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 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 Climate Change Carbon Climate Sulfur Planning Ecosystem Water Ecosystems Turnover Phenology Deer Biofuels Grazing Quercus Basalt Greenhouse Gases Oak Forests Prescribed Burning Forage Herbivores Effect Rate Biodiversity

Most Recent Publications

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

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

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

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

Stacey K. Olson, Erica A.H. Smithwick, Melissa S. Lucash, Robert M. Scheller, Robert E. Nicholas, Kelsey L. Ruckert, Christopher M. Caldwell, 2021, Ecosystems on p. 1756-1774

Anthony Zhao, Alan H. Taylor, Erica A.H. Smithwick, Margot Kaye, Lucas B. Harris, 2021, Forest Ecology and Management

Cody L. Dems, Alan H. Taylor, Erica A.H. Smithwick, Jesse K. Kreye, Margot W. Kaye, 2021, Fire Ecology on p. 1-13

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

Jamie L. Peeler, Erica A.H. Smithwick, 2020, Landscape Ecology on p. 1945-1959

Cyanne Young, Hervé Fritz, Erica A.H. Smithwick, Jan A. Venter, 2020, African Journal of Range and Forage Science on p. 199-213

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

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

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

Root stress and nitrogen deposition: Consequences and research priorities

Erica A.H. Smithwick, David M. Eissenstat, Gary M. Lovett, Richard D. Bowden, Lindsey E. Rustad, Charles T. Driscoll, 2013, New Phytologist on p. 712-719

M. Luke McCormack, David M. Eissenstat, Anantha M. Prasad, Erica A.H. Smithwick, 2013, Global Change Biology on p. 1697-1708

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

D. Baldwin, S. Manfreda, K. Keller, E. A.H. Smithwick, 2017, Journal of Hydrology on p. 393-404

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

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

News Articles Featuring Erica Smithwick

Energy, environmental seed grants awarded to interdisciplinary research teams

Nineteen interdisciplinary research teams received funding through the Institutes of Energy and the Environment’s (IEE) Seed Grant Program for 2023.

Climate Solutions Symposium to take place at Penn State on May 22 and 23

Penn State will host the Climate Solutions Symposium on May 22 and 23 at the Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center.

Eissenstat retires from College of Ag Sciences after three decades at Penn State

David Eissenstat, professor of woody plant physiology, retired recently after a distinguished 28-year career on the Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences faculty, including a two-year stint as interim head of the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management.

Smithwick appointed new director of Earth and Environmental Systems Institute

Erica Smithwick, distinguished professor of geography, has been named director of the Earth and Environmental Systems Institute at Penn State, effective Jan. 1.

This group of ‘science moms’ is working to make a cleaner, better future for their children: ‘Moms have superpowers’

As everyone is aware, moms always know best. And now, one group of climate scientist moms is sharing their expert knowledge to help parents and kids understand our planet’s warming temperatures.

Fighting fire with fire: Study gauges public perception of prescribed burns

Setting planned, controlled fires — or prescribed burns — on landscapes can reduce wildfire risks and support habitat restoration, but to be successful these policies also require public support.

Macalady named Ecology Institute director

Microbe expert Jennifer Macalady replaces outgoing director Erica Smithwick, who oversaw the research unit for the past five years.

Advanced biofuels show promise for replacing some fossil fuels

Plant-based biofuels can play a key role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and removing excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and growing these crops in certain landscapes offers net climate benefits compared to other land use options, according to a team of international scientists.

Ecology Institute announces grant recipients

The Ecology Institute has awarded 11 proposals from across the University as part of its Flower Grant program, including five projects submitted by faculty at Commonwealth Campuses.

The Penn State Ecology Community is Committed to Combatting Racism and Injustice

The leadership of the Penn State Ecology community wishes to express solidarity with marginalized members of our society, and has prepared the following statement of support to all those who struggle against systemic injustices. We can and must do better.