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.
