Erich Eberhard is an ecologist who studies the disturbance and resilience dynamics of tropical forests. His research seeks to elucidate the persisting, indirect effects of disturbance on forest system structure and how such disturbance legacies shape forest ecosystem functioning and service provisioning.

As a Fulbright U.S. Student Researcher in Indonesia, Erich and his collaborators at Universitas Nasional are studying the effects of multiple disturbance histories in the Mawas Conservation Area on biodiversity-mediated mechanisms of forest functional recovery and resistance. This research builds on that of the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation, which maintains a longterm ecological research program within the Mawas Conservation Area.

By advancing our understanding of how past disturbances shape future functional resilience, this research will inform more successful and cost-effective forest restoration. Results will provide insight into the potential for natural regeneration of functionally resilient forests across a range of disturbance histories, and help practitioners strategically implement enrichment planting—where necessary—as to promote the long-term stability of ecosystem functioning and service provisioning.

Erich is grateful for the opportunity to study alongside accomplished researchers in Indonesia, and is excited to further grow his understanding of Indonesia’s language, history, and culture.