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Photograph of Dr. Gary M. Lovett

Dr. Gary M. Lovett
Forest Ecologist
Ph.D., 1981, Dartmouth College

 2801 Sharon Turnpike; P.O. Box AB
Millbrook NY 12545-0129, USA
Phone: (845) 677-7600 Ext. 132
Fax: (845) 677-5976
E-mail: Dr. Lovett

Dr. Lovett's research is primarily focused on how perturbations such as air pollution, introduced pests and pathogens, and insect defoliators affect forest nutrient cycling. His main field projects are in the Catskill Mountains and Hudson Valley of New York State and the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest in New Hampshire.

Current Research

Effects of Atmospheric Deposition on Biodiversity
Air pollutants such as sulfur, nitrogen, ozone and mercury have serious direct and indirect effects on organisms in our region. A recent synthesis of research findings, written by the Cary Institute and the Nature Conservancy, reports that no major ecosystem types in the Northeast are free of air pollution effects. Many ecosystem types are subject to serious impacts that impede their function and affect the survival of sensitive species. Conservation organizations should realize that land preservation alone is not sufficient to protect ecosystems, and should consider air pollution threats to the ecosystems they are trying to protect.

Ecosystem Effects of Exotic Forest Pests.
Introduced pests and pathogens can alter the composition of tree species in our forests. We are currently researching the impact of three exotic pests-- gypsy moth, beech bark disease and hemlock wooly adelgid. These invaders alter species composition, resulting in fundamental changes in forest nitrogen cycling, decomposition rates, and the acid-base status of forest soils.

Control of Nitrogen Loss from Watersheds.
Combustion of fossil fuel releases nitrogen oxides, which can be deposited to forested watersheds and have serious effects on forest health, stream quality, and pollution of estuaries. Understanding how atmospheric nitrogen deposition is processed, retained and released by forested watersheds is integral to maintaining healthy ecosystems.

Patterns of Atmospheric Deposition.
Air pollutants are deposited not only in rain and snow, but also as gases, particles, and fog droplets. Measuring the deposition of all of these forms is difficult, especially in mountainous terrain, where deposition rates are strongly influenced by elevation and characteristics of the forest canopy. Knowing the rates and patterns of deposition is critical to evaluating ecosystem response to the pollutants.

Long-Term Monitoring of the Forest Ecosystem at Cary
We measure key aspects of forest productivity, species composition and nutrient cycling in the mixed-oak forest at the Cary Institute iin Millbrook, New York. This long-term monitoring allows us to track trends in the forest ecosystem resulting from air pollution and other stresses.

Selected Publications

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footer: Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook, New York (845) 677-5343