Dave McWethy

Assistant Research Professor

Department of Earth Sciences

Montana State University

My research centers on understanding drivers of ecosystem diversity and change across multiple spatial and temporal scales.  I am particularly interested in identifying the mechanisms responsible for dynamic, disturbance-mediated vegetation transitions that are increasing worldwide.  My research involves the analysis and integration of multi-scale records of fire, climate, and vegetation (i.e., lake and peat sediments) across biophysical and human impact gradients.  One of the primary goals of this research is to develop a framework for understanding the vulnerability of ecosystems to shifting fire regimes as a result of human activity and climate change.