The Fate of Pyrogenic Carbon in Post-Fire, Dynamic Landscapes

Asmeret Asefaw Berhe, professor of soil biogeochemistry and Falasco Chair in earth sciences and geology at the University of California, Merced, is UNC Asheville’s 26th S. Dexter Squibb Distinguished Lecturer. Her research interest lies at the intersection of soil science, geochemistry, global change science, and political ecology.

In her lecture, Berhe will present results from wildfires that occurred in the Sierra Nevada Mountains to demonstrate how the composition and magnitude of fire-altered, or pyrogenic, carbon redistributed by soil erosion varies considerably depending on fire severity and geomorphology of the landscape.

The S. Dexter Squibb Endowed Distinguished Lectureship brings well-known scientists to the UNC Asheville campus to give lectures and to meet with area students and educators. The lecture series honors S. Dexter Squibb, former UNC Asheville Department of Chemistry chair. Squibb was a member of the faculty from 1964-94 and was instrumental in developing UNC Asheville’s Department of Chemistry into a certified four-year program.