Biologists and ecologists monitor wildlife to learn more about their behaviors, but tracking small creatures can be challenging, time-consuming and costly. Through a National Science Foundation grant, a multidisciplinary team at Northern Arizona University—led by Michael Shafer, associate professor of mechanical engineering; Carol Chambers, professor of wildlife ecology; and Paul Flikkema, professor of electrical engineering—has developed technology… Read more
School of Forestry
NAU forest geneticist collaborates on first full-genome sequence analysis of aspen trees
Although the North American quaking aspen tree is a time-honored local icon here in Flagstaff, it has the broadest distribution of any tree on the continent, growing from coast to coast across the U.S. and Canada. It’s also a close relative of the Eurasian trembling aspen, which can be found in Europe, Asia and parts… Read more
NAU ecologists receive $935K USDA grant for major land restoration study
Not long ago, Kevin Grady, assistant research professor of forestry at Northern Arizona University, was involved in the emergency response to a 30,000-acre wildfire. Land managers he worked with wanted to jump-start restoration immediately. Grady figured covering that many acres with plants would require 90 semi-trailer trucks full of seeds—seeds that weren’t easy to find. He… Read more
NAU researchers make their mark with new DNA testing tool
“Species from Feces,” a unique new DNA barcoding tool developed by researchers from Northern Arizona University’s Bat Ecology and Genetics Lab in the School of Forestry, is generating widespread interest by mainstream and scientific news outlets—both nationally and internationally—such as the Natural Resources Defense Council, California Academy of Sciences, PLOS Research News, Cosmos, American Physiological Society, mental_floss and Seeker. Most importantly, the initiative… Read more