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Dr. Marion Jackson

Dr. Marion Jackson - Tree Video 

Ph.D., Purdue University

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Research Interests: plant ecology; landscape ecology; natural history.

Recent landscape changes have brought increasing pressure to alter or develop those remaining examples of natural vegetation and the sensitive species they contain. Throughout the world, threats to natural areas and rare species are becoming increasingly more pervasive and serious.

For a number of years, Dr. Jackson has been involved in the study of the structure and dynamics of natural plant communities, particularly in the Midwestern area of the United States. Analysis of both contemporary old-growth forests and presettlement forests of Indiana and Illinois has been the major focus of his research. Other comprehensive studies have been done at Crater Lake, Oregon, and the coastal tundra of western Alaska. Detailed studies of the beech-maple forest type were completed a few years ago. For several years, Dr. Jackson has been examining the impact of prescribed burning on the vegetation and fauna of a sand prairie nature preserve.

Corollary to his forest analyses, other projects include ecological life history studies of selected tree species, notably Kentucky coffeetree (Gymnocladus dioica) and umbrella magnolia (Magnolia tripetala).

The Natural Heritgae of IndianaFor more than 20 years, Dr. Jackson has worked closely with The Nature Conservancy, the Indiana Natural Heritage Program, and the Indiana Division of Nature Preserves in inventorying the locations and habitat conditions of rare, threatened, and endangered species of plants and animals of Indiana. These collaborations have focused on natural area research methodology and protection strategies for habitats and species vulnerable to extirpation.

Selected Publications

Jackson, M. T. 2000. The Natural Heritage of Indiana. Indiana University Press, Bloomington.

Adkison, G. P. and M. T. Jackson. 1996. Changes in ground layer vegetation near trails in Midwestern U.S. Forests. Natural Areas Journal 16: 14-23.

Jackson, M. T. and D. B. Abrell. 1994. Versailles State Park revisited: Twenty years of change in old-growth forests of Laughery Bluff and Dogwood Nature Preserves. Proceedings of the Indiana Academy of Science 98: 401-413.

Scheerer, M. L. and M. T. Jackson. 1989. Experimental use of herbicides to control black locust (Robinia pseudo-acacia) populations in Indiana. Natural Areas Journal 9: 176.

Dubis, D., R. A. Strait, M. T. Jackson, and J. O. Whitaker. 1988. Floristic and effects of buring on vegetation and small mamal populations at Little Bluestem Prairie Nature Preserve. Natural Areas Journal 8: 267-277.