Assistant Professor of Forest Ecology
My primary research interests include long-term change in forest ecosystems, especially as related to natural disturbance and forest structural development. I am particularly interested in the use of ecological theory to establish forest restoration targets and guide restoration treatment design.
PhD, Forest Resources, University of Washington, 2009
BS, Forest Resources, University of Washington, 2003
Disturbances and structural development of natural forests
Ecological forestry and restoration silviculture
Spatial ecology and methods of spatial pattern detection and analysis
Churchill, D.J., A.J. Larson, M.C. Dahlgreen, J.F. Franklin, P.F. Hessburg, and J.A. Lutz. 2013. Restoring forest resilience: from reference spatial patterns to silvicultural prescriptions and monitoring. Forest Ecology and Management 291: 442-457. (doi)
Supporting information: Implementation Guide for Managers
Gabrielson, A.T., A.J. Larson, J.A. Lutz, and J.J. Reardon. 2012. Biomass and burning characteristics of sugar pine cones. Fire Ecology 8: 58-70. (pdf)
Larson, A.J., K. Stover, C.R. Keyes. 2012. Effects of restoration thinning on spatial heterogeneity in mixed conifer forest. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 42: 1505-1517.
Lutz J.A., Larson A.J., Swanson M.E., Freund J.A. 2012. Ecological importance of large-diameter trees in a temperate mixed-conifer forest. PLoS ONE. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0036131
Larson, A.J. and Churchill, D. 2012. Tree spatial patterns in fire-frequent forests of western North America, including mechanisms of pattern formation and implications for designing fuel reduction and restoration treatments. Forest Ecology and Management 267: 74-92. (DOI)
Larson, A.J. and J.F. Franklin. 2010. The tree mortality regime in temperate old-growth coniferous forests: the role of physical damage. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 40:2091-2103.
van Mantgem, P.J., N.L. Stephenson, J.C. Byrne, L.D. Daniels, J.F. Franklin, P.Z. Fulé, M.E. Harmon, A.J. Larson, J.M. Smith, A.H. Taylor, and T.T. Veblen. 2009. Widespread increase of tree mortality rates in the western United States. Science 323:521-524.
Larson, A.J. and D. Churchill. 2008. Spatial patterns of overstory trees in late-successional conifer forests. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 38:2814-2825.
Larson, A.J., J.A. Lutz, R.F. Gersonde, J.F. Franklin, and F.F. Hietpas. 2008. Potential site productivity influences the rate of forest structural development. Ecological Applications 18:899-910.
Larson, A.J. and R.T. Paine. 2007. Ungulate herbivory: Indirect effects cascade into the treetops. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA 104:5-6.
Larson, A.J. and J.F. Franklin. 2006. Structural segregation and scales of spatial dependency in Abies amabilis forests. Journal of Vegetation Science 17:489-498.
Larson, A.J. and J.F. Franklin. 2005. Patterns of conifer tree regeneration following an autumn wildfire event in the western Oregon Cascade Range, USA. Forest Ecology and Management 218:25-36.
