For centuries forests represented the unknown: places of mystery where fairies and spirits dwelt and the mark of civilization was ne’er felt. But we’ve come to realize that forests are vibrant ecosystems that support an array of plants, fungi and wildlife. And far from being primeval, woodlands are quite susceptible to human activity.

UC Santa Barbara’s Anna Trugman(link is external) is among the scientists who has dedicated her career to unravelling the secrets of forests and understanding how they might respond to a changing environment. The assistant professor has been named a 2022-2026 early career fellow by the Ecological Society of America (ESA) for her work elucidating how sylvan ecosystems respond to climate change.