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Mark Norris
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443-394-9789
Office Hours
  • Varies by semester
  • By appointment
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Mark Norris Ph.D.

Professor
Biological Sciences | Fine School of the Sciences

Education

  • Ph.D. University of Minnesota, Natural Resources Science and Management (2008)
  • M.S. Kansas State University, Biology (2000)
  • B.S. Allegheny College, Environmental Science (1997)

Professional Experience

  • Stevenson University Professor, Biological Sciences 2017-present
  • Stevenson University Associate Professor, Biological Sciences 2013-2017
  • The College at Brockport State University of New York Assistant Professor, Environmental Science 2005-2013
  • Creighton University Resident Assistant Professor, Biology 2004-2005

Research

I am primarily a forest ecologist with research projects that involve both community and ecosystem level analyses with respect to various natural and anthropogenic disturbances and/or management. The emerging theme in current work is that of patterns of biodiversity in our suburban habitats on or near campus. The overarching goal of this work is to apply our findings to conservation or restoration efforts to maintain native diversity in both natural and managed systems. Ongoing projects include researching 1) patterns of amphibian community composition, phenology, habitat selection, and ecology; and 2) the vertical structure of biodiversity and micrcohabitats in forest trees focusing on the variation within the forest canopy. Other recent projects have including 3) the examination of novel ecosystems resulting from the ecological impacts of non-native tree pests; and 4) an assessment of both forest and wetland restoration efforts. Much of this research occurs outside though there are often indoor lab or greenhouse components. Students & I will work as a team to define research goals and to pursue research objectives. Students will be given the opportunity to present at local or regional scientific meetings.

Publications

  • Brown, J. and M.D. Norris. 2018. Detecting soil and plant community changes in restored wetlands using a chronosequence approach. Wetland Ecology and Management. 26(3):299–314. DOI: 10.1007/s11273-017-9574-7
  • Richards, P.L., M.D. Norris, and B.B. Lin. 2013. The hydrologic implications of oldfield succession: depression storage and leaf litter. Ecohydrology. 6(5):863-877. DOI: 10.1002/eco.1310
  • Norris, M.D., P.B. Reich, P.G. Avis, and S.Hobbie. 2013. Positive feedback between decomposition and nitrogen fertility gradients. Plant and Soil. 367(1-2):347-361. DOI: 10.1007/s11104-012-1449-3
  • Norris, M.D. 2012. Land cover change in Western New York: Consequences for soil C dynamics. Northeastern Naturalist. 19(6):89-100.
  • Bernacki, R. and M. Norris. 2011. Old growth forests threatened by invasive pests. Proceedings of the National Conference on Undergraduate Research. 2011:470-478.
  • Norris, M.D. and P. B. Reich. 2009. Modest nitrogen conservation via retranslocation across two N fertility gradients. Plant and Soil. 316(1):193-204.
  • Norris, M.D., J.M. Blair, and L.C. Johnson. 2007. Altered ecosystem nitrogen dynamics as a consequence of land cover change in tallgrass prairie. American Midland Naturalist. 158(2):432-445.
  • McKinley, D.C., M.D. Norris, J.M. Blair, and L.C. Johnson. 2007. Altered ecosystem processes as a consequence of Juniperus virginiana L. encroachment into North American tallgrass prairie. Pages 170-187 in Van Auken (ed.) Western North American Juniperus Communities: A Dynamic Vegetation Type. Springer.
  • Norris, M.D., J.M. Blair, and L.C. Johnson. 2001. Land cover change in eastern Kansas: litter dynamics of closed-canopy eastern redcedar forests in tallgrass prairie. Can. J. Bot. 79(2):214-222.
  • Norris, M.D., J.M. Blair, L.C. Johnson, and R.B. McKane. 2001. Developing regression equations to assess shifts in biomass, productivity, and nutrient stores following Juniperus virginiana forest establishment in tallgrass prairie. Can. J. Forest Research. 31(11):1940-1946.

Teaching

  • FYS 100 – First Year Seminar (BIO/ENV)
  • BIO 104 – The Human Body and Contemporary Health Issues
  • PHYS 115 – You Are Here; Earth and Space Sciences
  • BIO 114L – General Biology II: Structure and Function of Organisms Lab
  • BIO 115 – General Biology III: Ecology and Evolution
  • BIO 115L – General Biology III: Ecology and Evolution Lab
  • ENV 150 – Society and the Environment
  • ENV 213 – Ecology
  • BIO 218 – Career Connections in the Life Sciences
  • BIO 235L – Diversity of Life
  • ENV 255 – Techniques in Environmental Science
  • ENV 260 – Forest Ecology and Management
  • ENV 275 – Environmental Science
  • ENV/BIO 365 – Independent Research
  • ENV 415 – Urban Ecology
  • ENV 420 – Restoration Ecology
  • BIO 440 – Topics in Biology: Global change biology
  • BIO/BIOCH/CHEM/ENV/MATH 475 – Capstone Seminar

Highlights

Projects and Funding

  • S3RP (Stevenson’s Summer Science Scholars Research Program). Biodiversity and vertical structure of microhabitats of forest trees. 2023.
  • SOS Seed Grant $7,217. Ecological impacts and restoration of an emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) infestation of ash-dominated forests of Western New York. 2016.
  • S3RP (Stevenson’s Summer Science Scholars Research Program). Ecological impacts of simulated and actual Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis) infestation. 2014.
  • LI-COR Biosciences LI-COR Environmental Education Fund $23,994. Leef Bud Package: LI-6400XTP Portable Photosynthesis System. 2013.
  • Brockport Foundation Summer Undergraduate Research Program (with R. Bernacki). $3200 The potential effects of invasive pests on old growth forest composition and ecosystem functioning. 2010.
  • New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (with C. Norment). $7,500. Grassland restoration and avian habitat. 2006 – 2008.

Recent presentations

  • Mark Norris. Biodiversity of tree canopies: Growing a new collaborative project. Paul. D. Lack Scholars Showcase. Stevenson University. 2023.
  • Peyton Arbour, Isabel Berner, & Mark Norris. Amphibians as indicator species. Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the Ecological Society of America meeting, University of Delaware. 2023.
  • Ian Sachs & Mark Norris. Vertical structure of biodiversity and microhabitats of forest trees. Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the Ecological Society of America meeting, University of Delaware. 2023.
  • Aquila Lambert, Emily Wise, & Mark Norris. Overstory effects of Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) on Riparian Forests. Northeastern Natural History Conference. Albany, NY. 2022.
  • Alex J. Morales and Mark Norris. Use of Trail Cameras in a Suburban Environment to Observe and Catalog Wildlife. Northeastern Natural History Conference. Albany, NY. 2022.
  • Maranda Stech and Mark Norris. Comparison of Community Composition in Recently Restored and Natural Wetlands. Northeastern Natural History Conference, Virtual. 2021.
  • Mark Norris. Enhancing ecological pedagogy with individual mandala projects. Northeastern Natural History Conference, Virtual. 2021.
  • Langston X. Gash and Mark D. Norris. Invertebrate and vertebrate biodiversity in a chronosequence of forest restoration. Northeastern Natural History Conference, Springfield, MA. 2019.
  • Ashton D. Leschke and Mark D. Norris. Effects of restoration efforts on forest development and abiotic factors across a restoration chronosequence. Northeastern Natural History Conference, Springfield, MA. 2019.
  • Mark Norris and Rebecca Bernacki. Development of novel ecosystems following simulated emerald ash borer outbreak in ash-dominated forests. Science and Management of ash forests after emerald ash borer workshop. Duluth, MN. 2017
  • Lydia R. Shreeve and M.D. Norris. Comparison of the arboreal community in tree canopy habitats of a deciduous forest. Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the Ecological Society of America meeting, Rutgers University Newark. 2018.
  • Zachary F. Cather and M.D. Norris. The effect of eastern hemlock on forest and stream ecosystems. Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the Ecological Society of America meeting, Rutgers University Newark. 2018.
  • Catarina N. Torres, Samantha M. Paulus, and Mark D. Norris. Tree seedling dynamics in response to a simulated emerald ash borer outbreak and restoration. Northeastern Natural History Conference, Cromwell, CT. 2017
  • Mark D. Norris and Rebecca L. Bernacki. Development of novel ecosystems following simulated emerald ash borer outbreak in ash-dominated forests. Ecological Society of America Annual Meeting, Fort Lauderdale. 2016.
  • Catarina N. Torres, Samantha M. Paulus, and Mark D. Norris. Tree seedling dynamics in response to a simulated emerald ash borer outbreak and restoration. Ecological Society of America Annual Meeting, Fort Lauderdale. 2016.
  • Ashley Myers, Zachary Greeley, & Mark Norris. Effects of non-native invasive insect pests in Central Maryland. Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the Ecological Society of America meeting, Kutztown University. 2016.
  • Mark D. Norris, Chelsea J. V. Raras, Emily G. Hicks, Bethany P. Liberto, and Garrett J. Perau. Oak forest characteristics and functioning along an urban-rural gradient. Ecological Society of America Annual Meeting, Baltimore. 2015.
  • Rebecca L. Bernacki, Samantha M. Paulus, and Mark D. Norris. Community and ecosystem effects of simulated and actual emerald ash borer outbreaks in ash-dominated forests. Ecological Society of America Annual Meeting, Baltimore. 2015.
  • Jordan Brown and Mark Norris. Chronosequences show soil changes lag behind plant community recovery in restored wetlands. Ecological Society of America Annual Meeting, Baltimore. 2015.

Invited presentations

  • Norris. Invasive pests – A threat to Maryland forests. Irvine Nature Center. Owings Mills, MD. 2019.
  • Norris. Environmental Stewardship. Epworth United Methodist Church. Cockeysville, MD. 2019.
  • Norris. Development of novel ecosystems following emerald ash borer outbreaks. Sweet Briar College. Sweet Briar, VA. 2018.
  • Norris. Forest troubles – the problem of invasive pests.. Irvine Nature Center. Owings Mills, MD. 2018.
  • Norris. The role of forests in climate change. Aldersgate United Methodist Church. York, PA. 2018.
  • Norris. Environmental issues in Creation Care. Aldersgate United Methodist Church. York, PA. 2018.
  • Norris, M. Creation Care. Reisterstown United Methodist Church. Reisterstown, MD. 2016.
  • Norris, M.D. Bad mascots, 2 girls, and shinrin-yoku. Stevenson University: Beta Beta Beta Biological Honor Society induction ceremony. Nov. 2013.
  • Norris, M.D. Soil – plant interactions across a savanna – woodland gradient. Cornell University: Biogeochemistry and Environmental Biocomplexity Program, Ithaca, NY. Oct. 2011.
  • Norris, M.D. Land cover change in western New York: Is it combating global warming? Huyck Preserve, Rensselaerville, NY. June 2011.
  • Norris, M.D. Carbon dynamics in natural ecosystems. 11th Annual Joint AWMA/NYWEA Seminar: Sustainability in a changing climate. Rochester, NY. 2008.
  • Norris, M. Christian Environmental Stewardship. Brockport United Methodist Church. Brockport, NY. 2007.

Learn More

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