UMaine Farmington Professor helps in NASA study
New England Council member, University of Maine Farmington, recognizes Professor Andrew Barton for his work with NASA to study the possible thinning of Arizona ponderosa pine trees and their influence on local water supplies. Barton and five other scientists utilized a $597,000 grant from NASA to conduct this research.
Professor Andrew Barton is currently a professor of biology at UMaine Farmington, where he is also a forest and fire ecologist focusing on climate change in the American Southwest. Additionally, Barton is involved with several ecological and environmental groups and serves on Maine’s Ecological Reserve System Board. This three-year project examines dense trees vulnerable to wildfires using space instruments to gather data on certain areas in Arizona. The team of scientists will look at the possible effects of thinning the trees, including changes in temperature, water balance, drought severity, and tree growth.
“Drought and wildfire are causing widespread death of trees in western forests and serious impacts on human communities. Thinning is not an appropriate climate solution for all forests, but in ponderosa pine forests, it might just be a route to helping protect this precious resource,” said Barton.
The New England Council congratulates the University of Maine Farmington and Professor Andrew Barton for receiving this grant to spearhead this important new research.
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