Norman L. Christensen | Scholars@Duke

Norman L. Christensen
Professor Emeritus in the Division of Environmental Sciences & Policy

Christensen's research focuses on the effects of disturbance on structure and function of populations, communities and ecosystems. On going studies include an analysis of patterns of forest development following cropland abandonment as these are affected by environment, stand history and plant demographic patterns. He and his students are pursuing comparative studies of ecosystem responses to varying fire regimes across temperate North America. He is conducting research on the utilization of remote sensing systems such as synthetic aperture radar to evaluate long-term changes in forest ecosystems. In addition to these interests in basic ecological science, Christensen has written widely on the importance of natural disturbance in the management of forests, shrublands, and wetlands. He is interested in the application of basic ecological theory and models to management, and has collaborated with others in the development of the concept of ecosystem management.

Current Appointments & Affiliations

Professor Emeritus in the Division of Environmental Sciences & Policy, Environmental Sciences and Policy, Nicholas School of the Environment 2014

Contact Information

A316 LSRC, Durham, NC 27708
Box 90329, Durham, NC 27708-0329
normc@duke.edu (919) 613-8052

Background
Education, Training, & Certifications
- Ph.D., University of California - Santa Barbara 1973
- M.A., California State University, Fresno 1970
- B.A., California State University, Fresno 1968
Duke Appointment History
- Research Professor in the Division of Environmental Sciences & Policy, Environmental Sciences and Policy, Nicholas School of the Environment 2011 - 2013
- Professor of Ecology, Environmental Sciences and Policy, Nicholas School of the Environment 1991 - 2010
- Dean, Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University 1991 - 2001
- Professor of Botany, Biology, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences 1987 - 1991
- Chairman, Biology, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences 1990 - 1991
- Director, Angier B. Duke Memorial Scholarship Program, Divinity School, Duke University 1988 - 1990
- Associate Professor, Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University 1982 - 1988
- Associate Professor with Tenure, Biology, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences 1979 - 1987
- Assistant Professor, Biology, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences 1973 - 1979
Recognition
In the News
- FEB 1, 2021 Duke Magazine
  
  Marking Time Among the Trees in Duke Forest
- JUL 25, 2016
  
  News Tip: Misguided Forest Management Fueling Western Wildfires, Expert Says
- SEP 3, 2015 The New York Times, AP
  
  Norm Christensen comments: Study counts 3 trillion trees on Earth
- NOV 22, 2013
  
  Hotter, Faster, More Frequent
- AUG 21, 2013 Denver Post, AP
  
  Norman Christensen comments: Hot, dry summer pushes wildfire spending past $1 billion
Awards & Honors
- President. Ecological Society of America. 2008
Expertise
Global Scholarship
- Research
  - South America (Continent)
  - United States of America (Country)
Research
Selected Grants
- Forest Management, Species Habitat, and Implications for Carbon Flux and Storage awarded by Research Triangle Institute 2012 - 2017
- Fire History Among Southern Appalachian Forest Types awarded by Department of Agriculture 2004 - 2006
- Monitoring and modeling the response of coastal ecosystems and carbon storage to rising sea level awarded by National Aeronautics and Space Administration 2002 - 2005
- Tracing Carbon in Elevated CO2 Experiments: A Workshop for David Ellsworth awarded by Department of Energy 2001 - 2002
- Landscape History and Ecosystem Change-A Proposal for a Workshop awarded by Forest Service 1997 - 2001
- Establishing a Mobile Gas-exchange and Emission Research Facility awarded by Office of Science & Technology Infrastructure 1995 - 1999
- Analysis of SIR-C/X-SAR Data awarded by Jet Propulsion Lab 1990 - 1998
- Cooperation in the Geological and Environmental Sciences - Gary Dwyer awarded by US Geological Survey 1997
- Cooperation in the Geological and Environmental Sciences - Laura Pyle awarded by US Geological Survey 1997
- Analyses of SIR-C/X - SAR Data awarded by Jet Propulsion Lab 1990 - 1997
- Analyses of SIR-C/X - SAR Data awarded by Jet Propulsion Lab 1990 - 1997
- Analyses of SIR-C/X-SAR Data awarded by Jet Propulsion Lab 1990 - 1997
- Analysis of SIR-C/X SAR Data awarded by Jet Propulsion Lab 1990 - 1997
- Analysis of SIR-C/X-SAR Data awarded by Jet Propulsion Lab 1990 - 1997
- Effects of Global Climate Change on the Landscape Pattern of the Tanana River Floodplain in Interior Alaska awarded by National Aeronautics and Space Administration 1994 - 1997
- NASA Global Change Fellowship Program awarded by National Aeronautics and Space Administration 1994 - 1997
- Monitoring the Effects of Boreal Forests Using Imaging Radar awarded by National Aeronautics and Space Administration 1995 - 1997
- Vegetation Changes Associated with Two Levels of Burning in Pocosin Wetlands awarded by Forest Service 1993 - 1995
- Effects of Global Climate Change on the Landscape Pattern of the Tanana River Flood Plain in Interior Alaska awarded by National Aeronautics and Space Administration 1994 - 1995
- Effects of Disturbance at Multiple Scales on Floodplain Community Dynamics in Interior Alaska awarded by Forest Service 1993 - 1995
- Shuttle Imaging Radar-C (SIR-C) Program awarded by Jet Propulsion Lab 1990 - 1995
- Environmental Science and Policy: An Introductory Sequence awarded by National Science Foundation 1992 - 1995
- Ecology and Evolution of Aquatic Sphagia: Functional Morphology, Physiology and Phylogency awarded by National Science Foundation 1992 - 1994
- Estimation of Total Aboveground Biomass in Southern United States Pine Stands sir-c/x-sar awarded by Jet Propulsion Lab 1989 - 1994
- Introductory Sequence in Environmental Science and Policy awarded by National Science Foundation 1992 - 1994
- Continuation of Phytotron Operations awarded by National Science Foundation 1992 - 1994
- Monitoring Successional and Hydrological Trends in Fire-Disturbed Black Spruce Forests in the Interior of Alaska Using Spaceborne SAR Data awarded by National Aeronautics and Space Administration 1991 - 1994
- Monitoring Successional and Hydrological Trends in Fire-Disturbed Blade Spruce Forests in the Interior of Alaska Using Spaceborne SAR Data awarded by National Aeronautics and Space Administration 1991 - 1994
- Long-Term Studies of Forest Dynamics: Analysis of Seedling and Sampling Populations awarded by National Science Foundation 1991 - 1993
- Monitoring of Deforested and Fire-Disturbed Tropical Forest Ecosystems in the Amazon Basin Using Space-Borne SAR Data awarded by National Aeronautics and Space Administration 1992 - 1993
- Analysis of Temporal Variation in SAR Forest Signatures awarded by Jet Propulsion Lab 1990 - 1992
- Estimation of Total Aboveground Biomass in Southern United States, Pine Stands Using SIR-C/X-SAR awarded by Jet Propulsion Lab 1990 - 1991
- Shuttle Imaging Radar-C (SIRC) awarded by Jet Propulsion Lab 1990 - 1991
- Study of Canopy Geometry Measurements of the Forest Stands in the Duke Experimental Forest awarded by Jet Propulsion Lab 1990 - 1991
- Estimation of Aboveground Tree Biomass in Old-Field Loblolly Pine Forests Utilizing Multifrequency Multipolarization Airborne SAR Data awarded by National Aeronautics and Space Administration 1988 - 1990
- Estimation of Aboveground Tree Biomass in Old Field Loblolly Pine Forest awarded by National Aeronautics and Space Administration 1988 - 1990
- Multispectral Signatures and Forest Ecosystem Structure and Process awarded by National Aeronautics and Space Administration 1989
- Estimation of Aboveground Tree Biomass in Old-Field Loblolly Pine Forest Using Multifrequency, Multipolarization Airborne SAR Data awarded by National Aeronautics and Space Administration 1988 - 1989
- Landscape History and Ecological Succession awarded by National Science Foundation 1987 - 1988
- Dissertation Research: The Effect of Variation in Season of Burning on a Pine-Wiregrass Savana in the Green Swamp, North Carolina awarded by National Science Foundation 1986 - 1988
- Analysis of Duke Forest Permanent Plots awarded by Department of Agriculture 1986 - 1987
Publications & Artistic Works
Selected Publications
- Academic Articles
  - Christensen, Norman L., Patricia A. Cunningham, Kimberly Matthews, Iris C. Anderson, Mark J. Brush, Susan Cohen, Carolyn A. Currin, et al. “Ecosystem-based management for military training, biodiversity, carbon storage and climate resiliency on a complex coastal land/water-scape.” Journal of Environmental Management 280 (February 2021): 111755. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.111755.
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  - Adeney, J. M., N. L. Christensen, A. Vicentini, and M. Cohn-Haft. “White-sand Ecosystems in Amazonia.” Biotropica 48, no. 1 (January 1, 2016): 7–23. https://doi.org/10.1111/btp.12293.
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  - Mitchell, S., K. Palmquist, S. Cohen, and N. L. Christensen. “Patterns of vegetation composition and diversity in pine-dominated ecosystems of the Outer Coastal Plain of North Carolina: Implications for ecosystem restoration.” Forest Ecology and Management 356 (November 15, 2015): 64–73. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2015.07.035.
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  - Stambaugh, Michael C., J Morgan Varner, Reed F. Noss, Daniel C. Dey, Norman L. Christensen, Robert F. Baldwin, Richard P. Guyette, et al. “Clarifying the role of fire in the deciduous forests of eastern North America: reply to Matlack.” Conservation Biology : The Journal of the Society for Conservation Biology 29, no. 3 (June 2015): 942–46. https://doi.org/10.1111/cobi.12473.
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  - Christensen, N. L. “An historical perspective on forest succession and its relevance to ecosystem restoration and conservation practice in North America.” Forest Ecology and Management 330 (October 15, 2014): 312–22. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2014.07.026.
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  - Smart, L. S., J. J. Swenson, N. L. Christensen, and J. O. Sexton. “Three-dimensional characterization of pine forest type and red-cockaded woodpecker habitat by small-footprint, discrete-return lidar.” Forest Ecology and Management 281 (October 2012): 100–110. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2012.06.020.
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  - Christensen, N. L. “The road to sustainable development and conservation.” Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 9, no. 2 (March 1, 2011): 134–35. https://doi.org/10.1890/1540-9295-9.2.134.
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  - Conde, D. A., F. Colchero, H. Zarza, N. L. Christensen, J. O. Sexton, C. Manterola, C. Chávez, A. Rivera, D. Azuara, and G. Ceballos. “Sex matters: Modeling male and female habitat differences for jaguar conservation.” Biological Conservation 143, no. 9 (September 1, 2010): 1980–88. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2010.04.049.
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  - Karanth, Krithi K., James D. Nichols, K Ullas Karanth, James E. Hines, and Norman L. Christensen. “The shrinking ark: patterns of large mammal extinctions in India.” Proceedings. Biological Sciences 277, no. 1690 (July 2010): 1971–79. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2010.0171.
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  - Fesenmyer, Kurt A., and Norman L. Christensen. “Reconstructing Holocene fire history in a southern Appalachian forest using soil charcoal.” Ecology 91, no. 3 (March 2010): 662–70. https://doi.org/10.1890/09-0230.1.
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  - Fesenmyer, K. A., and N. L. Christensen. “Fire History in Southern Appalachian Forests Using Soil Charcoal (Accepted).” Ecol, 2010.
  - Karanth, K. K., J. D. Nichols, J. E. Hines, K. U. Karanth, and N. L. Christensen. “Patterns and determinants of mammal species occurrence in India.” Journal of Applied Ecology 46, no. 6 (December 1, 2009): 1189–1200. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2664.2009.01710.x.
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  - Poulter, B., S. S. Qian, and N. L. Christensen. “Determinants of coastal treeline and the role of abiotic and biotic interactions.” Plant Ecology 202, no. 1 (May 1, 2009): 55–66. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11258-008-9465-3.
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  - Adeney, J Marion, Norman L. Christensen, and Stuart L. Pimm. “Reserves protect against deforestation fires in the Amazon.” Plos One 4, no. 4 (January 2009): e5014. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0005014.
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  - Cagle, N. L., and N. L. Christensen. “Evaluating the Conservation Status of Illinois Snakes (Submitted).” Journal of Herpetology, 2009.
  - Christensen, N. L. “Future Forests, Future Fires.” Yellowstone Science 17 (2009): 40–44.
  - Conde, D., F. Colchero, Z. Heliot, N. L. Christensen, J. Sexton, C. Chavez, and A. Rivera. “Gender differences on jaguar Panthera Onca habitat use and fragmentation: implications for conservation (Submitted).” Journal of Applied Ecology, 2009.
  - Karanth, K. K., J. Nichols, J. Hines, U. Karanth, and N. L. Christensen. “Where are India's Large Mammals and Why? Patterns and Determinants of Species Occurrence.” Journal of Applied Ecology 46 (2009): 1189–1200.
  - Keeley, J. E., G. Aplet, N. L. Christensen, S. G. Conard, E. A. Johnson, P. N. Omi, D. L. Peterson, and T. W. Swetnam. “Ecological Foundations of Fire Management.” U.S.D.A. Forest Service General Technical Report, 2009, 92.
  - Christensen, Norman L. “Sustaining America's forest legacy.” Conservation Biology : The Journal of the Society for Conservation Biology 22, no. 6 (December 2008): 1378–79. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1523-1739.2008.01102.x.
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  - Christensen, N. L. “Embracing diversity, embracing change.” Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 6, no. 8 (October 1, 2008): 403. https://doi.org/10.1890/1540-9295(2008)6[403:EDEC]2.0.CO;2.
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  - Karanth, K. K., R. A. Kramer, S. S. Qian, and N. L. Christensen. “Examining conservation attitudes, perspectives, and challenges in India.” Biological Conservation 141, no. 9 (September 1, 2008): 2357–67. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2008.06.027.
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  - Karanth, K., R. A. Kramer, S. S. Qian, and N. L. Christensen. “Examining conservation attitudes, perspectives, and.” Biological Conservation 141 (August 2008): 2357–67.
  - Poulter, B., N. L. Christensen, and S. S. Qian. “Tolerance of Pinus taeda and Pinus serotina to low salinity and flooding: Implications for equilibrium vegetation dynamics.” Journal of Vegetation Science 19, no. 1 (February 1, 2008): 15–22. https://doi.org/10.3170/2007-8-18410.
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  - Christensen, N. L. “Faculty response.” Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 5, no. 8 (October 1, 2007): 446.
  - Christensen, Norman L. “Making the most of your teaching assistantship experience - Response.” Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 5, no. 8 (October 1, 2007): 446–446.
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  - Gordon, J. C., J. K. Berry, and N. L. Christensen. “Environmental leadership equals essential leadership redefining who leads and how.” Environmental Leadership Equals Essential Leadership Redefining Who Leads and How, December 1, 2006, 1–164.
  - Poulter, B., N. L. Christensen, and P. N. Halpin. “Carbon emissions from a temperate peat fire and its relevance to interannual variability of trace atmospheric greenhouse gases.” Journal of Geophysical Research Atmospheres 111, no. 6 (March 27, 2006). https://doi.org/10.1029/2005JD006455.
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  - Goslee, S. C., W. A. Niering, D. L. Urban, and N. L. Christensen. “Influence of environment, history and vegetative interactions on stand dynamics in a Connecticut forest.” Journal of the Torrey Botanical Society 132, no. 3 (January 1, 2005): 471–82. https://doi.org/10.3159/1095-5674(2005)132[471:IOEHAV]2.0.CO;2.
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  - Wallace, L. L., and N. L. Christensen. “Epilogue: After the fires. what have we learned,” December 1, 2004, 362–71.
  - Wiener, J., K. Saterson, N. Christensen, R. Jackson, R. Kramer, S. Pimm, and M. Smith. “Editorial, Disconnects in Evaluating the Relative Effectiveness of Conservation Strategies.” Conservation Biology 18 (2004): 597–99.
  - Parsons, D. J., T. W. Swetnam, and N. L. Christensen. “Uses and limitations of historical variability concepts in managing ecosystems.” Ecological Applications 9, no. 4 (January 1, 1999): 1177–78. https://doi.org/10.1890/1051-0761(1999)009[1177:UALOHV]2.0.CO;2.
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  - Harrell, P. A., E. S. Kasischke, L. L. Bourgeau-Chavez, E. M. Haney, and N. L. Christensen. “Evaluation of approaches to estimating aboveground biomass in southern pine forests using SIR-C data.” Remote Sensing of Environment 59, no. 2 (February 1, 1997): 223–33. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0034-4257(96)00155-1.
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  - Christensen, N. L., A. Bartuska, J. H. Brown, S. Carpenter, C. D’Antonio, R. Francis, J. F. Franklin, et al. “The scientific basis for ecosystem management.” Ecological Applications 6 (1996): 665–91.
  - Christensen, N. L., A. M. Bartuska, J. H. Brown, S. Carpenter, C. D’Antonio, R. Francis, J. F. Franklin, et al. “The report of the ecological society of america committee on the scientific basis for ecosystem management.” Ecological Applications 6, no. 3 (January 1, 1996): 665–91. https://doi.org/10.2307/2269460.
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  - Harrell, P. A., L. L. Bourgeau-Chavez, E. S. Kasischke, N. H. F. French, and N. L. Christensen. “Sensitivity of ERS-1 and JERS-1 radar data to biomass and stand structure in Alaskan boreal forest.” Remote Sensing of Environment 54, no. 3 (January 1, 1995): 247–60. https://doi.org/10.1016/0034-4257(95)00127-1.
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  - Kasischke, E. S., N. H. F. French, L. L. Bourgeau-Chavez, and N. L. Christensen. “Estimating release of carbon from 1990 and 1991 forest fires in Alaska.” Journal of Geophysical Research 100, no. D2 (January 1, 1995): 2941–51. https://doi.org/10.1029/94JD02957.
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  - Kasischke, E. S., N. L. Christensen, and B. J. Stocks. “Fire, global warming, and the carbon balance of boreal forests.” Ecological Applications 5, no. 2 (January 1, 1995): 437–51. https://doi.org/10.2307/1942034.
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  - Kasischke, E. S., N. L. Christensen, and L. L. Bourgeau-Chavez. “Correlating Radar Backscatter with Components of Biomass in Loblolly Pine Forests.” Ieee Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing 33, no. 3 (January 1, 1995): 643–59. https://doi.org/10.1109/36.387580.
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  - Wang, Y., F. W. Davis, J. M. Melack, E. S. Kasischke, and N. L. Christensen. “The effects of changes in forest biomass on radar backscatter from tree canopies.” International Journal of Remote Sensing 16, no. 3 (January 1, 1995): 503–13. https://doi.org/10.1080/01431169508954415.
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  - French, N. H. F., E. S. Kasischke, L. L. Bourgeau-Chavez, P. A. Harrell, and N. L. Christensen. “Relating soil water measurements at fire disturbed sites in Alaska to ERS-1 SAR image signature.” International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium (Igarss) 1 (December 1, 1994): 246–48.
  - Kasischke, E. S., N. F. H. French, L. L. Bourgeau-Chavez, S. L. Ustin, and N. L. Christensen. “Estimating release of carbon from forest fires in Alaska using satellite remote sensing data.” International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium (Igarss) 1 (December 1, 1994): 111–13.
  - Kasischke, E. S., L. L. Bourgeau-Chavez, N. L. Christensen, and E. Haney. “Observations on the sensitivity of ers-1 sar image intensity to changes in aboveground biomass in young loblolly pine forests.” International Journal of Remote Sensing 15, no. 1 (January 1, 1994): 3–16. https://doi.org/10.1080/01431169408954048.
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  - Kasischke, E. S., N. L. Christensen, and E. M. Haney. “Modeling of Geometric Properties of Loblolly Pine Tree and Stand Characteristics for Use in Radar Backscatter Studies.” Ieee Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing 32, no. 4 (January 1, 1994): 800–822. https://doi.org/10.1109/36.298009.
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  - Wang, Y., E. S. Kasischke, J. M. Melack, F. W. Davis, and N. L. Christensen. “The effects of changes in loblolly pine biomass and soil moisture on ERS-1 SAR backscatter.” Remote Sensing of Environment 49, no. 1 (January 1, 1994): 25–31. https://doi.org/10.1016/0034-4257(94)90056-6.
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  - Kasischke, E. S., N. H. F. French, P. Harrell, N. L. Christensen, S. L. Ustin, and D. Barry. “Monitoring of wildfires in Boreal Forests using large area AVHRR NDVI composite image data.” Remote Sensing of Environment 45, no. 1 (January 1, 1993): 61–71. https://doi.org/10.1016/0034-4257(93)90082-9.
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  - Dobson, M. C., F. T. Ulaby, T. Le Toan, A. Beaudoin, E. S. Kasischke, and N. Christensen. “Dependence of Radar Backscatter on Coniferous Forest Biomass.” Ieee Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing 30, no. 2 (January 1, 1992): 412–15. https://doi.org/10.1109/36.134090.
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  - Kasischke, E. S., L. L. Bourgeau-Chavez, N. H. French, P. Harrell, and N. L. Christensen. “Initial observations on using SAR to monitor wildfire scars in boreal forests.” International Journal of Remote Sensing 13, no. 18 (January 1, 1992): 3495–3501. https://doi.org/10.1080/01431169208904137.
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  - Dobson, M. C., R. De La Sierra, and N. Christensen. “Spatial and temporal variation of the microwave dielectric properties of loblolly pine trunks.” Digest International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium (Igarss) 3 (December 1, 1991): 1107–10.
  - Christensen, N. L., E. S. Kasischke, and M. C. Dobson. “SAR-derived estimates of aboveground biomass in forested landscapes.” Digest International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium (Igarss) 2 (December 1, 1990): 1209–12.
  - Kasischke, E. S., J. Way, N. L. Christensen, M. C. Dobson, and F. T. Ulaby. “Ecosystem monitoring with the Eos SAR.” Digest International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium (Igarss) 3 (December 1, 1990): 2297–2300.
  - Way, J. B., C. Slaughter, L. Viereck, E. Kasischke, M. C. Dobson, and N. Christensen. “Monitoring forest freeze-thaw: The March '88 Alaskan aircraft SAR experiment.” Digest International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium (Igarss) 3 (December 1, 1990): 2305–7.
  - Kasischke, E. S., and N. L. Christensen. “Connecting forest ecosystem and microwave backscatter models.” International Journal of Remote Sensing 11, no. 7 (January 1, 1990): 1277–98. https://doi.org/10.1080/01431169008955093.
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  - Way, J., J. Paris, E. Kasischke, C. Slaughter, L. Viereck, N. Christensen, M. C. Dobson, et al. “The effect of changing environmental conditions on microwave signatures of forest ecosystems: Preliminary results of the March 1988 Alaskan aircraft SAR experiment.” International Journal of Remote Sensing 11, no. 7 (January 1, 1990): 1119–44. https://doi.org/10.1080/01431169008955084.
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  - Christensen, Norman L., James K. Agee, Peter F. Brussard, Jay Hughes, Dennis H. Knight, G Wayne Minshall, James M. Peek, et al. “Interpreting the Yellowstone Fires of 1988.” Bioscience 39, no. 10 (November 1989): 678–85. https://doi.org/10.2307/1310998.
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  - Christensen, N. L. “Wilderness and natural disturbance.” Forum for Applied Research &Amp; Public Policy 4, no. 2 (January 1, 1989): 46–49.
  - Knox, R. G., R. K. Peet, and N. L. Christensen. “Population dynamics in loblolly pine stands: changes in skewness and size inequality.” Ecology 70, no. 4 (January 1, 1989): 1153–66. https://doi.org/10.2307/1941383.
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  - Raich, J. W., and N. L. Christensen. “Malaysian dipterocarp forest: tree seedling and sapling species composition and small-scale disturbance patterns.” National Geographic Research 5, no. 3 (January 1, 1989): 348–63.
  - Christensen, N. L. “Vegetation of the southeastern Coastal Plain.” North American Terrestrial Vegetation, January 1, 1988, 317–63.
  - Roberts, M. R., and N. L. Christensen. “Vegetation variation among mesic successional forest stands in northern lower Michigan.” Canadian Journal of Botany 66, no. 6 (January 1, 1988): 1080–90. https://doi.org/10.1139/b88-154.
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  - Peet, Robert K., and Norman L. Christensen. “Competition and Tree Death.” Bioscience 37, no. 8 (September 1987): 586–95. https://doi.org/10.2307/1310669.
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  - Christensen, N. C., and E. S. Kasischke. “USE OF OLD-FIELD STANDS OF LOBLOLLY PINE IN STUDIES OF THE POTENTIAL USE OF ACTIVE MICROWAVE REMOTE SENSORS FOR MONITORING FOREST ECOSYSTEMS.” Digest International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium (Igarss), January 1, 1987, 457–66.
  - Schafale, Michael, and Norman L. Christensen. “Vegetational Variation Among Old Fields in Piedmont North Carolina.” Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club 113, no. 4 (October 1986): 413–413. https://doi.org/10.2307/2996434.
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  - Gilliam, F. S., and N. L. Christensen. “Herb-layer response to burning in pine flatwoods of the lower coastal plain of South Carolina.” Bulletin Torrey Botanical Club 113, no. 1 (January 1, 1986): 42–45. https://doi.org/10.2307/2996233.
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  - Lubbers, A. E., and N. L. Christensen. “Intraseasonal variation in seed production among flowers and plants of Thalictrum thalictroides ( Ranunculaceae).” American Journal of Botany 73, no. 2 (January 1, 1986): 190–203. https://doi.org/10.2307/2444172.
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  - CHRISTENSEN, N. L. “THIS LAND, THIS SOUTH - AN ENVIRONMENTAL HISTORY - COWDREY,AE.” South Atlantic Quarterly 84, no. 1 (1985): 109–11.
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  - Christensen, N. L. “Shrubland fire regimes and their evolutionary consequences.” The Ecology of Natural Disturbance and Patch Dynamics, January 1, 1985, 86–100.
  - Christensen, N. L., and T. MacAller. “Soil mineral nitrogen transformations during succession in the piedmont of north carolina.” Soil Biology and Biochemistry 17, no. 5 (January 1, 1985): 675–81. https://doi.org/10.1016/0038-0717(85)90045-8.
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  - Christensen, Norman L. “Basic and Applied Fire Ecology.” Ecology 65, no. 3 (June 1984): 1024–25. https://doi.org/10.2307/1938078.
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  - Christensen, N. L., and R. K. Peet. “Convergence during secondary forest succession.” Journal of Ecology 72, no. 1 (January 1, 1984): 25–36. https://doi.org/10.2307/2260004.
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  - Wilbur, Rebecca B., and Norman L. Christensen. “Effects of Fire on Nutrient Availability in a North Carolina Coastal Plain Pocosin.” American Midland Naturalist 110, no. 1 (July 1983): 54–54. https://doi.org/10.2307/2425213.
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  - Christensen, N. L. “FIRE REGIMES IN SOUTHEASTERN ECOSYSTEMS.,” December 1, 1981, 112–36.
  - Martin, Craig E., Norman L. Christensen, and Boyd R. Strain. “Seasonal patterns of growth, tissue acid fluctuations, and ¹⁴CO₂ uptake in the crassulacean acid metabolism epiphyte Tjllandsia usneoides L. (Spanish moss).” Oecologia 49, no. 3 (July 1981): 322–28. https://doi.org/10.1007/bf00347592.
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  - Peet, R. K., and N. L. Christensen. “Succession: A population process.” Vegetatio 43, no. 1–2 (December 1, 1980): 131–40. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00121025.
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  - MONTES, R. A., and N. L. CHRISTENSEN. “NITRIFICATION AND SUCCESSION IN THE PIEDMONT OF NORTH-CAROLINA.” Forest Science 25, no. 2 (January 1, 1979): 287–96.
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  - Christensen, Norman L. “Fire and soil-plant nutrient relations in a pine-wiregrass savanna on the coastal plain of North Carolina.” Oecologia 31, no. 1 (January 1977): 27–44. https://doi.org/10.1007/bf00348706.
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  - Christensen, Norman L. “Changes in Structure, Pattern and Diversity Associated with Climax Forest Maturation in Piedmont, North Carolina.” American Midland Naturalist 97, no. 1 (January 1977): 176–176. https://doi.org/10.2307/2424693.
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  - Christensen, Norman L. “Short-Term Effects of Mowing and Burning on Soil Nutrients in Big Meadows, Shenandoah National Park.” Journal of Range Management 29, no. 6 (November 1976): 508–508. https://doi.org/10.2307/3897264.
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  - CHRISTENSEN, N. L. “ROLE OF CARNIVORY IN SARRACENIA-FLAVA L WITH REGARD TO SPECIFIC NUTRIENT DEFICIENCIES.” Journal of the Elisha Mitchell Scientific Society 92, no. 4 (January 1, 1976): 144–47.
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  - Christensen, N. L. “Fire and the nitrogen cycle in California chaparral.” Science 181, no. 4094 (January 1, 1973): 66–68. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.181.4094.66.
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- Book Sections
  - Peet, R. K., N. L. Christensen, and F. S. Gilliam. “Temporal Patterns in Herbaceous Layer Communities of the North Carolina Piedmont.” In The Herbaceous Layer in Forests of Eastern North America, 2014. https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:osobl/9780199837656.003.0011.
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  - Christensen, N. L. “Environmental leadership as a practice.” In Environmental Leadership: A Reference Handbook, 11–16, 2012. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781452218601.n2.
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  - Christensen, N. L. “Shrubland Fire Regimes and Their Evolutionary Consequences.” In The Ecology of Natural Disturbance and Patch Dynamics, 85–100, 1985. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-050495-7.50011-9.
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- Conference Papers
  - Christensen, N. L. “The evolving role of science in wilderness to our understanding of ecosystems and landscapes.” In Wilderness Science in a Time of Change Conference, Vol 3, edited by S. F. McCool, D. N. Cole, W. T. Borrie, and J. OLoughlin, 3:5–12. US DEPT AGR, FOREST SERV ROCKY MT FOREST & RANGE EXPTL STN, 2000.
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  - Christensen, N. L., and J. F. Franklin. “Ecosystem function and ecosystem management.” In Ecosystem Function and Human Activities, edited by R. D. Simpson and N. L. Christensen, 1–23. CHAPMAN & HALL INC, 1997.
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  - Christensen, N. L., and R. D. Simpson. “Ecosystem function & human activities - Reconciling economics and ecology - Epilogue.” In Ecosystem Function and Human Activities, edited by R. D. Simpson and N. L. Christensen, 273–78. CHAPMAN & HALL INC, 1997.
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  - Simpson, R. D., and N. L. Christensen. “Ecosystem function & human activities - Reconciling economics and ecology - Preface.” In Ecosystem Function and Human Activities, edited by R. D. Simpson and N. L. Christensen, R7–25. CHAPMAN & HALL INC, 1997.
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  - Kasischke, E. S., and N. L. Christensen. “Estimating the storage of carbon in Alaskan boreal forests and its release during fires.” In Conference Proceedings Topical Symposium on Combined Optical Microwave Earth and Atmosphere Sensing, Comeas 1993, 134–37, 1993. https://doi.org/10.1109/COMEAS.1993.700203.
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