Taylor Joyal

About

Dr. Taylor Joyal is an Associate Teaching Professor in the School of Earth and Sustainability at Northern Arizona University, where he has been a faculty member since 2014. He specializes in fluvial geomorphology and watershed hydrology, with particular expertise in watershed processes, river system dynamics in arid and tropical climates, and post-wildfire flood impacts.

Research Interests

Fluvial Geomorphology

• River channel dynamics and morphology
• Sediment transport and deposition processes
• Channel evolution and adjustment mechanisms
• Fluvial response to environmental change
• Stream network analysis and characterization

Hydrology and Watershed Processes

• Watershed hydrology and water balance studies
• Surface water-groundwater interactions
• Hydrologic modeling and prediction
• Streamflow analysis and flood frequency
• Land use and climate impacts
• Watershed restoration and management

Post-wildfire Impacts

• Post-fire flood processes and hazards
• Debris flow initiation and runout
• Watershed recovery following wildfire
• Fire effects on hydrologic processes
• Post-fire erosion and sedimentation
• Seismic characterization of debris flows

Dam Removal and River Restoration

• Dam removal impacts on river systems
• Restoration ecology and geomorphology
• River connectivity and habitat restoration

Education

• Ph.D. Water Resources Science and Management
• M.S. Quaternary Sciences
• B.A. Geology — B.A. Anthropology

Professional Experience

Academic Positions

• Associate Teaching Professor, Northern Arizona University (2014-present)
• Research Associate, Alexander Fremier’s Lab
• Field Research Coordinator, Multiple watershed studies
• Collaborative Researcher, Regional restoration projects

Research Impact

Dr. Joyal has made significant contributions to fluvial geomorphology and hydrology with over 560 citations across 22+ publications. His work directly informs watershed management, restoration practice, and post-fire debris flow characterization.

Major Research Areas

Post-wildfire Flood Research

• Flood frequency and magnitude changes following wildfire
• Debris flow processes in burned watersheds
• Watershed recovery timescales and hydrologic response
• Risk assessment for post-fire flooding hazards

Dam Removal Studies

• Geomorphic response to dam removal projects
• Restoration success monitoring and assessment

Biocrust and Soil Surface Research

• Biocrust communities and watershed function
• Soil surface roughness effects on runoff and erosion
• Surface-subsurface flow interactions in arid environments
• Ecosystem service provision by biocrust communities

Teaching Excellence

Student Impact

Students consistently praise Dr. Joyal as:

• “One of the best professors at NAU” - Exceptional teaching recognition
• “Very knowledgeable” - Deep expertise in geomorphology and hydrology
• “Explains things clearly” - Effective communication of complex concepts
• “Passionate about his field” - Inspiring approach to earth sciences

Course Development

• Environmental Science - Interdisciplinary environmental systems
• Geomorphology - Landform processes and evolution
• Hydrology - Surface water processes and management
• Field Methods - Hands-on watershed and stream assessment

Innovative Pedagogy

• Field-based learning experiences in local watersheds
• Hands-on data collection and analysis training
• Real-world applications of geomorphological principles
• Integration of research with undergraduate education
• Problem-based learning approaches to environmental challenges

Research Collaborations

Laboratory Affiliations

• Alexander Fremier’s Lab - Collaborative research in restoration ecology
• Watershed research networks - Regional and national partnerships
• Post-fire research groups - Interdisciplinary wildfire impact studies

Field Research Sites

• Southwestern United States watersheds and river systems
• Watershed Hydrology and Land Use plus Climate Change impacts central highlands of Costa Rica
• Post-fire study areas in fire-prone regions of western US
• Restoration project locations for long-term monitoring

Professional Service

Review and Advisory Activities

• Peer reviewer for hydrology and geomorphology journals
• Grant review panels for watershed restoration funding
• Conference session organizer for fluvial geomorphology meetings
• Restoration project advisor for agencies and NGOs

Professional Organizations

• American Geophysical Union - Hydrology and earth surface processes
• Geological Society of America - Quaternary geology and geomorphology
• Society for Freshwater Science - Stream ecology and restoration
• Association of American Geographers - Physical geography and water resources

Current Research Focus

Dr. Joyal’s ongoing research emphasizes:

• Climate change and land use impacts on watershed hydrology and geomorphology
• Restoration effectiveness monitoring and assessment
• Post-fire recovery processes and management strategies
• Student research opportunities in applied hydrology
• Community engagement in watershed management

Applied Research Applications

Watershed Management

• Post-fire flood risk monitoring, assessment and mitigation
• Stream restoration design and implementation
• Water resource management in changing environments

Restoration Practice

• Evidence-based restoration approaches and techniques
• Monitoring protocols for restoration success
• Adaptive management strategies for restoration projects
• Stakeholder engagement in restoration planning

Research Philosophy

Dr. Joyal’s approach emphasizes the integration of fundamental geomorphological and hydrological principles with practical applications for watershed management and restoration. His work demonstrates the importance of long-term monitoring and adaptive management in addressing complex environmental challenges, particularly in arid and humid tropical climates.

Future Directions

Dr. Joyal continues to advance:

• Climate adaptation strategies for watershed management
• Next-generation restoration techniques and assessment
• Student training in applied hydrology and geomorphology
• Community-based research partnerships
• Integration of traditional and scientific knowledge in watershed management

Community Engagement

Dr. Joyal’s work directly supports:

• Local watershed groups and restoration organizations
• Land management agencies in restoration planning
• Emergency management for post-fire flood preparedness
• Educational outreach on watershed processes and management
• Policy development for watershed protection and restoration

Legacy and Impact

Dr. Joyal’s career represents excellent integration of research and teaching in applied geomorphology and hydrology. His work has significantly contributed to understanding watershed processes while providing exceptional educational experiences for students pursuing careers in earth and environmental sciences.