Yuriko Yano

Dr. Yuriko Yano serves as an Instructor in the Department of Land Resources & Environmental Sciences within Montana State University's College of Agriculture. Her expertise centers on biogeochemical processes and ecosystem responses to environmental change, with field sites spanning arctic tundra, western US montane forests, and Alaskan urban ecosystems.

Her academic foundation includes:

• B.S. in Environmental Science from University of Tsukuba (1990)
• M.S. in Environmental Studies from University of New Hampshire (1997)
• Ph.D. in Environmental Science from Oregon State University (2002)

Dr. Yano's research integrates isotope biogeochemistry with ecosystem ecology to investigate nitrogen dynamics under climate change. Her work examines soil-water connectivity in montane watersheds, plant-soil interactions in warming tundra, and anthropogenic impacts on air quality. Methodologically, she combines long-term field manipulations (e.g., snowpack experiments) with spatial analysis to unravel nutrient cycling patterns across temporal and topographic gradients.

Analysis of her 2013-2019 publications reveals consistent focus on nitrogen biogeochemistry across diverse ecosystems. Key trends include: (1) quantifying snowpack effects on forest nutrient fluxes, (2) identifying nitrate as critical nitrogen source in arctic plants, and (3) evaluating policy impacts on urban air pollutants. Her work bridges fundamental ecology with applied environmental management, particularly regarding climate change adaptation.

Dr. Yano currently leads a USDA NIFA-funded project examining topography-snow regime interactions in western US forests. While specific advising numbers aren't published, her graduate course instruction (LRES 532) and co-authorship with early-career researchers indicate active mentorship. Her collaborative network spans atmospheric science, hydrology, and climate ecology disciplines.

Though no dedicated laboratory is specified, her research operates through field-based teams conducting biogeochemical monitoring across multiple ecosystems. Current projects emphasize climate change impacts on forest productivity through nutrient cycling pathways, with field sites in montane watersheds and arctic regions.