Erica Smithwick

Professor of Geography

Erica Smithwick

Research Summary

Understanding how a wide range of disturbances, especially fire, affect ecosystem function at landscape scales.

Huck Graduate Students

Huck Affiliations

Most Recent Publications

Estimating Root Zone Soil Moisture Across the Eastern United States with Passive Microwave Satellite Data and a Simple Hydrologic Model

Douglas Baldwin, Salvatore Manfreda, Henry Lin, Erica Smithwick, Remote Sensing on p. 2013

Quantifying spatial patterns of grass response to nutrient additions using empirical and neutral semivariogram models

Erica Smithwick, Douglas Baldwin, K Naithani,

Observations of enhanced rainfall variability in Kenya, East Africa

Susan M. Kotikot, Erica A.H. Smithwick, Helen Greatrex, 2024, Scientific Reports

Building a mangrove ecosystem monitoring tool for managers using Sentinel-2 imagery in Google Earth Engine

Susan M. Kotikot, Olivia Spencer, Jordan R. Cissell, Grant Connette, Erica A.H. Smithwick, Allie Durdall, Kristin W. Grimes, Heather A. Stewart, Orian Tzadik, Steven W.J. Canty, 2024, Ocean and Coastal Management

Predicting the suitable habitat distribution of berry plants under climate change

Casey W. Hamilton, Erica A.H. Smithwick, Katie V. Spellman, Andrew P. Baltensperger, Blaine T. Spellman, Guangqing Chi, 2024, Landscape Ecology

Balancing multiple forest management objectives under climate change in central Wisconsin, U.S.A.

Melissa S. Lucash, Neil G. Williams, Vivek Srikrishnan, Klaus Keller, Robert M. Scheller, Casey Hegelson, Robert E. Nicholas, Erica A.H. Smithwick, 2023, Trees, Forests and People

Integrating Menominee model for sustainable forestry with Systems Thinking competency through 3D virtual tours

Ellie Nasr-Azadani, Erica A.H. Smithwick, Stuart J. Steidle, Melissa S. Lucash, Denice H. Wardrop, Nathan T. Fregien, Thomas R. Kenote, 2023, Sustainability Science on p. 2605-2628

Testing presence, assessing attitudes: Study of a 3D virtual tour in an “aesthetically challenged” landscape

Stuart Steidle, Melissa Lucash, Ellie Nasr-Azadani, Erica Smithwick, 2023, Journal of Environmental Management

Just energy imaginaries? Examining realities of solar development on Pennsylvania's farmland

Kaitlyn Spangler, K , Erica Smithwick, Stephanie Buechler, Jennifer Baka, 2023, Energy Research and Social Science on p. 12

Regenerative landscape design: an integrative framework to enhance sustainability planning

E Smithwick, Jennifer Baka, D Bird, Christopher Blaszscak-Boxe, C Blaszczak-Boxe, C Cole, J Fuentes, Sarah Gergel, Leland Glenna, C Grady, A Graefe, C Hunt, L Iulo, Carter Hunt, L Iulo, Jason Kaye, Klaus Keller, J Kaye, Klaus Keller, 2023, Conservation Ecology

Most-Cited Papers

Variability in root production, phenology, and turnover rate among 12 temperate tree species

M. Luke McCormack, Thomas S. Adams, Erica A.H. Smithwick, David M. Eissenstat, 2014, Ecology on p. 2224-2235

Robust paths to net greenhouse gas mitigation and negative emissions via advanced biofuels

John L. Field, Tom L. Richard, Erica A.H. Smithwick, Hao Cai, Mark S. Laser, David S. LeBauer, Stephen P. Long, Keith Paustian, Zhangcai Qin, John J. Sheehan, Pete Smith, Michael Q. Wang, Lee R. Lynd, 2020, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America on p. 21968-21977

Improving the representation of roots in terrestrial models

Erica A.H. Smithwick, Melissa S. Lucash, M. Luke McCormack, Gajan Sivandran, 2014, Ecological Modelling on p. 193-204

Representing climate, disturbance, and vegetation interactions in landscape models

Robert E. Keane, Donald McKenzie, Donald A. Falk, Erica A.H. Smithwick, Carol Miller, Lara Karena B. Kellogg, 2015, Ecological Modelling on p. 33-47

Predicting root zone soil moisture with soil properties and satellite near-surface moisture data across the conterminous United States

D. Baldwin, S. Manfreda, K. Keller, E. A.H. Smithwick, 2017, Journal of Hydrology on p. 393-404

Reconstructing disturbances and their biogeochemical consequences over multiple timescales

Kendra K. McLauchlan, Philip E. Higuera, Daniel G. Gavin, Steven S. Perakis, Michelle C. Mack, Heather Alexander, John Battles, Franco Biondi, Brian Buma, Daniele Colombaroli, Sara K. Enders, Daniel R. Engstrom, Feng Sheng Hu, Jennifer R. Marlon, John Marshall, Matt McGlone, Jesse L. Morris, Lucas E. Nave, Bryan Shuman, Erica A.H. Smithwick, Dunia H. Urrego, David A. Wardle, Christopher J. Williams, Joseph J. Williams, 2014, BioScience on p. 105-116

Growth and survival relationships of 71 tree species with nitrogen and sulfur deposition across the conterminous U.S.

Kevin J. Horn, R. Quinn Thomas, Christopher M. Clark, Linda H. Pardo, Mark E. Fenn, Gregory B. Lawrence, Steven S. Perakis, Erica A.H. Smithwick, Douglas Baldwin, Sabine Braun, Annika Nordin, Charles H. Perry, Jennifer N. Phelan, Paul G. Schaberg, Samuel B.St Clair, Richard Warby, Shaun Watmough, 2018, PLoS One

Deer feeding selectivity for invasive plants

Kristine M. Averill, David A. Mortensen, Erica A.H. Smithwick, Eric Post, 2016, Biological Invasions on p. 1247-1263

A regional assessment of white-tailed deer effects on plant invasion

Kristine M. Averill, David A. Mortensen, Erica A.H. Smithwick, Susan Kalisz, William J. McShea, Norman A. Bourg, John D. Parker, Alejandro A. Royo, Marc D. Abrams, David K. Apsley, Bernd Blossey, Douglas H. Boucher, Kai L. Caraher, Antonio DiTommaso, Sarah E. Johnson, Robert Masson, Victoria A. Nuzzo, 2018, AoB PLANTS

Conceptual links between landscape diversity and diet diversity: A roadmap for transdisciplinary research

Sarah E. Gergel, Bronwen Powell, Frédéric Baudron, Sylvia L.R. Wood, Jeanine M. Rhemtulla, Gina Kennedy, Laura V. Rasmussen, Amy Ickowitz, Matthew E. Fagan, Erica A.H. Smithwick, Jessica Ranieri, Stephen A. Wood, Jeroen C.J. Groot, Terry C.H. Sunderland, 2020, BioScience on p. 563-575

News Articles Featuring Erica Smithwick

Oct 31, 2024

$1.3M NSF grant to fund research into restoration of degraded ecosystems

An international team of researchers led by Ida Djenontin, assistant professor of geography at Penn State, was recently awarded a $1.3 million grant from the U.S. National Science Foundation’s Dynamics of Integrated Socio-Environmental Systems program to investigate the socioecological outcomes of restoration in degraded woodlands ecosystems.

Full Article

Oct 17, 2024

Climate Consortium awards projects to drive climate solutions across key sectors

The Penn State Climate Consortium has awarded funding to four research projects through its Climate Solutions Accelerator Program. Through this program, the consortium aims to put promising climate solutions into action via interdisciplinary partnerships.

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Sep 13, 2024

How this one climate fix means a school nurse sees fewer students sick from the heat

At Johnson Senior High School in St. Paul, Minnesota, lack of air conditioning had become a major problem for students and staff. But that was then. Last fall the school installed a heat pump cooling system, a type that makes use of the cooler temperatures underground.

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Aug 07, 2024

Texas Reservoir Water Levels Are Hitting Record Lows. Here's Why

Two of Texas's most important reservoirs are seeing lower water levels than ever before.

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Jun 27, 2024

Erica Smithwick: Climate Change in Context

Dr. Erica Smithwick is a leading climate scientist, but she acknowledges that changing how society views global warming is more about conversations with friends and neighbors than warnings from experts.

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Jun 18, 2024

Climate change is making heat waves like this week's more common and severe in Pa.

The first significant heat wave of this season is affecting much of the Midwest to the Northeast this week, including Pennsylvania. That's according to the National Weather Service. All of central and northern Pennsylvania is under a heat advisory until 8 p.m. on Saturday, with heat index values up to 101 degrees.

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Jun 06, 2024

How a group of scientists and moms are fighting back against climate change

The Science Moms are working to protect the future of our kids and giving you the tools to demand change. Dr. Erica Smithwick, a professor at Penn State, joined us to talk about the group's important message.

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Feb 14, 2024

Stable profits, land preservation matter to farmers debating solar leases

Stable and predictable profit is an important factor to Pennsylvania farmers considering leasing out their land for solar energy development, it’s not enough on its own

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Dec 21, 2023

Radio Clip on rural zone updates

There have been rural zone updates because of climate change and its affect on plant life

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Dec 12, 2023

Climate in Crisis: AGU conference in San Francisco this week

Experts share their research to better understand the environment and collaborate on solutions at the American Geophysical Union annual meeting

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Dec 07, 2023

Climate Consortium announces call for workshop proposals

The Penn State Climate Consortium has launched the Climate Solutions Accelerator, an innovative effort aimed at catalyzing research projects geared towards offering impactful climate solutions for communities in Pennsylvania and globally.

Full Article

Nov 06, 2023

Collaborative landscape design approach may improve resiliency, human well-being

A newly proposed landscape stewardship framework may lead to a more resilient and adaptable environment and improved quality of life for people.

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Sep 13, 2023

PSU expert shares advice on how to navigate extreme heat closures with students

Changes in the climate have been forcing many schools to temporarily close or cancel activities

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Sep 03, 2023

Climate change strains Pa. farmers with extreme heat, floods, droughts

Climate change is impacting Pennsylvania farmers

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Aug 02, 2023

How much good does recycling do these days?

What can and cannot be recycled and what impact it has

Full Article

Aug 02, 2023

Erica Smithwick: A practical, financially helpful way to fight climate change

The impact heat pumps can help make a difference on climate change

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Jul 14, 2023

A Penn State expert on learning to live with wildfires, as climate change heats up

Wildfires in Canada are breaking records this year, burning more than 20 million acres so far. One effect has been days of haze and unhealthy air in Pennsylvania.

Full Article

Jun 12, 2023

'This is on our doorstep now': Wildfire smoke is new hazard in upper Midwest

Smoke from Canadian wildfires that turned skies along the East Coast a sickly yellow also brought air quality alerts to much of the Midwest last week. State health departments cautioned people with heart and lung conditions to reduce outdoor exposure.

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Jun 10, 2023

Canada Wildfires and Air Quality Impact

This broadcast TV segment features Erica Smithwick, Distinguished Professor of Geography and director of the Earth and Environmental Systems Institute. Similar segments aired on at least a dozen local stations across the country.

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Jun 09, 2023

'This is on our doorstep now': Wildfire smoke a reminder that climate change impacts human health

Smoke from Canadian wildfires that turned skies along the East Coast a sickly yellow has become yet another illustration of how changes in our climate foster extreme weather events.

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Jun 08, 2023

What’s actually in all that smoke you’re breathing

Billowing clouds of Canadian wildfire smoke have transformed blue skies into apocalyptic orange scenes across the eastern United States.

Full Article

May 02, 2023

Energy, environmental seed grants awarded to interdisciplinary research teams

Nineteen interdisciplinary research teams received funding through the Institutes of Energy and the Environment’s (IEE) Seed Grant Program for 2023.

Full Article

Mar 23, 2023

Climate Solutions Symposium to take place at Penn State on May 22 and 23

Penn State will host the Climate Solutions Symposium on May 22 and 23 at the Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center.

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Jan 31, 2023

Eissenstat retires from College of Ag Sciences after three decades at Penn State

David Eissenstat, professor of woody plant physiology, retired recently after a distinguished 28-year career on the Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences faculty, including a two-year stint as interim head of the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management.

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Jan 26, 2023

Smithwick appointed new director of Earth and Environmental Systems Institute

Erica Smithwick, distinguished professor of geography, has been named director of the Earth and Environmental Systems Institute at Penn State, effective Jan. 1.

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