Gregory J. Ettl

Assistant Professor, Department of Biology
Saint Joseph's University

EDUCATION

1995 Ph.D. Ecosystem Science, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
1989 M.A.T. Biology Teaching, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
1987 B.S. Broad Field Science Education & Zoology, University of Wisconsin, Madison

COURSES

To send email to Dr. Ettl at ettl@sju.edu

RESEARCH INTERESTS

My research focuses on applied ecology. I seek solutions to environmental problems and ultimately the preservation of natural ecosystems. To this end, most of my research has focused on protected areas including: Olympic National Park, Mt. Rainier National Park, and Ridley Creek State Park. My interests include the responses of species to climatic change, the conservation of rare species, and the biology of invasive or exotic species. I have used dendrochronology to evaluate the response of conifers to: climatic change, and introduced species (i.e. white pine blister rust, and Asiatic bittersweet). I have also used simulation models to predict population changes for both Canada geese and more recently whitebark pine. I am also interested in conservation genetics, particularly the genetics of small populations. I have used isozyme analysis to describe the genetic structure of subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa), and I am currently describing the genetic structure of Engelmann spruce and whitebark pine.

Current projects:

The effects of climate change on Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) in the Olympic Mountains, Washington.
This research uses dendroecological techniques to determine growth-climate relationships over an elevation and precipitation gradient. This research is being conducted in collaboration with Dr. Xiahong Feng at Dartmouth University.

The effects of white pine blister rust (Cronartium ribicola) on whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis ) in Mt. Rainier National Park.
This research uses dendrochronological techniques and field data in combination with a simulation model (RAMAS/stage) to predict the likelihood that whitebark pine will be driven to local extinction by the introduced white pine blister rust. This work is being conducted by Paul DelPrato in fulfillment of a M.S. degree. This work is in collaboration with Dr. Regina Rochefort of Mt. Rainier National Park. Anna Pizza, an undergraduate volunteer, is working on the Dendrochronology of whitebark pine from Crystal Mountain, WA.

Dendroecology of invasive woody vines in Ridley Creek State Park.
This research examines the age structure of several different vines that are taking over road edges throughout much of southeastern Pennsylvania. Asiatic bittersweet (Celestrus orbiculatis) has recently invaded many forest canopies within the park and holds the potential for dominating large areas of forest. My students and I have been examining growth responses of eastern white pine (Pinus strobus) to vine invasions. This work is being conducted by two undergraduate students: Molly Hammond and Danielle Strano.

Genetic variation of Engelmann spruce and white bark pine in Mt. Rainier National Park.
The genetic variation and structure of 2 populations in Mt. Rainier National Park are being investigated using starch-gel electrophoresis. Molly Hammond and Danielle Strano have also been working on this project.

RECENT PUBLICATIONS

RECENT PRESENTATIONS (* denotes student co-author)


Last revision:2/12/99
Address: http://www.sju.edu/biology/ettl.htm
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