Lee E Frelich

Dr. Lee E Frelich is a Research Professor in the Department of Forest Resources at the University of Minnesota, specializing in forest ecology, disturbance dynamics, and invasive species impacts. He serves as Director of the Center for Forest Ecology and leads the Minnesota Invasive Terrestrial Plants and Pests Center.

• Research Interests: Forest fires, windstorms, earthworm invasions, climate change effects on old-growth forests
• Key Collaborations: Legislative-Citizen Commission on MN Resources, Forest Carbon Works, USDA

His work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 13 (Climate Action), 15 (Life on Land), and 2 (Zero Hunger) through ecosystem management research. Recent projects include studying jumping worm management in nursery crops and carbon storage in forest snags. Media outlets frequently consult him on invasive species and climate change impacts in Minnesota forests.

Current research spans boreal forest dynamics, earthworm invasion pathways, and multi-disturbance interactions. He maintains long-term datasets on forest regeneration post-fire and collaborates across disciplines including soil ecology, pollinator science, and climate modeling.