Scientists & Staff

Linda Pardo

Environmental Engineer

Northern Forest Science and Applications

The University of Vermont Aiken Center; 81 Carrigan Drive

Burlington, VT, 05405

Phone: 802-656-1712

Contact Linda Pardo

Current Research

I have been trying to understand the causes for the strong species differences we have observed in foliar and root d15N and to see how these differences might shed light on the complexities of the terrestrial nitrogen cycle.
I am particularly interested in issues of scale: how very small- and short-scale processes influence dynamics at the watershed scale, and how understanding small-scale physiological processes will elucidate broader species patterns.
I am also working on evaluating the impact of sulfur and nitrogen deposition on forest ecosystems using steady-state and dynamic critical loads models. Again, issues of scale are important as we struggle with the challenges of making calculations at a few well-characterized sites and trying to make calculations broadly with less data.

Research Interests

I am interested in the intersection of hydrological fluxes and nitrogen availability. These interests include the effect on changes in climate that will affect wetting and drying cycles in soil and the cascading effects of those changes on microbial nitrogen cycling and plant nitrogen availability. I am interested in evaluating multiple stressors on forest ecosystems (e.g., elevated nitrogen deposition and disease).

Education

Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge. MA, Ph.D. Environmental Engineering,
Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, M.A.M.S. Environmental Engineering,
Yale College, New Haven, CT., B.S. Mechanical Engineering,

Professional Organizations

American Geophysical Union
Ecological Society of America
Soil Science Society of America
New England Governors'/Eastern Canadian Premiers Forest Sensitivity to Acid Deposition Mapping Group

Featured Publications & Products

Pardo, Linda H.; Fenn, Mark E.; Goodale, Christine L.; Geiser, Linda H.; Driscoll, Charles T.; Allen, Edith B.; Baron, Jill S.; Bobbink, Roland; Bowman, William D.; Clark, Christopher M.; Emmett, Bridget; Gilliam, Frank S.; Greaver, Tara L.; Hall, Sharon J.; Lilleskov, Erik A.; Liu, Lingli; Lynch, Jason A.; Nadelhoffer, Knute J.; Perakis, Steven S.; Robin-Abbott, Molly J.; Stoddard, John L.; Weathers, Kathleen C.; Dennis, Robin L. 2011. Effects of nitrogen deposition and empirical nitrogen critical loads for ecoregions of the United States. Ecological Applications. 21(8): 3049-3082.
Pardo, L.H.; Robin-Abbott, M.J.; Driscoll, C.T., eds. 2011. Assessment of Nitrogen deposition effects and empirical critical loads of Nitrogen for ecoregions of the United States. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-80. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station. 291 p.
Pardo, L.H.; Semaoune, P.; Schaberg, P.G.; Eagar, C.; Sebilo, M. 2013. Patterns in δ¹⁵N in roots, stems, and leaves of sugar maple and American beech seedlings, saplings, and mature trees. Biogeochemistry. 112: 275-291.
Pardo, L.H.; Templer, P.H.; Goodale, C.L.; Duke, S.; Groffman, P.M.; Adams, M.B.; Boeckx, P.; Boggs, J.; Campbell, J.; Colman, B.; Compton, J.; Emmett, B.; Gundersen, P.; Kjonaas, J.; Lovett, G.; Mack, M.; Magill, A.; Mbila, M.; Mitchell, M.J.; McGee, G.; McNulty, S.; Nadelhoffer, K.; Ollinger, S.; Ross, D.; Rueth, H.; Rustad, L.; Schaberg, P.; Schiff, S.; Schleppi, P.; Spoelstra, J.; Wessel, W. 2006. Regional assessment of N saturation using foliar and root δ¹⁵N. Biogeochemistry. 80: 143-171.

Publications & Products

Green, Mark B.; Pardo, Linda H.; Bailey, Scott W.; Campbell, John L.; McDowell, William H.; Bernhardt, Emily S.; Rosi, Emma J. 2021. Predicting high‐frequency variation in stream solute concentrations with water quality sensors and machine learning. Hydrological Processes
McMurray, Jill A.; McDonnell, Todd C.; Mebane, Ann E.; Pardo, Linda H. 2021. Assessment of atmospheric nitrogen and sulfur deposition critical loads for aquatic and terrestrial resources on National Forest System lands in the Intermountain Region. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-204. Madison, WI: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station. 308 p.
Clark, Christopher M.; Simkin, Samuel M.; Allen, Edith B.; Bowman, William D.; Belnap, Jayne ; Brooks, Matthew L.; Collins, Scott L.; Geiser, Linda H.; Gilliam, Frank S.; Jovan, Sarah E.; Pardo, Linda H.; Schulz, Bethany K.; Stevens, Carly J.; Suding, Katharine N.; Throop, Heather L.; Waller, Donald M. 2019. Potential vulnerability of 348 herbaceous species to atmospheric deposition of nitrogen and sulfur in the United States. Nature Plants. 5(7): 697-705.
Pardo, Linda H.; Coombs, Jason A.; Robin-Abbott, Molly J.; Pontius, Jennifer H.; D'Amato, Anthony W. 2019. Tree species at risk from nitrogen deposition in the northeastern United States: A geospatial analysis of effects of multiple stressors using exceedance of critical loads. Forest Ecology and Management
Sebestyen, Stephen D.; Ross, Donald S.; Shanley, James B.; Elliott, Emily M.; Kendall, Carol ; Campbell, John L.; Dail, D. Bryan; Fernandez, Ivan J.; Goodale, Christine L.; Lawrence, Gregory B.; Lovett, Gary M.; McHale, Patrick J.; Mitchell, Myron J.; Nelson, Sarah J.; Shattuck, Michelle D.; Wickman, Trent R.; Barnes, Rebecca T.; Bostic, Joel T.; Buda, Anthony R.; Burns, Douglas A.; Eshleman, Keith N.; Finlay, Jacques C.; Nelson, David M.; Ohte, Nobuhito ; Pardo, Linda H.; Rose, Lucy A.; Sabo, Robert D.; Schiff, Sherry L.; Spoelstra, John ; Williard, Karl W. J. 2019. Unprocessed Atmospheric Nitrate in Waters of the Northern Forest Region in the U.S. and Canada. Environmental Science & Technology
Horn, Kevin J.; Thomas, R. Quinn; Clark, Christopher M.; Pardo, Linda H.; Fenn, Mark E.; Lawrence, Gregory B.; Perakis, Steven S.; Smithwick, Erica A. H.; Baldwin, Douglas ; Braun, Sabine ; Nordin, Annika ; Perry, Charles H.; Phelan, Jennifer N.; Schaberg, Paul G.; St. Clair, Samuel B.; Warby, Richard ; Watmough, Shaun. 2018. Growth and survival relationships of 71 tree species with nitrogen and sulfur deposition across the conterminous U.S.. PLOS ONE
Pardo, Linda H. 2018. It is Nitrogen That Binds Us: The Established Researcher. The Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America
Pardo, Linda H.; Duarte, Natasha ; Van Miegroet, Helga ; Fisher, L. Suzanne; Robin-Abbott, Molly J. 2018. Critical loads of sulfur and nitrogen and modeled effects of deposition reduction for forested ecosystems of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-180. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station. 26 p.
Robin-Abbott, Molly J.; Pardo, Linda H. 2017. How climatic conditions, site, and soil characteristics affect tree growth and critical loads of nitrogen for northeastern tree species. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-172. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station. 143 p.
Dibble, Alison C.; Hinds, James W.; Perron, Ralph; Cleavitt, Natalie; Poirot, Richard L.; Pardo, Linda H. 2016. Monitoring air quality in class I wilderness areas of the northeastern United States using lichens and bryophytes. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-165. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station. 44 p.
Lee, H.-M ; Paulot, F. ; Henze, D. K.; Travis, K. ; Jacob, D. J.; Pardo, L.H.; Schichtel, B. A. 2016. Sources of nitrogen deposition in Federal Class I areas in the US. Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics
Simkin, Samuel M.; Allen, Edith B.; Bowman, William D.; Clark, Christopher M.; Belnap, Jayne; Brooks, Matthew L.; Cade, Brian S.; Collins, Scott L.; Geiser, Linda H.; Gilliam, Frank S.; Jovan, Sarah E.; Pardo, Linda H.; Schulz, Bethany K.; Stevens, Carly J.; Suding, Katharine N.; Throop, Heather L.; Waller, Donald M. 2016. Conditional vulnerability of plant diversity to atmospheric nitrogen deposition across the United States. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Simkin, Samuel M.; Allen, Edith B.; Bowman, William D.; Clark, Christopher M.; Belnap, Jayne; Brooks, Matthew L.; Cade, Brian S.; Collins, Scott L.; Geiser, Linda H.; Gilliam, Frank S.; Jovan, Sarah E.; Pardo, Linda H.; Schulz, Bethany K.; Stevens, Carly J.; Suding, Katharine N.; Throop, Heather L.; Waller, Donald M. 2016. Conditional vulnerability of plant diversity to atmospheric nitrogen deposition across the United States. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 113(15): 4086-4091.
Cleavitt, Natalie L.; Hinds, James W.; Poirot, Richard L.; Geiser, Linda H.; Dibble, Alison C.; Leon, Bennet ; Perron, Ralph ; Pardo, Linda H. 2015. Epiphytic macrolichen communities correspond to patterns of sulfur and nitrogen deposition in the northeastern United States. The Bryologist
Pardo, L.H. ; Blett, T. ; Clark, C.M. ; Geiser, L.H. 2015. Impacts of nitrogen pollution on terrestrial ecosystems of the United States. EM. September 2015: 24-30.
Pardo, Linda H.; Robin-Abbot, Molly J.; Fenn, Mark E.; Goodale, Christine L.; Geiser, Linda H.; Driscoll, Charles T.; Allen, Edith B.; Baron, Jill S.; Bobbink, Roland; Bowman, William D.; Clark, Christopher M.; Emmett, Bridget; Gilliam, Frank S.; Greaver, Tara L.; Hall, Sharon J.; Lilleskov, Erik A.; Liu, Lingli; Lynch, Jason A.; Nadelhoffer, Knute J.; Perakis, Steven J.; Stoddard, John L.; Weathers, Kathleen C.; Dennis, Robin L. 2015. Effects and empirical critical loads of nitrogen for ecoregions of the United States. In: de Vries, W.; Hettelingh, J.-P.; Posch, M., eds. Critical loads and dynamic risk assessment. Dordrecht, The Netherlands: Springer: 129-169. Chapter 5.
Perry, Charles H. (Hobie); Horn, Kevin J.; Thomas, R. Quinn; Pardo, Linda H.; Smithwick, Erica A.H.; Baldwin, Doug; Lawrence, Gregory B.; Bailey, Scott W.; Braun, Sabine; Clark, Christopher M.; Fenn, Mark; Nordin, Annika; Phelan, Jennifer N.; Schaberg, Paul G.; St. Clair, Sam; Warby, Richard; Watmough, Shaun; Perakis, Steven S. 2015. Repeated measures from FIA data facilitates analysis across spatial scales of tree growth responses to nitrogen deposition from individual trees to whole ecoregions. In: Stanton, Sharon M.; Christensen, Glenn A., comps. 2015. Pushing boundaries: new directions in inventory techniques and applications: Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) symposium 2015. 2015 December 8-10; Portland, Oregon. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-931. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. p. 191.
Blett, Tamara F.; Lynch, Jason A.; Pardo, Linda H.; Huber, Cindy ; Haeuber, Richard ; Pouyat, Richard. 2014. FOCUS: A pilot study for national-scale critical loads development in the United States. Environmental Science & Policy
Clair, T.A.; Blett, T.; Aherne, J.; Aidar, M.P.M.; Artz, R.; Bealey, W.J.; Budd, W.; Cape, J.N.; Curtis, C.J.; Duan, L.; Fenn, M.E.; Groffman, P.; Haeuber, R.; Hall, J.R.; Hettelingh, J.-P.; López-Hernández, D.; Mathieson, B.; Pardo, L.; Posch, M.; Pouyat, R.V.; Spranger, T.; Sverdrup, H.; van Dobben, H.; van Hinsberg, A. 2014. The critical loads and levels approach for nitrogen. In: Sutton, M.A. et al., eds. Nitrogen Deposition, Critical Loads and Biodiversity. Netherlands: Springer: 481-491. Chapter 50
Clark, Christopher M.; Morefield, Philip E.; Gilliam, Frank S.; Pardo, Linda H. 2013. Estimated losses of plant biodiversity across the United States from historical N deposition (1985-2010). Ecology. 94(7): 1441-1448.
Duarte, N.; Pardo, L.H.; Robin-Abbott, M.J. 2013. Susceptibility of forests in the northeastern USA to nitrogen and sulfur deposition: critical load exceedance and forest health. Water, Air and Soil Pollution. 224: 1355.
Halman, Joshua M.; Schaberg, Paul G.; Hawley, Gary J.; Pardo, Linda H.; Fahey, Timothy J. 2013. Calcium and aluminum impacts on sugar maple physiology in a northern hardwood forest. Tree Physiology. 33(11): 1242-1251.
Porter, Ellen M.; Bowman, William D.; Clark, Christopher M.; Compton, Jana E.; Pardo, Linda H.; Soong, Jenny L. 2013. Interactive effects of anthropogenic nitrogen enrichment and climate change on terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity. Biogeochemistry
Crowley, K.F.; McNeil, B.E.; Lovett, G.M.; Canham, C.D.; Driscoll, C.T.; Rustad, L.E.; Denny, E.; Hallett, R.A.; Arthur, M.A.; Boggs, J.L.; Goodale, C.L.; Kahl, J.S.; McNulty, S.G.; Ollinger, S.V.; Pardo, L.H.; Schaberg, P.G.; Stoddard, J.L.; Weand, M.P.; Weather, K.C. 2012. Do nutrient limitation patterns shift from nitrogen toward phosphorus with increasing nitrogen deposition across the northeastern United States?. Ecosystems. 15: 940-957.
Groffman, Peter M.; Rustad, Lindsey; Templer, Pamela H.; Campbell, John; Christenson, Lynn M.; Lany, Nina K.; Socci, Anne M.; Vadeboncoeur, Matthew A.; Schaberg, Paul; Wilson, Geoffrey F.; Driscoll, Charles T.; Fahey, Timothy J.; Fisk, Melany C.; Goodale, Christine L.; Green, Mark B.; Hamburg, Steven P.; Johnson, Chris E.; Mitchell, Myron J.; Morse, Jennifer L.; Pardo, Linda H.; Rodenhouse, Nicholas L. 2012. Long-term integrated studies show complex and surprising effects of climate change in northern hardwood forests. BioScience. 62(12): 1056-1066
Fenn, Mark E; Lambert, Kathleen F.; Blett, Tamara F.; Burns, Douglas A.; Pardo, Linda H.; Lovett, Gary M.; Haeuber, Richard A.; Evers, David C.; Driscoll, Charles T.; Jeffries, Dean S. 2011. Setting limits: Using air pollution thresholds to protect and restore U.S. Report Number 14. J.S. Baron, Editor-in-Chief. Ecological Society of America. Washington, D.C. 21 p.
Gilliam, F.S.; Goodale, C.L.; Pardo, L.H.; Geiser, L.H.; Lilleskov, E.A. 2011. Eastern temperate forests, Chapter 10. In: Pardo, L.H.; Robin-Abbott, M.J.; Driscoll, C.T., eds. Assessment of Nitrogen deposition effects and empirical critical loads of Nitrogen for ecoregions of the United States. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-80. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 99-116.
Pardo, L.H.; Driscoll, C.T.; Goodale, C.L. 2011. Introduction, Chapter 1. In: Pardo, L.H.; Robin-Abbott, M.J.; Driscoll, C.T., eds. Assessment of Nitrogen deposition effects and empirical critical loads of Nitrogen for ecoregions of the United States. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-80. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 1-7.
Pardo, L.H.; Geiser, L.H.; Fenn, M.E.; Driscoll, C.T.; Goodale, C.L.; Allen, E.B.; Baron, J.S.; Bobbink, R.; Bowman, W.D.; Clark, C.M.; Emmett, B.; Gilliam, F.S.; Greaver, T.; Hall, S.J.; Lilleskov, E.A.; Liu, L.; Lynch, J.A.; Nadelhoffer, K.; Perakis, S.S.; Robin-Abbott, M.J.; Stoddard, J.L.; Weathers, K.C. 2011. Synthesis, Chapter 19. In: Pardo, L.H.; Robin-Abbott, M.J.; Driscoll, C.T., eds. Assessment of Nitrogen deposition effects and empirical critical loads of Nitrogen for ecoregions of the United States. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-80. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 229-284.
Pardo, L.H.; Goodale, C.L.; Lilleskov, E.A.; Geiser, L.H. 2011. Northern forests, Chapter 7. In: Pardo, L.H.; Robin-Abbott, M.J.; Driscoll, C.T., eds. Assessment of Nitrogen deposition effects and empirical critical loads of Nitrogen for ecoregions of the United States. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-80. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 61-73.
Pardo, L.H.; Lilleskov, E.A.; Geiser, L.H.; Robin-Abbott, M.J. 2011. Methods, Chapter 4. In: Pardo, L.H.; Robin-Abbott, M.J.; Driscoll, C.T., eds. Assessment of Nitrogen deposition effects and empirical critical loads of Nitrogen for ecoregions of the United States. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-80. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 25-35.
Pardo, L.H.; Robin-Abbott, M.J.; Driscoll, C.T. 2011. Appendices. In: Pardo, L.H.; Robin-Abbott, M.J.; Driscoll, C.T., eds. Assessment of Nitrogen deposition effects and empirical critical loads of Nitrogen for ecoregions of the United States. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-80. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 285-291.
Robin-Abbott, M.J.; Pardo, L.H. 2011. Ecosystem classification, Chapter 2. In: Pardo, L.H.; Robin-Abbott, M.J.; Driscoll, C.T., eds. Assessment of Nitrogen deposition effects and empirical critical loads of Nitrogen for ecoregions of the United States. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-80. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 9-14.
Bobbink, R.; Hicks, K.; Galloway, J.; Spranger, T.; Alkemade, R.; Ashmore, M.; Bustamante, M.; Cinderby, S.; Davidson, E.; Dentener, F.; Emmett, B.; Erisman, J.-W.; Fenn, M.; Gilliam, F.; Nordin, A.; Pardo, L.; De Vries, W. 2010. Global assessment of nitrogen deposition effects on terrestrial plant diversity: a synthesis. Ecological Applications 20:30-59
Pardo, Linda H. 2010. Approaches for estimating critical loads of N and S deposition for forest ecosystems on U.S. federal lands. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-71. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station. 25 p.
Burns, Douglas A.; Blett, Tamara; Haeuber, Richard; Pardo, Linda H. 2008. Critical loads as a policy tool for protecting ecosystems from the effects of air pollutants. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment. 6(3): 156-159.
Boggs, Johnny L.; McNulty, Steven G.; Pardo, Linda H. 2007. Changes in conifer and deciduous forest foliar and forest floor chemistry and basal area tree growth across a nitrogen (N) deposition gradient in the northeastern US. Environmental Pollution, Vol. 149: 303-314
Pardo, L.H.; Hemond, H.F.; Montoya, J.P.; Pett-Ridge, J. 2007. Natural abundance ¹⁵N in soil and litter across a nitrate-output gradient in New Hampshire. Forest Ecology and Management. 251: 217-230.
Pardo, Linda H.; McNulty, Steven G.; Boggs, Johnny L.; Duke, Sara. 2007. Regional patterns in foliar ¹⁵N across a gradient of nitrogen deposition in the northeastern US. Environmental Pollution. 149: 293-302.
Pardo, Linda H.; McNulty, Steven G.; Boggs, Johnny L.; Duke, Sara. 2007. Regional patterns in foliar ¹⁵N across a gradient of nitrogen deposition in the northeastern US. Environmental Pollution, Vol. 149: 293-302
Pardo, Linda H.; Robin-Abbott, Molly; Duarte, Natasha; Miller, Eric K. 2005. Tree chemistry database (version 1.0). Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-324. Newtown Square PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station. 45 p.
Pardo, Linda H.; Kendall, Carol; Pett-Ridge, Jennifer; Chang, Cecily C.Y.; Chang, Cecily C.Y. 2004. Evaluating the source of streamwater nitrate using d15N and d18O in nitrate in two watersheds in New Hampshire, USA. Hydrological Processes. 18: 2699-2712.

Research Datasets

Sebestyen, Stephen D.; Kendall, Carol; Elliott, Emily M.; Schiff, Sherry L.; Barnes, Rebecca T.; Bostic, Joel T.; Buda, Anthony R.; Burns, Douglas A.; Campbell, John L.; Dail, D. Bryan; Eshleman, Keith N.; Fernandez, Ivan J.; Finlay, Jacques C.; Goodale, Christine L.; Griffiths, Natalie A.; Hall, Steven J.; Lawrence, Gregory B.; Lovett, Gary M.; McHale, Patrick J.; Mitchell, Myron J.; Nelson, David M.; Nelson, Sarah J.; Ohte, Nobuhito; Pardo, Linda H.; Rose, Lucy A.; Ross, Donald S.; Sabo, Robert D.; Shanley, James B.; Shattuck, Michelle D.; Spoelstra, John; Weintraub, Samantha R.; Wickman, Trent R.; Williard, Karl W. J. 2019. Nitrate isotope database for meteoric waters, surface waters, soil waters, and groundwaters. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2019-0003.

National Research Highlights

Forested ecosystem in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Ken Dudzik, Forest Service

Determining What Levels of Air Pollution Harm U.S. Ecosystems

Year: 2011

An international team led by a Forest Service scientist has determined the level of nitrogen (N) deposited from air pollution that harms ecosystems across the United States. This research provides an assessment tool for managers and policy makers to use when making decisions about limiting N pollution to protect vulnerable ecosystems.

Last modified: Tuesday, September 3, 2013