Lauren S. Pile Knapp

Lauren's research focuses on three primary areas: 1) development and improvement of control tactics and integrated management methods and strategies for non-native invasive plant infestations in central and mid-south US forests, 2) management strategies for promoting resilience or desired conditions in native plant communities and forest ecosystems degraded by invasive species or alterations to disturbance regimes, and 3) understand drivers of ecosystem and landscape change (i.e., disturbances and invasive species). Lauren's research is both the application of techniques used in silviculture and integrated vegetation management and the ecological understanding of varied plant communities including forests and other natural areas. In addition to controlling established populations, effective management may require building community resistance to invaders by simulating historically important ecological drivers. Lauren is interested in the rehabilitation of ecosystems following the removal of invaders, particularly in relation to legacy effects, secondary invasions, and predicting forest response to multiple forms of manipulation.