Date joined LSU Agricultural Center: July 2003

Summary of Responsibilities:

Project leader for the forestry research program. Primary research focus is on developing forest management practices that optimize environmental and economic values of forestlands for the private landowners of Louisiana, from the small non-industrial owner to the large industrial owner. Current research seeks determination of:
1. Environmental and stand conditions that optimize uptake of applied nutrients
2. Fertilizer formulations needed on diverse soils to optimize tree nutrition and growth
3. Influence of understory vegetation suppression treatments on tree nutrition and growth
4. Effects of intensive forest management practices on non-crop vegetation, soil microorganisms, soil chemistry, and water quality
5. Management practices that optimize re-establishment of longleaf pine ecosystems
6. Management practices that balance timber production with cattle or annual crop production
7. Site-specific site preparation methods that minimize early-rotation nutrient losses

Extension activities are continually pursued in order to educate forest owners and general public about sustainable, cost-effective forest management practices that fulfill timber and non-timber management objectives.

Education:
B. S. – Forest Management, Louisiana Tech University, 1997
M. S. – Forest Resources (Forest Ecophysiology), Oklahoma State University, 1999
Ph. D.- Environmental Science (Forest Nutrition), Oklahoma State University, 2003

Previous Employment and Work Experience:

July 2003 - Present
Assistant Professor, Forestry Research Project Leader, Hill Farm Research Station.

December l999- July 2003
Graduate Research Associate, Oklahoma State University. Conducted university-industrial cooperative studies of the influences of fertilizer date of application and formulation on the soil/plant/microbial systems of loblolly pine plantations in southeastern Oklahoma. Research funded by Targeted Research Initiative Program grant and in-kind support from Weyerhaesuer and MeadWestvaco.

August l997- December 1999
Graduate Research Assistant, Oklahoma State University. Conducted study on biomass allocation, photosynthetic, and water use efficiency patterns of North Carolina and local loblolly pine families grown in southeastern Oklahoma.

August l996- August 1997
Research Assistant, Louisiana Tech University. Measured and analyzed data in studies of bottomland hardwood forest re-establishment, rooting competition in pine-hardwood mixtures, hardwood forest carbon sequestration.

MEMBERSHIPS IN PROFESSIONAL AND HONOR SOCIETIES:

1. Society of American Foresters, north Louisiana group
2. Louisiana Forestry Association
3. Xi Sigma Pi
4. Alpha Zeta
5. Phi Kappa Phi

Blazier, M.A., Hennessey, T.C., Wittwer, R.F., and Lynch, T.B. 2002. Comparison of branch biomass relationships for North Carolina and Oklahoma/Arkansas loblolly pine seed sources growing in southeastern Oklahoma. For. Ecol. Manage. 159: 41-248.

Blazier, M.A., Hennessey, T.C., Wittwer, R.F., and Lynch, T.B. Productivity, biomass partitioning, and gas exchange of North Carolina and Oklahoma/Arkansas loblolly pine growing on a droughty site in southeastern Oklahoma. Submitted to For. Ecol. Manage.

Blazier, M.A., and Hennessey, T.C. Nitrogen capture by a juvenile loblolly pine plantation: effects of fertilizer date and formulation. In preparation for submission to For. Ecol. Manage.

Blazier, M.A., and Hennessey, T.C. Effects of fertilization and vegetation control on microbial populations in an intensively managed juvenile loblolly pine plantation. In preparation for submission to For. Sci..

Blazier, M.A., and Hennessey, T.C. Foliage and soil nutrient dynamics in response to fertilization and vegetation control in a young loblolly pine plantation. In preparation for submission to For. Ecol. Manage.

Presentations

Blazier, M.A., Hennessey, T.C., and Dougherty, P.M. 2003. Nutrient uptake efficiency of loblolly pine in response to fertilization: effects of fertilizer date of application and formulation. 12th Biennial Southern Silvicultural Research Conference, Biloxi, MS.

Blazier, M.A., Adams, J.C., and Farrish, K.W. 2003. Root dynamics and competition in loblolly pine-sweetgum-water oak mixtures. 12th Biennial Southern Silvicultural Research Conference, Biloxi, MS.

Blazier, M.A., Hennessey, T.C., Dougherty, P.M., and Campbell, R.G. 2002. Nutrient dynamics of a young loblolly pine plantation: effects of fertilizer date of application and formulation. North Carolina State University Forest Nutrition Cooperative Annual Meeting, Raleigh, NC.

Blazier, M.A., and Hennessey, T.C. 1999. Productivity and carbon allocation of North Carolina and Oklahoma/Arkansas loblolly pine on a droughty site. 10th Biennial Southern Silvicultural Research Conference, Shreveport, LA.