Relena Ribbons

Relena.cedar

Research
My dissertation research is focused on exploring the relationships between tree species, their respective soil microbial communities, and the cycling of nitrogen and carbon within forests. I use both field and laboratory experiments to explore the relationships between trees and soils, including isotope tracing and molecular techniques. My research sites are located in the United Kingdom, Denmark, and British Columbia.

Background
I am a Forests for Nature and Society research fellow (FONASO). I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies, and Master of Science in Forestry, with a focus on Forest Ecology. My master’s research explored the influence of climate and disturbance on red spruce forests at their southern continuous range limit, using dendrochronology techniques.

Fun
Running, biking, hiking, gardening, dancing, drinking good coffee, and traveling are a few of my favorite pastimes.

Recent publications

Andersen, AN, Ribbons RR, Pettit M, and Parr CL. 2014. Burning for biodiversity: highly resilient ant communities respond only to strongly contrasting fire regimes in Australia’s seasonal tropics. Journal of Applied Ecology.

Ribbons, RR. 2014. Community responses to eastern hemlock loss across a latitudinal gradient. Southeastern Naturalist (Special Issue 6).

Del Toro, I., R.R. Ribbons, and S.L. Pelini. 2012. The little things that run the world revisited: A review of ant-mediated ecosystem services and disservices (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Myrmecological News 17:133–146.

Ribbons R.R. 2014. Disturbance and climatic effects on red spruce community dynamics at its southern continuous range margin. PeerJ 2:e293  http://dx.doi.org/10.7717/peerj.293

Stuble KL, Patterson CM, Rodriguez-Cabal MA, Ribbons RR, Dunn RR, and Sanders N. 2014. Ant-mediated seed dispersal in a warmed world. PeerJ 2:e286 http://dx.doi.org/10.7717/peerj.286