UC Spark

Dr Justin Morgenroth

School of Forestry

Fields of Research

  • Modeling tree response to changes in soil properties following earthquakes
  • Measuring and modeling the structure and ecological function of urban forests
  • Modeling biomass and leaf area index for New Zealand’s native tree species
  • Interpreting LiDAR data for forest inventory purposes
  • Effects of pavements on underlying soil conditions and street tree growth
  • Improving forestry decision support systems using climate and soil data

Researcher Summary

My research is focussed on the interactions between trees and their environment. Through empiric research and modelling, I try to understand and explain the impact of climatic, edaphic, and anthropogenic effects on a range of ecosystems from forested landscapes to urban forests where trees are heavily managed. Likewise, describing the environmental and social benefits derived from trees is of particular interest.  Understanding this bidirectional relationship, whereby trees respond to, but also affect their environment, is the common theme underlying my research goals.

Subject Area: Disciplines

Publications


  • Morgenroth, J., Buchan, G. and Scharenbroch, B.C. (2013) Belowground effects of porous pavements - soil moisture and chemical properties. Ecological Engineering 51: 221-228. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2012.12.041. (Journal Article)
  • Evison, D. and Morgenroth, J. (2013) Help make forestry a positive career choice. New Zealand Journal of Forestry 57(4): 36. (Journal Article)
  • Morgenroth, J. (2012) A scoping report on the potential for research at Three Streams and Kauri Grove reserves. The Kauri Studies Trust. 39pp. (Report for External Body)
  • Morgenroth, J. (2012) Exploring the impact of the Christchurch, New Zealand, earthquake on landscape trees. Portland, OR, USA: International Society of Arboriculture Annual International Conference (ISA), 11-15 Aug 2012. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Morgenroth, J. (2012) The digital forest. Wellington, New Zealand: New Zealand Arboricultural Association Conference (NZ Arb), 25-28 Oct 2012. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Morgenroth, J. and Armstrong, T. (2012) The impact of significant earthquakes on Christchurch, New Zealand's urban forest. Urban Forestry and Urban Greening 11(4): 383-389. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2012.06.003. (Journal Article)
  • Morgenroth, J. and Visser, R. (2011) Above-Ground Growth Response of Platanus orientalis to Porous Pavements. Arboriculture & Urban Forestry 37(1): 1-6. (Journal Article)
  • Morgenroth, J. (2011) Earthquakes, Trees, and the 'New Normal'. Sydney, Australia: International Society of Arboriculture Annual Conference, 23-27 Jul 2011. (Conference Contribution - Poster presentation)
  • Bloomberg, M., Morgenroth, J. and May, R. (2011) Estimating location of new commercial plantation forests at a regional scale in Marlborough. Marlborough District Council. (Report for External Body)
  • Morgenroth, J. (2011) Impacts of Porous Pavements on Soil Environment and Street Tree Growth. Sydney, Australia: International Society of Arboriculture Annual Conference, 23-27 Jul 2011. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Morgenroth, J. (2011) Root Growth Response of Platanus orientalis to Porous Pavements. Arboriculture & Urban Forestry 37(2): 45-50. (Journal Article)
  • Mason, E.G., Bloomberg, M. and Morgenroth, J. (2011) Species choice for afforestation of difficult sites in New Zealand. [SLMACC extensions]. New Zealand Farm Forestry Association. (Software)
  • Morgenroth, J. (2011) The Effect of Porous Concrete Paving on Underlying Soil Conditions and Growth of Platanus orientalis. PhD, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand. http://hdl.handle.net/10092/5112. (Thesis - Doctor of Philosophy)
  • Morgenroth, J. and Visser, R.V. (2010) Porous pavements increase above-ground growth of Platanus orientalis. Beijing, China: International Conference for Urban Forestry in Challenging Environments, 29 Aug-1 Sep 2010. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Morgenroth, J. (2009) Effect of Porous Paving on Tree Growth. Providence, RI, USA: International Society of Arboriculture Annual Conference, 25-29 Jul 2009. (Conference Contribution - Poster presentation)
  • Morgenroth, J. and Buchan, G.D. (2009) Soil Moisture and Aeration Beneath Pervious and Impervious Pavements. Arboriculture & Urban Forestry 35(3): 135-141. (Journal Article)
  • Morgenroth, J. (2008) Response of urban trees to changes in soil moisture and aeration status as affected by porous paving. Lisle, IL, USA: The Landscape Below Ground, 6-8 Oct 2008. (Conference Contribution - Full conference paper)
  • Morgenroth, J. (2007) Minimizing tree root conflicts with infrastructure while optimizing the rooting environment for urban trees. Christchurch, New Zealand: The New Zealand Arboricultural Association Annual Conference 2007 (NZAA), 22-24 Nov 2007. (Conference Contribution - Full conference paper)