Why Ice Storms Aren’t Cool – Forest Service Scientist to Discuss Research on Deadly Winter Storms

Why Ice Storms Aren’t Cool – Forest Service Scientist to Discuss Research on Deadly Winter Storms

On Friday, December 9 at 7 p.m. join the Cary Institute for a special lecture on ice storms by U.S. Forest Service scientist Dr. Lindsey Rustad.

Destructive and unpredictable, research suggests ice storms are on the rise in the northeastern U.S. due to climate change. These storms leave a legacy of impacts on forest ecosystems, altering everything from the composition of trees to water quality. Despite their role in sculpting forests, scientific understanding of ice storms has been limited because researchers can’t predict when and where they will occur next.

To address this problem, Rustad led the Experimental Ice Storm Experiment – the first study of its kind to simulate large ice storms.  Scientists created ice storms of different intensities and frequencies at a research forest New Hampshire’s White Mountains. Cary Senior Research Fellow Peter Groffman was part of the team. The experiment has provided vital insight into the short and long-term effects of ice storms on northern hardwood forests.

The ecologically important and visually stunning work was recently profiled in National Geographic. A video of the experiment can be viewed at https://youtu.be/rYxg3zfbgME.

The lecture will take place in the Cary Institute auditorium located at 2801 Sharon Turnpike, Millbrook, NY. Doors open at 6:30 pm, seating is first come first served.