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Phillip van Mantgem

Phil van Mantgem is a research ecologist at the Western Ecological Research Center.

 

RESEARCH INTERESTS

  • Conservation biology
  • Fire ecology
  • Forest ecology

 

Professional Experience

  • Research Ecologist, USGS, Redwood Field Station, Arcata, CA, 2008 - Present

  • Ecologist, USGS, Sequoia and Kings Canyon Field Station, Three Rivers, CA, 2000 - 2008

Education and Certifications

  • Ph.D., Ecology, University of California, Davis, CA 2001

  • M.S., Plant Biology, University of California, Davis, CA 1996

  • B.S., Botany, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 1991

Science and Products

Filter Total Items: 13
USGS science for a changing world logo

Characterizing a link in the terrestrial carbon cycle: a global overview of individual tree mass growth

Forests sequester the majority of the terrestrial biosphere’s carbon and are key components of the global carbon cycle, potentially contributing substantial feedbacks to ongoing climatic changes. It is therefore remarkable that no consensus yet exists about the fundamental nature of tree mass growth (and thus carbon sequestration rate). Specifically, does tree mass growth rate increase...
By
John Wesley Powell Center for Analysis and Synthesis
Characterizing a link in the terrestrial carbon cycle: a global overview of individual tree mass growth

Characterizing a link in the terrestrial carbon cycle: a global overview of individual tree mass growth

Forests sequester the majority of the terrestrial biosphere’s carbon and are key components of the global carbon cycle, potentially contributing substantial feedbacks to ongoing climatic changes. It is therefore remarkable that no consensus yet exists about the fundamental nature of tree mass growth (and thus carbon sequestration rate). Specifically, does tree mass growth rate increase, decrease
Learn More
Filter Total Items: 16

Data for Use in poscrptR Post-fire Conifer Regeneration Prediction Model Data for Use in poscrptR Post-fire Conifer Regeneration Prediction Model

These data support poscrptR (Wright et al. 2021). poscrptR is a shiny app that predicts the probability of post-fire conifer regeneration for fire data supplied by the user. The predictive model was fit using presence/absence data collected in 4.4m radius plots (60 square meters). Please refer to Stewart et al. (2020) for more details concerning field data collection, the model fitting...
By
Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Forest Structure Data for Burned and Unburned Sites at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Forest Structure Data for Burned and Unburned Sites at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

These data represent tree diameter, species, mortality status, and plot attributes from 164 plots in Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks, California. Plots were matched with local records of recent fire history to determine burn status and year burned if applicable. These data support the following publication: van Mantgem, P.J., Caprio, A.C., Stephenson, N.L. and Das, A.J., 2021...
By
Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Post-fire conifer regeneration observations for National Forest land in California (2009 - 2017) Post-fire conifer regeneration observations for National Forest land in California (2009 - 2017)

This data consists of presence/absence observations for post-fire conifer regeneration. The data also includes estimates of plot-level topography (slope, aspect), relativized differenced normalized burn ratio (RdNBR), post-fire climate, live basal area, and seed rain. These data support the following publication:
By
Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Fire Caused Tree Mortality in Western US National Parks (2018)(ver. 2.0, February 2020) Fire Caused Tree Mortality in Western US National Parks (2018)(ver. 2.0, February 2020)

This data consists of observations of individual trees that were subjected to prescribed fire in western US national parks. Information on individual trees include measurements of tree size, competition, and fire-caused damage. The data also includes estimates of plot-level vapor pressure deficit anomaly before fire. These data support the following publication: Van Mantgem, P.J., Falk...
By
Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)
No results found.
Filter Total Items: 79

Predictive accuracy of post-fire conifer death declines over time in models based on crown and bole injury Predictive accuracy of post-fire conifer death declines over time in models based on crown and bole injury

A key uncertainty of empirical models of post-fire tree mortality is understanding the drivers of elevated post-fire mortality several years following fire, known as delayed mortality. Delayed mortality can represent a substantial fraction of mortality, particularly for large trees that are a conservation focus in western US coniferous forests. Current post-fire tree mortality models...
Authors
Timothy M. Shearman, J. Morgan Varner, Sharon M. Hood, Phillip J. van Mantgem, C. Alina Cansler, Micah C. Wright
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Vegetation type conversion in the US Southwest: Frontline observations and management responses Vegetation type conversion in the US Southwest: Frontline observations and management responses

Forest and nonforest ecosystems of the western United States are experiencing major transformations in response to land-use change, climate warming, and their interactive effects with wildland fire. Some ecosystems are transitioning to persistent alternative types, hereafter called “vegetation type conversion” (VTC). VTC is one of the most pressing management issues in the southwestern...
Authors
Christopher H. Guiterman, Rachel M. Gregg, Laura Marshall, Jill Beckmann, Phillip J. van Mantgem, Donald A. Falk, Jon Keeley, Anthony C. Caprio, Jonathan D. Coop, Paula J. Fornwalt, Collin Haffey, R. Keala Hagmann, Stephen Jackson, Ann M. Lynch, Ellis Q. Margolis, Christopher Marks, Marc D. Meyer, Hugh Safford, Alexandra Dunya Syphard, Alan H. Taylor, Craig Wilcox, Dennis Carril, Carolyn Armstrong Enquist, David W. Huffman, Jose Iniguez, Nicole A. Molinari, Christina M Restaino, Jens T. Stevens
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Climate Adaptation Science Centers, Fort Collins Science Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Long-term effects of prescribed fire on large tree growth in mixed conifer forests at Lassen Volcanic National Park, California Long-term effects of prescribed fire on large tree growth in mixed conifer forests at Lassen Volcanic National Park, California

Prescribed fire in dry coniferous forests of the western U.S. is used to reduce fire hazards. How large, old trees respond to these treatments is an important management consideration. Growth is a key indicator of residual tree condition, which can be predictive of mortality and response to future disturbance. Using a combination of long-term plot records and dendrochronological samples...
Authors
Zachary Wenderott, Phillip J. van Mantgem, Micah C. Wright, Calvin A. Farris, Rosemary L. Sherriff
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Mechanisms of forest resilience Mechanisms of forest resilience

Ecosystems are dynamic systems with complex responses to environmental variation. In response to pervasive stressors of changing climate and disturbance regimes, many ecosystems are realigning rapidly across spatial scales, in many cases moving outside of their observed historical range of variation into alternative ecological states. In some cases, these new states are transitory and...
Authors
Donald A. Falk, Phillip J. van Mantgem, Jon Keeley, Rachel M Gregg, Christopher H. Guiterman, Alan J. Tepley, Derek J N Young, Laura A. E. Marshall
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Crowding, climate, and the case for social distancing among trees Crowding, climate, and the case for social distancing among trees

In an emerging era of megadisturbance, bolstering forest resilience to wildfire, insects, and drought has become a central objective in many western forests. Climate has received considerable attention as a driver of these disturbances, but few studies have examined the complexities of climate–vegetation–disturbance interactions. Current strategies for creating resilient forests often...
Authors
Tucker J. Furniss, Adrian Das, Phillip J. van Mantgem, Nathan L. Stephenson, James A. Lutz
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Ecosystems Land Change Science Program, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Forest resistance to extended drought enhanced by prescribed fire in low elevation forests of the Sierra Nevada Forest resistance to extended drought enhanced by prescribed fire in low elevation forests of the Sierra Nevada

Prescribed fire reduces fire hazards by removing dead and live fuels (small trees and shrubs). Reductions in forest density following prescribed fire treatments (often in concert with mechanical treatments) may also lessen competition so that residual trees might be more likely to survive when confronted with additional stressors, such as drought. The current evidence for these effects...
Authors
Phillip J. van Mantgem, Anthony C. Caprio, Nathan L. Stephenson, Adrian Das
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Ecosystems Land Change Science Program, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Science and Products

Filter Total Items: 13
USGS science for a changing world logo

Characterizing a link in the terrestrial carbon cycle: a global overview of individual tree mass growth

Forests sequester the majority of the terrestrial biosphere’s carbon and are key components of the global carbon cycle, potentially contributing substantial feedbacks to ongoing climatic changes. It is therefore remarkable that no consensus yet exists about the fundamental nature of tree mass growth (and thus carbon sequestration rate). Specifically, does tree mass growth rate increase...
By
John Wesley Powell Center for Analysis and Synthesis
Characterizing a link in the terrestrial carbon cycle: a global overview of individual tree mass growth

Characterizing a link in the terrestrial carbon cycle: a global overview of individual tree mass growth

Forests sequester the majority of the terrestrial biosphere’s carbon and are key components of the global carbon cycle, potentially contributing substantial feedbacks to ongoing climatic changes. It is therefore remarkable that no consensus yet exists about the fundamental nature of tree mass growth (and thus carbon sequestration rate). Specifically, does tree mass growth rate increase, decrease
Learn More
Filter Total Items: 16

Data for Use in poscrptR Post-fire Conifer Regeneration Prediction Model Data for Use in poscrptR Post-fire Conifer Regeneration Prediction Model

These data support poscrptR (Wright et al. 2021). poscrptR is a shiny app that predicts the probability of post-fire conifer regeneration for fire data supplied by the user. The predictive model was fit using presence/absence data collected in 4.4m radius plots (60 square meters). Please refer to Stewart et al. (2020) for more details concerning field data collection, the model fitting...
By
Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Forest Structure Data for Burned and Unburned Sites at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Forest Structure Data for Burned and Unburned Sites at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

These data represent tree diameter, species, mortality status, and plot attributes from 164 plots in Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks, California. Plots were matched with local records of recent fire history to determine burn status and year burned if applicable. These data support the following publication: van Mantgem, P.J., Caprio, A.C., Stephenson, N.L. and Das, A.J., 2021...
By
Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Post-fire conifer regeneration observations for National Forest land in California (2009 - 2017) Post-fire conifer regeneration observations for National Forest land in California (2009 - 2017)

This data consists of presence/absence observations for post-fire conifer regeneration. The data also includes estimates of plot-level topography (slope, aspect), relativized differenced normalized burn ratio (RdNBR), post-fire climate, live basal area, and seed rain. These data support the following publication:
By
Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Fire Caused Tree Mortality in Western US National Parks (2018)(ver. 2.0, February 2020) Fire Caused Tree Mortality in Western US National Parks (2018)(ver. 2.0, February 2020)

This data consists of observations of individual trees that were subjected to prescribed fire in western US national parks. Information on individual trees include measurements of tree size, competition, and fire-caused damage. The data also includes estimates of plot-level vapor pressure deficit anomaly before fire. These data support the following publication: Van Mantgem, P.J., Falk...
By
Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)
No results found.
Filter Total Items: 79

Predictive accuracy of post-fire conifer death declines over time in models based on crown and bole injury Predictive accuracy of post-fire conifer death declines over time in models based on crown and bole injury

A key uncertainty of empirical models of post-fire tree mortality is understanding the drivers of elevated post-fire mortality several years following fire, known as delayed mortality. Delayed mortality can represent a substantial fraction of mortality, particularly for large trees that are a conservation focus in western US coniferous forests. Current post-fire tree mortality models...
Authors
Timothy M. Shearman, J. Morgan Varner, Sharon M. Hood, Phillip J. van Mantgem, C. Alina Cansler, Micah C. Wright
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Vegetation type conversion in the US Southwest: Frontline observations and management responses Vegetation type conversion in the US Southwest: Frontline observations and management responses

Forest and nonforest ecosystems of the western United States are experiencing major transformations in response to land-use change, climate warming, and their interactive effects with wildland fire. Some ecosystems are transitioning to persistent alternative types, hereafter called “vegetation type conversion” (VTC). VTC is one of the most pressing management issues in the southwestern...
Authors
Christopher H. Guiterman, Rachel M. Gregg, Laura Marshall, Jill Beckmann, Phillip J. van Mantgem, Donald A. Falk, Jon Keeley, Anthony C. Caprio, Jonathan D. Coop, Paula J. Fornwalt, Collin Haffey, R. Keala Hagmann, Stephen Jackson, Ann M. Lynch, Ellis Q. Margolis, Christopher Marks, Marc D. Meyer, Hugh Safford, Alexandra Dunya Syphard, Alan H. Taylor, Craig Wilcox, Dennis Carril, Carolyn Armstrong Enquist, David W. Huffman, Jose Iniguez, Nicole A. Molinari, Christina M Restaino, Jens T. Stevens
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Climate Adaptation Science Centers, Fort Collins Science Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Long-term effects of prescribed fire on large tree growth in mixed conifer forests at Lassen Volcanic National Park, California Long-term effects of prescribed fire on large tree growth in mixed conifer forests at Lassen Volcanic National Park, California

Prescribed fire in dry coniferous forests of the western U.S. is used to reduce fire hazards. How large, old trees respond to these treatments is an important management consideration. Growth is a key indicator of residual tree condition, which can be predictive of mortality and response to future disturbance. Using a combination of long-term plot records and dendrochronological samples...
Authors
Zachary Wenderott, Phillip J. van Mantgem, Micah C. Wright, Calvin A. Farris, Rosemary L. Sherriff
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Mechanisms of forest resilience Mechanisms of forest resilience

Ecosystems are dynamic systems with complex responses to environmental variation. In response to pervasive stressors of changing climate and disturbance regimes, many ecosystems are realigning rapidly across spatial scales, in many cases moving outside of their observed historical range of variation into alternative ecological states. In some cases, these new states are transitory and...
Authors
Donald A. Falk, Phillip J. van Mantgem, Jon Keeley, Rachel M Gregg, Christopher H. Guiterman, Alan J. Tepley, Derek J N Young, Laura A. E. Marshall
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Crowding, climate, and the case for social distancing among trees Crowding, climate, and the case for social distancing among trees

In an emerging era of megadisturbance, bolstering forest resilience to wildfire, insects, and drought has become a central objective in many western forests. Climate has received considerable attention as a driver of these disturbances, but few studies have examined the complexities of climate–vegetation–disturbance interactions. Current strategies for creating resilient forests often...
Authors
Tucker J. Furniss, Adrian Das, Phillip J. van Mantgem, Nathan L. Stephenson, James A. Lutz
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Ecosystems Land Change Science Program, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Forest resistance to extended drought enhanced by prescribed fire in low elevation forests of the Sierra Nevada Forest resistance to extended drought enhanced by prescribed fire in low elevation forests of the Sierra Nevada

Prescribed fire reduces fire hazards by removing dead and live fuels (small trees and shrubs). Reductions in forest density following prescribed fire treatments (often in concert with mechanical treatments) may also lessen competition so that residual trees might be more likely to survive when confronted with additional stressors, such as drought. The current evidence for these effects...
Authors
Phillip J. van Mantgem, Anthony C. Caprio, Nathan L. Stephenson, Adrian Das
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Ecosystems Land Change Science Program, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)
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