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Robert O.
Teskey
Professor of Forest Resources
Distinguished
Research Professor 2001
Robert Teskey, Professor of Forest Resources, is internationally
recognized for his significant findings in both basic and applied
aspects of tree physiology that have led to a better understanding
of how the environment affects the physiological processes of trees.
Dr. Teskey has developed a number of research methods that have
become standard practice in modern plant eco-physiology research.
His initial research focused on how environmental stresses such
as drought influence a tree’s functions. He expanded his focus
to include the impact on tree processes of human-modified factors,
such as the effects of ozone in the troposphere and elevated levels
of carbon dioxide and air temperature. These efforts have produced
important findings about the effects of anthropogenic pollution
on forests. For example, using “branch chambers” a technique he
developed to apply experimental treatments to large trees, Dr.
Teskey has shown that the ambient levels of ozone in the Southeastern
United States are reducing forest productivity by as much as 30
percent. This finding has spawned a search by tree breeders for
individual trees that are resistant to the detrimental effects
of ozone. This pursuit also could be a key to a greatly improved
productivity in planted forests. He developed the scientific foundation
for studying isolated tree branches by pioneering the concept of
branch autonomy. His tree branch chamber can be used to isolate
parts of a tree for study, overcoming the difficulty of working
with large trees growing in a forest and of eliminating erroneous
predictions in research based on seedlings.
Source: 22nd Annual Research Awards Program (2001)
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