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Kimberley Davis
Research Scientist at University of Montana
Kimberley T. Davis is a research scientist at the Department of Ecosystem and Conservation Sciences at the University of Montana, focusing on plant ecology, fire ecology, and invasion biology. Her research primarily investigates the impacts of climate change and fire regimes on forest resilience, particularly in low-elevation forests of the western United States.
Education and Career
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Ph.D. in Ecology and Environmental Sciences: Davis earned her doctorate from Montana State University in 2016, where her dissertation explored the drivers of lodgepole pine invasion in New Zealand and Patagonia as part of a National Science Foundation-funded project.
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Postdoctoral Research: From 2016 to 2019, she worked as a postdoctoral scientist, leading investigations into post-fire tree regeneration for ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir in the western U.S.
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Research Scientist: In 2020, she transitioned to a research scientist role, continuing her focus on post-fire conifer regeneration and engaging in projects funded by organizations such as The Nature Conservancy and the U.S. Geological Survey's North Central Climate Adaptation Science Center.
Research Focus
Davis's current research includes:
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Post-Fire Recovery: Understanding how climate change affects the recovery of conifer forests after wildfires.
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Reforestation Strategies: Assessing climate-adaptive strategies for reforestation following fire events.
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Vegetation Transitions: Projecting changes in vegetation due to climate change, especially regarding transitions from forests to shrublands after high-severity wildfires.
Selected Publications
Davis has contributed to numerous publications in the field, including studies on wildfire impacts and forest microclimate, as well as challenges in the reforestation pipeline in the U.S..1234
Professional Affiliations
She is affiliated with the USDA Forest Service's Rocky Mountain Research Station at the Missoula Fire Sciences Lab, where her work significantly contributes to understanding and managing forest ecosystems in the context of climate change and fire dynamics.35
