
Katherine J. Elliott
Research EcologistOtto, NC 28763
katherine.elliott@usda.gov
Current Research
Forest ecosystems, restoration ecology, fire ecology, and community ecology. Investigate vegetation dynamics (mortality, regeneration, composition, and diversity changes) of forest species following forest disturbances (cutting, burning, windthrow, and insects and pathogens); and (2) assess variation in vegetation dynamics across environmental gradients, feedback linkages between vegetation dynamics and ecosystem processes, and responses to stressors and other disturbances. Current and future research emphasizes the effects of multiple disturbances on vegetation dynamics and relates these dynamics to ecosystem processes such as net primary production and water, nutrient and carbon cycling in southern Appalachian forest communities.
Research Interests
Riparian area structure and function; Rhododendron maximum in riparian areas; loss of eastern hemlock; and restoration of riparian areas. The role of a diverse herbaceous flora in ecosystem function.
Past Research
Nutrient Cycling Modeling using NUCM: Predicting future response to altered atmospheric environmental conditions requires a modeling approach because of the complexities of nutrient cycling processes in forest ecosystems.
Southwestern pine ecosystems. Regeneration of ponderosa pine is a problem for resource managers in the Southwest because of the increased frequency of large wildfires. Part of the regeneration problem is attributable to competition for water from grasses sown on the burned sites. I investigated how different herbaceous species affect survival and growth of ponderosa pine seedlings and whether various herbaceous species had different effects on pine seedling water potential, soil moisture, and soil nitrogen.
Competitive effects of northern hardwoods on planted red pine growth, nutrient use efficiency, and leaf morphology. On sites previously occupied by northern hardwoods in the northeastern U.S., large industrial landowners often plant conifers after clearcutting because these species are preferred for pulp and paper products. I examined the competitive effects of three northern hardwood species on planted red pine seedlings.
Why This Research is Important
In many regions, riparian areas contribute significantly to plant diversity in a watershed by providing unique habitat. Near-stream vegetation operates synergistically with geology, soils and topography to influence channel form, in-stream habitat, nutrient dynamics, and temperature and flow patterns. The diversity and productivity of riparian communities are strongly linked to the condition of the landscape, and maintaining some level of protection to streamside vegetation is believed to be integral to preserving the biological integrity of steam ecosystems.
Knowledge of the functional role of diversity is important for evaluating how changes in vegetation diversity impact ecosystem processes such as net primary production and nutrient and water cycling. The experimental removal of a species or a functional group of species from an ecosystem can provide information on their contribution to ecosystem function.
Education
- Ph.D. in Forest Ecology, 1991
- University of Maine
- M.S. in Forest Ecology, 1985
- Northern Arizona University
- B.S. in Forest Science, 1982
- Northern Arizona University
Featured Publications and Products
- Elliott, Katherine; Knoepp, Jennifer D.; Vose, James M.; Jackson, William A. 2013. Interacting effects of wildfire severity and liming on nutrient cycling in a southern Appalachian wilderness area.
- Elliott, Katherine J.; Vose, James M.; Knoepp, Jennifer D.; Clinton, Barton D. 2012. Restoration of shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata) - hardwood ecosystems severely impacted by the southern pine beetle (Dendroctonus frontalis).
- Elliott, Katherine J.; Swank, Wayne T. 2008. Long-term changes in forest composition and diversity following early logging (1919-1923) and the decline of American chestnut (Castanea dentata).
Publications
- Dharmadi, Sandra N.; Elliott, Katherine J.; Miniat, Chelcy F. 2019. Lack of forest tree seedling recruitment and enhanced tree and shrub growth characterizes post-Tsuga canadensis mortality forests in the southern Appalachians.
- Elliott, Katherine J.; Miniat, Chelcy F.; Medenblik, Andrea S. 2019. The long-term case for partial-cutting over clear-cutting in the southern Appalachians USA.
- Cofer, Tristan M.; Elliott, Katherine J.; Bush, Janis K.; Miniat, Chelcy F. 2018. Rhododendron maximum impacts seed bank composition and richness following Tsuga canadensis loss in riparian forests.
- Laseter, Stephanie H.; Vose, James M.; Guldin, James M.; Bragg, Don C.; Spetich, Martin A.; Keyser, Tara L.; Elliott, Katherine J.; Sayer, Mary Anne S.; Sung, Shi-Jean Susana. 2018. Experimental forests of the Southern Research Station: highlights of foundational silviculture studies.
- Warren, Robert J.; Elliott, Katherine J.; Giladi, Itamar ; King, Joshua R.; Bradford, Mark A. 2018. Field experiments show contradictory short- and long-term myrmecochorous plant impacts on seed-dispersing ants.
- Bolstad, Paul V.; Elliott, Katherine J.; Miniat, Chelcy F. 2018. Forests, shrubs, and terrain: top-down and bottom-up controls on forest structure.
- Elliott, Katherine J.; Miniat, Chelcy F. 2018. Herbaceous-layer diversity and tree seedling recruitment are enhanced following Rhododendron maximum shrub removal.
- Osburn, Ernest D.; Elliottt, Katherine J.; Knoepp, Jennifer D.; Miniat, Chelcy F.; Barrett, J.E. . 2018. Soil microbial response to Rhododendron understory removal in southern Appalachian forests: Effects on extracellular enzymes.
- Jackson, C. Rhett; Webster, Jackson R.; Knoepp, Jennifer D.; Elliott, Katherine J.; Emanuel, Ryan E.; Caldwell, Peter V.; Miniat, Chelcy F. 2018. Unexpected ecological advances made possible by long-term data: A Coweeta example.
- Elliott, Katherine J.; Caldwell, Peter V.; Brantley, Steven T.; Miniat, Chelcy F.; Vose, James M.; Swank, Wayne. 2017. Water yield following forest-grass-forest transitions.
- Caldwell, Peter V.; Miniat, Chelcy F.; Elliott, Katherine J.; Swank, Wayne. T.; Brantley, Steven T.; Laseter, Stephanie H. 2016. Declining water yield from forested mountain watersheds in response to climate change and forest mesophication.
- Elliott, Katherine J.; Vose, James M. 2016. Effects of riparian zone buffer widths on vegetation diversity in southern Appalachian headwater catchments.
- Knoepp, Jennifer D.; Vose, James M.; Jackson, William A.; Elliott, Katherine J.; Zarnoch, Stan. 2016. High elevation watersheds in the southern Appalachians: indicators of sensitivity to acidic deposition and the potential for restoration through liming.
- Caldwell, Peter; Miniat, Chelcy Ford; Brantley, Steven; Elliott, Katherine; Laseter, Stephanie; Swank, Wayne. 2016. Long term records provide insights on the relative influence of climate and forest community structure on water yield in the southern Appalachians.
- Vose, James M.; Elliott, Katherine. 2016. Oak, fire, and global change in the eastern USA: what might the future hold?.
- Elliott, Katherine; Miniat, Chelcy F.; Knoepp, Jennifer; Crump, Michael A.; Jackson, C. Rhett. 2016. Restoration of southern Appalachian riparian forest affected by eastern hemlock mortality.
- Elliott, Katherine; Vose, James M. 2016. Riparian area harvesting impacts on vegetation composition and diversity.
- Knoepp, Jennifer; Elliott, Katherine J.; Jackson, William A.; Vose, James M.; Miniat, Chelcy Ford; Zarnoch, Stan. 2016. Soil and stream chemistry relationships in high elevation waters.
- Warren, R. J.; Pearson, S. M.; Henry, S.; Rossouw, K.; Love, J. P.; Olejniczak, M. J.; Elliott, Katherine; Bradford, M. A. 2015. Cryptic indirect effects of exurban edges on a woodland community.
- Elliott, Katherine J.; Ford Miniat, Chelcy; Pederson, Neil; Laseter, Stephanie H. 2015. Forest tree growth response to hydroclimate variability in the southern Appalachians.
- Webster, Jackson, R..; Swank, Wayne , T..; Vose, James , M..; Knoepp, Jennifer , D..; Elliott, Katherine , J. 2014. Bridging the gap between ecosystem theory and forest watershed management.
- Brantley, Steven T.; Miniat, Chelcy Ford; Elliott, Katherine J.; Laseter, Stephanie H.; Vose, James M. 2014. Changes to southern Appalachian water yield and stormflow after loss of a foundation species.
- Butler, Sarah M.; White, Alan S.; Elliott, Katherine J.; Seymour, Robert S. 2014. Disturbance history and stand dynamics in secondary and old-growth forests of the Southern Appalachain Mountains, USA.
- Butler, Sarah M.; White, Alan S.; Elliott, Katherine J.; Seymour, Robert S. 2014. Disturbance history and stand dynamics in secondary and old-growth forests of the Southern Appalachian Mountains, USA.
- Elliott, Katherine J.; Vose, James M.; Knoepp, Jennifer D.; Clinton, Barton D.; Kloeppel, Brian D. 2014. Functional role of the herbaceous layer in eastern deciduous forest.
- Mitchell, Robert J.; Liu, Yongqiang; O’Brien, Joseph J.; Elliott, Katherine J.; Starr, Gregory; Miniat, Chelcy Ford; Hiers, J. Kevin. 2014. Future climate and fire interactions in the southeastern region of the United States.
- Elliott, Katherine J.; Vose, James M.; Rankin, Duke. 2014. Herbaceous species composition and richness of mesophytic cove forests in the southern Appalachians: synthesis and knowledge gaps.
- Boring, Lindsay R.; Elliott, Katherine J.; Swank, Wayne T. 2014. Successional forest dynamics 30 years following clearcutting.
- McDonnell, T.C.; Sullivan, T.J.; Cosby, B.J.; Jackson, W.A.; Elliott, K.J. 2013. Effects of climate, land management, and sulfur deposition on soil base cation supply in national forests of the southern Appalachian mountains.
- Elliott, Katherine J.; Vose, James M.; Jackson, William A. 2013. Effects of future sulfate and nitrate deposition scenarios on Linville Gorge and Shining Rock Wildernesses.
- Elliott, Katherine J.; Vose, James M. 2012. Age and distribution of an evergreen clonal shrub in the Coweeta basin: Rhododendron maximum L.
- Webster, J.R.; Morkeski, K.; Wojculewski, C.A.; Niederlehner, B.R.; Benfield, E.F.; Elliott, K.J. 2012. Effects of hemlock mortality on streams in the southern Appalachian mountains.
- Elliott, Katherine J.; Vose, James M.; Knoepp, Jennifer D.; Jackson, William. 2012. Effects of wildfires and liming of pine-oak-heath communities in the Linville Gorge Wilderness, western North Carolina.
- Tran, Tyler J.; Elliott, Katherine J. 2012. Estimating Rhododendron maximum L. (Ericaceae) Canopy Cover Using GPS/GIS Technology.
- Block, Corinne E.; Knoepp, Jennifer D.; Elliott, Katherine J.; Fraterrigo, Jennifer M. 2012. Impacts of Hemlock Loss on Nitrogen Retention Vary with Soil Nitrogen Availability in the Southern Appalachian Mountains.
- Ford, Chelcy R.; Elliott, Katherine J.; Clinton, Barton D.; Kloeppel, Brian D.; Vose, James M. 2011. Forest dynamics following eastern hemlock mortality in the southern Appalachians.
- Elliott, Katherine J.; Harper, Craig A.; Collins, Beverly. 2011. Herbaceous response to type and severity of disturbance.
- Clinton, Barton , D..; Vose, James , M..; Knoepp, Jennifer , D..; Elliott, Katherine , J..; Reynolds, Barbara , C..; Zarnock, Stanley , J. 2010. Can structural and functional characteristics be used to identify riparian zone width in southern Appalachian headwater catchments?.
- Elliott, Katherine; Vose, James. 2010. Short-term effects of prescribed fire on mixed oak forests in the southern Appalachians: vegetation response.
- Narayanaraj, G.; Bolstad, P.V.; Elliott, K.J.; Vose, J.M. 2010. Terrain and landform influence on Tsuga canadensis (L.) Carriere (Eastern Hemlock) distribution in the southern Appalachian Mountains.
- Elliott, Katherine J.; Vose, James. 2010. The contribution of the Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory to developing and understanding of long-term (1934-2008) changes in managed and unmanaged forests.
- Knoepp, Jennifer D.; Elliott, Katherine J.; Clinton, Barton D.; Vose, James M. 2009. Effects of prescribed fire in mixed oak forests of the southern Appalachians: forest floor, soil, and soil solution nitrogen responses.
- Elliott, K.J.; Vose, J.M.; White, Alan S. 2009. Pine regeneration following wildland fire.
- Elliott, Katherine , J.; Logic exception within f_get_listOfAuthors30(). Could not calculate fullname.; Logic exception within f_get_listOfAuthors30(). Could not calculate fullname. 2009. Long-term effects of high intensity prescribed fire on vegetation dynamics in the Wine Spring Creek Watershed, Western North Carolina, USA.
- Elliott, Katherine J.; Vose, James M.; White, Alan S. 2008. Pine regeneration following wildland fire.
- Elliott, Katherine J.; Vose, James M.; White, Alan S. 2008. Pine regeneration following wildland fire (P-53).
- Elliott, Katherine J.; Vose, James M.; Knoepp, Jennifer D.; Johnson, Dale W.; Swank, William T.; Jackson, William. 2008. Simulated effects of sulfur deposition on nutrient cycling in class I wilderness areas.
- Love, Jason P.; Vose, James M.; Elliott, Katherine J. 2007. Effects of restoration burns on macroinvertebrates in southern Appalachian pine-oak forests.
- Elliott, Katherine J.; Vose, James M. 2006. Fire effects on water quality: a synthesis of response regulating factors among contrasting ecosystems.
- Elliott, Katherine J.; Vose, James M. 2005. Effects of understory prescribed burning on shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata Mill.)/mixed-hardwood forests.
- Elliott, Katherine J.; Vose, James M. 2005. Initial effects of prescribed fire on quality of soil solution and streamwater in the Southern Appalachian Mountains.
- Ellison, Aaron M.; Bank, Michael S.; Clinton, Barton D.; Colburn, Elizabeth A.; Elliott, Katherine; Ford, Chelcy Rae; Foster, David R.; Kloeppel, Brian D.; Knoepp, Jennifer D.; Lovett, Gary M.; Mohan, Jacqueline; Orwig, David A.; Rodenhouse, Nicholas L.; Sobczak, William V.; Stinson, Kristina A.; Stone, Jeffrey K.; Swan, Christopher M.; Thompson, Jill; Holle, Betsy Von; Webster, Jackson R. 2005. Loss of foundation species: consequences for the structure and dynamics of forested ecosystems.
- Elliott, Katherine J.; Knoepp, Jennifer D. 2005. The effects of three regeneration harvest methods on plant diversity and soil characteristics in the southern Appalachians.
- Elliott, Katherine J.; Vose, James M.; Clinton, Barton D.; Knoepp, Jennifer D. 2004. Effects of Understory Burning in a Mesic Mixed-Oak Forest of the Southern Appalachians.
- Hubbard, Robert M.; Vose, James M.; Clinton, Barton D.; Elliott, Katherine J.; Knoepp, Jennifer D. 2004. Stand restoration burning in oak-pine forests in the southern Applachians: effects on aboveground biomass and carbon and nitrogen cycling.
- Clinton, Barton D.; Vose, James M.; Knoepp, Jennifer D.; Elliott, Katherine J. 2003. Stream Nitrate Response to Different Burning Treatments in Southern Appalachian Forests.
- Elliott, Katherine J.; Boring, Lindsay R.; Swank, Wayne T. 2002. Aboveground biomass and nutrient accumulation 20 years after clear-cutting a southern Appalachian watershed.
- Elliott, Katherine J.; Vose, James M.; Clinton, Barton D. 2002. Growth of eastern white pine (Pinus strobus L.) related to forest floor consumption by prescribed fire in the Southern Appalachians.
- Elliott, Katherine J.; Hitchcock, Stephanie L.; Krueger, Lisa. 2002. Vegetation response to large scale disturbance in a southern Appalachian forest: Hurricane Opal and salvage logging.
- Elliott, Katherine J.; Vose, James M.; Swank, Wayne T.; Bolstad, Paul V. 1999. Long-term patterns in vegetation-site relationships in a southern Appalachian forest.
- Elliott, Katherine J.; Hendrick, Ronald L.; Major, Amy E.; Vose, James M.; Swank, Wayne T. 1999. Vegetation dynamics after a prescribed fire in the southern Appalachians.
- Elliott, Katherine J.; Boring, Lindsay R.; Swank, Wayne T. 1998. Changes in vegetation structure and diversity after grass-to-forest succession in a Southern Appalachian watershed.
- Elliott, Katherine J.; Hewitt, Deidre. 1997. Forest Species Diversity in Upper Elevation Hardwood Forests in the Southern Appalachian Mountains.
- Clinton, Barton D.; Elliott, Katherine J.; Swank, Wayne T. 1997. Response of Planted Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus L.) to Mechanical Release, Competition, and Drought in the Southern Appalachians.
- Vose, James M.; Elliott, Katherine J.; Johnson, Dale W.; Tingey, David T.; Johnson, Mark G. 1997. Soil respiration response to three years of elevated CO2 and N fertilization in ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Doug. ex Laws.).
- Elliott, Katherine J.; Boring, Lindsay R.; Swank, Wayne T.; Haines, Bruce L. 1997. Successional changes in plant species diversity and composition after clearcutting a Southern Appalachian watershed.
- Vose, James M.; Elliott, Katherine J.; Johnson, Dale W.; Walker, Roger F.; Johnson, Mark G.; Tingey, David T. 1995. Effects of elevated CO2 and N fertilization on soil respiration from ponderosa pine (Pine ponderosa) in open-top chambers.
- Elliott, Katherine J.; Vose, James M. 1995. Evaluation of the Competitive Environment for White Pine (Pinus strobus L.) Seedlings Planted on Prescribed Burn Sites in the Southern Appalachians.
- Vose, James M.; Elliott, Katherine J.; Johnson, D.W. 1995. Soil CO2 flux in response to elevated atmospheric CO2 and nitrogen fertilization: patterns and methods.
- Elliott, Katherine J.; Swank, Wayne T. 1994. Changes in tree species diversity after successive clearcuts in the Southern Appalachians.
- Elliott, Katherine J.; Swank, Wayne T. 1994. Impacts of drought on tree mortality and growth in a mixed hardwood forest.
- Elliott, Katherine J.; Vose, James M. 1994. Photosynthesis, water relations, and growth of planted Pinus strobus L. on burned sites in the southern Appalachians.
- Johnson, Dale; Geisinger, Donn; Walker, Roger; Newman, John; Vose, James; Elliott, Katherine; Ball, Timothy. 1994. Soil pCO2, soil respiration, and root activity in CO2 - fumigated and nitrogen-fertilized ponderosa pine.
- Elliott, Katherine J.; White, Alan S. 1993. Effects of competition from young northern hardwoods on red pine seedling growth, nutrient use efficiency, and leaf morphology.
- Elliott, Katherine J.; Clinton, Barton D. 1993. Equations for Estimating Biomass of Herbaceous and Woody Vegetation in Early-Successional Southern Appalachian Pine-Hardwood Forests.
- Elliott, Katherine J.; Vose, James M. 1993. Site preparation burning to improve southern Appalachian pine-hardwood stands: photosynthesis, water relations, and growth of planted Pinus strobus during establishment.
- Grier, Charles C.; Elliott, Katherine J.; McCullough, Deborah G. 1992. Biomass distribution and productivity of Pinus edulis-Juniperus monosperma woodlands of north-central Arizona.
- White, Alan S.; Elliott, Katherine J. 1992. Predicting the effects of hardwood competition on red pine seedling growth.
- Elliott, Katherine J.; White, Alan S. 1987. Competitive Effects of Various Grasses and Forbs on Ponderosa Pine Seedlings.
Research Highlights
- Shifting Rainfall Patterns May Change Southern Appalachian Forest Structure (2015)
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Changes in rainfall patterns in the southern Appalachians due to climate change could reduce growth in six hardwood tree species common to the region. The findings have implications for forest managers in the southeast, where climate variability such as more extreme storms coupled with increasingly severe droughts could cause major shifts in forest composition and structure.
- Water yield following forest to grass to forest transitions (2017)
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Forested watersheds are important sources of drinking water. However, species identity affects water yield from deciduous forests. Through old-field succession, changes in species composition over time determine how much precipitation leaves the watershed as evapotranspiration versus water yield.