Mark S. Ashton
Morris K. Jesup Professor of Silviculture and Forest Ecology and Director of Yale Forests
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
I was born in the Brunei Sultanate. My early childhood was in Sarawak and Brunei, but later I moved to Scotland and now live in New England, USA. I have traveled widely throughout South and Southeast Asia, Europe, and North and South America. I have conducted long-term field research for over 35 years in Sri Lanka and New England, USA; and for over 15 years in Panama. Short-term research sites (3-8 years) have been in British Columbia and Saskatchewan, Canada; the Peruvian Amazon; Mata Atlantica, Brazil; Ecuador; Mexico, Central African Republic; the Indian Himalayas and Western Ghats; Puerto Rico; China; Mongolia; and Malaysia. My native language is English but also speak basic Sinhala and French and rudimentary Spanish. Google Scholar
Professional interests
Research concerns tree seedling ecology, physiological and morphological adaptations of leaves to environment, forest microenvironments, disturbance and landscape level dynamics of forests and their applications to: 1) regeneration silviculture of native forests; 2) restoration of degraded forestlands; 3) plantation analogs of mixed-species stands and agroforestry systems; and 4) silviculture of non-timber forest crops.
Teaching concentrates on all aspects of silviculture and forest ecology with a particular emphasis on natural forests - worldwide. Other areas of interest include management of protected areas broadly defined; ecosystem services – with particular focus on water and carbon sequestration; forest watershed issues of the urban - rural interface; and agroforestry and forest restoration systems as models for community development
Education
1986-90 Yale University, School of Forestry and Environmental Studies
Ph.D. in forest ecology (regeneration ecophysiology). Advisor: D.M. Smith
1983-85 Yale University, School of Forestry and Environmental Studies
M.F. in silviculture, economic analysis. Advisors: C.L Binkley; B.C. Larson
1979-82 University of Maine, Orono, College of Forest Resources
B.S. (with high honors) Forestry and Wildlife
B.S. (with high honors) Wood technology
Academic Appointments
2007 - Morris K. Jessup Chair of Silviculture and Forest Ecology, Yale University
2000 - 2007 Professor of Silviculture and Forest Ecology, Yale University
2000 - Director of School Forests, Yale University
2002 - Associate Scientist, New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, New York
1999 - 2011 Associate Scientist, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Panama
1998 - 2002 John D. Musser Director of the Tropical Resources Institute, Yale University
1996 - 2000 Associate Professor of Silviculture, Yale University, School of Forestry and Environmental Studies.
1992 - 1996 Assistant Professor of Silviculture, Yale University, School of Forestry and Environmental Studies.
1991 - 1992 Lecturer of Silviculture, Yale University, School of Forestry and Environmental Studies.
Honors and Awards
2019 - Acknowledgement of Teaching Excellence – Yale F&ES Student Class 2019
2019 - David M. Smith Award for research and teaching in silviculture, Society of American Foresters
2014 - Acknowledgement of Teaching Excellence – Yale F&ES student class 2014
2013 - Yale Sustainability Achievement Award
2013 - Acknowledgement of Teaching Excellence - Yale F&ES student class 2013
2012 - Acknowledgement of Teaching Excellence – Yale F&ES Student class 2012
2011 - Recognition of Service Award – Connecticut Forest and Park Association
2010 - Acknowledgement of Teaching Excellence – Yale F&ES student class 2010
2010 - Conservation Service Award – Incarnation Center
2009 - Acknowledgement of Teaching Excellence – Yale F&ES student class 2009
2008 - Acknowledgement of Teaching Excellence – Yale F&ES student class 2008
2003 - Recognition of Public Service, State of Connecticut
2002 - Acknowledgment of Teaching Excellence - Yale F&ES student class 2002 (large class category)
1999 - Acknowledgment of Teaching Excellence - Yale F&ES student class 1999 (student advising)
1998 - Acknowledgment of Teaching Excellence - Yale F&ES student class 1998 (large class category)
1997 - UNESCO Sultan Quaboos prize for Environmental Conservation
1996 - Honorable Mention - Food and Agricultural Sciences Excellence in College and University Teaching
1996 - Acknowledgment of Teaching Excellence - Yale F&ES student class 1996 (small class category)
1996 - Leopold Schepp Award for Forest Conservation
1995 - Acknowledgment of Teaching Excellence - Yale F&ES student class 1995 (student advising)
1995 - Nominee - Food and Agricultural Sciences Excellence in College and University Teaching
1994 - Acknowledgment of Teaching Excellence – F&ES Yale student class 1994 (large class category)
1994 - Appalachian Trail Countryside Initiative Award from National Park Service
93/94 - Massachusetts Trustees of Reservations awards for protected areas management plans
1993 - Acknowledgment of Teaching Excellence – F&ES Yale student class 1993 (large class category)