Contact Information Phone: (608)263-5719
Fax: (608)265-2595
Email: njbalster@wisc.edu
Office: 341 King Hall Program Affiliations Education
- B.S. Forest Management, 1992, Michigan Technological University
- M.S. Forest Science, 1995, Michigan Technological University
- Ph.D. Forest Science, 1999, University of Idaho
Teaching and Research My research interests center around understanding the mechanisms that underlie the fantastic relationships between soils and plants, including the organisms that interact with this continuum. Specifically, I focus on the movement of energy and material through this continuum and seek understanding into how this movement is controlled and affected by environmental change and disturbance whether natural or anthropogenic. Because I focus on quantifiable material common to many ecosystems, my interests are not limited to any one environment. Consequently, the setting for my research includes forest environments, highly managed environments (e.g. tree nurseries, seed orchards, and forest plantations), grasslands, as well as urban ecosystems, and therefore involves collaborative relationships across a wide range of disciplines. I believe that through the experimental discovery of the controls behind ecosystem response, particularly as they pertain to biogeochemical rate changes in the soil-plant continuum, we can better describe and predict future ecosystem structure. As an underpinning to this belief, I strive to develop research that ultimately translates into adaptive interaction with our environment and/or defined sustainable use of the environment. In pursuit of my research focus, my lab uses a variety of techniques that integrate soil process with the physiological ecology of terrestrial systems. These techniques include photosynthetic and respiratory gas exchange, various forms of nutrient and carbon quantification, remote sensing, and stable isotopic analysis. I utilize these techniques in field, greenhouse, and laboratory settings and work in a range of environments ranging from the city of Madison to old growth forests in Upper Michigan to cold mediated, carbon-accumulating ecosystems like the coastal plain of Alaska and peatlands of northern Minnesota. In all cases, I seek collaboration that employs basic or applied questions built around testable hypotheses with preference to experimental manipulation. Some of my current research activities and interest include:
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Examining the effect of climate change on northern transitional communities such as latitudinal "treeline" environments and the interface between peatlands and upland communities Examining why some plants and plant communities (particularly invasive species) are more "successful" relative to natives within urban environments
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Examining the environmental and production tradeoffs of various management practices in forest nursery environments (e.g. conventional vs. slow-release fertilization)
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Examining the impacts of urbanization on ecological processes and biodiversity and applying this knowledge to compatible urban design and impact on natural resources
As reflected in my appointment, my primary emphasis is teaching. This intentional emphasis is not limited to classroom instruction where I constantly seek methods to improve the teaching-learning process. It goes beyond the transfer of knowledge to the study of the teaching-learning experience itself, including quantitative research into how education, both inside and outside the classroom, can be improved. I have tested many classroom instructional techniques such as collaborative learning and the effectiveness of using technology in the classroom. I have taught courses in biogeochemistry, ecology, and sustainable land use. I am currently teaching nursery soil management, senior seminar, and a soils capstone course. I will also be developing a course to help graduate students and seniors teach effectively and present scientific papers: fundamental traits for success in graduate school and beyond. In the pedagogical arena, I am developing a teaching module (card game) on redox chemistry and energy transfer in soils and I am quantifying the effectiveness and efficiency of using internet-based instruction in higher education. In addition, I also advise undergraduates in the soils and biology majors. Finally, I chair a committee charged with developing an Environmental Science Major within CALS. The teaching/learning experience and the mentorship of both undergraduates and graduates are roles I hold with very high regard, take very seriously, and welcome any collaborations that seek innovative and revolutionary ways to enhance the teaching-learning process. Publications
- Balster, N.J., M.D. Marshall, and M. Clayton. 200_. Stable nitrogen and carbon isotope ratios of tree rings from fertilized Douglas-fir ( Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca) across the Interior Northwest. Oecologia. (In Review)
- Fujinuma, R., Bockheim, J.G., and Balster, N.J. 2005. Base-cation cycling by individual tree species in old-growth forests of Upper Michigan, U.S.A. Biogeochem. 74:357-376.
- Balster, N.J., Covert, A, Horne, and Marshall, J.D. 2001. Mini poplar ecosystems: A collaborative learning tool in natural resources. Journal of Natural Resources and Life Science Education 30:1-8. Cover Feature. http://www.jnrlse.org/
- Cernusak, L.A., Marshall, M.D., and Balster, N.J. 2001. Carbon isotope discrimination in photosynthetic bark. Oecologia. 128: 24-35.
- McDowell, N.G., Balster, N.J., and Marshall, J.D. 2001. Belowground carbon allocation of Rocky Mountain Douglas-fir ( Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca). Can. J. For. Res. 31:1425-1436.
- Balster, N.J. and Marshall, J.D. 2000. Eight-year Responses of Light Interception, Effective Leaf Area Index, and Stemwood Production in Fertilized Stands of Interior Douglas-Fir ( Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca). Can. J. For. Res. 30(5): 733-743.
- Balster, N.J. and Marshall, M.D. 2000. Decreased needle longevity of fertilized Douglas-fir and grand-fir in the northern Rockies. Tree Physiology 20:1191-1197.
- Balster, N.J. 1997. Innovative Teaching at the University of Idaho -"World Wide Web Assisted Learning". University of Idaho Publication.
- Balster, N.J. 1996. Science and ethics: A distinction for leadership. J.Forestry 94(5):44. (non-refereed)
- Reed, D.D., Mroz, G.D., Liechty, H.O., Jones, E.J.A., Cattelino, P.J., Balster, N.J., Yunfeng, Zhang. 1994. Above- and below-ground biomass of pre-competitive red pine in northern Michigan. Can. J. For. Res. 25: 1064-1069.
- Mroz, G.D., N.J. Balster, C.M. Bliss, P.J. Cattelino, P.V. Desanker, M.R. Gale, M.F. Jurgensen, H.O. Liechty, H. Ouyang, D.D. Reed. 1993. ELF communications system ecological monitoring program: herbaceous plant cover and tree studies. In: Compilation of 1992 annual reports of the Navy ELF communications system ecological monitoring program. IIT Research Institute Technical Report D06205-2. pl-319.
Awards and Honors |
