Cynthia Huebner

Title: Research Botanist
Unit: Ecology and Management of Invasive Species and Forest Ecosystems
Previous Unit: Disturbance Ecology and Management of Oak-Dominated Forests
Address: Northern Research Station
180 Canfield St.
Morgantown, WV 26505
Phone: 304-285-1582
E-mail: Contact Cynthia Huebner

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Education

• Ph.D. Botany; Miami University, Oxford, OH
• M.S. Environmental Science; Indiana University, Bloomington, IN.
• M.A. Plant Ecology; Indiana University, Bloomington, IN.
• B.S. Biology; University of California, Riverside, CA

Civic & Professional Affiliations

Ecological Society of America (since 1988)
Phi Beta Kappa (since 1988)
American Association for the Advancement of Science (since 1996)
Botanical Society of America (since 1997)
Center for Plant Conservation (since 1997)
International Association of Vegetation Scientists (since 1999)
Southern Appalachian Botanical Society (since 2000)
Mid-Atlantic Exotic Pest Plant Council (since 2002)
West Virginia Invasive Species Working Group (since 2002)
American Institute of Biological Sciences (since 2003)

Current Research

My research focuses on the biology and ecology of invasive plant species in forest systems, especially in
association with anthropogenic and natural disturbances. Research topics include:

• prediction of vulnerability to invasion (from seed bank, to establishment, to spread),
• competitive ability of common invaders (such as Ailanthus altissima and Microstegium vimineum) in comparison with associated native species and under various environmental conditions,
• basic biology and reproductive ecology of common invaders, especially in terms of how these characteristics may explain their invasiveness or pinpoint particular weaknesses,
• evaluation of detection methods for sampling so that establishing invaders (or rare species) are documented early and effectively, and
• restoration of invaded forest sites.

Why is This Important

Successful management of our forests is dependent on being able to predict the effects of invasive plant species on the maintenance of healthy forest systems as well as the effects of different management and disturbance regimes as potential deterrents or promoters of invasion.

Future Research

My research will continue to focus on the biology and ecology of invasive plant species in forest systems, especially in association with anthropogenic and natural disturbances.

Featured Publications

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