Erik Jules

Erik Jules is a Professor of Botany and Ecology at California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt, where he has conducted groundbreaking research in plant ecology, fire ecology, and environmental history. His work spans diverse ecosystems, focusing on trophic interactions, invasive species, and habitat fragmentation.

• Education: BA (1989) from Ithaca College, PhD (1997) from the University of Michigan.

His research explores plant population dynamics, tree-climate relationships, and the ecological impacts of non-native pathogens. A key emphasis is on understanding how habitat fragmentation affects extinction risk and the role of genetic diversity in ecosystem processes.

Erik’s recent publications analyze long-term forest recovery, fire exclusion effects in montane ecosystems, and genotype-driven phenological variation. These studies highlight concerns about biodiversity loss, invasive species spread, and climate change impacts on foundation tree species.

Advising: Mentored numerous graduate students, including current advisees Emily Jackson and Jack Christy, and former students like Drew Bost and Melissa DeSiervo. His research group has contributed to studies on whitebark pine, Port Orford cedar pathogens, and coastal fen conservation.

• Labs/Teams: Collaborated with the Siskiyou Field Institute to support research in the Klamath-Siskiyou region.