Susy Domenicano

Doctorate
Modeling the adaptation capacity of multifunctional agroforestry systems to climate change.
Université du Québec à Montréal

Advisor: Christian Messier

Co-Advisor: Alain Paquette

Research Interests

I am both a generalist and a specialist. I am interested in the broad scientific questions regarding the productivity and biodiversity of plantations and agroforestry systems. I am equally passionate about the hidden half: the complex interactions of root systems with their soil environment and the effect of different biotic and abiotic environmental conditions that alter those interactions. More recently, I have developed an interest in soil microbial communities and their role in root development.

Projet: Modeling the adaptation capacity of multifunctional agroforestry systems to climate change.

Research objective: Using a modeling approach, improve our understanding of the effects of climate change on tree-crop dynamics to assess the potentially positive impacts of intercropping on crop productivity.

Hypothesis: The complementarity between trees and crops in tree-based intercropping systems will mitigate the effects of climate change on crop productivity and enhance tree growth.

Education

• Masters of Environmental Science, UQAM, 2004-2006

• Baccalaureate in geography with honours, Certificate in biology, Concordia University, 1998-2003

Bursaries and distinctions

• 2012-2014: Awarded a bursary supplement by the Forest Complexity Modelling  program, renewable
• 2011-2014: Awarded a full postgraduate scholarship by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), renewable
• 2006: Awarded an internal Université du Québec à Montréal scholarship (2 500 $)

Publications

Peer-reviewed publications

1. Domenicano S., Olivier A., Paquette A., Messier C. 2013. Will climate change drive temperate agroforestry systems towards increased competition or complementarity? A modeling approach. Agroforestry Systems, submitted on invitation September 2013.
2. Domenicano S., Coll L., Messier C., and Berninger F. 2011. Nitrogen forms affect root structure and water uptake in the hybrid poplar. New Forests, 42(3): 347-362.
3. Coll, L., Schneider, R., Berninger F., Domenicano, S. and Messier, C. 2010. Quantifying the effect of nitrogen induced physiological and structural changes on poplar growth using a process-based model. Tree Physiology, 31: 381-390.
4. Greene, D.F., Macdonald, S.E., Haeussler, S., Domenicano, S., Noel, J., Jayen, K., Charron, I.,Gauthier, S., Hunt, S., Gielau, E.T., Bergeron, Y. and Swift, L. 2007. The reduction of organic-layer depth by wildfire in the North American boreal forest and its effect on tree recruitment by seed. Canadian Journal of Forest Research, 37(6):1012-1023.

Articles published without a peer-reviewed committee

1. Lefrancois, M.L., Paquette, A., Messier, C., and Domenicano, S. 2009. Restoring Ecosystem Functions in Neotropical Forests of Panama. In Haeussler, S. and H. Thorpe 2009. Complexity Science and Global Change Workshop Summary. Occasional Paper No. 5, Natural Resources and Environmental Studies Institute University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George, B.C., Canada and Bulkley Valley Centre for Natural Resources Research and Management, Smithers, B.C., Canada.

Conference presentations and posters*

1. *Domenicano, S., Paquette, A., Messier, C., and Olivier, A. Modeling for climate change: Are North American agroforestry systems heading toward increased competition or complementarity? World Congress on Agroforestry, New Delhi, India.
2. Domenicano, S., Paquette, A., and Messier, C. 2013. Will climate change drive temperate agroforestry systems towards increased competition or complementarity? A modelling approach. 13th North American Agroforestry Conference, Charlottetown (PEI), Canada.
3. Domenicano, S., Paquette, A., and Messier, C. 2013. Utiliser la modélisation pour prévoir des scénarios futurs : les changements climatiques vont-ils conduire les systèmes agroforestiers au Québec vers la complémentarité ou la compétition? Journée scientifique – Agroforesterie, Drummondville (QC), Canada.
4. Domenicano, S. 2006. Fertilisation du peuplier hybride à l’ammonium et au nitrate : effets sur l'architecture racinaire et le flux de sève. CONFOR Nordique, Duparquet, Qc.
5. *Domenicano, S. 2006. Fertilisation du peuplier hybride à l’ammonium et au nitrate : effets sur l'architecture racinaire et le flux de sève. Colloque La Ligniculture : une solution d'avenir ! Réseau Ligniculture Québec, Orford, Qc.