Picture of Joan Dudney.

Assistant Professor

Research Areas
Forest disturbance ecology, climate change effects, global change ecology
Instructor Code
42

Bio

Joan Dudney is an Assistant Professor of Forest Ecology at the Bren School and the Department of Environmental Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Research in the Landscapes of Change (LOC) Lab is focused on understanding the causes and consequences of global change. Her current work seeks to disentangle the complex effects of climate change on forest communities, as well as the cascading impacts of changing disturbance regimes, including tree disease, bark beetles, and fire. Joan joined the Bren School following a David H. Smith Postdoctoral Fellowship at UC Davis and an independent postdoctoral fellowship based at the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis (NCEAS). Joan received her bachelor's degree from Occidental College and volunteered for the Peace Corps in Paraguay, where she learned Spanish and the indigenous language, Guarani.

 

Postdoctoral Researchers

People

Bren Hall 1310

Research Areas:
Climate science and tree rings

News about Joan Dudney

News

Ecologist Joan Dudney awarded for her study of how forests change in a warming world

Bren School's Joan Dudney named 2025 ESA Early Career Fellow for innovative research on climate change, forest ecosystems, and multiple environmental stressors reshaping Western landscapes.

How a Drought Affects Trees Depends on What’s Been Holding Them Back

Droughts can actually have a positive effect on tree growth, contrary to popular belief. Findings show that in cold and harsh environments, drought can actually benefit the trees by extending their growing season and increasing productivity.

Tending to Our Superblooms Requires Developing Plans for People to Enjoy Them

California's superblooms attract thousands of visitors to the state's outdoor spaces. But increased traffic to these spaces can cause harmful impacts to the future of the superblooms and California's wildflowers