Jeremy S. Littell
Research Scientist
PhD, University of Washington College of Forest Resources, 2006
E-mail: jlittell@u.washington.edu
Office: 044f JISAO
Phone: 206-221.2997
Fax: 206-616.5775
Website: http://staff.washington.edu/~jlittell
Research Interests
Through proxy and modern ecological and hydrologic records, I study the impacts of climate change and variability on forest ecosystems. I also collaborate with resource managers to facilitate adaptation to the impacts of climate change and to identify scientific and management challenges.
Current Research Projects
- Biotic and climatic co-limitation of treeline establishment of conifers in mountain ecosystems of the western U.S.
Funding: US DOE National Institute for Climate Change Research (with N. Mantua, M. Germino, and L.J. Graumlich).
Treeline environments – both the alpine/upper treeline and steppe/lower treeline ecotones – are likely to be some of the most sensitive ecosystems to climate change and variability. However, biotic interactions, both between tree species and between trees and other vegetation, may mediate the relationship between climate and local population changes. In this study, we are using both experimental manipulation and detailed observational studies to better understand the climatic and ecological controls on treelines in nine western mountain ranges. - Hydroclimate reconstructions for water resource managers in the Pacific Northwest.
Funding: NOAA Sector Applications Research Program (with A.H. Hamlet, N. Mantua, and C. Woodhouse).
Few hydroclimatic reconstructions exist in the Pacific Northwest, yet the future of water resources management is likely to need information on past variability in hydroclimate in order to project future regional and local water supply given changing climate impacts on water supply and population demand. We are using a unique combination of hydrological modeling and dendroclimatology to provide better reconstructions for water managers. This project will also solicit input from water resource managers to improve the utility of the reconstructions. - Snow persistence, distribution, and the phenology of conifers in PNW National Parks.
Funding: North Cascades Research Learning Network (with J.D. Lundquist).
Where should National Park Service resource managers monitor snowpack? How important is topographical variation to snowpack persistence? What consequences does this variation have for vegetation phenology? This study combines datalogger monitoring of snow and temperature conditions with the response of vegetation to better understand these questions.
Selected Publications
Littell, J.S., and L.J. Graumlich. Submitted. Lower-elevation fire history in the northern Greater Yellowstone Region: Consequences of transient climate for fire regimes. (International Journal of Wildland Fire).
Littell, J.S., D. McKenzie, D.L. Peterson, and A.L. Westerling. In press. Climatic influences on twentieth-century area burned in ecoprovinces of the western U.S. (Ecological Applications).
Littell, J.S., D.L. Peterson, and M. Tjoelker. 2008. Water limits tree growth from stand to region: Douglas-fir growth-climate relationships in Northwestern ecosystems. Ecological Monographs 78:349-368.
Heyerdahl, E.K.,D. McKenzie, L.D. Daniels, A.E. Hessl, J.S. Littell, and N.J. Mantua. 2008. Climate drivers of historical surface fires in the inland Northwest. International Journal of Wildland Fire 17: 40-49.
Littell J.S., and D.L. Peterson. 2005. A method for estimating vulnerability of Douglas-fir growth to climate change in the northwestern US. The Forestry Chronicle 81: 369-374.
Graumlich, L.J., M.F.J. Pisaric, L.A. Waggoner, J.S. Littell and J.C. King. 2003. Upper Yellowstone River Flow and Teleconnections with Pacific Basin Climate Variability During the Past Three Centuries. Climatic Change 59: 245-262.