Norman L. Christensen, Jr.

Norman L. Christensen, Jr. "holds a Ph.D.('73) in Biology from the University of California, Santa Barbara and an M.S. and A.B. in Biology from the California State University at Fresno. He is currently a Professor of Ecology at the Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences at Duke University where he began as an assistant professor in 1973. He served as the Dean for the Nicholas School of the Environment from 1991 to 2001. His primary research interests are the effects of disturbance on structure and function of populations and communities, including analysis of patterns of forest development following cropland abandonment, comparative studies of biogeochemical and community responses to varying fire regimes; applications of remote sensing systems such as synthetic aperture radar to evaluate long-term changes in forest ecosystems. Christensen has written widely on the importance of natural disturbance in the management of forests, shrublands, and wetlands, and on the concept of ecosystem management.

"Christiansen currently serves on the US Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board (appointed by President Bill Clinton), as the Chair of Science Panel for the National Commission on Sustainable Forestry, and on the Boards of The Conservation Fund, The North Carolina Nature Conservancy, Resources for the Future, The Forest History Society and The American Forest Foundation."