Erica Smithwick

Professor of Geography

Erica Smithwick

Research Summary

Understanding how a wide range of disturbances, especially fire, affect ecosystem function at landscape scales.

Huck Graduate Students

Huck Affiliations

Publication Tags

These publication tags are generated from the output of this researcher. Click any tag below to view other Huck researchers working on the same topic.

Nitrogen Planning Sulfur Deer Carbon Turnover Phenology Rate Ecosystems Ecosystem Herbivores Climate Forests Introduced Plants Odocoileus Virginianus Palatability Fine Root Fine Roots Managers Public Forest Fire Biofuels Disturbance Rhizosphere Fires

Most Recent Publications

Estimating Root Zone Soil Moisture Across the Eastern United States with Passive Microwave Satellite Data and a Simple Hydrologic Model

Douglas Baldwin, Salvatore Manfreda, Henry Lin, Erica Smithwick, Remote Sensing on p. 2013

Quantifying spatial patterns of grass response to nutrient additions using empirical and neutral semivariogram models

Erica Smithwick, Douglas Baldwin, K Naithani,

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

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

Just energy imaginaries? Examining realities of solar development on Pennsylvania's farmland

Kaitlyn Spangler, K , Erica Smithwick, Stephanie Buechler, Jennifer Baka, 2023, Energy Research and Social Science on p. 12

Regenerative landscape design: an integrative framework to enhance sustainability planning

E Smithwick, Jennifer Baka, D Bird, Christopher Blaszscak-Boxe, C Blaszczak-Boxe, C Cole, J Fuentes, Sarah Gergel, Leland Glenna, C Grady, A Graefe, C Hunt, L Iulo, Carter Hunt, L Iulo, Jason Kaye, Klaus Keller, J Kaye, Klaus Keller, 2023, Conservation Ecology

Public and manager perceptions about prescribed fire in the Mid-Atlantic, United States

Hong Wu, Zachary D. Miller, Rui Wang, Katherine Zipp, Peter Newman, Yau-Huo Shr, Cody L. Dems, Alan Taylor, Margot W. Kaye, Erica A.H. Smithwick, 2022, Journal of Environmental Management on p. 10

Interactions between landscape and local factors inform spatial action planning in post-fire forest environments

Jamie L. Peeler, Erica A.H. Smithwick, 2021, Landscape Ecology on p. 3523-3537

Most-Cited Papers

Variability in root production, phenology, and turnover rate among 12 temperate tree species

M. Luke McCormack, Thomas S. Adams, Erica A.H. Smithwick, David M. Eissenstat, 2014, Ecology on p. 2224-2235

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

Improving the representation of roots in terrestrial models

Erica A.H. Smithwick, Melissa S. Lucash, M. Luke McCormack, Gajan Sivandran, 2014, Ecological Modelling on p. 193-204

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

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

Reconstructing disturbances and their biogeochemical consequences over multiple timescales

Kendra K. McLauchlan, Philip E. Higuera, Daniel G. Gavin, Steven S. Perakis, Michelle C. Mack, Heather Alexander, John Battles, Franco Biondi, Brian Buma, Daniele Colombaroli, Sara K. Enders, Daniel R. Engstrom, Feng Sheng Hu, Jennifer R. Marlon, John Marshall, Matt McGlone, Jesse L. Morris, Lucas E. Nave, Bryan Shuman, Erica A.H. Smithwick, Dunia H. Urrego, David A. Wardle, Christopher J. Williams, Joseph J. Williams, 2014, BioScience on p. 105-116

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

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

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

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

News Articles Featuring Erica Smithwick

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 22, 2023

From Jane to the Octonauts, Children’s TV Is Taking on the Climate Crisis

Including climate change in children's tv shows are helping parents talk with their kids about the topic

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