@article{magee_lapalikar_cayetano_machado_pandit_trentin_wood_leite_cosenza_mintz_et al._2024, title={Oaks enhance early life stage longleaf pine growth and density in a subtropical xeric savanna}, volume={205}, ISSN={0029-8549 1432-1939}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00442-024-05579-y}, DOI={10.1007/s00442-024-05579-y}, number={2}, journal={Oecologia}, publisher={Springer Science and Business Media LLC}, author={Magee, Lukas and Lapalikar, Sairandhri and Cayetano, Denver T. and Machado, Siddarth and Pandit, Karun and Trentin, Bruna and Wood, Derek and Leite, Rodrigo V. and Cosenza, Diogo N. and Mintz, Jeffrey and et al.}, year={2024}, month={Jun}, pages={411–422} }
 @article{magee_pandit_flory_crandall_broadbent_prata_dillon_bohlman_johnson_2022, title={Life Stage and Neighborhood-Dependent Survival of Longleaf Pine after Prescribed Fire}, volume={13}, ISSN={1999-4907}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/f13010117}, DOI={10.3390/f13010117}, abstractNote={Determining mechanisms of plant establishment in ecological communities can be particularly difficult in disturbance-dominated ecosystems. Longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) and its associated plant community exemplify systems that evolved with disturbances, where frequent, widespread fires alter the population dynamics of longleaf pine within distinct life stages. We identified the primary biotic and environmental conditions that influence the survival of longleaf pine in this disturbance-dominated ecosystem. We combined data from recruitment surveys, tree censuses, dense lidar point clouds, and a forest-wide prescribed fire to examine the response of longleaf pine individuals to fire and biotic neighborhoods. We found that fire temperatures increased with increasing longleaf pine neighborhood basal area and decreased with higher oak densities. There was considerable variation in longleaf pine survival across life stages, with lowest survival probabilities occurring during the bolt stage and not in the earlier, more fire-resistant grass stage. Survival of grass-stage, bolt-stage, and sapling longleaf pines was negatively associated with basal area of neighboring longleaf pine and positively related to neighboring heterospecific tree density, primarily oaks (Quercus spp.). Our findings highlight the vulnerability of longleaf pine across life stages, which suggests optimal fire management strategies for controlling longleaf pine density, and—more broadly—emphasize the importance of fire in mediating species interactions.}, number={1}, journal={Forests}, publisher={MDPI AG}, author={Magee, Lukas and Pandit, Karun and Flory, Stephen Luke and Crandall, Raelene M. and Broadbent, Eben N. and Prata, Gabriel A. and Dillon, Whalen and Bohlman, Stephanie and Johnson, Daniel J.}, year={2022}, month={Jan}, pages={117} }
 @article{johnson_magee_pandit_bourdon_broadbent_glenn_kaddoura_machado_nieves_wilkinson_et al._2021, title={Canopy tree density and species influence tree regeneration patterns and woody species diversity in a longleaf pine forest}, volume={490}, ISSN={0378-1127}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2021.119082}, DOI={10.1016/j.foreco.2021.119082}, abstractNote={Longleaf pine once dominated much of the forested area of the Coastal Plain of the southeastern United States and is a focal forest type for restoration efforts. In these forests, two species dominate the canopy which may influence tree regeneration. Ultimately, the outcomes of habitat filtering, competition, and disturbance manifest in spatial patterns of tree regeneration, including in longleaf pine ecosystems. Understanding regeneration and establishment patterns can aid in restoration efforts. We ask how the dominant species in an established longleaf pine forest are spatially arranged to provide insight into the mechanisms that may be driving tree establishment in longleaf pine forests. We found that longleaf pine saplings were more likely to be found near the other dominant tree species in this forest, turkey oak trees, than in gaps or near to longleaf pine trees. Similarly, turkey oak saplings clustered around turkey oak trees but were dispersed in relation to longleaf pine trees. These findings point towards the interplay between canopy tree composition, leaf litter, and fire behavior as driving mechanisms in the successful establishment of both pines and oaks in this forest.}, journal={Forest Ecology and Management}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Johnson, Daniel J. and Magee, Lukas and Pandit, Karun and Bourdon, Jacqueline and Broadbent, Eben N. and Glenn, Kaylyn and Kaddoura, Youssef and Machado, Siddarth and Nieves, Joseph and Wilkinson, Benjamin E. and et al.}, year={2021}, month={Jun}, pages={119082} }
 @article{dashti_pandit_glenn_shinneman_flerchinger_hudak_de graaf_flores_ustin_ilangakoon_et al._2021, title={Performance of the ecosystem demography model (EDv2.2) in simulating gross primary production capacity and activity in a dryland study area}, volume={297}, ISSN={0168-1923}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.agrformet.2020.108270}, DOI={10.1016/j.agrformet.2020.108270}, abstractNote={Dryland ecosystems play an important role in the global carbon cycle, including regulating the inter-annual global carbon sink. Dynamic global vegetation models (DGVMs) are essential tools that can help us better understand carbon cycling in different ecosystems. Currently, there is limited knowledge of the performance of these models in drylands partly due to characterizing the heterogeneity of the vegetation and hydrometeorological conditions. The aim of this study is to evaluate the performance of a DGVM for drylands to facilitate improved understanding of gross primary production (GPP) as one of the important components of the carbon cycle. We performed a sensitivity analysis and calibrated the Ecosystem Demography (EDv2.2) DGVM to simulate GPP in a dryland watershed (Reynolds Creek Experimental Watershed, Idaho) in the western US for the years 2000-2017. GPP capacity and activity were investigated by comparing model simulations with GPP estimated from eddy covariance data (available from 2015-2017) and remote sensing products (2000-2017). Our results show good performance of EDv2.2 at daily timesteps (RMSE≈0.38[kgC/m2/year])between simulated and measured GPP in lower elevations of the watershed. Moreover, remote sensing analysis show that EDv2.2 captures the long-term trends in this ecosystem and performs relatively well in capturing phenometrics (start/end of the season). The performance of the model degrades in more productive sites with greater GPP (located at higher elevations in the watershed). To improve model performance, future studies will need to introduce additional plant functional types for drylands such as our study area, and modify plant processes (e.g., plant hydraulics and phenology) in the model.}, journal={Agricultural and Forest Meteorology}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Dashti, Hamid and Pandit, Karun and Glenn, Nancy F. and Shinneman, Douglas J. and Flerchinger, Gerald N. and Hudak, Andrew T. and de Graaf, Marie Anne and Flores, Alejandro and Ustin, Susan and Ilangakoon, Nayani and et al.}, year={2021}, month={Feb}, pages={108270} }
 @article{pandit_bevilacqua_newman_butler_2021, title={Understanding the Spatial Pattern and Driving Factors Associated with Timberland Ownership Change in the Northern United States}, volume={119}, ISSN={0022-1201 1938-3746}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jofore/fvab017}, DOI={10.1093/jofore/fvab017}, abstractNote={Abstract This study analyzes changes in timberland ownership from 2003 to 2012 across the northern United States based on Forest Inventory and Analysis data identified according to five ownership categories. A total of 26,940 FIA plots that were remeasured between selected years were used for the analysis. Publicly available corporate ownership data were investigated and used to differentiate industrial and institutional (timber investment management organizations [TIMO] and real estate investment trusts [REIT]) ownership. Kernel density, Ripley’s K-function, and multinomial logistic regression (MLR) methods were used to study spatial patterns of timberland ownership and to explore statistical relationships. Among FIA plots showing ownership changes, the largest observed shift was from industrial to institutional ownership, with a 45% increase in the number of plots, equivalent to almost 1.4 million acres of timberland area. Bivariate Ripley’s K-function showed significant clustering for shifts between industrial and institutional ownership. A MLR model identified forest type as a significant factor associated with the transition of industrial timberlands to either institutional or family forest ownership. In addition, shifts from industrial to institutional ownership were related to road access and population density.}, number={4}, journal={Journal of Forestry}, publisher={Oxford University Press (OUP)}, author={Pandit, Karun and Bevilacqua, Eddie and Newman, David H and Butler, Brett J}, year={2021}, month={Apr}, pages={376–392} }
 @article{pandit_dashti_hudak_glenn_flores_shinneman_2021, title={Understanding the effect of fire on vegetation composition and gross primary production in a semi-arid shrubland ecosystem using the Ecosystem Demography (EDv2.2) model}, volume={18}, ISSN={1726-4189}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.5194/bg-18-2027-2021}, DOI={10.5194/bg-18-2027-2021}, abstractNote={Abstract. Wildfires in sagebrush (Artemisia spp.)-dominated semi-arid ecosystems in the western United States have increased dramatically in frequency and severity in the last few decades. Severe wildfires often lead to the loss of native sagebrush communities and change the biogeochemical conditions which make it difficult for sagebrush to regenerate. Invasion of cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) accentuates the problem by making the ecosystem more susceptible to frequent burns. Managers have implemented several techniques to cope with the cheatgrass–fire cycle, ranging from controlling undesirable fire effects by removing fuel loads either mechanically or via prescribed burns to seeding the fire-affected areas with shrubs and native perennial forbs. There have been a number of studies at local scales to understand the direct impacts of wildfire on vegetation; however there is a larger gap in understanding these impacts at broad spatial and temporal scales. This need highlights the importance of dynamic global vegetation models (DGVMs) and remote sensing. In this study, we explored the influence of fire on vegetation composition and gross primary production (GPP) in the sagebrush ecosystem using the Ecosystem Demography (EDv2.2) model, a dynamic global vegetation model. We selected the Reynolds Creek Experimental Watershed (RCEW) to run our simulation study, an intensively monitored sagebrush-dominated ecosystem in the northern Great Basin. We ran point-based simulations at four existing flux tower sites in the study area for a total of 150 years after turning on the fire module in the 25th year. Results suggest dominance of shrubs in a non-fire scenario; however under the fire scenario we observed contrasting phases of high and low shrub density and C3 grass growth. Regional model simulations showed a gradual decline in GPP for fire-introduced areas through the initial couple of years instead of killing all the vegetation in the affected area in the first year itself. We also compared the results from EDv2.2 with satellite-derived GPP estimates for the areas in the RCEW burned by a wildfire in 2015 (Soda Fire). We observed moderate pixel-level correlations between maps of post-fire recovery EDv2.2 GPP and MODIS-derived GPP. This study contributes to understanding the application of ecosystem models to investigate temporal dynamics of vegetation under alternative fire regimes and post-fire ecosystem restoration.}, number={6}, journal={Biogeosciences}, publisher={Copernicus GmbH}, author={Pandit, Karun and Dashti, Hamid and Hudak, Andrew T. and Glenn, Nancy F. and Flores, Alejandro N. and Shinneman, Douglas J.}, year={2021}, month={Mar}, pages={2027–2045} }
 @article{pandit_smith_quesada_villari_johnson_2020, title={Association of Recent Incidence of Foliar Disease in Pine Species in the Southeastern United States with Tree and Climate Variables}, volume={11}, ISSN={1999-4907}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/f11111155}, DOI={10.3390/f11111155}, abstractNote={Pine forests in the southern United States are a major contributor to the global economy. Through the last three decades, however, there have been concerns about the decline of pine forests attributed mostly to pests and pathogens. A combination of biotic agents and environmental factors and their interaction often influences outbreaks and the resultant damage in the forests. Southern pines experience periodic mortality from bark beetles and root rot fungi and losses from fusiform rust and pitch canker have long been important for management. In recent years, there is also growing evidence of increasing damage from foliar disease in southern pines. Early detection of diseases following changes in foliar characteristics and assessment of potential risks will help us better utilize our resources and manage these forests sustainably. In this study, we used Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) data to explore the intensity of foliar disease in three common pines: loblolly (Pinus taeda L.), longleaf (Pinus palustris Mill.), and slash (Pinus elliottii Engelm.) in spatial and temporal terms using tree-level and climatic variables. Results from a tree-level model suggests that crown ratio may be an important factor in pine foliar disease (p < 0.1). We applied the MaxEnt model, a presence-only species distribution model (SDM), to explore any association of foliar disease incidences with the climatic variables at a landscape level. Results indicate that mean dew point temperature, maximum vapor pressure deficit, and precipitation during cold months had more influence over disease incidences than other climatic variables. While the sample size is limited as this is an emerging disease in the region, our study provides a basis for further exploration of disease detection methods, disease etiology studies, and hazard mapping.}, number={11}, journal={Forests}, publisher={MDPI AG}, author={Pandit, Karun and Smith, Jason and Quesada, Tania and Villari, Caterina and Johnson, Daniel J.}, year={2020}, month={Oct}, pages={1155} }
 @article{pandit_dashti_glenn_flores_maguire_shinneman_flerchinger_fellows_2019, title={Developing and optimizing shrub parameters representing sagebrush (Artemisia) ecosystems in the northern Great Basin using the Ecosystem Demography (EDv2.2) model}, volume={12}, ISSN={1991-9603}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.5194/gmd-12-4585-2019}, DOI={10.5194/gmd-12-4585-2019}, abstractNote={Abstract. Ecosystem dynamic models are useful for understanding ecosystem characteristics over time and space because of their efficiency over direct field measurements and applicability to broad spatial extents. Their application, however, is challenging due to internal model uncertainties and complexities arising from distinct qualities of the ecosystems being analyzed. The sagebrush-steppe ecosystem in western North America, for example, has substantial spatial and temporal heterogeneity as well as variability due to anthropogenic disturbance, invasive species, climate change, and altered fire regimes, which collectively make modeling dynamic ecosystem processes difficult. Ecosystem Demography (EDv2.2) is a robust ecosystem dynamic model, initially developed for tropical forests, that simulates energy, water, and carbon fluxes at fine scales. Although EDv2.2 has since been tested on different ecosystems via development of different plant functional types (PFT), it still lacks a shrub PFT. In this study, we developed and parameterized a shrub PFT representative of sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) ecosystems in order to initialize and test it within EDv2.2, and to promote future broad-scale analysis of restoration activities, climate change, and fire regimes in the sagebrush-steppe ecosystem. Specifically, we parameterized the sagebrush PFT within EDv2.2 to estimate gross primary production (GPP) using data from two sagebrush study sites in the northern Great Basin. To accomplish this, we employed a three-tier approach. (1) To initially parameterize the sagebrush PFT, we fitted allometric relationships for sagebrush using field-collected data, information from existing sagebrush literature, and parameters from other land models. (2) To determine influential parameters in GPP prediction, we used a sensitivity analysis to identify the five most sensitive parameters. (3) To improve model performance and validate results, we optimized these five parameters using an exhaustive search method to estimate GPP, and compared results with observations from two eddy covariance (EC) sites in the study area. Our modeled results were encouraging, with reasonable fidelity to observed values, although some negative biases (i.e., seasonal underestimates of GPP) were apparent. Our finding on preliminary parameterization of the sagebrush shrub PFT is an important step towards subsequent studies on shrubland ecosystems using EDv2.2 or any other process-based ecosystem model.}, number={11}, journal={Geoscientific Model Development}, publisher={Copernicus GmbH}, author={Pandit, Karun and Dashti, Hamid and Glenn, Nancy F. and Flores, Alejandro N. and Maguire, Kaitlin C. and Shinneman, Douglas J. and Flerchinger, Gerald N. and Fellows, Aaron W.}, year={2019}, month={Nov}, pages={4585–4601} }
 @article{pandit_bevilacqua_mountrakis_malmsheimer_2016, title={Spatial Analysis of Forest Crimes in Mark Twain National Forest}, volume={1}, url={https://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/j_of_geospatial_applications_in_natural_resources/vol1/iss1/3}, number={1}, journal={Missouri. Journal of Geospatial Applications in Natural Resources}, author={Pandit, K. and Bevilacqua, E. and Mountrakis, G. and Malmsheimer, R.W.}, year={2016}, pages={39–53} }
 @article{pandit_balla_2007, title={An Assessment of soil Fertility Management Issues in Pokhare Khola Watershed, Dhading}, volume={7}, ISSN={1994-1412}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njst.v7i0.578}, DOI={10.3126/njst.v7i0.578}, abstractNote={Changes in traditional ways of cropping and fertility maintenance have posed a serious threat of the sustainability of soil fertility in the mid hills of Nepal. This paper tries to bring to the front different issues directly or indirectly related to the sustainability of soil fertility based on a study carried out in Pokhare Khola Watershed, Dhading in 2003. Data were collected through questionnaire survey and focus group discussions and interpretation made using simple statistical tools and logical discussions. Cultivation of short growing season varieties of crops supplemented with high rates of chemical fertilizers has substantially increased the cropping intensity in irrigated low land. Farm yard manure (FYM) is used in higher proportion than chemical fertilizers both in Khet (irrigated lowland) and Bari (non-irrigated upland). Nonetheless, Khet land gets lower amount of FYM and higher amount of chemical fertilizers compared to Bari. Farmers are practicing the traditional methods of preparing FYM. Erosion in Bari and sedimentation in Khet lands are the major threats to soil fertility but no adequate prevention and restoration measures are carried out to cope with these threats. Farmers have not only conserved natural forests but also, planted fodder trees in their farmlands. Nearly half of demand for forest products is met from private farmland, which has considerably reduced the pressure on nearby forests. Farmers have markedly positive perceptions regarding the fertilizer application, cropping pattern and importance of forests in farming system. <i>Nepal Journal of Science and Technology</i> Vol. 7, 2006}, journal={Nepal Journal of Science and Technology}, publisher={Nepal Journals Online (JOL)}, author={Pandit, K. and Balla, M. K.}, year={2007}, month={Aug}, pages={89} }
 @article{k.d._tiwari_balla_sitaula_singh_k_2007, title={Plot level runoff, soil and nutrient loss in upland rainfed terraces (bari) and aspect-wise soil quality of different land uses in pokhare khola watershed, Nepal}, volume={33}, number={2-3}, journal={International Journal of Ecology and Environmental Sciences}, author={K.D., Awasthi and Tiwari, K.R. and Balla, M.K. and Sitaula, B.K. and Singh, B.R. and K, Pandit}, year={2007}, pages={105–114} }
 @article{pandit_balla_2006, title={Indigenous knowledge of terrace management in Paundi Khola watershed, Lamjung district, Nepal}, volume={2}, ISSN={1727-5229 1727-5210}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/hjs.v2i3.228}, DOI={10.3126/hjs.v2i3.228}, abstractNote={The study was carried out in the Paundi Khola watershed, Lamjung district, with the objective of evaluating the indigenous knowledge of terrace management. Various biophysical practices and land husbandry practices were recorded through field observation. A questionnaire survey and group discussions were also undertaken to acquire relevant information. It was found that terrace width and riser height correlated with slope angle negatively and positively, respectively. Outward-sloped terraces were common in the higher slope classes. Bund plantation was rarely observed in the irrigated fields. Paddy was the preferred crop wherever sufficient water was available. Paddy cultivation on unstable slopes without proper irrigation and drainage systems was the usual cause of slumping. Despite the failure of terraces or slopes in areas with deep-seated slides, farmers continued paddy cultivation by temporarily supporting and stabilizing the terraces until this was no longer feasible and major slope failure occurred. Gradual replacement of paddy by other more appropriate upland crops may sort out this problem to some extent. &#x0D; &#x0D; Key words: Terraces, watershed management, slope failure, bund plantation, slumping &#x0D; &#x0D; Himalayan Journal of Sciences 2(3): 33-36, 2004}, number={3}, journal={Himalayan Journal of Sciences}, publisher={Nepal Journals Online (JOL)}, author={Pandit, Karun and Balla, Mohan K}, year={2006}, month={Jan}, pages={33–36} }