Education

• Ph.D. 2012, Clemson University

Research Summary

• Knapp’s research interests are largely based on understanding the ecological effects of silviculture and synthesizing that information to better apply forest management practices to meet specific objectives. Current research projects focus on determining the effects of alternative silvicultural treatments on stand structure, composition, and development over time, particularly for stands with multiple-use or restoration management objectives. In addition, Knapp is interested in contrasting traditional silvicultural practices with those that emulate natural disturbances and determining the effects of disturbance events, both natural and anthropogenic, on regeneration dynamics. His work integrates ecological theory with silvicultural application to better address a wide variety of management challenges and needs.

Teaching

• Silviculture
• Silviculture Field Practicum

Selected Publications

• Newbold, C., Knapp, B.O., and Pile, L.S. 2019. Are we close enough? Comparing prairie reconstruction chronosequences to remnants following two site preparation methods in Missouri, USA. Restoration Ecology, available online.
• Vickers, L.A., McWilliams, W.H., Knapp, B.O., D’Amato, A.W., Dey, D.C., Dickinson, Y.L., Kabrick, J.M., Kenefic, L.S., Kern, C.C., Larsen, D.R., Royo, A.A., Saunders, M.R., Shifley, S.R., and Westfall, J.A. 2019. Are current seedling demographics poised to regenerate northern US forests? Journal of Forestry 117(6): 592-612.
• Knapp, B.O., Anderson, S.E., Curtin, P.J., Ghilardi, C., and Rives, R.G. 2019. Can clearcutting reset successional trajectories in upland oak-hickory forests? A case study from mid-Missouri. Journal of Forestry. 117(5): 435-442.
• Maginel, C.J., Knapp, B.O., Kabrick, J.M., and Muzika, R.M. 2019. Landscape- and site-level responses of woody structure and ground flora to repeated prescribed fire in the Missouri Ozarks. Canadian Journal of Forest Research. 48(8): 1004-1014.
• Knapp, B.O. and Pallardy, S.G. 2018. Forty-eight years of forest succession: tree species change across four forest types in mid-Missouri. Forests. 9:633,
• Knapp, B.O., Pile, L.S., Walker, J.L., and Wang, G.G. 2018.  Fire effects on a fire-adapted species: response of grass stage longleaf pine seedlings to experimental burning. Fire Ecology. 14:2.
• Wood, J.D., Knapp, B.O., Muzika, R.M., Stambaugh, M.C., and Gu, L. 2018. The importance of drought-pathogen interactions in driving oak mortality events in the Ozark Border Region. Environmental Research Letters 13: 015004.
• Vickers, L.A., Larsen, D.R., Dey, D.C., Knapp, B.O., and Kabrick, J.M. 2017. The impact of overstory density on reproduction establishment in the Missouri Ozarks – models for simulating regeneration stochastically. Forest Science 63: 71-86.
• Knapp, B.O., Hullinger, M.A., and Kabrick, J.M. 2017. Effects of fire frequency on successional development of an oak-hickory forest in Missouri, U.S.A. Forest Ecology and Management.  387: 19-29.
• Olson, M.G., Knapp, B.O., and Kabrick, J.M. 2017. Dynamics of a temperate deciduous forest under landscape-scale management: implications for adaptability to climate change. Forest Ecology and Management. 387: 73-85.
• Knapp, B.O., Wang, G.G., Walker, J.L., and Hu, H. 2016. Using silvicultural practices to regulate competition, resource availability, and growing conditions for Pinus palustris seedlings underplanted in Pinus taeda forests. Canadian Journal of Forest Research. 46: 902-913.