Monica G. Turner

@monicagturner.bsky.social

1.5K followers 88 following 78 posts

Professor, University of Wisconsin-Madison; Co-editor in Chief of Ecosystems; works on forest ecology, fire ecology, disturbance dynamics, working landscapes, ecosystem services, ecosystem modeling. Likes biking, hiking and classical music. .. more

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Monica G. Turner is an American ecologist known for her work at Yellowstone National Park since the large fires of 1988. She is currently the Eugene P. Odum Professor of Ecology at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. .. more

Environmental science 71%

Geography 18%

Posts Replies Media Videos

Reposted by Monica G. Turner

Jess Nevins @jessnevins.bsky.social · 2d

I know we've all got a lot on our minds and the gusher of news doesn't stop for anybody, but....

Did you see where the President of Iran announced that the drought there is so bad that if they don't get any rain in the next two months they'll run out of water and *evacuate Tehran*?

Reposted by Brian J. Enquist, Monica G. Turner, Jason Stajich , and 5 more Brian J. Enquist, Monica G. Turner, Jason Stajich, Stephen D. Murphy, Jesse R. Lasky, Seth M. Munson, Chhaya M. Werner, Connor Morozumi

Seema Sheth @seemasheth.bsky.social · 3d

Amy Angert and I are recruiting a #postdoc to participate in a collaborative NSF-funded study of demographic responses to climate across the geographic range of the scarlet monkeyflower. Please repost! jobs.ncsu.edu/postings/224...

Reposted by Monica G. Turner, Ben Bond‐Lamberty, Lesley A. Hall , and 4 more Monica G. Turner, Ben Bond‐Lamberty, Lesley A. Hall, Margot C. Finn, Dolly Jørgensen, Nathan P. Kalmoe, Steve Sturdy

Nicole C. Nelson @nicolecnelson.bsky.social · 4d

We're hiring in history of science at UW Madison! TT Assistant Professorship with a focus on water. Joint appointment between the History and Integrated Liberal Studies depts, and part of a university-wide hiring cluster on earth/sustainability science. jobs.wisc.edu/jobs/profess... #STS #HSMT

Professor of History - Madison, Wisconsin, United States

Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process.Job Category:FacultyEmployment Type:Regula...

jobs.wisc.edu

Reposted by Monica G. Turner, Mary L. Dudziak, Andrew Baillie

Science Magazine @science.org · 4d

In 2022, something shocking happened to the Hektoria Glacier. Over 16 months, it retreated by 25 kilometers, and it lost a whopping 8 kilometers in just two of those months—the fastest glacial retreat in the modern record.

Now, researchers may have identified the worrisome mechanisms behind it.

Antarctic glacier shows fastest retreat in modern history

Tides and glacial earthquakes caused record ice loss at Hektoria Glacier

www.science.org

Monica G. Turner @monicagturner.bsky.social · 5d

Congratulations!

Reposted by Monica G. Turner, Mike Flannigan, Paul Caplat , and 3 more Monica G. Turner, Mike Flannigan, Paul Caplat, Juan Antonio Hernández‐Agüero, Christina Dollinger, Benjamin Wildermuth

Ana Stritih @anastritih.bsky.social · 5d

Do you like forests and computer models? 🌳🧑‍💻
Within the Future Forests excellence cluster, we are hiring two modellers for 7 year (!) positions here in Freiburg.

A scientific coordinator role: uni-freiburg.de/en/job/00004...

And and a scientific programmer role: uni-freiburg.de/en/job/00004...

Reposted by Monica G. Turner

WSL Umweltforschung @wslresearch.bsky.social · 6d

A study by the WSL and @vogelwarte.bsky.social using long-term data has shown that bark beetles are good for woodpeckers🪲🐦: woodpeckers use the dead wood produced by bark beetle infestations as shelter and nesting sites🪵. WSL-News: www.wsl.ch/en/news/why-...
#Biodiversity #Woodpecker #DeadWood

Why bark beetles are good for woodpeckers

In a study based on long-term data, WSL researchers show that woodpecker populations grow when there is more deadwood.

www.wsl.ch

Reposted by Monica G. Turner

Northern Rockies Fire Science Network @nrfirescience.bsky.social · 7d

A story map, produced by @firesciencegov, highlights the real-world impacts & accomplishments from the FSEN. Our section focuses on the Risk-Informed Wildfire Management hot topic page we developed as a rapid response to a request from the Rocky Mountain Research Station.

A Year of Collaboration: The Fire Science Exchange Network

This storymap highlights the real-world impacts and accomplishments of the Fire Science Exchange Network in fiscal year 2024.

buff.ly

Reposted by Michael E. Mann, Joanna Bryson, Brian J. Enquist , and 11 more Michael E. Mann, Joanna Bryson, Brian J. Enquist, Monica G. Turner, Ian J. Wright, Anthony Ricciardi, Pieter A. Zuidema, Randall A. Kramer, Dana R. Fisher, James Connelly, Tim Stephens, Andrea Santangeli, Julen Astigarraga, Olivier Villemaire-Côté

Reposted by Ben Bond‐Lamberty, Rupert Seidl, Brian J. Harvey , and 1 more Ben Bond‐Lamberty, Rupert Seidl, Brian J. Harvey, Joan Dudney

Monica G. Turner @monicagturner.bsky.social · 13d

Great new paper led by @knowlton.bsky.social with @ttkeller.bsky.social and @rupertseidl.bsky.social (and me!) Still so much to learn from #Yellowstone about #fire, #forests & #climatechange. #NSFfunded #JFSPfunded

ESA Journals @esajournals.bsky.social · 13d

🆕 in Ecosphere's "Vegetation Ecology" track: A hot & dry future may shake up Yellowstone forests—think fewer spruce, more fire-tolerant neighbors

📄Simulated postfire tree regeneration suggests reorganization of Greater Yellowstone forests during the 21st century
doi.org/10.1002/ecs2...

Conceptual figure of postfire reorganization pathways and photo representations of pre- versus postfire differences in stand structure and composition.

Reposted by Monica G. Turner, Brian J. Harvey

ESA Journals @esajournals.bsky.social · 13d

Reposted by Monica G. Turner

Science Magazine @science.org · 17d

At Kibale National Park, wildlife epidemiologist Tony Goldberg regularly becomes lunch for various parasites—some of which he turns into science experiments.

Learn more: https://scim.ag/4nhTQJa

This researcher studies maggots—by letting them eat him
Science chats with wildlife epidemiologist Tony Goldberg about what he’s learned from becoming a meal for parasites

Reposted by Monica G. Turner, Silvia Secchi, Michael B. Mahon

Anna Clark @annaleighclark.bsky.social · 20d

"The Great Lakes Science Center in Michigan would lose 108 of 137 positions."

via @eenews.bsky.social

E&E News: USGS science centers face Trump’s chopping block

Interior has indicated that it plans to lay off employees in science centers across the country, including deep cuts at some offices.

subscriber.politicopro.com

Reposted by Monica G. Turner, Ben Bond‐Lamberty, Brian J. Harvey , and 2 more Monica G. Turner, Ben Bond‐Lamberty, Brian J. Harvey, Juan Rocha, Darío Martin‐Benito

Forrest Fleischman @forrestf.bsky.social · 24d

My department is hiring an assistant professor of forest regeneration. The University of Minnesota department of forest resources is a great place to work, I really really like it here, and hope we end up hiring someone I can collaborate with. hr.myu.umn.edu/jobs/ext/370...

Careers

The Department of Forest Resources at the University of Minnesota seeks outstanding applicants for a full-time tenure-track Assistant Professor faculty position focused on forest regeneration dynamics. This may include focus areas of early stand dynamics, forest genetics, climate-adaptive seed/tree selection, nursery systems, or environmental stress physiology, which may fall within broader disciplines such as silviculture, restoration ecology, or forest operations. This is a 9-month, full-time, tenure-track faculty position with research (50%) and teaching (50%) responsibilities. The successful candidate will have access to office and laboratory space in the department. The position is available beginning August 2026, with review of applications beginning December 8, 2025.ResponsibilitiesResponsibilities include but are not limited to:

hr.myu.umn.edu

Reposted by Brian J. Harvey

Monica G. Turner @monicagturner.bsky.social · 25d

Excellent work led by @ttkeller.bsky.social and important for stewarding forests w/ high-severity #fire regimes @esajournals.bsky.social @uwmadscience.bsky.social

Timon Keller @ttkeller.bsky.social · 25d

New paper in Ecological Applications! Management that mimics historical mosaics of fire severity could promote postfire tree regeneration under future climate change. Thanks to co-authors @monicagturner.bsky.social @rupertseidl.bsky.social @christinadollinger.bsky.social @knowlton.bsky.social

Can fire exclusion zones enhance postfire tree regeneration? A simulation study in subalpine conifer forests

Climate change and novel fire regimes increasingly challenge stewardship of forests adapted to infrequent, stand-replacing fire. Novel fire regimes may disrupt mechanisms that sustained postfire rege...

dx.doi.org

Reposted by Monica G. Turner, Brian J. Harvey, Christina Dollinger

Timon Keller @ttkeller.bsky.social · 25d

Can fire exclusion zones enhance postfire tree regeneration? A simulation study in subalpine conifer forests

dx.doi.org

Reposted by Monica G. Turner, Benjamin I. Cook, Kevin J. Anchukaitis , and 1 more Monica G. Turner, Benjamin I. Cook, Kevin J. Anchukaitis, Darío Martin‐Benito

Jessica Tierney @leafwax.bsky.social · 26d

I am currently seeking a Lab Manager for our Organic Geochemistry Lab at the University of Arizona! Full time position with benefits. If you have a chemistry/biology/geology degree and like fixing things and working with students, this position could be for you! arizona.csod.com/ux/ats/caree...

Laboratory Coordinator I - Geosciences

Maintenance and repair of the Organic Geochemistry Laboratory equipment, including but not limited to gas chromatographs, liquid chromatographs & ...

arizona.csod.com

Reposted by Monica G. Turner, Ben Bond‐Lamberty

Kevin Anchukaitis @thirstygecko.bsky.social · 29d

Increasing wildfire frequency decreases carbon storage and leads to regeneration failure in Alaskan boreal forests fireecology.springeropen.com/articles/10....

Increasing wildfire frequency decreases carbon storage and leads to regeneration failure in Alaskan boreal forests - Fire Ecology

Background The increasing size, severity, and frequency of wildfires is one of the most rapid ways climate warming could alter the structure and function of high-latitude ecosystems. Historically, boreal forests in western North America had fire return intervals (FRI) of 70–130 years, but shortened FRIs are becoming increasingly common under extreme weather conditions. Here, we quantified pre-fire and post-fire C pools and C losses and assessed post-fire seedling regeneration in long (> 70 years), intermediate (30–70 years), and short (< 30 years) FRIs, and triple (three fires in < 70 years) burns. As boreal forests store a significant portion of the global terrestrial carbon (C) pool, understanding the impacts of shortened FRIs on these ecosystems is critical for predicting the global C balance and feedbacks to climate. Results Using a spatially extensive dataset of 555 plots from 31 separate fires in Interior Alaska, our study demonstrates that shortened FRIs decrease the C storage capacity of boreal forests through loss of legacy C and regeneration failure. Total wildfire C emissions were similar among FRI classes, ranging from 2.5 to 3.5 kg C m−2. However, shortened FRIs lost proportionally more of their pre-fire C pools, resulting in substantially lower post-fire C pools than long FRIs. Shortened FRIs also resulted in the combustion of legacy C, defined as C that escaped combustion in one or more previous fires. We found that post-fire successional trajectories were impacted by FRI, with ~ 65% of short FRIs and triple burns experiencing regeneration failure. Conclusions Our study highlights the structural and functional vulnerability of boreal forests to increasing fire frequency. Shortened FRIs and the combustion of legacy C can shift boreal ecosystems from a net C sink or neutral to a net C source to the atmosphere and increase the risk of transitions to non-forested states. These changes could have profound implications for the boreal C-climate feedback and underscore the need for adaptive management strategies that prioritize the structural and functional resilience of boreal forest ecosystems to expected increases in fire frequency.

fireecology.springeropen.com

Reposted by Monica G. Turner, Jonathan A. Eisen, Elena Litchman , and 1 more Monica G. Turner, Jonathan A. Eisen, Elena Litchman, David W. Kerstetter

Mark Peifer (He, him) @peiferlabunc.bsky.social · 29d

I'm very excited to announce that UNC Biology has 6 faculty positions open this year! The first is for an Asst Professor who studies organismal resilience using an integrative approach 1/n
unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/307...

Poster with QR code linking to the position

Reposted by Kevin J. Anchukaitis

Monica G. Turner @monicagturner.bsky.social · Oct 11

My heart goes out to my federal colleagues who work so hard and are committed to their mission.

Science Magazine @science.org · Oct 10

Federal researchers are confronting growing uncertainty about their future, as the 10-day-old shutdown of the U.S. government is now poised to extend into at least next week. https://scim.ag/4n1uy22

As U.S. shutdown drags on, ‘it’s just one blow after another’

Federal researchers confront growing uncertainty about future

scim.ag

Reposted by Monica G. Turner

Science Magazine @science.org · Oct 10

Federal researchers are confronting growing uncertainty about their future, as the 10-day-old shutdown of the U.S. government is now poised to extend into at least next week. https://scim.ag/4n1uy22

As U.S. shutdown drags on, ‘it’s just one blow after another’

Federal researchers confront growing uncertainty about future

scim.ag

Monica G. Turner @monicagturner.bsky.social · Oct 9

Hmmm…

Science Magazine @science.org · Oct 9

In an analysis of 1.2 million news stories about scholarly research, men-led papers were found to receive more attention overall and were heavily overrepresented in the top 5% of most covered studies. https://scim.ag/4o7l5a5

When women researchers publish, media attention doesn’t always follow

Men-led papers receive more media coverage than women’s, new study finds

scim.ag

Reposted by Monica G. Turner, Leo Lucassen

Science Magazine @science.org · Oct 9

When women researchers publish, media attention doesn’t always follow

Men-led papers receive more media coverage than women’s, new study finds

scim.ag

Reposted by Monica G. Turner, Ben Bond‐Lamberty, Ghislain Vieilledent , and 3 more Monica G. Turner, Ben Bond‐Lamberty, Ghislain Vieilledent, Drew Peltier, Chhaya M. Werner, Karl Andraczek

Tim Curran @timcurran.bsky.social · Oct 8

Great PhD opportunity with an excellent supervisor:

Quantify traits of tree species across the western US to determine how tree populations and forest communities will respond to drought and fire.

plant-traits.net/lab-openings/

Lab openings | Laughlin Research Lab

plant-traits.net

Reposted by Monica G. Turner, Ankur R. Desai

Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin @uwchancellor.bsky.social · Oct 8

WOO HOO!! Proud to share that TWO @uwmadison.bsky.social faculty were just announced as 2025 MacArthur Foundation “genius grant” recipients. HUGE congrats to Ángel F. Adames Corraliza & Sébastien Phillipe, doing amazing work on tropical storms & nuclear security, respectively.👏

Two UW–Madison professors named MacArthur Fellows

Atmospheric scientist Ángel F. Adames Corraliza and nuclear security specialist Sébastien Philippe, professors at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, have been awarded 2025 MacArthur Fellowships.

news.wisc.edu

Reposted by Monica G. Turner, Ben Bond‐Lamberty

Steve Carpenter @steve-carpenter.bsky.social · Sep 29

Altered controls of ANPP between two LT studies at Konza Prairie (1975-1993 & 2005-2023): doubled response to fire, greater impact of rising VPD. Ecosystems doi.org/10.1007/s100... @monicagturner.bsky.social

Revisiting Patterns and Controls of Productivity in a Mesic Grassland 30 Years Later: Do We Know Now What We Knew Then? - Ecosystems

Given the rapid pace of global change, determining if our past understanding of the controls of ecosystem structure and function remains robust today is essential for managing and conserving ecosystems. Here, we revisit a foundational study that evaluated patterns and controls of aboveground net primary productivity (ANPP) across topographic gradients and in response to fire frequency treatments from 1975 to 1993 in tallgrass prairie (Konza Prairie). We replicated this 30-year-old study for a contemporary period (2005–2023) and found that overall patterns of ANPP across fire treatments and topographic gradients remained consistent. However, the magnitude of ANPP responses to fire increased substantially (> twofold) in lowlands, resulting in greater landscape-scale divergence in ANPP. Differences in temporal variability among topographic positions and fire regimes also increased (~ fourfold). Annual precipitation remained a primary determinant of ANPP, but atmospheric vapor pressure deficit (VPD) has emerged as a new driver in contemporary times. Furthermore, air temperature and deep soil moisture have now become significant controls of ANPP in unburned grassland. We conclude that despite myriad global changes, the primary controls of ANPP have not changed dramatically over three decades, but additional drivers have emerged (notably VPD), and the magnitude of responses to fire have been altered. Increased spatial variation in ANPP as well as interannual variability in ANPP differing more strongly among sites will be particularly challenging for managing this rare grassland. As temperatures and VPD continue to increase, additional revision to our understanding of the functioning of this and other ecosystems will likely be necessary.

doi.org

Reposted by Monica G. Turner

Steve Carpenter @steve-carpenter.bsky.social · Sep 29

Decadal recovery of previously-drained peatlands - implication for C storage? Ecosystems doi.org/10.1007/s100... @monicagturner.bsky.social

Effect of Restoration on Physical and Chemical Peat Properties in Previously Drained Boreal Peatlands - Ecosystems

There is a societal demand to restore drained boreal peatlands for purposes of improving water quality and biodiversity and lowering emissions of greenhouse gases. Restoration measures are costly and neither the effects of drainage nor restoration on biogeochemical processes in the peat, and in downstream environments are well understood. This study assesses how 60–100 years of drainage followed by 6–9 years of restored conditions have changed the physical and chemical peat properties in restored boreal peatlands. Eight pairs of restored and natural peatlands were sampled down to 50 cm (n = 3 for each site). Each of the 50 cm peat cores was sliced into 25 two-centimetre discs, generating high-resolution records of the dry bulk density (BD), organic matter content (OM), C- and N- content, δ13C, and δ15N. Peat from the restored sites showed significantly higher BD and lower C:N ratio and OM content than the reference sites. Furthermore, peat from restored peatlands was systematically depleted in δ13C, and the OM was enriched in C and N. Long-term drainage could cause increased peat decomposition, leaving altered physical and chemical peat properties. For example, the C content in OM increases as the residual peat is enriched in aromatic and aliphatic moieties following decomposition. For the same reason, degraded peat can be δ13C depleted. Interestingly, differences between the restored and pristine sites were mainly found at 20–50 cm depth. Given the low peat formation rates in nutrient-poor peatlands, the superficial 20 cm peat was potentially recovering from drainage even before restoration.

doi.org

Reposted by Monica G. Turner

Steve Carpenter @steve-carpenter.bsky.social · Sep 29

Bottlenecks to organic energy flow through pelagic foodweb - Bay of Biscay. Ecosystems doi.org/10.1007/s100... @monicagturner.bsky.social

Identifying Bottlenecks to Energy Circulation in the Bay of Biscay Pelagic Food Web: Key Species Under the Spotlight - Ecosystems

Understanding the functioning and resilience of marine ecosystems requires identifying the main energy flow pathways. Key trophic groups occupy strategic positions in the trophic interactions network, acting as hubs that control the energy distribution across the ecosystem. This study examines the Bay of Biscay’s pelagic food web using stable isotope analysis with stomach content data, creating a network of 38 trophic groups and 125 interactions. Both annual-weighted and seasonal (spring and late summer) networks were constructed. The analysis of unweighted and weighted annual networks found that low-trophic level epipelagic fish (European anchovy, Engraulis encrasicolus; sardine, Sardina pilchardus; and sprat, Sprattus sprattus) is a key trophic group displaying higher scores in many centrality indices. These forage fish play a central role in facilitating energy transfer across trophic levels, thus representing a critical link between the planktonic food web and higher trophic level predators and fisheries. Overall, annual networks showed that phytoplankton-dominated grazing chains support a higher diversity of predators compared to chains originating from particulate organic matter (POM). The analysis of weighted networks accounting for seasonal variations in trophic interactions revealed that, during late summer, predators occupy more vulnerable positions than in spring. Changes in feeding preferences cause blue whiting to shift from mostly depending on grazing chains during spring to occupying a position along POM-dominated chains in late summer. These findings highlight the need for fisheries management strategies to prioritize the conservation of key trophic groups supplying energy to predators while considering seasonal shifts in the structure of the energy flow network.

doi.org

Reposted by Monica G. Turner

Steve Carpenter @steve-carpenter.bsky.social · Sep 29

Local to global: how stomates alter the water cycle. Rocha, Armesto et al. in Ecosystems doi.org/10.1007/s100... @monicagturner.bsky.social

Atmosphere, Vegetation, and Soil Water Coupling Determined by Stomatal Regulation of Transpiration - Ecosystems

Stomatal regulation plays a critical role in controlling tree water loss and mediating atmosphere–vegetation–soil water coupling, yet the implications of species-specific differences in stomatal regulation on this coupling remain poorly understood. Drimys species possess primitive leaf anatomy with limited stomatal closure capacity, while Nothofagus exhibits more effective stomatal control. We compared multi-year sap flux data from these two co-occurring Southern Chilean species to evaluate how stomatal traits influence water-coupling dynamics across timescales. Using boosted regression tree modeling and wavelet coherence analysis, we found that while both species showed similar functional responses to environmental drivers, the relative importance of these drivers differed between them. Both Drimys and Nothofagus responded to VPD, but Drimys sap flux was more strongly influenced by soil moisture, particularly during early season wet periods and late-season drought. In contrast, Nothofagus showed greater dependence on light and vapor pressure deficit (VPD), reflecting tighter stomatal regulation. Wavelet coherence analyses further confirmed stronger soil moisture control of sap flux in Drimys, especially at weekly to sub-seasonal timescales, and provided evidence that stomatal regulation can either buffer or amplify late-season soil moisture deficits. These findings suggest Drimys follows a high water use, low-conservation strategy closely tied to soil moisture, whereas Nothofagus demonstrates more conservative water use governed by atmospheric conditions. The strong soil moisture dependence of Drimys may increase its vulnerability to future warming and drying trends, with implications for forest composition and hydrological modeling in a changing climate.

doi.org

Reposted by Monica G. Turner, Mor Naaman, Ben Bond‐Lamberty , and 7 more Monica G. Turner, Mor Naaman, Ben Bond‐Lamberty, Delphine K. Farmer, Michael A. Clemens, Gernot Wagner, Dean Eckles, W Grant, Jason Williams, Christina Pagel

Science Magazine @science.org · Sep 26

NSF today released instructions for the next round of applicants to its Graduate Research Fellowship Program. A key group—second-year Ph.D. students—is no longer eligible, and students who are still able to apply will face an unusually narrow timeframe. https://scim.ag/3KlQkQk

‘Completely shattered.’ Changes to NSF’s graduate student fellowship spur outcry

The announcement comes months later than usual, leaving many would-be applicants stranded

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