John D. Aber

John D. Aber is professor of Natural Resources & the Environment at the University of New Hampshire, and is also affiliated with the Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans, and Space at UNH.

Aber received a Bachelor's degree in engineering and applied science (computer science) from Yale University in 1971 and Master's and Ph.D. degrees in 1973 and 1976 in forestry and environmental studies at Yale. He was provost and vice president of academic affairs at the University of New Hampshire (2009-2013) and Vice President for Research and Public Service (2003-2007). He is a scientist, educator, administrator and one of the world's leading ecologists.Aber is internationally known for his groundbreaking work on nitrogen cycling, sustainable ecosystem management, climate change, and the effects of acid rain on forests. His applied studies of basic research on nutrients movements through forests hashad a major role defining the field of ecosystem ecology. The scientific field of restoration ecology was properly identified by Aber and William Jordan while they were at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In 1991, Aber published Terrestrial Ecosystems with Jerry Melillo, which was the first textbook on the ecology of whole ecosystems. Aber was selected as one of the four 2012 honorees of the Wilbur Cross Medal by the Yale Alumni Association.

Aber's research area is sustainable ecosystem management. He has applied concepts learnedduring the 30 years of studying native forest ecosystems, managed woodlots and pastures. One of his active projects is nutrient and energy balance of the UNH's Organic Dairy Research Farm's which is first in the world. The focus is reducing dependence on external sources of energy and bedding by changing the farm's environmental footprint with static pile aerobic composting techniques to generate heat energy for farm usage. This project is supported by the USDA and AUES and provides research opportunities for undergraduates, graduates and stakeholders. His work measures and monitors the Nitrogen footprint of the University and assesses the value of Life Cycle Analysis in determining environmental impacts.

Aber lives in Durham, New Hampshire, with his wife Lynn and has three adult children.