Kai Kopecky

Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Environmental Data Science Innovation & Impact Lab (ESIIL), University of Colorado Boulder.

Wednesday, July 1 at 7:00 pm
Location: Megaron, Mountain Research Station

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The physical remains of dead organisms left behind after catastrophic events like fires, storms, and droughts can have lasting effects on how ecosystems look and function (a phenomenon known as ecological memory). The remains of foundation species—iconic and abundant organisms like trees, grasses, corals, or oysters that build the very frameworks of the ecosystems we know and love—can be particularly influential in this regard. In this talk, I’ll discuss the many roles foundation species play both before and after they die, the cutting-edge tools we use to study these organisms on land and underwater, and how we can use our knowledge of their influences to guide recoveries in nature through targeted restoration efforts. 

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MRS summer seminar series

The weekly summer seminar at the Mountain Research Station (MRS) is free and open to the public. No reservations are required. Attendees should arrive 15 minutes early so that you have time to park and make your way to the seminar. You will be joining a fun mix of MRS scientists, students who are taking courses, and members of the public.

See all 2026 summer seminars >