Teaching Responsibilities

• FOR 4334, Principles and Practices of Agroforestry
• FOR 5354 Advanced Forest Soils

Selected Research Activities

• Restoring Sustainable Forests on Appalachian Mined Lands for Wood Products, Renewable Energy, Carbon Sequestration, and Other Ecosystem Services (U. S. Department of Energy, Mead-Westvaco Corp., Plum Creek Timber Co., Mountain Forest Products Co., Virginia Tech: The goal of this research is to evaluate the biological and economic feasibility of restoring high-quality forests on tens of thousands of hectares of mined land reclaimed since the implementation of federal reclamation laws in 1978, and to measure carbon sequestration and wood production benefits that would be achieved from large-scale application of forest restoration procedures. This research should lead to productive management of mined land for carbon sequestration and multiple benefits and values provided by forests.
• Sustaining the Productivity of Managed Forests (Mead-Westvaco Corporation, National Council on Air and Stream Improvement of the Pulp and Paper Industry, USDA Forest Service, U. S. Department of Energy, Virginia Tech): The goal of this research is to evaluate the effects of intensive forest management on soil and forest productivity, site hydrology, and wetland function over an entire 20-year growth cycle. The relationship among intensive forest management, soil productivity, wetland function, and timber production are being studied at the process level. This research will help the forest, wood, and paper industry develop sustainable forestry practices while remaining economically viable and globally competitive.
• Soil Nitrogen and Root Growth Dynamics in Short-Rotation Hardwood Crops (Westvaco Corporation and International Paper Corporation, Virginia Tech): Mechanisms controlling soil nitrogen supply and nitrogen acquisition by root systems in short rotation hardwood plantations are being defined and described. This work will enable cost-effective and efficient fertilization of these crops for optimum wood production and environmental quality.
• Reforestation and Forest Land Uses of Surface-Mined Lands (Powell River Project): The Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 requires that mined land be returned to its original use and level of productivity. This research will help define and describe reclamation practices that are conducive to reforestation of the native Appalachian forest. Results of this research will benefit mine operators, landowners, and the general public by helping operators meet the provisions of the law, by helping landowners achieve their land-use objectives, and by increasing the long-term value and sustainability of mined land for human communities.
• Agroforestry Systems for the Appalachian Region (USDA Agricultural Research Service and Springtree Agroforestry Project): The agricultural community is developing farming practices that are biologically, economically, and socially viable. Agroforestry is a sustainable farming system that incorporates trees, crops, and livestock on the same piece of land to achieve multiple products and services. Research and demonstration projects on many agroforestry practices, including silvopasture, alley-cropping, windbreaks, and riparian buffer zones, are underway at Virginia Tech's agriculture research farm.

Selected Publications

• Eisenbies, M.H., W. M. Aust, J. A. Burger and M. B. Adams. 2007. Forest operations, extreme flooding events, and considerations for hydrologic modeling in the Appalachians - A review. For. Ecol. & Manage. 242:77-98.
• Eisenbies, M.H., J. A. Burger, W. M. Aust and S. C. Patterson. 2007. Changes in site productivity and the recovery of soil properties following wet- and dry-weather harvesting disturbances in the Atlantic Coastal Plain at stand age 10. Can. Jour. For. Res. 37:1336-1348.
• Eisenbies, M.H., J. A. Burger, W. M. Aust, S. C. Patterson and T. R. Fox. 2006. Assessing change in soil-site productivity of intensively managed loblolly pine plantations. Soil Sci. Soc. of Amer. 70:130-140.
• Sullivan, J., J. Aggett, G. Amacher and J. Burger. 2006. Financial viability of reforesting reclaimed surface mined lands, the burden of site conversion costs and carbon payments as reforestation incentives. Resources Policy 30:247-258.
• Kyle, K.H., L. J. Andrews, T. R. Fox, W. M. Aust, J. A. Burger and G. H. Hansen. 2005. Long-term effects of drainage, bedding, and fertilization on growth of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) in the Coastal Plain of Virginia. S. Jour. Appl. For. 29:205-214.
• Eisenbies, M. H. , J. A. Burger, W. M. Aust and S. C. Patterson. 2005. Soil physical disturbance and logging residue effects on changes in soil productivity. Soil Sci. Soc. Amer. J. 69:1833-1843.
• Eisenbies, M. H., J. A. Burger, W. M. Aust, S. C. Patterson and T. R. Fox. 2005. Change in soil-site productivity of loblolly pine plantations under intensive management. Soil Sci. Soc. Amer. J. 70:130-140.
• Eisenbies, M., J. Burger, W. Aust and S. Patterson. 2004. Loblolly pine response to wet-weather harvest disturbances. Water, air and Soil Pollution Focus J. 4:217-233.
• Miwa, M., W. M. Aust, J. A. Burger, S. C. Patterson and E. A. Carter. 2004. Wet-weather harvesting and site preparation effects on coastal Plain sites: A review. 28:137-151.
• Burger, J. A. 2002. Soil and long-term site productivity values. p. 165-189. In: J. Richardson, R. Bjorheden, P. Hakkila, A. T. Lowe, and C. T. Smith. (eds.). Bioenergy From Sustainable Forestry: Guiding Principles and Practice. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, The Netherlands.
• Burger, J. A., D. A. Scott, and D. O. Mitchem. 2002. Field assessment of mine soil quality for establishing hardwoods in the Appalachians. p. 226-240. In: R. Barnhisel and M. Collins (ed.). Reclamation with a Purpose. 19th Annual Meeting, American Society of Mining and Reclamation. Lexington, KY.
• Rodrigue*, J. A., J. A. Burger, and R. G. Oderwald. 2002. Forest productivity and commercial value of pre-law reclaimed mined land in the eastern United States. North. J. Appl. For. 19(3):106-114.
• Xu, Y.-J., J. A. Burger, W. M. Aust, S. C. Patterson, M. Miwa, and D. P. Preston. 2002. Changes in surface water table depth and soil physical properties after harvest and establishment of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) in Atlantic coastal plain wetlands of South Carolina. Soil and Tillage Res. 63:109-121.

Professional Achievements

• Recipient of the VPI & SU Chapter of Gamma Sigma Delta "Research Award of Merit" for Research Excellence
• Elected Fellow, Soil Science Society of America
• Recipient of the William T. Plass Award from the American Society for Mining and Reclamation for career contributions to reclamation and restoration science
• Associate Editor, Soil Science Society of America Journal
• Soil Science Society of America, Forest and Range Soils Division, Chair
• Soil Science Society of America, Board of Directors
• President, American Society for Mining and Reclamation
• Forestry and Wildlife Technical Division Chair, America Society for Mining and Reclamation
• International Association of Land Reclamation, Advisory Committee
• Member of team, funded by U.S. State Department, advising Estonia Ministry of Environment on land restoration techniques
• Advisor for 35 Ph. D. and M. S. Graduate Programs