Ronald P. Neilson

Professor (Courtesy)
Biosphere Modeling

FSL 151
Oregon State University
Corvallis, OR 97331

• Office: FSL 151
• Phone: 541-750-7303
• Fax: 541-750-7329

• B.A., 1971, University of Oregon, Eugene
• M.S., 1975, Portland State University, Portland, OR
• Ph.D., 1981, University of Utah, Salt Lake City

• CSS 455/555, Biology of Soil Ecosystem series
• CSS 645, Soil Biology and Biochemistry

Climate change, biogeography, ecosystem modeling, ecotones

Current research is focused on the development of ecosystem simulation models applicable at scales ranging from landscape to global. The MAPSS model has been developed for this purpose and is capable of simulating the spatial distribution of ecosystems at the full range of scales. Efforts are now concentrated on incorporting full biogeochemical cycling with canopy and root-based competition among vegetation lifeforms for light, water and nutrients. The global version of the model will be coupled into an Earth System Model in order to provide accurate calculation of chemical and biophysical feedbacks between the atmosphere and the biosphere.

1. US-EPA, “The Influence of Global Climate Change on Mountain Water Resources,” 1995-1998, $500,000 [PI, M. Wigmosta (Batelle), Co-PI, R.P. Neilson; (Neilson $104,130)].
2. National Science Foundation, “Vegetation Response to Mesoscale Climate Variability in the Mountainous West,” 1995-1997, $70,000 (PI, Sue Ferguson, Co-PI, R.P. Neilson).
3. US-DOE/NIGEC, “Modeling the Effect of Global Change on Grassland Distribution and Productivity at Landscape to Regional Scales,” 1994-1996, $202,000 [PI, R.P. Neilson, Co-PI, Dennis Ojima (CSU); (Neilson $152,000)].
4. USDA Forest Service, Southern Research Station, “Vegetation/Ecosystem Model Analysis Project (VEMAP),” 1993-1996, $142,000 (PI, R.P. Neilson, Co-PI, Team #3 members).
5. USDI National Park Service, “Biogeographic and Ecosystem Response of Great Plains-Grasslands-Parks to Global Climate Change,” 1991-1996, $316,000 [PI, R.P. Neilson, Co-PI, W. Reiners (UW) et al.]

1. Neilson, R.P. and S.W. Running. 1996. Global dynamic vegetation modelling: coupling biogeochemistry and biogeography models, p. 451-465. In: B. Walker and W. Steffen (eds.), Global Change and Terrestrial Ecosystems. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
2. VEMAP Members. 1995. Vegetation/ ecosystem modeling and analysis project: Comparing biogeography and biogeochemistry models in a continental-scale study of terrestrial ecosystem responses to climate change and CO2 doubling. Global Biogeochemical Cycles 9:407-37.
3. Neilson, R.P. and D. Marks. 1994. A global perspective of regional vegetation and hydrologic sensitivities from climatic change. J. Vegetation Sci. 5:715-730.
4. King, G.A. and R.P. Neilson. 1992. The transient response of vegetation to climate change: A potential source of CO2 to the atmosphere. Water, Air and Soil Pollution 64:365-383.