John B. Graham
PhD Candidate, Resource Ecology and Management
University of Michigan, School of Natural Resources and Environment
M.S. Forest Ecology
Ohio University
B.S. Forest Ecosystem Restoration and Management
University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point
MFL Certified Plan Writer
Permaculture Design Certification
Background: I received my B.S. in Forest Ecosystem Restoration and Management, and Biology, and my B.A. in French from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point, and my M.S. in Forest Ecology from Ohio University. My undergraduate and Master’s research explored eastern deciduous fire ecology and wilderness community succession following wildfire and wind disturbances. Before beginning my PhD at UM, I worked as a consulting forester and helped private landowners plan long-term management of their forests. I also spent a year teaching English in Bordeaux, and worked for a renewable energy firm, installing renewable energy systems for homeowners and small businesses.
Research: My current research focuses on countryside biogeography – the intersection of managed landscapes and conservation biology. Broadly, I am interested in exploring the relationship between ecosystem management (particularly forestry and agriculture) and landscape services. More specifically, my work examines the effects of alternative, perennial, agricultural practices – agroforestry and biofuel production – on functional landscape connectivity for native pollinators and amphibians. I use transdisciplinary methods and stakeholder engagement to develop alternative future scenarios, visualize the resulting landscape patterns, and forecast the impact of the scenarios on biodiversity. Through my research, I hope to identify the environmental benefits of innovative agroforestry systems and contribute to the application of ecological principles in the design of multifunctional perennial agricultural systems.
Personal interests: In my spare time, I avidly pursue outdoor activities, including canoeing, backpacking, rock climbing, and biking. I am a proponent of DIY activities and spend time building with natural materials, growing food, blacksmithing, and tinkering on various projects.
Click here for my curriculum vitae