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Wolfe, David Walter
Cornell Faculty Member
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My research interests and expertise include: climate change adaptation and mitigation for managed and natural ecosystems; plant stress physiology; soil ecology; and nitrogen and water management for farms and gardens. I am a Faculty Fellow with the Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future (ACSF) and chair the ACSF Climate Change Focus Group. Science communication efforts include: news media interviews; policy-briefings; formal Extension programs for farmers and the general public; and writing for the popular press, such as my soil ecology book for general audiences—Tales From the Underground: A Natural History of Subterranean Life.
Research Areas
- Affiliations
- Extension
- Research
- Publications
- Teaching
- Service
- Background
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Affiliations
other Cornell affiliations
member of
- David R. Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future (ACSF) Faculty Fellow
Extension
has primary specialization area
has secondary specialization area
Research
research overview
- My research interests and expertise include: climate change adaptation and mitigation for managed and natural ecosystems; plant stress physiology; soil ecology; and nitrogen and water management for farms and gardens. The potential impact of carbon dioxide and climate change on natural and managed ecosystems has been an important part of my research program since the early 1990s. Soil health, and nitrogen and water management are other major areas of research. My activities range from basic plant and soil research, to development of climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies for land managers, to conservation agriculture projects in developing countries. I often collaborate with colleagues in other disciplines such as soil microbiology, biogeochemistry, and resource economics. Current research projects include: (1) new low-cost approaches for soil carbon assessment; (2) new tools and incentives for greenhouse gas accounting and management in agroecosystems; (3) new decision tools for farmers for strategic adaptation to climate change; (4) new biological indicators of soil health.
research activities
- Agricultural management to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
- Climate change information for assessing impacts and adaptations
- Cornell Nutrient Analysis Laboratory
- Cornell Nutrient Analysis Laboratory
- Establishment of a citizen science network for observing climate change effects on plants
- Supporting scientists in doing outreach
principal investigator on
co-principal investigator on
area(s) of concentration/expertise
keywords
- Climate change
- Irrigation
- Nitrogen management
- Soil health
- Sustainable agriculture
submitted impact statement
- Research and extension programming to address the impact of climate change on Northeast agriculture
- Research and Extension Programming Regarding Climate Change Impacts on Northeast Agriculture
- Research and Extension Programming Regarding Climate Change Impacts on Northeast Agriculture
- Climate change impacts on Northeast agriculture
Publications
individual publications
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web resource
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academic article
- Chapter 6: Ecosystems in Responding to Climate Change in New York State: The ClimAID Integrated Assessment for Effective Climate Change Adaptation in New York State. Annuals of the New York State Academy of Sciences. 1244:2-649. 2011
- Climate impacts on agriculture: implications for crop production. Agronomy Journal. 103:351-370. 2011
- Phytotoxicity and potential allelopathy in pale (Cynanchum rossicum) and black (C. nigrum) swallowwort. Invasive Plant Science and Management. 4:133-141. 2011
- The COMACO model: using markets to link biodiversity conservation with sustainable improvements in livelihoods and food production. Proceedings at the National Academy of Science USA. 108:13957-13962. 2011
- The influence of winter soil cover on spring nitrous oxide emissions from agricultural soil. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 43:1989-1991. 2011
- Performance of Plum Rootstocks with ‘Stanley’, ‘Valor’, ‘Veeblue’, and ‘Santa Rosa’ Scions in the 1991 NC-140 Multi-State Plum Trial. Journal of American Pomological Society. 64:173-182. 2010
- Use of an integrative soil health test for evaluation of soil management impacts. Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems. 24:214-224. 2009
- Comprehensive assessment of soil quality for landscape and urban management. Landscape and Urban Planning. 88:73-80. 2008
- Farmer-oriented assessment of soil quality using field, laboratory, and VNIR spectroscopy methods.. Plant and Soil. 307:243-253. 2008
- Integrated assessment of soil quality for landscape and urban management. Landscape and Urban Planning. 88:73-80. 2008
- Long-term effects of harvesting maize stover and tillage on soil quality. Soil Science Society of America Journal. 72:960-969. 2008
- Long-term effects of harvesting of maize residue and tillage on soil quality. Soil Science Society of America Journal. 72:960-969. 2008
- Projected change in climate thresholds in the Northeastern US:implications for crops, pests, livestock, and farmers. Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change. 13:555-557. 2008
- Performance of plum rootstocks with ‘Stanley’, ‘Valor’, and ‘Veeblue’ as the scion in the 1990 NC-140 multi-location plum trial. Journal of American Pomological Society. 61:196-207. 2007
- Past and Future Changes in Climate and Hydrological Indicators in the U.S. Northeast. Climate Dynamics. 28:381-407. 2006
- Climate change and shifts in spring phenology of three horticultural woody perennials in the northeastern United States. International Journal of Biometeorology. 49:303-309. 2005
- Effects of elevated carbon dioxide on gas exchange and photochemical and nonphotochemical quenching at low temperature in tobacco plants varying in Rubisco activity. Photosynthesis Research. 83:63-74. 2005
- High temperature-induced sink limitation alters growth and photosynthetic acclimation to elevated CO2 in beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Journal of American Society of Horticultural Science. 130:515-520. 2005
- Gas exchange and co-regulation of photochemical and nonphotochemical quenching in bean during chilling at ambient and elevated carbon dioxide. Photosynthesis Research. 79:71-82. 2004
- Performance of Cornell-Geneva Rootstocks in Multi Location NC-140 Rootstock Trials Across North America. Acta Horticulturae. 658:241-245. 2004
- Suppression of polyphenol oxidases increases stress tolerance in tomato. Plant Science. 167:693-703. 2004
- Performance of Cornell-Geneva apple rootstocks with ‘Liberty’ as the scion in NC-140 trials across North America. Acta Horticulturae. 622:521-530. 2003
- In-row spacing and cultivar affects ear yield and quality of early planted sweet corn. HortTechnology. 12:410-415. 2002
- Using Lycopersicon hirsutum as a source of cold tolerance in processing tomato breeding. Acta Horticulturae. 542:387-392. 2001
- Quantitative trait loci analysis of photoinhibition under chilling stress in tomato. Acta Horticulturae. 521:227-323. 2000
- Optimal use and economic value of weather forecasts for lettuce irrigation in a humid climate. Agricultural and Forest Meteorology. 89:115-130. 1998
- Elevated CO2 mitigates chilling-induced water stress and photosynthetic reduction during chilling. Plant, Cell and Environment. 20:625-632. 1997
- Relative sensitivity of leaf elongation and stomatal conductance of cucumber plants to changes in leaf and soil water potentials. Canadian Journal of Plant Science. 75:909-915. 1995
- Simple carbon assimilation response functions from atmospheric CO2 and daily temperature and shortwave radiation. Global Change Biology. 1:337-346. 1995
- An evaluation of hydraulic vs. nonhydraulic root signals controlling shoot response to soil water deficits in cucumber. Acta Horticulturae. 335:173-182. 1993
- Seedling growth and effects of short-term chilling stress on photosynthesis in chilling-sensitive and chilling-tolerant cultivars of Zea mays. Journal of Plant Physiology. 137:559-564. 1991
- Modeling row cover effect on microclimate and yield: II. Thermal model and simulations. Journal of American Society of Horticultural Science. 114:569-578. 1989
- Modeling row cover effects on microclimate and yield: I. Growth response of tomato and cucumber. Journal of American Society of Horticultural Science. 114:562-568. 1989
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article
- How to interpret and use the Cornell soil health test (CSHT) report 2008
- Climate change: How will it affect crops, livestock, and farming in the Northeast?. Natural Farmer. :18-23. 2007
- Harvesting Corn Stover for Bioenergy: Does it Have Long-term Effects on Soil Health? 2007
- Lessons from science: communication training 2007
- Op-Ed: How the new world of climate change and disruption of nature is challenging the American spirit. Cornell Chronicle. . 2007
- Soil health assessment and tillage systems in New York 2007
- The New Cornell Soil Health Test: Protocols and Interpretations 2007
- The new Cornell soil health test: protocols and interpretations 2007
- Soil health assessment & tillage systems 2006
- Soil health assessment and management: measurements and results 2006
- Soil health assessment and management: the concepts 2006
- Irrigation scheduling 2005
- Michigan 1972
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book
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chapter
- Contributions to Climate Change Solutions from the Agronomy Perspective.. Handbook of Climate Change and Agroecosystems: Global and Regional Aspects and Implications.. 2013
- Chapter 6: Ecosystems. Responding to Climate Change in New York State: The ClimAID Integrated Assessment for Effective Climate Change Adaptation. 163-216. 2011
- Chapter 7: Agriculture. Responding to Climate Change in New York State: The ClimAID Integrated Assessment for Effective Climate Change Adaptation. 217-254. 2011
- Developing Standard Protocols for Soil Quality Monitoring and Assessment. Innovations as Key to the Green Revolution in Africa: Exploring the Scientific Facts. 2011
- Gardening sustainably with a changing climate. The New American Landscape. 125-140. 2011
- Chapter 47: Approaches to monitoring soil systems. Biological Approaches for Sustainable Soil Systems. 2006
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conference paper
- Cornell soil health testing in action – what’s new. Empire State Fruit and Vegetable Expo Proceedings, Cornell Coop. 2010
- Climate change: New challenges and opportunities for NY tree fruit growers. Proceedings: Empire State Fruit & Vegetable Expo. 22-24. 2009
- Interpreting the carbon and nitrogen results of the Cornell Soil Health test. Proceedings: Empire State Fruit & Vegetable Expo. 134-136. 2009
- Challenges and opportunities for grape growers in a changing climate. Proceedings: 58th Annual Finger Lakes Grape Growers Conference. 4-6. 2008
- Soil health frontiers. Proceedings Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention. 154-156. 2007
- Effect of Long-term Tillage and Residue Removal for Biofuel on Soil Quality. Proceedings 18th World Congress of Soil Science. July 19-25 2006. 2006
- The soil health frontier: New techniques for measurement and improvement. Proceedings: New England Vegetable and Fruit Conference. 158-163. 2005
- Climate change impacts on NE agriculture, and farmer adaptation. Proceedings: Climate Change and Northeast Agriculture: Developing an Education Outreach Agenda Symposium. 16-23. 2004
- New tools for monitoring soil biological health. Proceedings: Empire State Fruit & Vegetable Expo 2004. 37-38. 2004
- Optimal use and economic value of forecast information: the case of irrigation scheduling. Preprints, Seventh Conference on Climate Variations (also, Preprints, Thirteenth Conference on Hydrology). 1997
- Effect of row covers on microclimate and yield of tomato and cucumber. Proceedings, 19th National Ag Plastics Congress. 35-50. 1986
- Modeling row cover effects on microclimate, plant growth, and yield. Proceedings, XXII Int. Hort. Congress. 564. 1986
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conference poster
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document part
- An integrative approach to carbon, nitrogen, and greenhouse gas accounting and management in corn production systems. 2012
- Geostatistical modeling and visible and near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy to estimate soil carbon stocks. 2012
- New tools and incentives for carbon, nitrogen and greenhouse gas accounting and management in corn production systems. 2012
- Developing standard protocols for soil quality monitoring and assessment. 216. 2007
- An interdisciplinary approach to soil health and its impact on vegetable root disease management 2006
- Indicators of soil health: rapid assessment of soil quality using laboratory procedures and VNIR reflectance spectroscopy 2006
- Integrated measures for assessing soil health in agricultural production systems 2006
- Investigation into soil quality indicators for New York State 2005
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manual
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report
- Grand Challenge 2: We must adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change on food, fiber, and fuel systems 2011
- Responding to Climate Change in New York State 2011
- Ecosystem Sector: NYSERDA Climate Change Report. 24-28. 2010
- Climate change impacts on U.S. agriculture. 21-74. 2008
- Impacts on agriculture 2007
- Management strategies for improved soil quality with emphasis on soil compaction: Final Report 1998
- Reaction of seedless and pollinator watermelons to bacterial rind necrosis, 1991. 27. 1992
- Effects of nitrogen rates, foliar urea, fungicide application and varietal susceptibility on early blight and tomato yield, 1989. 38. 1990
- Effects of nitrogen rates, foliar urea, fungicide application and varietal susceptibility on early blight and tomato yields, 1988. 30. 1989
- Effects of nitrogen rates, fungicide application and varietal susceptibility on early blight and tomato yield, 1987. 29. 1988
- Scheduled fungicide application and varietal susceptibility for tomato early blight, 1986. 26. 1987
- Earth’s Changing Climate 2011
- Farm Energy, Carbon, and Greenhouse Gases 2011
- Farming Success in an Uncertain Climate 2011
- New York’s Changing Climate 2011
- The Cornell soil health protocol and the connections between soil health and root health 2008
- Improving Soil Health in NNY 2005
- Cover crops for Vegetable Production in the northeast 1999
- Drip irrigation/fertigation of peppers for improved efficiency of nitrogen fertilizer and water use 1991
featured in archived article
- As the Big Red goes green, climate conference builds bridges across campus
- CU experts hold first-of-kind meeting to help state leaders cope with climate change
- Come spring, expect fewer blooms, due to mild early winter, say Cornell horticulturists
- Cornell Center for a Sustainable Future (CCSF) Academic Venture Fund awards five grants to explore burning powdered wood, developing cheaper solar cells and more
- Cornell sustainability center hiring researchers to explore new frontiers of climate change
- Emission choices lead to starkly different futures for Northeast agriculture, says CU expert at briefing
- How the new world of climate change and disruption of nature is challenging the American spirit
- In new briefings series, professors present science to D.C. policymakers
- Speaker series on sustainability aimed at undergraduates
speaker at Cornell event
Teaching
teaching overview
- Cropping Systems Ecology
- Nature Writing
teaching activities
- HORT-3600: Climate Change and the Future of Food - Spring 2013
- HORT-8900: Thesis Research, Master of Science - Spring 2013
- HORT-9900: Thesis Research, Doctor of Philosophy - Spring 2013
- HORT-8900: Thesis Research, Master of Science - Fall 2012
- HORT-1160: FWS: Nature Writing - Spring 2012
- HORT-8900: Thesis Research, Master of Science - Spring 2012
- HORT-9900: Thesis Research, Doctor of Philosophy - Spring 2012
- HORT-8900: Thesis Research, Master of Science - Fall 2011
Service
outreach overview
- The focus of my extension program is in three areas: (1) new approaches to soil health assessment and management; (2) irrigation management for vegetable crops; and (3) education outreach to policy makers and the general public regarding climate change impacts on managed and natural ecosystems.
service to the profession
- US Global Change Research Program Lead author of Northeast section for National Climate Assessement 2012 -
- New York Botanical garden Board of Advisors 2008 -
- NYS Water Resources Institute Board of Advisors 1992 -
- American Society of Plant Biologists
- National Phenology Network Technical Board
- Soil Health-Vegetable Production Systems Program Work Team
reviewer or editor for
event organizer
Background
education and training
- Ph.D. in Ecology, University of California, Davis 1984
- M.S. in Vegetable Crops, University of California, Davis 1981
- B.S. in Plant Science, University of California, Davis 1975
awards and honors
Other
college
- CALS
research keyword
- Climate change
- Irrigation
- Nitrogen management
- Soil health
- Sustainable agriculture
name prefix
- Dr.