Phillip E. Pope

Mailing Address:
Purdue University
Department of Forestry and Natural Resources
Pfendler Hall of Agriculture
715 W. State Street
West Lafayette, IN 47907-2061

Office: PFEN 221F
Phone: (765) 494-3593
Fax: (765) 494-9461
E-mail: ppope@purdue.edu

Research:
Soil-Plant Nutrient Relationships and Root Processes

RESEARCH

Research Interests : My current research interests include the impacts of forest practices on long term soil productivity and nutrient fluxes, specifically, nitrogen, phosphorus, and carbon. I have a continued interest in soil management as it relates to forest plantation establishment, soil-plant nutrient relationships, with special focus on the plant rhizosphere, and root processes including the study of mycorrhizae and N-fixing bacteria.

Research Publications:

  • Idol, T.W., R.A. Figler, P.E.Pope, and F. Ponder, Jr.  2001.  Stand age affects the characteristics of course woody debris in upland oak-hickory forests. For. Ecol. and Mgmt.  (127:153-161).
  • Jose, S., A.R. Gillespie, J.R.Seifert, and P.E. Pope.  2001.  Comparison of minirhizotron and soil core methods for quantifying root biomass in a temperate alley cropping system.  Agroforestry Systems.  (52:161-168).
  • Idol.T.W., K.A. Holzbaur, P.E. Pope, and F. Ponder Jr.  2002.  Control bag correction for forest floor litterbag decomposition.  Soil Sci. Soc. Amer. Jour.  (66:620-623).
  • Idol, T.W., P.E. Pope, F. and Ponder Jr.  2002.  Changes in microbial-nitrogen across a 100-year chronosequence of upland hardwood forests.  Soil Sci. Soc. Amer. Jour.  (69:1662-1668).
  • Ponder, F. Jr. and P.E. Pope.  2003.  Regenerating hardwoods in the central hardwood region: soils and site conditions. In: Planting and Care of Fine Hardwood Seedlings.  Pijut P. ed.
  • Idol, T.W., D.J. Kaczmarek, and P.E. Pope.  2007.  C and N pools in oak-hickory forests across a soil productivity gradient.  Can. Jour. For. Res.  (Submitted).
  • Idol, T.W., D.J. Kaczmarek, and P.E. Pope.  2007.  A comparison of two in-growth core techniques for estimating fine root dynamics within oak-hickory forests of the central U.S. Can. Jour. For. Res.  (Submitted).

Recent Grants

  • Shoa, G., P. Pope, Q. Zhung, C. Mickler, M. Crawford.  $25,000.  Quantifying Carbon Sequestration Across Indiana's Forest Landscapes.  FROM: Center for the Environment.  2006-2007.
  • Carlson, D. and P. Pope.  $3,000.  Planting Success of High Value Hardwoods – Influence of Soil and Site Conditions.  FROM: Hardwood Forestry Fund.  2006-2007.
TEACHING 

Advanced Forest Soils, FNR 322, is an undergraduate course that builds on the basic knowledge obtained from an introductory forest soils course and explores, in greater depth, the unique nature and properties of forest soils. The course focuses on ecology and management of these soils and includes a more in depth study on forest soils and vegetation development and the interactions of soil and forest communities on soil physical and chemical properties, organic matter and decomposition, nutrient cycling, biology of soil organisms, and nutrient uptake and the rhizosphere. The remainder of the course concentrates on the effects of fire in forest systems and the management of forest soils, including nutrition management, nutrient limitations, fertilization, and biological nitrogen fixation.

Forest Soils, FNR 522, is a graduate course that focuses on the physical and chemical properties of forest soils that affect root growth and nutrient uptake, soil organic matter and humus chemistry, soil microbiology and the rhizosphere, and the influence of these and other factors on the long term soil productivity. Special/contemporary topics such as carbon sequestration, acid deposition, and reclamation and management of disturbed soils are discussed. A portion of the course is set aside to discuss topics that are of particular interest to the class.

SERVICE 

In recent years my efforts have centered on service to the Department and the University. I am the ombudsman for the Department, focusing on graduate student issues and concerns, and I serve on the Department's graduate committee. My service to the University results, largely, from my responsibilities as associate dean of the Graduate School . I also serve on the Beering Scholars selection Committee, the Committee for the Education of Teaching Assistants (a committee of the Teaching Academy), the Committee of International Program Officers (an advisory committee to the dean of International Programs), and the Honors Circle (the primary working committee for the University Honors Program).

ADMINISTRATION
  • Chairman, Graduate Committee Forestry and Natural Resources – 1984-1991. As Chair, I coordinated the graduate program and acted as the liaison between the department and the Graduate School , compiled and reviewed graduate applications, chaired the review committee, reviewed student audits, made recommendations to the department head, and awarded and managed all graduate student assistantships.
  • Assistant Director for Sponsored Research, Purdue Research Foundation –1988-1990. I was involved in campus-wide research and development activities but focused primarily on the College of Agriculture , the School of Veterinary Medicine , and the College of Consumer and Family Sciences. I identified sponsored research opportunities, assisted faculty in preparing proposals and facilitated pre- and post- award activities. I worked with other directors to establish strategies in research development for the University and the College of Agriculture and assisted in organizing interdisciplinary sponsored research.
  • Assistant Head, Department of Forestry and Natural Resources – 1989-1994. I counseled the head regarding fiscal, policy, and faculty matters, and had primary responsibility for research development from competitive funding sources.
  • Special Assignment, College of Agriculture – 1990-1993. I chaired the Grantsmanship Committee for Agriculture which was responsible for identifying programs and facilitating activities which increased interest, competitiveness, and success of the Agriculture faculty in securing grant and contract support.
  • Director, Illinois-Indians Sea Grant College Program – 1994-2000. I had overall fiscal and programmatic responsibility for the program. I served as a  member of the Sea Grant Association, the Council of Great Lakes Sea Grant Directors, and a member and Executive Committee member of the Board of Oceans and Atmosphere.
  • Associate Dean, the Graduate School –1998-Present.
AWARDS AND HONORS
  • National Academy of Science, Panel on Portuguese Forestry, 1983-84.
  • Award for Superior Service , U.S. Department of Agriculture, June 1989. Mid-West Drought Response Team.
  • U.S. Representative for the Department of Energy, International Energy Agency, 1992-94.
  • Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service Team Award, 1997.
  • Service Award from the Board of Oceans and Atmosphere, National Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges , 1997. Coastal Restoration.
  • Service Award from the College of Agriculture , Purdue University , 1997.
  • Award for Service to the Great Lakes Commission, 1999.