Scientists & Staff

Kathleen Knight
News Releases
- Team to Monitor Where and When Ash Trees Die on a National ForestMay 16, 2018
- In Southeast Michigan and Northwest Ohio Counties, Scientists Looking for Healthy Ash TreesOctober 17, 2014
- Seedling Survival Study by U.S. Forest Service, Northern Research Station Contributes to Metroparks of the Toledo Area Restoration ProjectApril 11, 2011
- U.S. Forest Service, Northern Research Station, Launches Website for Reporting American ElmMarch 29, 2011
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 speciesEducation
- University of Minnesota Ph.D., Ph.D. Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior, 2006
- Hiram College, B.A. Biology and Music Performance, 2001
Professional Organizations
- Ecological Society of America
- Ohio Invasive Plants Network
Featured Publications & Products
- Knight, Kathleen S.; Brown, John P.; Long, Robert P. 2013. Factors affecting the survival of ash (Fraxinus spp.) trees infested by emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis). Biological Invasions. 15: 371-383.
- Flower, Charles E.; Knight, Kathleen S.; Gonzalez-Meler, Miquel. 2013. Impacts of the emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire) induced ash (Fraxinus spp.) mortality on forest carbon cycling and successional dynamics in the eastern United States. Biological Invasions. 15(4): 931-944.
- Koch, Jennifer L.; Carey, David W.; Knight, Kathleen S.; Poland, Therese; Herms, Daniel A.; Mason, Mary E. 2012. Breeding strategies for the development of emerald ash borer - resistant North American ash. In: Sniezko, Richard A.; Yanchuk, Alvin D.; Kliejunas, John T.; Palmieri, Katharine M.; Alexander, Janice M.; Frankel, Susan J., tech. coords. Proceedings of the fourth international workshop on the genetics of host-parasite interactions in forestry: Disease and insect resistance in forest trees. Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-240. Albany, CA: Pacific Southwest Research Station, Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture. pp. 235-239.
- Knight, Kathleen S.; Herms, Daniel; Plumb, Reid; Sawyer, Eileen; Spalink, Daniel; Pisarczyk, Elizabeth; Wiggin, Bernadette; Kappler, Rachel; Ziegler, Emily; Menard, Karen. 2012. Dynamics of surviving ash (Fraxinus spp.) populations in areas long infested by emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis). In: Sniezko, Richard A.; Yanchuk, Alvin D.; Kliejunas, John T.; Palmieri, Katharine M.; Alexander, Janice M.; Frankel, Susan J., tech. coords. 2012. Proceedings of the fourth international workshop on the genetics of host-parasite interactions in forestry: Disease and insect resistance in forest trees. Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-240. Albany, CA: Pacific Southwest Research Station, Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture. pp. 143-152
- Slavicek, James M.; Knight, Kathleen S. 2012. Generation of American elm trees with tolerance to Dutch elm disease through controlled crosses and selection. In: Sniezko, Richard A.; Yanchuk, Alvin D.; Kliejunas, John T.; Palmieri, Katharine M.; Alexander, Janice M.; Frankel, Susan J., tech. coords. Proceedings of the fourth international workshop on the genetics of host-parasite interactions in forestry: Disease and insect resistance in forest trees. Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-240. Albany, CA: Pacific Southwest Research Station, Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture. pp. 342-346
- Knight, Kathleen S.; Slavicek, James M.; Kappler, Rachel; Pisarczyk, Elizabeth; Wiggin, Bernadette; Menard, Karen. 2012. Using Dutch elm disease-tolerant elm to restore floodplains impacted by emerald ash borer. In: Sniezko, Richard A.; Yanchuk, Alvin D.; Kliejunas, John T.; Palmieri, Katharine M.; Alexander, Janice M.; Frankel, Susan J., tech. coords. Proceedings of the fourth international workshop on the genetics of host-parasite interactions in forestry: Disease and insect resistance in forest trees. Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-240. Albany, CA: Pacific Southwest Research Station, Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture. pp. 317-323
- Royo, Alejandro A.; Knight, Kathleen S. 2012. White ash (Fraxinus americana) decline and mortality: the role of site nutrition and stress history. Forest Ecology and Management. 286: 8-15.
- Kula, Robert R.; Knight, Kathleen S.; Rebbeck, Joanne; Bauer, Leah S.; Cappaert, David L.; Gandhi, Kamal J.K. 2010. Leluthia astigma (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Doryctinae) as a parasitoid of Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (Coleoptera: Buprestidae: Agrilinae), with an assessment of host associations for nearctic species of Leluthia Cameron.. Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington. 112(2): 246-257.
- Knight, Kathleen S. 2010. Ash seed collection: slingshot method. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-70. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station. [Video; 4:08 min. in length]
- Knight, Kathleen S.; Karrfalt, Robert P.; Mason, Mary E. 2010. Methods for collecting ash (Fraxinus spp.) seeds. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-55. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station. 14 p.
Publications & Products
- Hoven, Brian M.; Knight, Kathleen S.; Peters, Valerie E.; Gorchov, David L. 2022. Woody seedling community responses to deer herbivory, introduced shrubs, and ash mortality depend on canopy competition and site wetness. Forest Ecology and Management
- Reed, Samuel P.; Royo, Alejandro; Fotis, Alexander T.; Knight, Kathleen S.; Flower, Charles; Curtis, Peter S. 2022. The long‐term impacts of deer herbivory in determining temperate forest stand and canopy structural complexity. Journal of Applied Ecology
- Kıbış, Eyyüb Y.; Büyüktahtakın, İ Esra; Haight, Robert G.; Akhundov, Najmaddin ; Knight, Kathleen ; Flower, Charles E. 2021. A Multistage Stochastic Programming Approach to the Optimal Surveillance and Control of the Emerald Ash Borer in Cities. INFORMS Journal on Computing
- Schrader, G. ; Baker, R. ; Baranchikov, Y. ; Dumouchel, L. ; Knight, K.S.; McCullough, D. G.; Orlova‐Bienkowskaja, M. J.; Pasquali, S. ; Gilioli, G. 2021. How does the Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis) affect ecosystem services and biodiversity components in invaded areas?. EPPO Bulletin
- Flower, Charles E.; Pinchot, Cornelia C.; Knight, Kathleen S.; Woeste, Keith ; Slavicek, James M. 2020. Back from the Brink: Forest Service Efforts to Create Dutch Elm Disease Tolerant Trees for Use in Urban and Rural Restoration. In: Publication: Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS-252. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service. Southern Research Station
- Hoven, Brian M.; Knight, Kathleen S.; Peters, Valerie E.; Gorchov, David L. 2020. Release and suppression: forest layer responses to emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis)-caused ash death. Annals of Forest Science
- Kappler, R.H. ; Knight, K.S. ; Bienemann, R. ; Root, K.V. 2020. Recovery potential for a green ash floodplain forest using various emerald ash borer management strategies in a population viability analysis. Forest Ecology and Management
- Knight, Kathleen ; Kappler, Rachel H.; Root, Karen V; Koch, Jennifer L.; Flower, Charles E. 2020. Monitoring of Ash Mortality Patterns Informs Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) Resistance Breeding Efforts: Integrated Pest Management for EAB. In: Publication: Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS-252. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service. Southern Research Station
- Koch, Jennifer L.; Carey, David W.; Mason, Mary E.; Romero-Severson, Jeanne ; Poland, Therese M.; Knight, Kathleen S.; Tubesing, Charles ; Gettig, Roger. 2020. Restoring Green Ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica): Breeding for Resistance to the Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis). In: Publication: Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS-252. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service. Southern Research Station
- Jagodziński, Andrzej M.; Dyderski, Marcin K.; Horodecki, Paweł ; Knight, Kathleen S.; Rawlik, Katarzyna ; Szmyt, Janusz. 2019. Light and propagule pressure affect invasion intensity of Prunus serotina in a 14-tree species forest common garden experiment. NeoBiota
- Kappler, R.H. ; Knight, K.S. ; Root, K.V. 2019. Evaluating the population viability of green ash trees (Fraxinus pennsylvanica) before and after the emerald ash borer beetle (Agrilus planipennis) invasion. Ecological Modelling
- Knight, Kathleen S.; Flower, Charles E.; Nelson, Mark D.. 2019. A Forest Death in Three Acts: From Woodpeckers to Water, the Emerald Ash Borer's Effects are Widespread. The Wildlife Professional. 3: 44-49.
- Steiner, Kim C.; Graboski, Lake E.; Knight, Kathleen S.; Koch, Jennifer L.; Mason, Mary E. 2019. Genetic, spatial, and temporal aspects of decline and mortality in a Fraxinus provenance test following invasion by the emerald ash borer. Biological Invasions
- Flower, Charles E.; Lynch, Douglas J.; Knight, Kathleen S.; Gonzalez-Meler, Miquel A. . 2018. Biotic and Abiotic Drivers of Sap Flux in Mature Green Ash Trees (Fraxinus pennsylvanica) Experiencing Varying Levels of Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis) Infestation. Forests
- Flower, Charles; Fant, Jeremie; Hoban, Sean; Knight, Kathleen; Steger, Laura; Aubihl, Elijah; Gonzalez-Meler, Miquel; Forry, Stephen; Hille, Andrea; Royo, Alejandro. 2018. Optimizing conservation strategies for a threatened tree species: In situ conservation of white ash (Fraxinus americana L.) genetic diversity through insecticide treatment. Forests
- Kappler, Rachel ; Knight, Kathleen ; Koch, Jennifer ; Root, Karen. 2018. Neighboring Tree Effects and Soil Nutrient Associations with Surviving Green Ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica) in an Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis) Infested Floodplain Forest. Forests
- Ricketts, Michael P.; Flower, Charles E.; Knight, Kathleen S.; Gonzalez-Meler, Miquel A. 2018. Evidence of Ash Tree (Fraxinus spp.) Specific Associations with Soil Bacterial Community Structure and Functional Capacity. Forests
- Costilow, K.C.; Knight, Kathleen; Flower, Charles. 2017. Disturbance severity and canopy position control the radial growth response of maple trees (Acer spp.) in forests of northwest Ohio impacted by emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis). Annals of Forest Science
- Flower, Charles E.; Aubihl, Elijah; Fant, Jeremie; Forry, Stephen; Hille, Andrea; Knight, Kathleen S.; Oldland, William K.; Royo, Alejandro A.; Turcotte, Richard M. 2017. In-situ genetic conservation of white ash (Fraxinus americana) at the Allegheny national forest. In: Sniezko, Richard A.; Man, Gary; Hipkins, Valerie; Woeste, Keith; Gwaze, David; Kliejunas, John T.; McTeague, Brianna A., tech. cords. 2017. Gene conservation of tree species—banking on the future. Proceedings of a workshop. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-963. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station: 165-169.
- Higham, Matt; Hoven, Brian M.; Gorchov, David L.; Knight, Kathleen S. 2017. Patterns of Coarse Woody Debris in Hardwood Forests across a Chronosequence of Ash Mortality Due to the Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis). Natural Areas Journal
- Hoven, Brian M.; Gorchov, David L.; Knight, Kathleen S.; Peters, Valerie E. 2017. The effect of emerald ash borer-caused tree mortality on the invasive shrub Amur honeysuckle and their combined effects on tree and shrub seedlings. Biological Invasions
- Knight, Kathleen S.; Haugen, Linda M.; Pinchot, Cornelia C.; Schaberg, Paul G.; Slavicek, James M. 2017. American elm (Ulmus americana) in restoration plantings: a review. In: Pinchot, Cornelia C.; Knight, Kathleen S.; Haugen, Linda M.; Flower, Charles E.; Slavicek, James M., eds. Proceedings of the American elm restoration workshop 2016; 2016 October 25-27; Lewis Center, OH. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-P-174. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 133-140.
- Pinchot, C.C.; Flower, C.E.; Knight, K.S.; Marks, C.; Minocha, R.; Lesser, D.; Woeste, K.; Schaberg, P.G.; Baldwin, B.; Delatte, D.M.; Fox, T.D.; Hayes-Plazolles, N.; Held, B.; Lehtoma, K.; Long, S.; Mattix, S.; Sipes, A.; Slavicek, J.M. 2017. Development of new Dutch Elm disease-tolerant selections for restoration of the American Elm in urban and forested landscapes. In: Sniezko, Richard A.; Man, Gary; Hipkins, Valerie; Woeste, Keith; Gwaze, David; Kliejunas, John T.; McTeague, Brianna A., tech. cords. 2017. Gene conservation of tree species—banking on the future. Proceedings of a workshop. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-963. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station: 53-63.
- Pinchot, Cornelia C.; Knight, Kathleen S.; Haugen, Linda M.; Flower, Charles E.; Slavicek, James M. 2017. Proceedings of the American elm restoration workshop 2016. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-P-174. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station. 148 p.
- Flower, Charles E.; Dalton, Jennifer E.; Knight, Kathleen S.; Brikha, Marie; Gonzalez-Meler, Miquel A. 2015. To treat or not to treat: Diminishing effectiveness of emamectin benzoate tree injections in ash trees heavily infested by emerald ash borer. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening
- Herms, D.A.; Cipollini, D.; Knight, K.S.; Koch, J.L.; Poland, T.M.; Rigsby, C.M.; Whitehill, J.G.A.; Bonello, P. 2015. The quest for ash resistance to emerald ash borer: Towards a mechanistic understanding. In: McManus, K.A.; Gottschalk, K.W., comps. 26th USDA interagency research forum on invasive species; 2015 January 13-16; Annapolis, MD. FHTET-2015-09. Morgantown, WV: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team: 47-49.
- Iverson, Louis; Knight, Kathleen S.; Prasad, Anantha; Herms, Daniel A.; Matthews, Stephen; Peters, Matthew; Smith, Annemarie; Hartzler, Diane M.; Long, Robert; Almendinger, John. 2015. Potential species replacements for black ash (Fraxinus nigra) at the confluence of two threats: Emerald ash borer and a changing climate. Ecosystems. 19: 248-270. doi: 10.1007/s10021-015-9929-y.
- Koch, J.L. ; Carey, D.W. ; Mason, M.E. ; Poland, T.M. ; Knight, K.S. 2015. Intraspecific variation in Fraxinus pennsylvanica responses to emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis). New Forests
- Flower, Charles E.; Long, Lawrence C.; Knight, Kathleen S.; Rebbeck, Joanne; Brown, Joel S.; Gonzalez-Meler, Miquel A.; Whelan, Christopher J. 2014. Native bark-foraging birds preferentially forage in infected ash (Fraxinus spp.) and prove effective predators of the invasive emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire). Forest Ecology and Management. 313: 300-306.
- Knight, Kathleen S. 2014. Outlook for ash in your forest: results of emerald ash borer research and implications for management. Indiana Woodland Steward. 23(1): 3,7.
- Knight, Kathleen S.; Flash, Britton P.; Kappler, Rachel H.; Throckmorton, Joel A.; Grafton, Bernadette; Flower, Charles E. 2014. Monitoring ash (Fraxinus spp.) decline and emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) symptoms in infested areas. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-139. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station. 18 p
- Knight, Kathleen S.; Royo, Alejandro A. 2014. Chapter 13 - Searching high and low: Patterns of White Ash health across topographic gradients in the Allegheny region (Project NE-EM-09-02). General Technical Report SRS-198
- Flower, Charles E.; Knight, Kathleen S.; Rebbeck, Joanne; Gonzalez-Meler, Miquel A. 2013. The relationship between the emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) and ash (Fraxinus spp.) tree decline: Using visual canopy condition assessments and leaf isotope measurements to assess pest damage. Forest Ecology and Management. 303: 143-147.
- Royo, Alejandro A.; Knight, Kathleen S.; Himes, Jamie M.; Will, Ashley N. 2012. White ash (Fraxinus americana) health in the Allegheny plateau region, Pennsylvania: Evaluating the relationship between FIA phase 3 crown variables and a categorical rating system. In: McWilliams, Will; Roesch, Francis A. eds. 2012. Monitoring Across Borders: 2010 Joint Meeting of the Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) Symposium and the Southern Mensurationists. e-Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS-157. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station. 123-129.
- Flower, Charles E.; Lynch, Douglas J.; Knight, Kathleen S.; Gonzales-Meler, Miquel A. 2011. EAB induced tree mortality impacts ecosystem respiration and tree water use in an experimental forest. In: Parra, Gregory; Lance, David; Mastro, Victor; Reardon, Richard; Benedict, Chuck, comps. 2011 emerald ash borer national research and technology development meeting; 2011 October 12-13; Wooster, OH. FHTET-2011-06. Morgantown, WV; U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, State and Private Forestry, Forest Health Protection, Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team: 115-116.
- Iverson, Louis; Prasad, Anantha; Knight, Kathleen S.; Herms, Daniel A.; Matthews, Stephen; Peters, Matthew; Smith, Annemarie; Long, Robert. 2011. Potential replacements for northwoods black ash in a changing climate: the confluence of two challenges. In: Parra, Gregory; Lance, David; Mastro, Victor; Reardon, Richard; Benedict, Chuck, comps. 2011 emerald ash borer national research and technology development meeting; 2011 October 12-13; Wooster, OH. FHTET-2011-06. Morgantown, WV; U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, State and Private Forestry, Forest Health Protection, Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team: 63-64.
- Knight, Kathleen S.; Herms, Daniel A.; Cardina, John; Long, Robert; Gandhi, Kamal J.K.; Herms, Catharine P. 2011. Emerald ash borer aftermath forests: the future of ash ecosystems. In: McManus, Katherine A; Gottschalk, Kurt W., eds. 2010. Proceedings. 21st U.S. Department of Agriculture interagency research forum on invasive species 2010; 2010 January 12-15; Annapolis, MD. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-P-75. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 97.
- Koch, Jennifer L.; Knight, Kathleen; Poland, Therese; Carey, David W.; Herms, Daniel A.; Mason, Mary E. 2011. Strategies for selecting and breeding EAB-resistant ash. In: McManus, Katherine A.; Gottschalk, Kurt W., eds. Proceedings, 22nd U.S. Department of Agriculture Interagency Research Symposium on Invasive Species; 2011 Jan. 11-14; Annapolis, MD. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-P-92. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 33-35.
- Mason, Mary E.; Herms, Daniel A.; Carey, David W.; Knight, Kathleen S.; Faridi, Nurul I.; Koch, Jennifer. 2011. Update on exotic ash collection for hybrid breeding and survey for EAB-resistance in native North American species. In: McManus, Katherine A; Gottschalk, Kurt W., eds. 2010. Proceedings. 21st U.S. Department of Agriculture interagency research forum on invasive species 2010; 2010 January 12-15; Annapolis, MD. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-P-75. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 104.
- Knight, Kathleen S.; Herms, Daniel A.; Cardina, John; Long, Robert; Rebbeck, Joanne; Gandhi, Kamal J.K.; Smith, Annemarie; Klooster, Wendy S.; Herms, Catherine P.; Royo, Alejandro A. 2010. Emerald ash borer aftermath forests: The dynamics of ash mortality and the responses of other plant species. In: Michler, Charles H.; Ginzel, Matthew D., eds. 2010. Proceedings of symposium on ash in North America; 2010 March 9-11; West Lafayette, IN. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-P-72. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 11.
- Knight, Kathleen S.; Long, Robert P.; Rebbeck, Joanne; Herms, Daniel A.; Cardina, John; Herms, Catherine P.; Gandhi, Kamal J.K.; Smith, Annemarie; Costilow, Kyle C.; Long, Lawrence C.; Cappaert, David L. 2010. Effects of emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) on forest ecosystems. In: McManus, Katherine A; Gottschalk, Kurt W., eds. Proceedings. 20th U.S. Department of Agriculture interagency research forum on invasive species 2009; 2009 January 13-16; Annapolis, MD. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-P-51. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 82.
- Koch, Jennifer L.; Mason, Mary E.; Carey, David W.; Knight, Kathleen; Poland, Therese; Herms, Daniel A. 2010. Survey for tolerance to emerald ash borer within North American ash species. In: Michler, Charles H.; Ginzel, Matthew D., eds. 2010. Proceedings of symposium on ash in North America; 2010 March 9-11; West Lafayette, IN. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-P-72. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 60.
- Herms, Daniel A.; Gandhi, Kamal J.K.; Smith, Annemarie; Cardina, John; Knight, Kathleen S.; Herms, Catherine P.; Long, Robert P.; McCullough, Deborah G. 2009. Ecological impacts of emerald ash borer in forests of southeast Michigan. In: McManus, Katherine A; Gottschalk, Kurt W., eds. Proceedings. 20th U.S. Department of Agriculture interagency research forum on invasive species 2009; 2009 January 13-16; Annapolis, MD. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-P-51. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 36-37.
- Knight, Kathleen S.; Long, Robert P.; Rebbeck, Joanne; Smith, Annemarie; Gandhi, Kamal; Herms, Daniel A. 2008. How fast will trees die? A transition matrix model of ash decline in forest stands infested by emerald ash borer. In: Mastro, Victor; Lance, David; Reardon, Richard; Parra, Gregory, comps. Emerald ash borer research and development meeting; 2007 October 23-24; Pittsburgh, PA. FHTET 2008-07. Morgantown, WV: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team: 28-29.
- Knight, Kathleen S.; Oleksyn, Jacek; Jagodzinski, Andrzej M.; Reich, Peter B.; Kasprowicz, Marek. 2008. Overstorey tree species regulate colonization by native and exotic plants: a source of positive relationships between understorey diversity and invasibility. Diversity and Distributions. 14: 666-675.
- Knight, Kathleen S.; Long, Robert P.; Rebbeck, Joanne. 2007. Predicting emerald ash borer-induced changes in forest tree species composition. In: Mastro, Victor; Lance, David; Reardon, Richard; Parra, Gregory, comps. Emerald ash borer and Asian longhorhed beetle research and development review meeting; 2006 October 29-November 2; Cincinnatti, OH. FHTET 2007-04. Morgantown, WV: U.S. Forest Service, Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team: 25-26.
National Research Highlights
Understanding Long-Term Impacts of an Invasive, Tree-Killing Pest
Year: 2019
The emerald ash borer has been killing ash trees in the United States for more than two decades. What does that mean for ash populations and the forest ecosystems? Long-term monitoring plot data collected by USDA Forest Service scientists and partners is helping to elucidate the impacts of this invasive pest and to plan management and conservation strategies.
Genetic Information on Ash Informs Treatments for Emerald Ash Borer
Year: 2018
Forest managers can use insecticide treatments to protect ash trees from emerald ash borer to conserve the genetic diversity of ash. But which trees should be protected? Research at the Allegheny National Forest is underway to develop new strategies to conserve ash tree diversity.
Understanding effects of emerald ash borer on forests
Year: 2017
As the invasive emerald ash borer swept across Ohio, Forest Service researchers tracked its aftermath as killed ash trees unleashed a cascade of effects in forest ecosystems. Understanding these effects will help managers plan for and mitigate problems in forests throughout the region.
Equipping Forest Managers to Respond to Two Threats to Ash
Year: 2016
Forest Service scientists used field data and models to assess both the threats to, and potential replacement species for, black ash, a species threatened by climate change and the emerald ash borer.
Elm Disease Resistance Research Gets a Boost
Year: 2016
Great news for disease-tolerant American elm! A grant from The Manton Foundation has provided the Forest Service’s Northern Research Station with an opportunity to accelerate American elm research in collaboration with Nature Conservancy.
Green Ash Trees That Survive Beetle Infestation Pass on Their Resistance Through Propagation and Planting
Year: 2015
Among the tens of millions of trees killed by the emerald ash borer (EAB), researchers have found a small number of trees that survived their assault. Tests show that these surviving ash trees are more resistant to EAB than their counterparts. Breeding these select trees may produce trees with an even greater ability to survive EAB infestation and will provide seedlings to restore ash in areas destroyed by EAB.
Insecticide Effectiveness Against Emerald Ash Borer Studied
Year: 2015
Insecticides used to protect urban ash trees against emerald ash borer are not consistently protective: their effectiveness is diminished in heavily infested ash trees. A 3-year study by University of Illinois scientists in collaboration with Forest Service scientists determined how far gone a tree must be before it’s not useful to treat it.
Woodpeckers Capitalize on an Invasive Forest Pest
Year: 2014
Emerald ash borer, an invasive beetle that kills ash trees, is eaten by bark-foraging birds like woodpeckers. Forest Service scientists and partners studied behavioral feeding preferences and effectiveness of woodpeckers foraging in beetle-infested forests.
Destructive Emerald Ash Borer Pest Provides Science Learning Opportunity for Kids
Year: 2013
This effort has led to the development of a week-long EAB curriculum that gives kids hands-on experience with the process of science while doing real research on an important current issue. It involves students in the entire scientific process by engaging them in research from developing and testing hypotheses to reporting and presenting their findings.