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Northern Research Station
11 Campus Blvd., Suite 200
Newtown Square, PA 19073
(610) 557-4017
(610) 557-4132 TTY/TDD

You are here: NRS Home / Scientists & Staff / Kathleen Knight
Scientists & Staff

[image:] Kathleen Knight Kathleen Knight

Title: Research Ecologist
Unit: Sustaining Forests in a Changing Environment, Genetics, Biological Control, and Management of Invasive Species
Address: Northern Research Station
359 Main Road
Delaware, OH 43015
Phone: 740-368-0063
E-mail: Contact Kathleen Knight

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Education

  • University of Minnesota Ph.D. Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior 2006.
    Dissertation: Factors that influence the invasion success of two woody invaders of forest understories
  • Hiram College B.A. Biology and Music Performance (double-major) 2001

Civic & Professional Affiliations

  • Ecological Society of America
  • Society of American Foresters
  • Society for Ecological Restoration
  • Ohio Invasive Plants Council
  • Midwest Invasive Plants Network

Current Research

I study effects of invasive pests and pathogens on tree populations, forest plant communities, and forest ecosystem processes, as well as the restoration of tree species and impacted forest ecosystems. My current research deals with two important species that have been impacted by invasive pests and pathogens: ash (Fraxinus spp.) and elm (Ulmus americana). I enjoy collaborating with graduate students, undergraduate students, and other scientists on this research.

Emerald ash borer (EAB), an invasive pest, is currently spreading throughout the Midwest and killing millions of ash trees. Ash species are an important component of many forest types in the region. I do research on ash decline and mortality in EAB-infested forests and the effects on other plant species and ecosystem processes in monitoring plots throughout Ohio. My research has shown how quickly the ash trees decline and die, how the wave of ash mortality is moving through Ohio, how quickly ash trees fall after they die, and how native trees and invasive plants respond. The knowledge from this research allows managers to better plan to respond to impacts of EAB on their forests. I study the small number of ash trees that seem to survive EAB infestation and work with a collaborative group to determine whether these trees may have resistance to EAB. This research may lead to EAB-resistant ash trees.

I do research on restoration of forest ecosystems, in particular testing restoration methods for American elm trees that are tolerant to Dutch elm disease (DED). Dutch elm disease is an invasive pathogen responsible for killing many elms throughout its range. I am testing plantings of DED-tolerant elms in combination with other tree species in ash-dominated riparian forests impacted by EAB to determine optimum planting methods and long-term effects on forest health. I am also working on increasing the number of DED-tolerant elms available by creating a citizen-science database of large elms that we will test for DED-resistance. This research will provide managers with tools to restore forest ecosystems.

I am part of a group who created curriculum materials to use EAB as a ?teachable moment? to involve science students in the process of EAB research, increasing their understanding of the process of science and threats to forest health. We are currently working on expanding and improving these materials and training educators to use them.

Featured Publications

Additional Online Publications

Last Modified: 02/15/2012