Lynn Christenson

Lynn Christenson is a Professor of Biology at Vassar College, where she has been on faculty since 2005. She holds a BS from the University of Winnipeg and MS/PhD degrees from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry. Her research examines complex ecosystem relationships with focus on forest nutrient cycling, invasive species impacts, and climate change effects.

Her research interests center on biogeochemical cycling in northern temperate forests, studying how factors like invasive insects (gypsy moths), atmospheric nitrogen deposition, and shifting winter climate regimes influence forest community dynamics. Current investigations address climate-induced forest migration patterns and tree species adaptation.

Christenson's publications demonstrate consistent focus on forest ecosystem processes, spanning nutrient dynamics, decomposition mechanisms, and climate impacts. Recent work shows increased emphasis on climate change adaptation and forest migration patterns under warming scenarios.

• Co-PI on NSF Conference Grant for Forest Biodiversity Workshop

She maintains active research collaborations studying forest responses to environmental change in the Catskills and Northeastern US forests.