SASKAGROFORESTRY - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Agroforestry Research Scientist, Department of Soil Science, University of Saskatchewan
Dr. Amichev is nationally recognized for his modeling work with the Physiological Principles in Predicting Growth (3PG) model and the Carbon Budget Model of the Canadian Forest Sector (CBM-CFS3). He has 10 years of research experience in carbon modeling in various terrestrial ecosystems and was responsible for the shelterbelt carbon modeling estimates in the previous AGGP1 project. His expertise in GIS, as well as tree growth and carbon modeling (e.g., Belt-CaT tool), is essential for the completion of this project. He will complete the modeling work in several project objectives, which will assist in the collation of the end product management support toolbox. Dr. Amichev, as project manager, will organize monthly conference calls with the researchers and graduate students to discuss research progress, oversee the development of the project website to disseminate research results, and oversee the timely completion of project deliverables.
Job Titles:
- Post - Doctoral Fellow, Department of Soil Science, University of Saskatchewan
Dr. Mood specializes in climate change and sustainable resource knowledge mobilization using internet-based applications. His primary research objective for the project is to develop a shelterbelt decision support system for Saskatchewan landowners (SB-DSS) that will provide evidence-based information about management options for maximized ecosystem carbon sequestration available for their current and future shelterbelts.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Professor, Department of Soil Science, University of Saskatchewan / Director, Mistik Askiwin Dendrochronology Laboratory ( MAD Lab ) Principal Investigator, AGGP2 Shelterbelt Project
Dr. Laroque is an expert in dendrochronology. He has worked on the previous AGGP1 project, and directed the field collections and processing of all of the tree-ring information in that undertaking. In the current project, he will oversee several objectives by relating tree-ring analysis to climate. His research subjects vary widely, but his expertise covers many aspects of physical geography, and dendrochronology (e.g., dendroclimatology, dendroecology, dendrochemistry). He has extensive experience in field research projects for 20 years in almost all provinces of Canada, and is an active leader in CanDendro, the association of Canadian dendrochronologists.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Professor, Department of Soil Science, University of Saskatchewan / Director, Centre for Northern Agroforestry and Afforestation ( CNAA ) Principal Investigator, AGGP1 Shelterbelt Project
Dr. Van Rees was the team leader for the AGGP1 shelterbelt project and oversaw the management of the project, coordinated meetings with the researchers, organized workshops, liaised with farmers and stakeholders and coordinated results and meetings with the other agroforestry groups. During that time, Dr. Van Rees also served a 3-year term as Head, Department of Soil Science, University of Saskatchewan. He will be actively involved in several objectives using landscape-level GIS modeling. He has 30 years of research experience studying plant root systems and forest ecosystems as well as 14 years establishing large-scale field programs in agroforestry systems. He has more recently been involved in investigating carbon cycling in afforested plantations through tree growth and carbon models (3PG and CBM-CFS3). He was appointed to the Agri-Food Innovation Fund (AFIF) Chair in Agroforestry and Afforestation in 2003 to develop woody crops in the Prairie Provinces as a means for diversifying farm income.
Job Titles:
- Department Head and Professor, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of Saskatchewan
Dr. Belcher is nationally recognized for his work in GHG management, agri-environmental policy and economic valuation of ecosystem services. He is a natural resource and ecological economist who has worked primarily in the area of environmental policy, with a particular focus on agricultural systems. He has experience with the valuation of non-market goods and services including ecosystem goods and services. Dr. Belcher also has worked on GHG mitigation policy and the connections with sustainable agricultural systems using system dynamics models. He will contribute to the work on developing a carbon life cycle analysis (LCA) as well as participate in the analysis of shelterbelt policy and valuation of private and social benefits and costs of shelterbelts.
Job Titles:
- Research Associate, Department of Soil Science, University of Saskatchewan
Dr. Bentham is an interdisciplinary decision support modeling specialist. He has significant experience in engineering integrated agri-environmental models including agricultural GHG models and decision support systems requiring complex problem-solving. Dr. Bentham has significant training and experience in artificial intelligence technology and techniques (e.g., machine learning, knowledge enhancement), which he often uses in the design and development of complex problem-solving systems. He has 25 years of experience in leading research teams and managing research projects and has been engaged as collaborator or partner on many scientific projects. In the current project, Dr. Bentham will advise on the development of an inventory system for shelterbelt removal, collaborate on work using the Holos model to develop a decision support system blueprint for future shelterbelt establishment, and advise and support the development of the end product management support toolbox.
Job Titles:
- Research Associate, Department of Soil Science, University of Saskatchewan
- Specialist
Paul Krug is a soil pedology specialist. He has significant experience and knowledge of the Saskatchewan Soil Survey which includes 13 years of field mapping, creation, maintenance, and programming of the provincial soil survey data using dBase IV. He has worked with the Canadian soil landscape database, programming and database interpretation including wind and water soil erosion indicators within the National Agri-Environmental Health Analysis and Reporting Program (NAHARP). Mr. Krug has worked on national projects with Bio-Fuels and National Soil Carbon and Greenhouse Gas Accounting and Verification System (NCGAVS) for Agriculture. His soil carbon experience includes joint sampling and analysis of the provincial soil series with colleagues to produce the Organic Matter Content of Saskatchewan Soils map and tables. He has a strong linkage and knowledge of practical farm decision-making as he grew up on, and then became manager of a farm, which continued until recently.
Job Titles:
- Professor, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of Saskatchewan
Dr. Kulshreshtha is recognized internationally for his work on economics and GHG mitigation. He has worked on the economics of shelterbelts (including their adoption and removal) for the previous AGGP1 project. He also has developed expertise in climate change, adaptation, and economic impact analysis. Dr. Kulshreshtha will investigate the economic benefits for farmers in using shelterbelts for carbon sequestration or other environmental benefits. He will also continue working on various economic and policy aspects of existing and future shelterbelt systems.