Aaron Weiskittel

UMaine Alert

Posted: April 19, 2024 - 1:32 PM

At approximately 9:24 a.m. on Friday, April 19, a University of Maine graduate student was struck by a university vehicle on Long Road at the University of Maine campus in Orono. The student reports that they are at a local hospital with minor injuries.

Emergency services, including the Orono Fire Department, University Volunteer Ambulance Corps, University of Maine Police Department, Orono Police Department and Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene.

The university vehicle involved in the incident was a Chevrolet Express van. It was being operated by a university employee.

Counseling services and support are available for students, faculty or staff who may have been affected. The Counseling Center can be reached at 207-581-1392 and the Dean of Students Office can be reached at 207-581-1406.

The scene has been cleared and Long Road is now accessible. An investigation is being conducted by the University of Maine Police Department with assistance from the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office Crash Reconstruction Unit. Any witnesses to the incident are encouraged to contact Lt. Noel Santiago at noel.santiago@maine.edu.

Dr. Aaron Weiskittel is the new forest bioproducts and modeling faculty member supported by the Forest Bioproducts Research Institute. Aaron completed his Ph.D. and M.S. in forestry with Doug Maguire (UMaine graduate and former faculty member) at Oregon State University. Prior to joining the faculty, Aaron was a researcher with The Weyerhaeuser Company in the Pacific Northwest. Although his expertise is in the plantation forestry of the Pacific Northwest, Aaron does have a background in hardwood silviculture as he obtained his B.S. in forestry from Ohio State University. His research interests include improving regional growth and yield models, individual tree volume predictions and understanding regional variation in maximum site productivity.

My Research

My research focuses on the development of empirical and process-based models to predict biomass growth and yield across a range of forest types. These models can be used to forecast changes in biomass due to varying silvicultural regimes, changes in annual weather patterns, and the interaction between these factors. In addition, I am also working on a high-resolution map of potential biomass density for the region and methodology for measuring stand biomass effectively. Finally, I will be exploring the potential of remote sensing technologies such as LiDAR and Landsat to predict forest biomass. Essentially, my research is intended to quantify, characterize, and model the region’s forest biomass resource.

In Other Words

Foresters need tools to help them to manage forests in a sound manner. Computer simulation models of forest growth assist in predicting changes in the forest and evaluating the timing and intensity of management activities. Foresters also need maps of forest potential productivity so that they can evaluate the effectiveness of their management and plan sustainable harvests. The development of these tools can be aided with technology such as satellites that continuously monitor the development and extent of the forest. Understanding how to use this data effectively will help to detect changes in the forest more quickly and at a significantly lower cost.

Click to view Aaron’s CV

My Publications

Contact Information

229 Nutting Hall
University of Maine
Orono, ME 04469
tel: (207) 581-2857
fax: (207) 581-2875
E-mail: aaron.weiskittel@umit.maine.edu