Science Hall 116 (973) 655-5265
vanderkleid@mail.montclair.edu
Visit the MSU Virtual Botanical Garden, for which Dr. Vanderklein is the virtual curator!
Courses Taught
BIOL 113 Principles of Biology II
BIOL 213 Introduction to Ecology
BIOL 420 Economic Botany
BIOL 425 Elementary Plant Physiology
BIOL 426 New Jersey Flora
BIOL 490 Senior Seminar in Biology
BIOL 520 Plant Physiology
BIOL 570 Ecology
Research Interests
I am generally interested in how plants function and how their function is related to their structure. More specifically, I am interested how trees respond to herbivory and how their response is related to their structure. For example, is there a link between the ratio of roots to shoots (leaves and stems) and stomatal closure in response to herbivory? In the greenhouse, this work has involved studying different tree species, varieties of beans and varieties of tobacco with different root to shoot ratios and their responses to herbivory. In the field, I have been collaborating with Dr. Richard Wilkens at Dowling College to study the effect of crown structure on bear oak’s response to herbivory. We have also collaborated on a study to determine the effect of successive defoliations in one season on whole tree physiology of large white oaks. These studies have been taking place in the Pine Barrens region of Long Island. Very recently, I have been collaborating with Dr. Maurizio Mencuccini at the University of Edinburgh on a study to determine the effect of age on whole tree physiology. This study addresses a fundamental question regarding what determines maximum growth in trees. With the exception of the work in Scotland, all of my work has relied heavily on student participation. In some cases, students have been included as co-authors on papers as a result of their efforts.
Research Projects
2002-present: The effect of age on stomatal conductance, photosynthesis and hydraulic conductance in scots pine trees.
1999 - present: The physiological ecology of oaks in the Long Island Pine Barrens.
1996 - present: The effect of partial defoliation on gas exchange, water relations, nitrogen use and carbon allocation in Japanese larch, white pine, bear oak, beans and tobacco.
1994 - 1996: The effect of ozone and light levels on whole seedling carbon allocation of sugar maple seedlings.
1988 - 1994: The effect of defoliation on carbon uptake and allocation and water relations of red pine and Japanese larch.
Publications
Vanderklein, DW., J. Martinez-Vilalta, S. Lee and M. Mencuccini. 2007. Effects of age and leaf area on gas exchange and growth of grafted Scots pine seedlings. Tree Physiology 27: 71-79.
Martinez-Vilalta, J., D. vanderklein and M. Mencuccini. 2007. Tree height and age-related decline in growth in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.). Oecologia 150: 529-544.
Mencuccini, M., J. Martinez-Vilalta, H.A. Hamid, E. Korakaki and D. Vanderklein. 2007. Evidence for age-mediated and size-mediated controls of tree growth in grafting studies. Tree Physiology 27: 463-473.
Mencuccini, M., J. Martinez-Vilalta, D. Vanderklein, H.A. Hamid, E. Korakaki, S. Lee, B. Michiels. 2005. Size-mediated ageing reduces vigour in tall trees. Ecology Letters 8 (11): 1183-1190.
R.T. Wilkens, D.W. Vanderklein, R.W. Lemke II and A. Cartier. 2005. Plant architecture and leaf damage in bear oak II: Insect usage patterns. Northeastern Naturalist 12: 153-168.
Vanderklein, D.W., R.T. Wilkens, R.W. Lemke II and A. Cartier. 2004. Plant architecture and leaf damage in bear oak I: physiological responses. Northeastern Naturalist 11 (3): 343-356.
Topa, M.A., D.W. Vanderklein and A. Corbin. 2001. “Effects of elevated ozone and low light on diurnal and seasonal carbon gain in sugar maple”. Plant, Cell and Environment 24 (7): 663-678.
Vanderklein, D.W., E. Daquila and E. Carrozza. 2000. “White pine, Japanese larch and bear oak respond differently to partial defoliation”. Northeastern Naturalist 8(3):319-330.
Vanderklein, D. W., and P. B. Reich. 2000. “Larch and pine respond similarly during three years of partial defoliation”. Tree Physiology 20: 283-287.
Vanderklein, D. W., and P. B. Reich. 1999. “The effect of defoliation intensity and history on photosynthesis, growth and carbon reserves of two conifers with contrasting leaf lifespans and growth habits”. New Phytologist 144: 121-132.
Bäck, J., D.W. Vanderklein and M.A. Topa. 1999. “Effects of elevated ozone on CO2 uptake and leaf structure in sugar maple under two light environments”. Plant, Cell and Environment 22: 137-147.
Reich, P.B., M.G. Tjoelker, M.B. Walters, D. Vanderklein and C. Buschena. 1998. “Close association of RGR, leaf and root morphology, seed mass and shade tolerance in seedlings of nine boreal tree species grown in high and low light”. Functional Ecology 12: 327-338.
Reich, P.B., M.G. Tjoelker, M.B. Walters, D. Vanderklein and C. Buschena. 1998. “ Photosynthesis and respiration rates depend on leaf and root morphology and nitrogen concentration in nine boreal tree species differing in relative growth rate”. Functional Ecology 12: 395-405.
Reich, P.
B., M. B. Walters, S. D. Krause, D. Vanderklein, K. F. Raffa and T. T.
Tabone. 1993. “Growth, nutrition and gas exchange of
Pinus resinosa following artificial defoliation”. Trees 7: 67-77.