Courses taught at GVSU:

BIO 696 Perspectives in Biology
NRM 250 Resource Measurements and Mapping
NRM 452 Watershed and Wetland Management
NRM 462 Forest Ecosystem Management

Research Interests:

A variety of opportunities exist for students to be involved in research related to watershed management, forest ecology and management, wetland restoration, reclamation of degraded lands, and ecological restoration. Recent studies completed include a four-year study of water quality in the Pigeon River watershed, native grass establishment on a degraded site, burning effects on spotted knapweed germination and establishment, survival of trout in the Pigeon River (Ottawa County), and vegetation responses to landfill leachate application.

Recent Publications:

MacDonald, N.W., R.R. Rediske, B.T. Scull, and D. Wierzbicki.  2008.  Landfill cover soil, soil solution, and vegetation responses to municipal landfill leachate applications.  Journal of Environmental Quality 37:1974-1985.

MacDonald, N.W., B.T. Scull, and S.R. Abella. 2007. Mid-spring burning reduces spotted knapweed and increases native grasses during a Michigan experimental grassland establishment. Restoration Ecology 15(1):118-128.

Pregitzer, K.S., D.R. Zak, A.J. Burton, J.A. Ashby, and N.W. MacDonald. 2004. Chronic nitrate additions dramatically increase the export of carbon and nitrogen from northern hardwood ecosystems. Biogeochemistry 68:179-197.

MacDonald, N.W., M.T. Koetje, and B.J. Perry. 2003. Native warm-season grass establishment on spotted knapweed-infested gravel mine spoils. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation 58:243-250.

Abella, S.R., V.B. Shelburne, and N.W. MacDonald. 2003. Multifactor classification of forest landscape ecosystems of Jocassee Gorges, southern Appalachian Mountains, South Carolina. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 33:1933-1946.

Abella, S.R., and N.W. MacDonald. 2002. Spatial and temporal patterns of eastern white pine regeneration in a northwestern Ohio oak stand. Michigan Botanist 41:111-119.

MacDonald, N.W., P.J. Bosscher, C.A. Mieczkowski, E.M. Sauter, and B.J. Tinsley. 2001. Burning reduces spotted knapweed seedling establishment. Ecological Restoration 19(4):262-263.

MacDonald, N.W., R.R. Rediske, and J.E. Van Denend. 2001. Hydrologic events and water quality in the Pigeon River, Ottawa County, Michigan. Michigan Academician XXXIII:155-173.

Abella, S.R., and N.W. MacDonald. 2000. Intense burns may reduce spotted knapweed germination. Ecological Restoration 18(3):203-205.

Recent Presentations:

MacDonald, N.W.  2008.  Development of a revised critical areas map of the Pigeon River watershed, Ottawa County, Michigan.  Presentation made at the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Sabbatical Showcase and Spring Celebration in Allendale, Michigan, 18 April 2008. 

MacDonald, N.W.  2008.  Establishment of native grasses on spotted knapweed-infested sites with the aid of herbicides and fire.  Invited presentation made at the Michigan Invasive Plant Council Symposium in East Lansing, Michigan, 29 February 2008.

MacDonald, N.W.  2007.  Establishment of native grasses on spotted knapweed-infested sites with the aid of fire.  Invited presentation made at the Michigan Association of Conservation Districts and Michigan Prescribed Fire Council Conservation Convention in Bellaire, Michigan, 4 December 2007.

Mays, D.W., N.W. MacDonald, A. Harrington, and C.R. Ruetz.  2007.  Survival of stocked brown trout (Salmo trutta) in the Pigeon River, Ottawa County, Michigan.  Oral presentation at the Michigan Academy Meetings in Big Rapids, Michigan, 9 March 2007 (presentation made by N.W. MacDonald).   

MacDonald, N.W.  2007.  Establishment of native grasses on spotted knapweed-infested sites.  Invited presentation made at the 20^th Annual Conference of the Wildflower Association of Michigan in East Lansing, Michigan, 4 March 2007.

MacDonald, N.W., R.R. Rediske, and B.T. Scull. 2006. Landfill cap soil and vegetation responses to municipal solid waste leachate applications. Abstracts of the American Society of Agronomy-Crop Science Society of America-Soil Science Society of America 2006 International Meetings, Abstract 307-7 (CD). Oral presentation at the 2006 ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meetings in Indianapolis, Indiana, 15 November 2006.

MacDonald, N.W., B.T. Scull, and S.R. Abella. 2006. Mid-spring burning reduces spotted knapweed and increases native grasses on a degraded, knapweed-infested site. Michigan Academician (In Press). Oral presentation at the Michigan Academy Meetings in Auburn Hills, Michigan, 3 March 2006.

MacDonald, N.W., and B.T. Scull. 2004. Spring Burning of Native Warm-Season Grasses Reduces Spotted Knapweed Density and Biomass. Michigan Academician 36:17. Oral presentation at the Michigan Academy Meetings in Grand Rapids, Michigan, 5 March, 2004.

MacDonald, N.W., B.T. Scull, and R.R. Rediske. 2004. Soil and Vegetation Responses to Municipal Solid Waste Leachate Applications at the Fenske Landfill. Michigan Academician 36:36. Oral presentation at the Michigan Academy Meetings in Grand Rapids, Michigan, 5 March, 2004.

MacDonald, N.W., and M.T. Koetje. 2000. Establishment of native warm season grasses on a spotted knapweed (Centaurea maculosa) infested site using herbicide and sludge applications. Oral presentation at the 25th Annual Meeting of the Canadian Land Reclamation Association, 16-21 September, 2000, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Scientific & Professional Societies:

American Association for the Advancement of Science
Michigan Academy of Science, Arts, and Letters
Society for Ecological Restoration
Society of American Foresters
Soil Science Society of America
Soil and Water Conservation Society