Rodney A. Chimner, Ph.D.

 

Michigan Tech University

School of Forest Resources and

Environmental Sciences

1400 Townsend Drive

Houghton, Michigan 49931

Phone: (906) 487-1464

Fax: (906) 487-2915

rchimner@mtu.edu

 

Research Interests

Applied wetland ecology, riparian and wetland restoration, peatlands, mountain wetlands, tropical peatlands, ecosystem carbon cycling, and wetland ecohydrology.

Educational Background

Colorado State University , Ph.D. in Ecology , December 2000. Dissertation abstract.

Michigan State University , M.S. in Forest Hydrology, August 1994. Thesis abstract.

Northern Michigan University , B.S. in Earth Science, May 1990.

Kellogg Community College , Associate of Arts in Philosophy, May 1988.

 

Professional Experience

Assistant Professor, 2008—Current. School of Forest Resources and Environmental Sciences, Michigan Technological University.

Visiting Assistant Professor, 2005—2008. School of Forest Resources and Environmental Sciences, Michigan Technological University.

Affiliated Research Scientist, 2005—2007. Natural Resources Ecology Laboratory, Colorado State University.

Research Scientist I, 2003 - 2005. Natural Resources Ecology Laboratory, Colorado State University.

Research Associate IV, 2003. Natural Resources Ecology Laboratory, Colorado State University.

Post-Doctoral Ecologist, 2001 - 2002. Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry, U.S.D.A. Forest Service.

Research Consultant, 1994 - Current. Research consultant on many wetland projects through Dr. David Cooper and independent consultant.

Research Assistant, 1992 - 1994. Department of Forestry, Michigan State University.

Research Technician, 1993. Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Hydrological Technician, 1991 - 1992. Intermountain Research Station, U.S.D.A. Forest Service.

Wilderness Instructor, 1991 - 1992. School of Urban and Wilderness Survival. Shoshone, Idaho.

Wilderness Patrol Specialist, 1990. Student Conservation Association. Coronado National Forest, Arizona.

 

Classes Taught

FW4220—Wetlands 

FW5115—Restoration Ecology

FW5510—Foundations of Restoration Ecology

FW5510—Peatland Ecology

FW5510—Northern White Cedar Ecology, Management and Restoration

 

Peer Reviewed Publications

Chimner R.A., J.M. Welker, J. Morgan, D. LeCain and J. Reader. Experimental Manipulations of winter snow and summer Rain Influence Ecosystem Carbon Cycling in a Mixed-grass Prairie, Wyoming, USA. Submitted to Global Change Biology.

Steltzer, H., R. A. Hufbauer, J. M. Welker, M. Casalis, P. F. Sullivan, and R. Chimner. 2008. Frequent sexual reproduction and high intraspecific variation in Salix arctica: Implications for a terrestrial feedback to climate change in the High Arctic, J. Geophys. Res., 113, G03S10, doi:10.1029/2007JG000503.

Blumenthal D., R.A. Chimner, J. M. Welker, J. Morgan. 2008. Increased snow facilitates plant invasion in mixedgrass prairie. In Press at New Phytologist.

 

R.A. Chimner, J.M. Karberg. 2008. Long-term carbon accumulation in tropical mountain peatlands, Andes Mountains, Ecuador. In Press at Mires and Peat 3: Art. 4. (Online: http://www.mires-and-peat.net/map03/map_03_04.htm).

Sullivan P.F., S.J.T. Arens, R.A. Chimner and J.M. Welker. 2008. Temperature and microtopography interact to control carbon cycling in a high arctic fen. Ecosystems 11:61-76.

Chimner, R.A., B. Fry, M.Y. Kaneshiro and N. Cormier. 2006. Current extent and historical expansion of introduced mangroves on O`ahu, Hawai`i. Pacific Science 60(3):377-383.

Chimner, R.A. and K.C. Ewel. 2005. A Tropical Freshwater Wetland: II. Production, decomposition, and peat formation. Wetland Ecology and Management 13:671-684.

Chimner, R.A., and J.M. Welker. 2005. Ecosystem respiration responses to changes in climate in the Mixedgrass Prairie. Biogeochemistry 73:257-270.

Welker, J. M., J.T. Fahnestock, P.F. Sullivan and R.A. Chimner. 2005. Leaf Mineral Nutrition of Arctic Plants in Response to Warming and Deeper Snow in northern Alaska. Oikos 109:167-177.

Chimner, R.A. and K.C. Ewel. 2004. Differences in carbon fluxes between forested and cultivated Micronesian tropical peatlands. Wetland Ecology and Management 12:419-427.

Welker, J. M., J.T. Fahnestock, G.H.R. Henry, K.W. O'Dea, and R.A. Chimner. 2004. CO2 exchange in the Canadian High Arctic: Response to long-term experimental warming. Global Change Biology 10:1981-1995.

Chimner, R.A. 2004. Soil respiration rates in tropical peatlands of Micronesia and Hawaii. Wetlands 24(1):51-56.

Chimner, R.A. and D.J. Cooper. 2004. Using stable oxygen isotopes to determine the source of water used for transpiration by native shrubs in the San Luis Valley, Colorado U.S.A. Plant and Soil 260:225-236.

Chimner, R.A. and D.J. Cooper. 2003. Carbon Dynamics of Pristine and Hydrologically Modified Fens in the Southern Rocky Mountains. Canadian Journal of Botany 81(5) 477-491.

Cooper, D.J., D.C. Anderson, and R.A. Chimner. 2003 Multiple pathways for woody plant establishment on floodplains. Journal of Ecology 91:182-196.

Chimner, R.A. and D.J. Cooper. 2003. Influence of water table position on CO2 emissions in a Colorado subalpine fen: An in situ microcosm study. Soil Biology and Biogeochemistry 35(3): 345-351.

Chimner, R.A., D.J. Cooper, and W.J. Parton. 2002. Modeling carbon accumulation in Rocky Mountain fens. Wetlands 22(1):100-110.

Kaye, J.P., S.C. Resh. M.W. Kaye and R.A Chimner. 2000. Nutrient and carbon dynamics in a replacement series of Eucalyptus and Albizia trees. Ecology 81:3267-3273.

Cooper D.J., D.M. Merritt, D.C. Anderson and R.A. Chimner. 1999. Factors controlling the establishment of Fremont cottonwood seedlings on the upper Green River, USA. Regulated Rivers: Research and Management 15:419-440.

Chimner, R.A. and J.B. Hart. 1996. Hydrology and microtopography effects on northern white-cedar regeneration in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Canadian Journal of Forestry Research 26:389-393.

 

Other Publications

Chimner, R.A., E. Brione G. Bonvissuto M. Cremona. 2007. Exploring the hydro-ecological conditions of high elevation wetlands in the Andes Mountains. Final report to The national Geographical Society.

Chimner, R.A., D.J. Cooper, J. Lemly, K. Nydick. 2006. Regional Assessment of Fen Distribution, Condition, and Restoration Needs, San Juan Mountains, Colorado. Final report to EPA Region 8.

Chimner, R.A. and, D.J. Cooper. 2006. A report on the restoration potential of Chattanooga Fen, San Juan’s, Colorado.  Annual report to San Juan National Forest.

Chimner, R.A., J M Welker, J Morgan, J Reeder, and J Schuman. 2006. c, n and h2o dynamics in mixed-grass prairie following coupled changes in winter snow and summer precipitation. Final report to NIGEC.

David J. Cooper , R.A. Chimner, E. Wolf 2005.  Livestock use and the sustainability of Sierra Nevada fens. Report prepared for Inyo National Forest.

David Cooper, E. Gage, and R.A. Chimner. 2004. Ecological and Hydrological Responses to Flow Diversion along a Small-order Montane Stream. Report submitted to USFS.

Chimner, R.A., D.J. Cooper, and W.J. Parton. 2002. Modelling Carbon Accumulation in Rocky Mountain Fens Using the CENTURY Ecosystem Model. Long Term Dynamics and Contemporary Carbon Budget of Northern Peatlands. Zicheng Yu, J.S. Bhatti and M.J. Apps. (editors). Proceedings of the International Workshop on Carbon Dynamics of Forested Peatlands: Knowledge Gaps, Uncertainty and Modelling Approaches. Edmonton, Alberta 23-24 March 2001. Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service, Northern Forestry Centre, Edmonton, Alberta. Inf. Rep. NOR-X-383.

Chimner, R.A. Patterns of Soil Respiration in Tropical Peatlands. 2001 Annual Report for National Park Service. HALE-2001-SCI-0023, HALE-00025.

Woods S.W., D.J. Cooper, L.H. MacDonald, and R.A. Chimner, 2000. Hydrologic effects of the Grand Ditch on streams and wetlands in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. Final report submitted to Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park, Colorado.

Woods S.W., and R.A. Chimner, 1999. Hydrology and Geomorphology of the Lake Pasture Wetland in Southern Larimer County, Colorado. Technical report submitted to Colorado Natural Areas Program, Denver, Colorado.

Cooper, D.J., D.P. Groeneveld and R.A. Chimner. 1998.  Evaluation of Evapotranspiration rates of native non-wetland communities in the San Luis Valley, Colorado. Report submitted to the Rio Grande Water Conservation District.

Cooper, D.J., C. Arp and R.A. Chimner. 1998.  The sediment retention, carbon storage, and carbon export functions performed by four Colorado Wetlands.  In: Characterization and functional assessment of reference wetlands in Colorado: A preliminary investigation of hydrogeomorphic (HGM) classification and functions for Colorado’s wetlands.  Colorado Geological Survey, Colorado Department of Natural Resources, Colorado School of Mines and Colorado State University.

Cooper, D.J., L.H. MacDonald, R.A. Chimner and S. Woods. 1997. Hydrologic Impacts of the Grand Ditch and Wetland Vegetation Communities of the Kawuneeche Valley, Rocky Mountain National Park. Report submitted to Rocky Mountain National Park.

Cooper D.J., R.A. Chimner and D. D’Amico. 1996. The role of groundwater vs. soil water in maintaining San Luis Valley-floor native vegetation: an analysis of plant roots, soil properties and soil water.  Report submitted to the Rio Grande Water Conservation District.

 

Conference Presentations

Chimner, R.A., D.J. Cooper and J. Lemly. 2007. Regional Assessment of Fen Distribution, Condition, and Restoration Needs, San Juan Mountains, Colorado. Society of Wetland Scientist 29th Annual Conference, Sacramento, California.

Chimner, R.A. 2006. Using the Carbon Cycle to Study Peatland Management and Sustainability. Applying Scientific, Legal, and Management Tools for the Great Lakes and Beyond. Association of State Wetland Managers. Traverse City, MI.

Chimner, R.A. and D.J. Cooper. 2006. Using the Carbon Cycle to Study Mountain Fen Management and Sustainability. Western Water Conference, Denver CO.

Chimner, R.A., D.J. Cooper and K. Ewel. 2005. Using the Carbon Cycle to Study Fen Management and Sustainability. Society of Wetland Scientist 26th Annual Conference, Charleston, South Carolina.

Chimner, R.A., J.M. Welker, J. Morgan, J. Reeder and D. LeCain. 2004. Carbon cycling dynamics in mixed-grass prairie following coupled changes in winter snow and summer precipitation. American Geophysical Union Meeting, San Francisco, California.

Chimner, R.A. and D.J. Cooper. Ecosystem Carbon Cycling in San Juan Fens. State of the San Juans Meeting, Silverton, Colorado. September 24-26, 2004.

Chimner, R.A. and J.M. Welker. CO2 Flux Responses in Mixedgrass Prairies to Changes in Climate and Grazing History. Ameriflux 2004 Meeting, Boulder, Colorado.

Chimner, R.A. and J.M. Welker. C, N, and H2O Dynamics in a Mixed Grass Prairie Following Coupled Changes in Winter Snow and Summer Precipitation. NIGEC Central Plains Regional Meeting. Lincoln , NE, August 18, 2003.

Chimner, R.A., M. Kaneshiro, and B. Fry. Extent and Expansion of Mangroves on Oahu, Hawaii. Wetland Management in the Hawaiian Islands Workshop. Kailua, HI, October 31 - November 1, 2002.

Chimner, R.A. and K.C. Ewel. Mechanisms of Carbon Accumulation in Micronesian Tropical Forested peatlands. Society of Wetland Scientist 23rd Annual Conference, Lake Placid, NY, June 2 - 7, 2002.

Chimner, R.A., D.J. Cooper, and W.J. Parton.  Modelling Carbon Accumulation in Rocky Mountain Fens Using the CENTURY Ecosystem Model. International Workshop on Carbon Dynamics of Forested Peatlands: Knowledge Gaps, Uncertainty and Modelling Approaches. Edmonton, Alberta 23-24 March 2001.

Chimner, R.A. and D.J. Cooper. Using CENTURY model to simulate long-term carbon accumulation in fens. Society of Wetland Scientist 21st Annual Conference with the International Congress of Ecology, Quebec City, August 6 – 12, 2000.

Chimner, R.A. 2000. Carbon Dynamics of Southern Rocky Mountain Peatlands. Ecological Society of Australia, Tasmania Chapter.

Chimner, R.A. and D.J. Cooper. The Effects of a Water Diversion Project on Peatland Carbon Balances, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. Front Range Student Ecology Symposium, Colorado State University, 1999.

Chimner, R.A. and D.J. Cooper. The effects of a water diversion project on peatland carbon balances, Rocky Mountain National Park, CO. Paper presented at Society of Wetland Scientists, 20th Annual Conference. Norfolk, Virginia, June 6-12, 1999.

Chimner, R.A. and D.J. Cooper. Carbon Export Functions Performed by Four Colorado Wetlands. Colorado Geological Survey, 1998.

Chimner, R.A. and D.J. Cooper. 1997. Water Table Level Effects on Evapotranspiration Rates in the San Luis Valley, Colorado. Student Water Symposium, Colorado State University.

 

Awarded Grants

Cooper D.J., R.A. Chimner and K. Nydick. 2008. Development of a Regional Restoration and Protection Program for Mountain Fens. Awarded through EPA Region 8. $195,510.

 Pregitzer, K., A. Burton, E. Lilleskov, C. Swanston, R. Chimner, J. Eikenberry, T. Pypker. 2007. Expanding the capability of the isotope facility of the Ecosystem Science Center. State of Michigan Equipment Grant. $48K.

Marr, J. and R.A. Chimner. 2007. Wetland identification, inventory and assessment of KBIC wetlands. Keweenaw Bay Indian Community. $35K.

Chimner, R.A. and M.M. Turetsky. 2007. Collaborative Research: Effects of plant species, organic matter quality, and microbial activity on peatland ecosystem function and resilience to climate change. DOE-NICCR. $392K.

Bolli J.M., R.A. Chimner and G. Eckart. 2007. Analyzing water isotopes to determine impacts of burning in a mesic burr oak forest. National Park Service. $21K.

Chimner, R.A. 2007. Developing methods for restoring vegetation in disturbed iron fens in the San Juan National Juan National Forest, Colorado. USFS Agreement $13K.

Chimner, R.A. 2007. Developing methods for restoring gullied fens in the San Juan National Forest, Colorado. USFS Agreement $10K.

Cooper D.J., R.A. Chimner and K. Nydick. 2005. Regional assessment of fen distribution, condition, and restoration needs, San Juan Mountains. Awarded through EPA Region 8. $101K.

Cooper, D.J. and R.A. Chimner. 2005. Analysis of mine drainage impacts on fens in the Chattanooga and Burro Bridge areas, and the potential for restoration. Awarded from USFS. $12.8K.

Chimner, R.A. 2005. Exploring the hydro-ecological conditions of high elevation wetlands in the Andes Mountains. Awarded from the National Geographic Society. $19K.

Cooper, D.J., R.A. Chimner, and N.T. Hobbs. 2005. Elk impacts on alpine willow communities, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado and the Development of a Protocol for Assessing Alpine Tundra Vegetation. $20K.

Cooper, D.J., R.A. Chimner and E. Wolf. Influence of proposed water supply pumping wells on the hydrologic regime, soils and vegetation of the Crane Flat region, Yosemite National Park, California. Awarded from Yosemite National Park. $20K.

Chimner, R.A. 2004. C, N. & H2O dynamics in mixed-grass prairie following coupled changes in winter & summer precipitation. Awarded through Department of Energy, NIGEC. $120K.

Cooper D.J. and R.A. Chimner. 2004. Fen Monitoring, assessment and protection, San Juan Mountains. Awarded through EPA Region 8. $65K.

Society of Wetlands student travel award, 2000.

Chimner, R.A. 1999. Experimentally testing the effects of lowering water levels on plant production and gaseous carbon efflux in a peatland in Rocky Mountain National Park. Society of Wetland Scientists Student Research Grant. $2K.

 

Additional Activities and Awards

MTU Wetlands Club mentor, 2007-current.

President of Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Society of Wetland Scientists, 2004-2005.

Sponsored a native Hawaiian summer intern through the University of Hawaii Hawaiian Internship Program (UH-HIP).

Volunteer with Trees, Water, and People.  Local conservation group dedicated to building wetlands for local outdoor living laboratories.

Wetland Delineation and Management Training Course. 38 hour Army Corps of Engineers certified training course through Richard Chinn Environmental Training, Inc, June 24 – 27th, 2002, Honolulu, Hawaii.

Invited speaker to the International Workshop on Carbon Dynamics of Forested Peatlands: Knowledge Gaps, Uncertainty and Modelling Approaches. Edmonton, Alberta 23-24 March 2001. Co-Chair of 5th Annual Front Range Student Ecology Symposium, March 31st – April 2nd, 1999. Colorado State University.