Gough Lab

Thanks for visiting! Here, you will find information about our research in plant physiological and ecosystem ecology. Our emphasis is on understanding how climate, disturbance, succession, and ecosystem structure affect leaf to ecosystem-scale function, with a focus on forest and wetland carbon cycling. Currently, we seek undergraduate student collaborators to conduct Department of Energy (DOE), National Science Foundation (NSF), and NASA supported research at VCU's Rice Rivers Center, and the University of Michigan Biological Station. Please contact Chris.

What we do: A National Science Foundation project asks how forests respond to disturbance. NASA’s Student Airborne Research Program East (SARP-E) provides immersive training for undergraduates. And, a DOE project studies how pulse salinity and nitrogen affect wetlands. Last Spring, we launched the VCU Chesapeake Carbon Consortium (C3), supporting nature-based solutions in the region through rigorous, project-tailored carbon accounting.

NEWS

Fall

2024

The field season is underway, with NASA campaigns in the Chesapeake Bay region and forest carbon cycling research ‘up north’ in Michigan. Congratulations to Dr. Lisa Haber on an exceptional dissertation defense, Candidate Ariel Johnson on the successful completion of PhD comprehensive exams, Mindy Priddy on her receipt of the Huff Fellowship, and Dr. Brandon Alveshere on the acceptance of a publication. Go Team!

Summer

2024

We are back in the lab and classroom, working up manuscripts from prior field seasons and preparing for another active field season ahead. Spoiler alerts: Our Rice Rivers Marsh is a huge methane emitter relative to its saltwater counterpart; Maples beat oaks as neighborhood disturbance severity increases; and new analysis from Harvard Forest show highly complex forests there store less (not more) carbon in wood biomass.

Spring

2024

Following an action-packed field season, we are transitioning back to the lab for the Fall semester, with one important exception: Chris is on scholarly leave! In addition to extremely scholarly activities, Chris is picking up his guitar (finally) and hitting the trails. Elsewhere in the lab, we welcome new MS and work study students, and look forward to sharing the spoils of the field season with you soon!

Fall 2023