Faculty

Courses:


NRM 101 - Natural Resources Conservation & Policy
NRM 290 - Resource Management at High Latitudes
NRM 365 - Principles of Outdoor Recreation Management
NRM 469/669 - Survery Research in Natural Resources Management

Research Interests:

• Human dimensions of natural resource management
• Quantitative survey research methods
• Outcomes-Focused Management
• Recreation planning
• Natural resource based tourism

Dr. Fix’s recent research has focused on advancing the methodology of applying Outcomes-Focused Management to land managed by the USDI Bureau of Land Management.

Current research programs:

• Outcomes-focused management studies for the USDI Bureau of Land Management in Alaska.   This research program assesses the outcomes desired from recreation taking place on lands managed by the BLM Fairbanks District Office.   The information from the studies will be utilized when the BLM develops Resource Management Plans for those areas.
• Outcomes-Focused Management field guide.   This project will develop a BLM manual for their staff who need to apply Outcomes-Focused Management as part of the recreation planning process.   The manual will be adopted at the national level within the BLM.
• Connecting to communities.   This project will assist the BLM, Fairbanks District Office in implementing their new recreation strategy that requires increased attention to the health and economic needs of local communities.  
• Sport Hunting in Noatak National Preserve .  This project assists the National Park Service in addressing conflict between non-local hunters and local subsistence hunters in the Noatak National Preserve.  Non-local sport hunters were surveyed and asked their perceptions of the hunt, conflict, and potential management actions.

Examples of research support:

• "Alaska Resident Statistics Program", AK Dept of Transportation, USDA Forest Service, USDI National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, $60,500, 2003 - present.
• "Visitor Preferences for Interpretation at Wrangell - St. Elias N.P.", USDI National Park Service, $10,000, 2004.

Recent peer-reviewed publications:

Fix, P. J., Carroll, J., & Harrington, A. M. (2013). Visitor Experiences across recreation settings: A management or measurement issue?   Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, 3-4, 28-35

Fix, P. J. & Harrington, A. M. (2012). Measuring motivations as a method of mitigating social values conflict. Human Dimensions of Wildlife,17, 1-9.

Fix P. J.   & Taylor, S. C. (2011). Generalizability of a Cluster Solution Over Time: Results from a Visitor Study at the Kennecott National Historic Landmark. Journal of Leisure Research, 43(2), 246-267.

Fix, P. J., Teel. T. L., Manfredo, M. J., & Stewart, S. S.   (2010). Assessing acceptance of wildlife management tradeoffs: a case study of elk and vegetation management in Rocky Mountain National Park. Human Dimensions of Wildlife, 15(6), 405-417.

Recent project reports:

Fix, P. J. (2013). Recreation Use on the Fortymile Wild and Scenic River, Summer 2013. Fairbanks, Alaska: Department of Humans and the Environment, School of Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Wright, R.B & Fix, P. J. (2013). Steese Highway Corridor Summer 2011 Benefits Based Management Study, Executive Summary. Fairbanks, Alaska: Department of Humans and the Environment, School of Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Fix, P. J., A. Ackerman, & G. Fay. (2013). 2011 Denali National Park and Preserve visitor characteristics. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/AKR/NRTR—2013/669. National Park Service, Fort Collins, Colorado.

Fix, P. J., Ackerman, A. & Fay, G. (2012). Estimating visits to Denali National Park and Preserve: Spring/Summer 2011. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/AKR/NRTR—2012/641. National Park Service, Fort Collins, Colorado.

Fix, P. J., Padilla, E. S., Lingle, E. (2012). Steese Highway Corridor Benefits Based Management Study, Summer 2011. Fairbanks, Alaska: Department of Humans and the Environment, School of Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks

Fix, P. J. (2011). Iditarod National Historic Trail Travel Analysis. Report for USDI Bureau of Land Management. Fairbanks, Alaska: Department of Humans and the Environment, School of Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Lingle, E.G & Fix, P.J. (2011). Bering Sea and Western Interior Land Use Study. Report for USDI Bureau of Land Management. Fairbanks, Alaska: Department of Humans and the Environment, School of Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Fix, P. J. &   Hatcher, H. (2011). Monitoring indicators of the visitor experience and resource conditions in the Denali backcountry: Summer 2010. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/DENA/NRTR—2011/480. National Park Service, Fort Collins, Colorado.

See Dr. Fix's full vitae here.

Courses:

NRM210 - Sustainable Agriculture

NRM106 - Orientation to Natural Resources Management

NRM211 - Applied Plant Science

NRM212 – Greenhouse Management

Research interests:

• Greenhouse-, high tunnel- and controlled environment crop production
• Plant growth in response to light intensity, quality, day length and the use of light-emitting diodes (LEDs)
• Energy efficient production techniques in greenhouse- and season extension environments
• Crop growth, development and productivity under large high latitude seasonal variations in temperatures, light levels and day lengths
• Development of guidelines to optimize vegetable, small fruit and floral crop production

• Environmental plant physiology as it applies to commercial horticulture at high latitudes

 Current research programs:

• Alaska high tunnel, greenhouse and controlled environment production  (USDA-Hatch, 2013-2017) 
• Controlled environment horticulture for Alaska  (USDA-Hatch, 2007-2013)
• Develop and integrate components for commercial greenhouses (NE-1035 multi-state project, 08-13)
• Controlled environment use and technology  (NCERA-101 multi-state project, 2011-2016)
• Resource management in commercial greenhouses  (NE-1335 multi-state project, 2013-2018)

Examples of publications:

• Karlsson, M. 2014. Grafted vegetable transplants for earliness and productivity during northern field seasons. HortScience 49(9):S287.
• Karlsson, M. 2014.  Controlling the greenhouse environment. University of Alaska Fairbanks, School of Natural Resources and Extension, Cooperative Extension Service HGA-00336.
• Karlsson, M. and J. Dawe. 2014. What are the implications of your research? Starting the Broader Impacts conversation in Alaska. Agroborealis 44:46-47.
• NRM 692. 2013. Broader Impacts. What potential does your work have to make our world better? AFES Miscellaneous Publication MP 2013-07.
• Karlsson, M. and C. Willingham. 2013. Field performance of transplants using light emitting diodes. HortScience 48(9):S41.
• Karlsson, M. 2012. Using light emitting diodes for early development of flowering plants. HortScience 47(9):S336.
• Karlsson, M. and J. Werner. 2011. High tunnel covering materials for northern field production. International Society of Horticultural Science. Acta Horticulturae 893:1333-1339.
• Werner, J., Y. Okada and M. Karlsson. 2011. Using light emitting diodes in high latitude greenhouse production Acta Horticulturae 907:287-290.
• Calhoun, K. and M. Karlsson. 2011. Growing apples in interior Alaska, suitable varieties for cold climates. Cooperative Extension Service, Univ. of Alaska Fairbanks, HGA-00043.
• Neely, H.L., R.T. Koenig, C.A. Miles, T.C. Koenig, and M.G. Karlsson. 2010. Diurnal fluctuation in nitrate concentration of field-grown leafy greens at two latitudes. HortScience 45:1815-1818.
• Karlsson, M. and J. Werner. 2009. Hydroponic greenhouse lettuce production in subarctic conditions using geothermal heat and power. Acta Horticulturae 843:275-281.
• Karlsson, M. and J. Werner. 2009. Snap bean yield and photosynthesis during twilight extended field conditions. HortScience 44:1127.
• Hanks, C., G. Holdmann, A. Byrd, D. Witmer, M. Karlsson, D. Pride, V. Fay, M. Stuefer, R. Ganguli and P. Metz. 2009. Assessment of CO2 sequestration options and other environmental impacts related to the proposed coal-to-liquids facility at Eielson Air Force Base. Prepared for the U.S. Air Force by the Geophysical Institute and the Alaska Center for Energy and Power, University of Alaska Fairbanks.
• Karlsson, M. and J. Werner. 2008. Early day length sensitivity in sunflower. HortScience 43:1261-1262.
• Karlsson, M. and J. Werner. 2008. Modified field environments for high latitude crop production, p. 64. International Meeting on Controlled Environment Agriculture. Cocoa Beach, Florida.
• Palestro, J., B. Nilsson, J. Frank, M. Karlsson, R. Moe, A. Pehkonen, C.J. Westman, D-L. Wulfsohn, A. Torgersen Daae, O. Frykman, I. Christiansen, J. Öhlund, V. Shahedi and M. Zanzi. 2007. Utvärdering av skogliga, trädgårdsvetenskapliga och teknologiska utbildningar samt utbildning till djursjukvårdare vid Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet år 2006. Högskoleverkets rapportserie 2007:II R, Högskoleverket (Swedish National Agency for Higher Education), Stockholm, Sweden.
• Rader, H.B. and M.G. Karlsson. 2006. Northern field production of leaf and romaine lettuce using a high tunnel. HortTechnology 16:649-654.
• Karlsson, M. 2006. Greenhouse tomato production for Alaska. Agroborealis 38(1):28-30.
• Leiner, R., H. Geier and M. Karlsson. 2006. Restaurant interviews to determine demand for baby greens in Alaska. AFES Miscell. Public. 2006-02. Ag. and Forestry Expt Station, Univ. of Alaska Fairbanks.
• Karlsson, M. and J. Werner. 2005. Lettuce transplants growth in response to media surface color. International Society of Horticultural Science. Acta Horticulturae 711:139-143.
• Karlsson, M. and J. Werner. 2005. Daylength effects on container crops. Greenhouse Product News 15:38-40.

Research interests:

• Dr. McBeath's research interests are in the areas of plant resistance enhancement and plant disease diagnostics. She is especially keen in understanding the etiology of diseases, distribution and diversity of plant pathogens and interactions among plants, plant pathogens and hyperparasites at cellular, biochemical and molecular levels. She applies knowledge gained in her research to the development of environmentally benign means of plant disease control, including exclusion, eradication and biological control of fungal pathogens through mycoparasites. One of her research products, Cold Tolerance Trichoderma, has been awarded patents by many countries.

Examples of publications:

McBeath, G.A., J.H. McBeath and T. Qing, and Y. Huang. 2014. Environmental Education in China. Elgar Publisher, in press.

Abouelnars, H., Y. Li, Y.Zhang, J. Liu, S. Li, D. Li, J. Yu, J.H. McBeath, C. Han. 2014. First report of potato virus H on Solanum muricatum in China.Plant Disease. In press.

Dong J.H, Yin YY, Fang Q, McBeath JH, Zhang ZK. 2013 A new tospovirus causing chlorotic ringspot on Hippeastrum sp. in China. Virus Genes 46: 567-570. Doi:10.1007/s11262-012-0873-z.

Dong, J.H., L. Zhang, W.H. Li, J.H. McBeath, Z.K. Zhang. 2013. ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma aurantifolia’-related strain associated with tomato yellows disease in China. J. General Plant Pathology 79:366-369. Doi: 10.1007/s10327-013-0463-5.

Li, Y., R. Zhang, H. Xiang, H. Abouelnasr, D. Li, J. Yu, J. H. McBeath, C. Han. 2013. Discovery and characterization of a novel carlavirus infecting potatoes in China. PloS ONE 8:e69255. Doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0069255.

Cheng, M., J.H. Dong, L. Zhang, P. Laski, Z. Zhang and J.H. McBeath. 2012. Molecular haracterization of stolbur group subgroup E (16SrXII-E) phytoplasma associated with potatoes in China. Plant Disease 96:1372.

Cheng, M., J. Dong, P. J. Laski, Z. Zhang, and J. H. McBeath. 2011 First report of clover proliferation group phytoplasmas (16SrVI-A) associated with purple top diseased potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) in China. Plant Disease.95:871

 Yin, Y.Y., J.H. Dong, Y.-M.Duan, X.Y. Xu, J.H. McBeath, Z.K.Zhang. 2011. First report of impatiens necrotic spot virus infecting flue-cured tobacco in Yunnan, China. Journal of Plant Pathology.93: (S4):66.

I received my undergraduate academic training in India, and graduate academic training in India and the U.S.A. My current research is focused on improving the understanding of rapidly evolving permafrost dynamics in Alaska with an ultimate goal of predicting the response of permafrost to climate change, and its effect on the Arctic systems. I use a variety of techniques to study the complex permafrost dynamics that range from detailed ground observations to modeling using information derived from remotely sensed images. My research is vital to address some of the urgent climate change issues affecting Alaskan land, water and people through changes in permafrost such as dramatic changes in surface hydrology, vegetation, forest fires, and wildlife habitats. These changes are not only affecting Arctic environment but also the subsistence resources and subsistence lifestyle of Alaskans.

Research interests:

• Vulnerability and adaptation of northern communities to climate change. Communicating scientific information to inform planning and decision making in climate change adaptation and natural resource management. Human dimensions of global change in the arctic and northern latitudes.  Interdisciplinary assessment of ecosystem services related to global change and mixed subsistence economies in rural Alaska.

Courses:

NRM 210 - Sustainable Agriculture
NRM 380 - Soil & Environment
NRM 466 - Environmental Soil Chemistry
NRM 480 - Soil Management

Research interests:

• Nutrient management
• soil organic matter
• peony, forage and field crop production in subarctic area
• waste management/composting and land reclamation

Current research programs:

1. Soil soluble organic carbon and its dynamics under different land use and management,
2. Selecting short growing spring wheat for subarctic area
3. Peony nutrient requirement and diagnostic symptoms for nutrient deficiency
4. Inorganic and organic fertilizer development

Examples of research support:

Selecting alternative agronomic crops for Alaska and assessing climate impact on their production, USDA-Capacity grant $36,000, 2015/2016

Assessing Alaska peony nutrient requirement to reduce production cost and improve competitiveness the cut flower Alaska Division of Agriculture specialty crop grant $24,000 2014/2015

Examples of publications (2011-2015):

Ruairuen, W.,  G. J. Fochesatto, E. B. Sparrow, W. Schnabel, M. Zhang , Y. Kim. 2015. Evapotranspiration cycles in a high latitude agroecosystem: Potential warming role.     PLOS ONE | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0137209 September 14, 2015

Zhang, M., He, Z. 2015. Characteristics of dissolved organic carbon revealed by ultraviolet/visible absorbance and fluorescence spectroscopy: The current status and future exploration. In: He, H, Wu, F., editors. Labile Organic Matter - Chemical Composition, Functions, and Significance in Soil and the Environment. SSSA Special Publication 62. Madison, WI: Soil Science Society of America. p. 1-22.

Zhang, M., He, Z., Zhao, A. 2015. Water extractable organic carbon and nitrogen affected by crop rotation and fertilizer management. In: He, H, Wu, F., editors. Labile Organic Matter Chemical Composition, Functions, and Significance in Soil and the Environment. SSSA  Special Publication 62. Madison, WI: Soil Science Society of America. P. 119-136. 

Fei Gao, G.Feng, B.Sharratt, M. Zhang . 2014. Tillage and straw management affect PM10 emission potential in subarctic Alaska. Soil & Tillage Research, 144:1-7.

M. Zhang , A. Zhao, and Z. He. 2014. Distribution and Biodegradability of Water Soluble Organic Carbon and Nitrogen in Subarctic Soils Under Three Different Land Uses. In: Z. He and H. Zhang (eds) “Applied Manure and Nutrient Chemistry for Sustainable Agriculture and Environment”, Springer Science + Business Media Dordrecht.  P. 313-332

S. D. Sparrow, M. Zhang, D. Masiak, R. Van Veldhuizen.  2014. Harvest and nitrogen management of three perennial grasses as biomass feedstock in subarctic Alaska Arctic, 67:271-295.

Seefeldt, S. S.,  R. A. Boydston, P. N. Kaspari, M. Zhang, E. Carr, J. Smeenk, and D. L. Barnes. 2013. Aminopyralid residue impacts on potatoes and weeds. Am. J. Potato Res. DOI 10.1007/s12230-012-9298-4

Zhao, A., Mingchu Zhang, Z. He. 2013. Spectroscopic characteristics and biodegradability of soil cold and hot water extractable organic matter under different land uses in Alaska.  Comm.Soil Sci. and Plant Anal. 44:3030-3048.

Anthony, P. M., G. L., Malzer, S. D. Sparrow and M. Zhang. 2012. Corn and Soybean Grain Phosphorus Content Relationship with Soil Phosphorus, Phosphorus Fertilizer, and Crop Yield. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis. DOI:10.1080/00103624.2012.750337

P. Anthony, G. Malzer, S. Sparrow, and M. Zhang. 2012. Soybean yield and quality in  relation to soil properties. Agron. J. 104:1443–1458.

Aiqin Zhao, Mingchu Zhang. 2012. Size fraction of soil water soluble organic C and N under different land uses in Alaska. Soil Sci. 177:683-694.

D. J.  Fielding, E. Trainor and Mingchu Zhang. 2012. Diet influences rates of carbon and nitrogen mineralization from decomposing grasshopper frass and cadavers. Biology and Fertility of Soils. 49:537-544

Peter Anthony, Gary Malzer, Mingchu Zhang, and S. Sparrow. 2012. Soil nitrogen and phosphorus behavior in a long-term fertilization experiment. Agronomy Journal, doi:10.2134/agronj/2012.0020.

Zhao, A., M. Zhang and Z. He. 2012. Characteristics of soil water soluble organic C and N under  different land uses in Alaska. Soil Science. 177(12):683-694.

He , Zhongqi, H. Zhang, and M. Zhang. 2011. Irrigation-induced changes in phosphorus fractions of Caribou sandy loam soil under different potato cropping systems. Soil Sci., 176(12):676-683.

Zhang, M. , Zhongqi He, Aiqin Zhao, Dinku M. Endale, and Harry H. Schomberg. 2011. Soil water  extractable carbon and nitrogen impacted by tillage and manure application. Soil Science, 176:307-312.

Zhang, Mingchu, S. D. Sparrow, R. V. Veldhuizen, and d. t. masiak. 2011. Soil quality under different land uses in a subarctic environment in Alaska. Journal of Land Use Science 1-1 3.

Fielding, D. and Mingchu Zhang. 2011. Populations of the northern grasshopper, Melanoplus borealis (Orthoptera: Acrididae), in Alaska are rarely food limited. Environ. Entomol.  40(3): 541-548.

Zhang, M., S. S. Malhi, R. Panasuik and B. Henriquez. 2011. Response of turfgrass growth in a  black Chernozemic soil amended with municipal solid/biosolid waste compost. Journal of Plant Nutrients . 34:183-205.

He, Z., Zhang, H., Zhang, M . 2011. Irrigation-induced changes in phosphorus fractions of Caribou sandy loam soil under different potato cropping systems. Soil Science Society of America Journal. 176:676-683.

Zhang, M, Z. He, and A. Zhao. 2011. Ultraviolet-visible absorption features of water extractable  humic fractions of animal manure and relevant compost. pp 61-82, In Z. He (ed.) Environmental Chemistry of Animal Manure. Nova Science Publishers, Inc. Hauppauge,  N.Y. USA