Erica Smithwick
Professor of Geography
-
323 Walker
University Park, PA - She/Her
- eus17@psu.edu
- 814-865-6693
Research Summary
Understanding how a wide range of disturbances, especially fire, affect ecosystem function at landscape scales.
Huck Graduate Students
Huck Affiliations
Most Recent Publications
Heterogeneous Perceptions of Rainfall Patterns Among Agropastoral Land Users in Sub-Saharan Africa
Susan M. Kotikot, Erica A.H. Smithwick, Jedidah Nankaya, Sarah Gergel, Karl S. Zimmerer, Romulus Abila, 2025, Annals of the American Association of Geographers
Observations of enhanced rainfall variability in Kenya, East Africa
Susan M. Kotikot, Erica A.H. Smithwick, Helen Greatrex, 2024, Scientific Reports
Integrating Values to Improve the Relevance of Climate-Risk Research
Casey Helgeson, Klaus Keller, Robert Eugene Nicholas, Vivek Srikrishnan, Courtney Cooper, Erica Smithwick, Nancy Tuana, 2024, Earth's Future
Building a mangrove ecosystem monitoring tool for managers using Sentinel-2 imagery in Google Earth Engine
Susan M. Kotikot, Olivia Spencer, Jordan R. Cissell, Grant Connette, Erica A.H. Smithwick, Allie Durdall, Kristin W. Grimes, Heather A. Stewart, Orian Tzadik, Steven W.J. Canty, 2024, Ocean and Coastal Management
Predicting the suitable habitat distribution of berry plants under climate change
Casey W. Hamilton, Erica A.H. Smithwick, Katie V. Spellman, Andrew P. Baltensperger, Blaine T. Spellman, Guangqing Chi, 2024, Landscape Ecology
Barriers and opportunities for implementing prescribed fire: lessons from managers in the mid-Atlantic region, United States
Erica Smithwick, Hong Wu, Kaitlyn Spangler, Mahsa Adib, Rui Wang, Cody Dems, A Taylor, Margot Wilkinson Kaye, Katherine Zipp, P Newman, Zachary Miller, Anthony Zhao, 2024, Fire Ecology
Relocation preference and settlement: Lessons from the Poverty Alleviation Relocation Program in China
Shuai Zhou, Guangqing Chi, Huanguang Qiu, Zhen Lei, Erica Smithwick, Jiquan Chen, 2024, PLoS One on p. e0309534
Balancing multiple forest management objectives under climate change in central Wisconsin, U.S.A.
Melissa S. Lucash, Neil G. Williams, Vivek Srikrishnan, Klaus Keller, Robert M. Scheller, Casey Hegelson, Robert E. Nicholas, Erica A.H. Smithwick, 2023, Trees, Forests and People
Integrating Menominee model for sustainable forestry with Systems Thinking competency through 3D virtual tours
Ellie Nasr-Azadani, Erica A.H. Smithwick, Stuart J. Steidle, Melissa S. Lucash, Denice H. Wardrop, Nathan T. Fregien, Thomas R. Kenote, 2023, Sustainability Science on p. 2605-2628
Testing presence, assessing attitudes: Study of a 3D virtual tour in an “aesthetically challenged” landscape
Stuart Steidle, Melissa Lucash, Ellie Nasr-Azadani, Erica Smithwick, 2023, Journal of Environmental Management
Most-Cited Papers
Robust paths to net greenhouse gas mitigation and negative emissions via advanced biofuels
John L. Field, Tom L. Richard, Erica A.H. Smithwick, Hao Cai, Mark S. Laser, David S. LeBauer, Stephen P. Long, Keith Paustian, Zhangcai Qin, John J. Sheehan, Pete Smith, Michael Q. Wang, Lee R. Lynd, 2020, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America on p. 21968-21977
Predicting root zone soil moisture with soil properties and satellite near-surface moisture data across the conterminous United States
D. Baldwin, S. Manfreda, K. Keller, E. A.H. Smithwick, 2017, Journal of Hydrology on p. 393-404
Representing climate, disturbance, and vegetation interactions in landscape models
Robert E. Keane, Donald McKenzie, Donald A. Falk, Erica A.H. Smithwick, Carol Miller, Lara Karena B. Kellogg, 2015, Ecological Modelling on p. 33-47
Growth and survival relationships of 71 tree species with nitrogen and sulfur deposition across the conterminous U.S.
Kevin J. Horn, R. Quinn Thomas, Christopher M. Clark, Linda H. Pardo, Mark E. Fenn, Gregory B. Lawrence, Steven S. Perakis, Erica A.H. Smithwick, Douglas Baldwin, Sabine Braun, Annika Nordin, Charles H. Perry, Jennifer N. Phelan, Paul G. Schaberg, Samuel B.St Clair, Richard Warby, Shaun Watmough, 2018, PLoS One
Deer feeding selectivity for invasive plants
Kristine M. Averill, David A. Mortensen, Erica A.H. Smithwick, Eric Post, 2016, Biological Invasions on p. 1247-1263
A regional assessment of white-tailed deer effects on plant invasion
Kristine M. Averill, David A. Mortensen, Erica A.H. Smithwick, Susan Kalisz, William J. McShea, Norman A. Bourg, John D. Parker, Alejandro A. Royo, Marc D. Abrams, David K. Apsley, Bernd Blossey, Douglas H. Boucher, Kai L. Caraher, Antonio DiTommaso, Sarah E. Johnson, Robert Masson, Victoria A. Nuzzo, 2018, AoB PLANTS
Conceptual links between landscape diversity and diet diversity: A roadmap for transdisciplinary research
Sarah E. Gergel, Bronwen Powell, Frédéric Baudron, Sylvia L.R. Wood, Jeanine M. Rhemtulla, Gina Kennedy, Laura V. Rasmussen, Amy Ickowitz, Matthew E. Fagan, Erica A.H. Smithwick, Jessica Ranieri, Stephen A. Wood, Jeroen C.J. Groot, Terry C.H. Sunderland, 2020, BioScience on p. 563-575
Forest pattern, not just amount, influences dietary quality in five African countries
Laura Vang Rasmussen, Matthew E. Fagan, Amy Ickowitz, Sylvia L.R. Wood, Gina Kennedy, Bronwen Powell, Frédéric Baudron, Sarah Gergel, Suhyung Jung, Erica A.H. Smithwick, Terry Sunderland, Stephen Wood, Jeanine M. Rhemtulla, 2019, Global Food Security on p. 1-11
Sensitivity of four ecological models to adjustments in fine root turnover rate
M. Luke McCormack, Elizabeth Crisfield, Brett Raczka, Frank Schnekenburger, David M. Eissenstat, Erica A.H. Smithwick, 2015, Ecological Modelling on p. 107-117
The value of linking paleoecological and neoecological perspectives to understand spatially-explicit ecosystem resilience
B. Buma, B. J. Harvey, D. G. Gavin, R. Kelly, T. Loboda, B. E. McNeil, J. R. Marlon, A. J.H. Meddens, J. L. Morris, K. F. Raffa, B. Shuman, E. A.H. Smithwick, K. K. McLauchlan, 2019, Landscape Ecology on p. 17-33
News Articles Featuring Erica Smithwick
May 14, 2025
Second round of Penn State-Auckland seed grant recipients complete projects
The 18-month term for the 2023-24 seed grant-funded projects recently concluded, with the teams submitting their final reports.
Full Article
Apr 24, 2025
A New Jersey wildfire tore through thousands of acres—right after the state cut back on prescribed burns
With near-drought conditions, fire officials reduced prescribed burns this spring even as they worried about ‘quite a fire season’ ahead.
Full Article
Apr 22, 2025
Special Report: Earth's warming affecting Americans from coast to coast
How global warming is affecting Americans.
Full Article
Mar 19, 2025
Three deans co-host research scholarship and land grant impacts event March 24
Three Penn State deans are co-hosting an event focusing on role of the University as Pennsylvania’s land-grant institution, the similar role of U.S. land-grant universities and the impacts of scholarly research they produce.
Full Article
Oct 31, 2024
$1.3M NSF grant to fund research into restoration of degraded ecosystems
An international team of researchers led by Ida Djenontin, assistant professor of geography at Penn State, was recently awarded a $1.3 million grant from the U.S. National Science Foundation’s Dynamics of Integrated Socio-Environmental Systems program to investigate the socioecological outcomes of restoration in degraded woodlands ecosystems.
Full Article
Oct 17, 2024
Climate Consortium awards projects to drive climate solutions across key sectors
The Penn State Climate Consortium has awarded funding to four research projects through its Climate Solutions Accelerator Program. Through this program, the consortium aims to put promising climate solutions into action via interdisciplinary partnerships.
Full Article
Sep 13, 2024
How this one climate fix means a school nurse sees fewer students sick from the heat
At Johnson Senior High School in St. Paul, Minnesota, lack of air conditioning had become a major problem for students and staff. But that was then. Last fall the school installed a heat pump cooling system, a type that makes use of the cooler temperatures underground.
Full Article
Aug 07, 2024
Texas Reservoir Water Levels Are Hitting Record Lows. Here's Why
Two of Texas's most important reservoirs are seeing lower water levels than ever before.
Full Article
Jun 27, 2024
Erica Smithwick: Climate Change in Context
Dr. Erica Smithwick is a leading climate scientist, but she acknowledges that changing how society views global warming is more about conversations with friends and neighbors than warnings from experts.
Full Article
Jun 18, 2024
Climate change is making heat waves like this week's more common and severe in Pa.
The first significant heat wave of this season is affecting much of the Midwest to the Northeast this week, including Pennsylvania. That's according to the National Weather Service. All of central and northern Pennsylvania is under a heat advisory until 8 p.m. on Saturday, with heat index values up to 101 degrees.
Full Article
Jun 06, 2024
How a group of scientists and moms are fighting back against climate change
The Science Moms are working to protect the future of our kids and giving you the tools to demand change. Dr. Erica Smithwick, a professor at Penn State, joined us to talk about the group's important message.
Full Article
Feb 14, 2024
Stable profits, land preservation matter to farmers debating solar leases
Stable and predictable profit is an important factor to Pennsylvania farmers considering leasing out their land for solar energy development, it’s not enough on its own
Full Article
Dec 21, 2023
Radio Clip on rural zone updates
There have been rural zone updates because of climate change and its affect on plant life
Full Article
Dec 12, 2023
Climate in Crisis: AGU conference in San Francisco this week
Experts share their research to better understand the environment and collaborate on solutions at the American Geophysical Union annual meeting
Full Article
Dec 07, 2023
Climate Consortium announces call for workshop proposals
The Penn State Climate Consortium has launched the Climate Solutions Accelerator, an innovative effort aimed at catalyzing research projects geared towards offering impactful climate solutions for communities in Pennsylvania and globally.
Full Article
Nov 06, 2023
Collaborative landscape design approach may improve resiliency, human well-being
A newly proposed landscape stewardship framework may lead to a more resilient and adaptable environment and improved quality of life for people.
Full Article
Sep 13, 2023
PSU expert shares advice on how to navigate extreme heat closures with students
Changes in the climate have been forcing many schools to temporarily close or cancel activities
Full Article
Sep 03, 2023
Climate change strains Pa. farmers with extreme heat, floods, droughts
Climate change is impacting Pennsylvania farmers
Full Article
Aug 02, 2023
How much good does recycling do these days?
What can and cannot be recycled and what impact it has
Full Article
Aug 02, 2023
Erica Smithwick: A practical, financially helpful way to fight climate change
The impact heat pumps can help make a difference on climate change
Full Article
Jul 14, 2023
A Penn State expert on learning to live with wildfires, as climate change heats up
Wildfires in Canada are breaking records this year, burning more than 20 million acres so far. One effect has been days of haze and unhealthy air in Pennsylvania.
Full Article
Jun 12, 2023
'This is on our doorstep now': Wildfire smoke is new hazard in upper Midwest
Smoke from Canadian wildfires that turned skies along the East Coast a sickly yellow also brought air quality alerts to much of the Midwest last week. State health departments cautioned people with heart and lung conditions to reduce outdoor exposure.
Full Article
Jun 10, 2023
Canada Wildfires and Air Quality Impact
This broadcast TV segment features Erica Smithwick, Distinguished Professor of Geography and director of the Earth and Environmental Systems Institute. Similar segments aired on at least a dozen local stations across the country.
Full Article
Jun 09, 2023
'This is on our doorstep now': Wildfire smoke a reminder that climate change impacts human health
Smoke from Canadian wildfires that turned skies along the East Coast a sickly yellow has become yet another illustration of how changes in our climate foster extreme weather events.
Full Article
Jun 08, 2023
What’s actually in all that smoke you’re breathing
Billowing clouds of Canadian wildfire smoke have transformed blue skies into apocalyptic orange scenes across the eastern United States.
Full Article