Marc D. Abrams

Marc D. Abrams is the Nancy and John Steimer Professor of Ecosystem Science and Management at Pennsylvania State University's College of Agricultural Sciences. His research focuses on forest dynamics, particularly the impact of fire exclusion, climate change, and human activity on forest composition and biodiversity. He has conducted extensive studies on oak and pine ecosystems, historical fire regimes, and the role of indigenous burning practices in shaping eastern US forests.

Key research interests include dendroecology, paleoecological reconstruction, and vegetation classification. His work frequently integrates historical data, such as witness tree records and colonial land-use patterns, to understand long-term ecological changes. Recent studies have explored deer population impacts, wind damage probability modeling, and the effects of precipitation trends on forest health.

His publications highlight interdisciplinary approaches to assess climate change impacts and advocate for adaptive forest management strategies. Abrams retired after 35 years at Penn State in 2022 but continues contributing to scholarly discussions on forest conservation and ecological resilience.