Kathleen Knight

Title: Research Ecologist
Unit: Sustaining Forests in a Changing Environment
Previous Unit: Multiple Stress Interactions and their Effects on Forest Health and Sustainability
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, Ohio Invasive Plants Network

Current Research

My current research deals with the effects of emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) on forest communities.  Short-term effects, such as ash (Fraxinus) decline trajectories and responses of native and exotic species, are being monitored in a network of plots across Ohio and Michigan.  An ash decline transition matrix will be created from this data and will allow managers to predict yearly ash decline and mortality in forest stands.  Preliminary matrices show the potential for rapid mortality.  Long-term responses of forests will be modeled using the Forest Vegetation Simulator (FVS), which I am modifying to include invasive shrub species.  FVS will also be used to examine effects of management, such as invasive shrub removal and native tree planting, in forests where ash is the dominant species

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