Yihong’s research seeks to quantify the impacts of novel disturbance regimes on the structure and function of forest ecosystems. Specifically, she explores the ecological and social costs associated with climate-driven (e.g., more frequent droughts) and management-induced disturbances (e.g. expanded use of beneficial fire) on the dynamics of Sierran conifer forests. By integrating data synthesis with model simulations, she investigates how forests respond to and recover from these events, focusing on legacy effects and uncovering key trade-offs. Her work aims to advance understanding of forest resilience and inform future forest conservation and management.