Since NARA’s inception in 2011, over 100 graduate students have conducted research for NARA funded by the USDA-NIFA. Their efforts contribute substantially towards NARA goals and play an important role in preparing a trained workforce for a bioenergy-based industry.
Often a student’s dissertation or thesis is their first scholarly presentation in writing and represents a transition from apprentice to professional researcher. Most often, these documents are well reviewed, represent the most current data and conclusions available, and can be more thorough than traditional journal papers as they are not limited to a few pages. Here is a selection of four dissertations and thesis funded by the USDA-NIFA that contribute to NARA.
Additional theses and dissertations that contribute to the NARA project are available here.
Kristin Coons presented her thesis in 2014 at Oregon State University for the degree of Master of Science in Sustainable Forest Management. Her work developed an improved model to estimate biomass and nutrient levels for Douglas-fir across a wide range of stand management regimes. This work will help researchers and forest managers gauge how harvesting intensity impacts long-term site productivity.
Mindy Crandall presented her dissertation in 2014 at Oregon State University for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Her work models multiple scenarios for the commercial use of forest residuals and describes how these scenarios might stimulate rural development in western Oregon communities. This study offers a comprehensive analysis on how non-traditional uses of forest products can stimulate rural development.
Construction and Demolition Recycled Wood Waste Assessment in the Northwest United States.
Gerald Schneider presented his thesis in 2013 at Washington State University for the degree of Master of Science in Civil Engineering. His work provides an inventory assessment of recycled wood waste in the Pacific Northwest and describes factors that can influence the amount of recycled wood waste available. This thesis provides a benchmark assessment to understanding the sustainable amount of recycled wood waste available as feedstock for bio-jet fuel and co-product production.
Kevin Vogler presented his thesis in 2014 at Oregon State University for the degree of Master of Science in Forest Resources. His work provides a biomass assessment of forest residuals generated from fuel reduction and forest thinning in eastern Oregon. His models predict the effect on forest residual supply and fire hazard levels from various levels of thinning treatments.