Research
Interests:
Ecology of disturbed lands - both natural (predominantly
glacial, floodplain, and burned systems) and anthropogenic
(predominantly mining). We try to understand the natural
processes and mimic those during revegetation. Much
of my current research focuses on mycorrhizae - the
symbioses among plant roots and certain fungi in which
the fungi help the plant absorb nutrients and moisture
from the soil, and the plant provides the fungi with
an energy source (C).
Current
Research Programs:
1) Mycorrhizae on disturbed lands resulting from either
natural or anthropogenic disturbances
2) Matching plant materials and growth media on mined
sites to achieve desired post-mining land-use goals
Examples
of Research Support:
"Ectomycorrhizae on Disturbed Lands in Southcentral
and Interior Alaska: a Comparison of Regional Similarities
and Differences", USDA McIntire-Stennis, about
$20,000/yr, 2000-present.
"Inoculated
Woody Seedlings: A New Alaskan Crop for Alaskan Revegetation",
USDA New Crop Opportunities, $42,000, 2001-2004.
"Revegetation
Studies on Two Bull Ridge", Usibelli Coal Mine,
Inc., $94,577, 1991-2002.
"Revegetation
Evaluation Gold Run Pass", Usibelli Coal Mine,
Inc., $6,043, 2002-2004.
"Abandoned
coal mine revegetation monitoring", Alaska Department
of Natural Resources, Division of Mining, Land, and
Water, $15,000/yr, 1996-2004.
"Evaluation
of Field Techniques to Describe Vegetation on Forest
Inventory Plots", USDA Forest Service, $15,000,
2000-2001.
Examples
of Publications:
Helm, D.J., and B.R. Mead. (in press) Reproducibility
of vegetation cover estimates in southcentral Alaska
forests. Journal of Vegetation Science.
Helm,
D.J., Allen, E.B. & Trappe, J.M. 1999. Plant growth
and mycorrhiza formation by transplants on deglaciated
land near Exit Glacier, Alaska. Mycorrhiza 8: 297-304.
Helm,
D.J., and W.B. Collins. 1997. Vegetation succession
and disturbance on boreal forest floodplain, Susitna
River, Alaska. Canadian Field-Naturalist 111:553-566.
Collins,
W.B., and D.J. Helm. 1997. Moose (Alces alces) habitat
relative to riparian succession in the boreal forest,
Susitna River, Alaska. Canadian Field-Naturalist 111:567-574.
Helm,
D. 1997. 5.3.1. Vegetation. p. 140-145 In: Marcus,
J. (ed.). Mining Environmental Handbook: Effects of
Mining on the Environment and American Environmental
Controls on Mining. London, Imperial College Press.
Helm,
D.J., E.B. Allen, and J.M. Trappe. 1996. Mycorrhizal
chronosequence near Exit Glacier, Alaska. Canadian
Journal of Botany 74:1496-1506.
Helm,
D.J., and E.B. Allen. 1995. Vegetation chronosequence
near Exit Glacier, Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska,
U.S.A. Arctic and Alpine Research 27:246-257.
Helm,
D.J. 1995. Native grass cultivars selected to meet
multiple goals of revegetation on a proposed mine
site in southcentral Alaska. Restoration Ecology 3:111-122.
Allen,
E.B., M.F. Allen, D.J. Helm, J.M. Trappe, R. Molina,
and E. Rincon. 1995. Patterns and regulation of mycorrhizal
plant and fungal diversity. Plant and Soil 170:47-62.
Helm,
D.J. 1994. Establishment of moose browse on four growth
media on a proposed mine site in southcentral Alaska.
Restoration Ecology 3:164-179.
Helm,
D.J. and D.E. Carling. 1993. Use of soil transfer
for reforestation on abandoned mined lands in Alaska.
I. Effects of soil transfer and phosphorus on growth
and mycorrhizal formation by Populus balsamifera.
Mycorrhiza 3:97-106.
Helm,
D.J. and D.E. Carling. 1993. Use of soil transfer
for reforestation on abandoned mined lands in Alaska.
II. Effects of soil transfers from different successional
stages on growth and mycorrhizal formation by Populus
balsamifera and Alnus crispa. Mycorrhiza 3:107-114.
Helm,
D. 1982. Multivariate analysis of alpine snow-patch
vegetation cover near Milner Pass, Rocky Mountain
National Park, Colorado, USA. Arctic and Alpine Research
14:87-95.
