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Mark Norris
Contact
443-394-9789
Office Hours
  • Mondays 11AM-noon
  • Wednesdays 9-10AM, 11AM-noon
  • 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 the patterns and processes of so-called novel ecosystems resulting from invasive plant species or pests. 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 the 1) ecological impacts of non-native tree pests (e.g. forest composition and ecosystem functioning); and 2) anthropogenic influence on forests along an urban-rural gradient. One way that I would like to expand these projects is to examine consumer trophic levels, e.g. how invasive plants influence the diversity, abundance, and feeding relationships of amphibians or insects and vice versa. Another potential project includes a greenhouse-based project on competition and life history comparisons of native vs. non-native plants.

I am also interested in different aspects of environmental science including environmental psychology/education (e.g. given that spending time outdoors has been shown to benefit our psychological and physiological well-being, how do schools approach recess and environmental education?) and renewable energy (e.g. are communities interested in establishing solar co-ops to expand solar electricity generation and if so, what would these co-ops looks like and partner with?).

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
  • ENV 260 – Forest Ecology and Management
  • ENV 275 – Environmental Science
  • ENV/BIO 365 – Independent Research
  • BIO 440 – Topics in Biology: Global change biology
  • BIO/BIOCH/CHEM 450/460 – Senior Research Capstone

Highlights

Projects and Funding

  • 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

  • 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, 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

https://mnorris21.wixsite.com/marknorris

https://twitter.com/DocTsuga

https://www.instagram.com/proftsuga/

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