Education:
B.A., University of Connecticut (1984)
M.E.M, Duke University (1990)
Ph.D., North Carolina State University (1997)

Academic Interests:
Extension forest management; forest economics, finance, policy, and taxes; and international forestry

Professional Affiliation:
Board member, Society of American Foresters Forest Science and Technology Board, Forest Landowners Association, Forest History Society, Association for Temperate Agroforestry, International Society of Tropical Foresters (ISTF), Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Association

Recent research/extension projects:

Incentives For Sustainable Forest Management  Identify and assess management assistance, tax, cost-share, and other types of incentive programs with the potential to increase the levels of stewardship and sustainable forestry practiced on private lands.

Forest Taxation  Examine impacts of income, estate and property taxes as it concerns profitability and long-term forest management.

Agroforestry Understand role of ginseng and other Non timber forest products in Pennsylvania.

International Forestry  Develop projects on community-based forestry for village in Limpopo-- Province, South Africa.

For more information about surface mine reforestation research in Pennsylvania, please contact:

Dr. Michael Jacobson
Assistant Professor of Forest Resources
Pennsylvania State University
School of Forest Resources
7 Ferguson Building
University Park, Pennsylvania 16802-4302
Telephone: (814) 863-0401
E-mail: mgj2@psu.edu
PennState Bio: http://www.sfr.cas.psu.edu/FACULTY/jacobson.htm

Education:
B.S., The Pennsylvania State University (1971)
M.S., University of Tennessee (1973)
Ph.D., Ohio University (1977)

Academic Interests:
Wildlife ecology and conservation biology in forested and human-induced landscapes and ecosystems.

Courses Taught:
Conservation Biology, Wildlife Conservation, Mammalogy, Terrestrial Vertebrate Lab, Professionalism in Natural Resources, The Vertebrates, Conservation Ecology

Professional Affiliation:
The Wildlife Society, Society for Conservation Biologists, Wilson Ornithological Society

Recent Research/Educational Projects:

Wildlife Response to Managed Forest Stands in Pennsylvania
The effects of silvicultural practices, such as even-aged management, on nongame wildlife are poorly known. Further, there is increasing concern that forest fragmentation is a major factor causing declines in some species of forest songbirds. This study is designed to determine the effects of forest management on population abundance and distribution, biodiversity, behavior, and habitat use by various vertebrate taxa, including birds, small mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. Results obtained from this study will provide important information on the impact of forested landscapes on wildlife in Pennsylvania.

Vertebrate Inventory of Four Pennsylvania National Parks
As part of a long-term study dealing with the vertebrate biodiversity in select national park areas in the eastern United States, we are conducting a study of bird and mammal populations in four Pennsylvania national parks. The National Park Service is mandated to manage native flora and fauna. By using standardized protocols for inventorying vertebrates, we are providing natural resource specialists at individual parks information on vertebrate presence/absence, relative abundance, and distribution.

    As large tracts of public lands, such as national park areas, become more insular with increased fragmentation due to agriculture, urbanization, or other land uses, these public lands will be increasingly important for the long-term maintenance of faunal diversity and ensuring the functional integrity of landscapes and ecosystems in the eastern United States.

Raccoon Rabies A study has been initiated on the movements of common raccoons in western Pennsylvania in relation to an oral-vaccination rabies program.

West Nile Virus A study has been completed on the interrelationships between bird populations, mosquito populations, and the incidence of the West Nile virus in Pennsylvania.

For more information about surface mine reforestation research in Pennsylvania, please contact:

Dr. Richard Yahner
Professor of Wildlife Conservation and Assistant Director for Outreach
Pennsylvania State University
School of Forest Resources
107 Ferguson Building
University Park, Pennsylvania 16802-4302
Telephone: (814) 863-3201
E-mail: rhy@psu.edu
PennState Bio: http://www.sfr.psu.edu/Faculty/yahner.htm