As a forest ecologist, Professor Fahey’s general scientific interest is in better understanding forest ecosystems, both tropical and temperate. He also serves as the Advising Coordinator for the undergraduate program in Environmental and Sustainability Sciences.
Research Focus
Dr. Fahey's current research is focused on forest soil carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus dynamics, tropical montane forest ecosystems and fine root dynamics in forests.
Outreach and Extension Focus
Professor Fahey works with the Hubbard Brook Research Foundation to communicate ecosystem science to policy makers and the public through our Science Links.
Teaching Focus
Fahey's teaching focuses on principles of forest ecology and sustainability science.
Additional Links
Awards and Honors
- SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Scholarship and Creative Activities (2005) Cornell University
- Liberty Hyde Bailey Professor (2001) Cornell University
- Stephen H. Weiss Presidential Fellow (2001) Cornell University
- Chancellor’s Award for Teaching (1997) Cornell University
- NACTA Teaching Award of Merit (1996) NACTA
Selected Publications
Journal Publications
- Cleavitt, N. L., Berry, E. J., Hautaniemi, J., & Fahey, T. J. (2016). Life stages, demographic rates and leaf damage for the round-leaved orchids, Platanthera orbiculata (Pursh.) Lindley and P. macrophylla (Goldie) P.M. Brown in a northern hardwood forest, New Hampshire, USA. Botany. 95:61-71.
- Craven, D., Thakur, M. P., Cameron, E. K., Frelich, L. E., Beauséjour, R., Blair, R. B., Blossey, B., Burtis, J., Choi, A., Dávalos, A., Fahey, T. J., Fisichelli, N. A., Gibson, K., Handa, I. T., Hopfensperger, K., Loss, S. R., Nuzzo, V., Maerz, J. C., Sackett, T., Scharenbroch, B. C., Smith, S. M., Vellend, M., Umek, L. G., & Eisenhauer, N. (2016). The unseen invaders: introduced earthworms as drivers of change in plant communities in North American forests (a meta-analysis). Global Change Biology. 23:1365-2486.
- Durán, J., Morse, J. L., Groffman, P. M., Campbell, J. L., Christenson, L. M., Driscoll, C. T., Fahey, T. J., Fisk, M. C., Likens, G. E., Melillo, J. M., Mitchell, M. J., Templer, P. H., & Vadeboncoeur, M. A. (2016). Climate change decreases nitrogen pools and mineralization rates in northern hardwood forests. Ecosphere. 7:e01251 .
- Fahey, T. J., Heinz, A. K., Battles, J. J., Fisk, M. C., Driscoll, C. T., Blum, J. D., & Johnson, C. E. (2016). Fine root biomass declined in response to restoration of soil calcium in a northern hardwood forest. Canadian Journal of Forest Research. 46:738-744.
- Yu, W., Fahey, T. J., Kang, H., & Zhou, P. (2016). Surface soil organic carbon in temperate and subtropical oriental oak stands of East China. Canadian Journal of Forest Research. 46:621-628.
- Fahey, T. J., Sherman, R. E., & Tanner, E. V. (2015). Tropical montane cloud forest: environmental drivers of vegetation structure and ecosystem function. Journal of Tropical Ecology. 13 pp.
- See, C. R., Yanai, R. D., Fisk, M. C., Vadeboncoeur, M. A., Quintero, M. A., & Fahey, T. J. (2015). Soil nitrogen affects phosphorus recycling: foliar resorption and plant–soil feedbacks in a northern hardwood forest. Ecology. 96:2488-2498.
- McCormack, M. L., Dickie, I. A., Eissenstat, D. M., Fahey, T. J., Fernandez, C. W., Guo, D., Helmisaari, H., Hobbie, E. A., Iversen, C. M., Jackson, R. B., Leppälammi‐Kujansuu, J., Norby, R. J., Phillips, R. P., Pregitzer, K. S., Pritchard, S. G., Rewald, B., & Zadworny, M. (2015). Redefining fine roots improves understanding of below‐ground contributions to terrestrial biosphere processes. New Phytologist. 207:505-518.
- Fahey, T. J., Templer, P. H., Anderson, B. T., Battles, J. J., Campbell, J. L., Driscoll, C. T., Fusco, A. R., Green, M. B., Kassam, K. S., Rodenhouse, N. L., Rustad, L., Schaberg, P. G., & Vadeboncoeur, M. A. (2015). The Promise and Peril of Intensive-Site-Based Ecological Research: Insights from the Hubbard Brook Ecosystem Study. Ecology. 96:885-901.
Book Chapters
- Knapp, A. K., Carroll, C. W., & Fahey, T. J. (2014). Patterns and Controls of Terrestrial Primary Production in a Changing World. p. 205-246 The Plant Sciences - Ecology and the Environment R.K. Monson (ed.), Springer-Verlag, New York.
Presentations and Activities
- Understanding and managing ECANUSR Forests in a changing environment. ECANUSA Conference 2016. October 2016. University of Vermont. Burlington, VT.