Monica G. Turner

@monicagturner.bsky.social

1.5K followers 88 following 79 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

Monica G. Turner @monicagturner.bsky.social · 3d

Important commentary re logging and fire

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences @pnas.org · 4d

Opinion piece: Removing #DeadTrees will not save us from fast-moving #wildfires. In PNAS Front Matter: https://ow.ly/qvta50XuOrz

#logging #ClimateChange #ForestFire

Pictured is post-disturbance logging that entailed removal of biological legacies and increased fine fuels on the Stanislaus National Forest in California, two years after the 2013 Rim fire, one of the state’s largest fires at the time.
Image credit: Doug Bevington (photographer).

Reposted by Monica G. Turner, Juli G. Pausas

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences @pnas.org · 4d

Opinion piece: Removing #DeadTrees will not save us from fast-moving #wildfires. In PNAS Front Matter: https://ow.ly/qvta50XuOrz

#logging #ClimateChange #ForestFire

Reposted by Monica G. Turner

The Oregonian @oregonian.com · 11d

A study from Oregon State University and the U.S. Forest Service found the four-day extreme heat event scorched more than 1,000 square miles of tree canopy.

2021 heat dome left Rhode Island-sized damage in Oregon’s, Washington’s western forests

A study from Oregon State University and the U.S. Forest Service found the four-day extreme heat event scorched more than 1,000 square miles of tree canopy.

www.oregonlive.com

Reposted by Monica G. Turner, Ben Bond‐Lamberty, Carly D. Ziter

Shersingh Joseph Tumber-Dávila @josephtumber.bsky.social · 12d

Looking to acquire portable soil temp/moisture and pH probes for our fieldwork

Figured I'd ask if anyone had suggestions or strong feelings about what to get!

🧪🌎🌳🍁
@sgradywelsh.bsky.social (lab manager) would greatly appreciate any input!

Reposted by Monica G. Turner

Jess Nevins @jessnevins.bsky.social · 17d

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 · 18d

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 · 19d

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 · 19d

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 · 20d

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 · 20d

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 · 20d

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 · 22d

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 · 28d

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 · 28d

🆕 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 · 28d

Reposted by Monica G. Turner

Science Magazine @science.org · Oct 24

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 · Oct 21

"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 · Oct 17

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 · Oct 16

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 · Oct 16

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 · Oct 16

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 · Oct 15

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 · Oct 12

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 · Oct 12

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

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