in western Massachusetts, Dr. Ignace will present the impacts on source/sink carbon dynamics, which may be exacerbated by a warming climate. Building on this framework, she will discuss how we can center Indigenous voices and knowledge to fully understand local land use history. Going beyond the peer-review publications and moving to include many forms of writings, knowledge sharing, artwork, and communication will be needed to find community-driven solutions to environmental problems.