Kevin M Potter
landscape ecology, conservation genetics, forest ecology, population genetics, forest health
My research leverages the disciplines of landscape ecology, conservation biology and population genetics to assess and mitigate threats to tree species and forest communities, particularly across broad scales. I focus on developing and applying innovative qualitative methods and models to address broad-scale, complex threats to forest health, with an emphasis on delivering tools that can enable better-informed management of forests and the tree species that constitute them. Specifically, I have five central areas of research expertise: Development of indicators of forest biodiversity and ecosystem function across broad regions using Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) data. Investigating species invasion patterns and processes across broad spatial scales. Development of a framework to categorize and prioritize forest tree species for conservation and management actions based on life-history characteristics and external threats. Completion of range-wide genetic variation studies of several at-risk forest tree species. Coordination of assessments of forest resource status and trends across broad scales.
Works (99)
2025 journal article
Coastal carbon sentinels: A decade of forest change along the eastern shore of the US signals complex climate change dynamics
PLOS CLIMATE, 4(1).
Ed(s): M. Ashraf
2025 journal article
Generalist Pests Cause High Tree Infestation, but Specialist Pests Cause High Mortality
Forests.

2024 journal article
Do Experimental Forests and Ranges of the Southeastern United States Represent the Climate, Ecosystem Structure, and Ecosystem Functions of the Region?
Journal of Forestry.
Contributors: J. Xiao *, G. Sun *, * , J. Boggs *, Q. Zhang * & S. McNulty *
2024 journal article
Forest plant invasions in the eastern United States: evidence of invasion debt in the wildland-urban interface
Landscape Ecology.

2024 journal article
Range-Wide Assessment of Recent Longleaf Pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) Area and Regeneration Trends
Forests.
Contributors: , C. Oswalt* & J. Guldin * *
2023 report
Broad-scale patterns of forest fire occurrence across the United States and the Caribbean territories, 2021
2023 report
Broad-scale patterns of insect and disease activity across the United States from the National Insect and Disease Survey, 2021
2023 journal article
Denser forests across the USA experience more damage from insects and pathogens
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS, 13(1).
Contributors: C. Asaro *, F. Koch* & n

2023 article
How invaded are Hawaiian forests? Non-native understory tree dominance signals potential canopy replacement
Potter, K. M., Giardina, C., Hughes, R. F., Cordell, S., Kuegler, O., Koch, A., & Yuen, E. (2023, April 25). LANDSCAPE ECOLOGY, Vol. 4.

2023 journal article
Impacts of Exotic Pests on Forest Ecosystems: An Update
Forests.

2023 report
Introduction
2023 journal article
Structural and species diversity explain aboveground carbon storage in forests across the United States: Evidence from GEDI and forest inventory data
REMOTE SENSING OF ENVIRONMENT, 295.

2023 journal article
Structural diversity as a reliable and novel predictor for ecosystem productivity
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT, 21(1), 33–39.
Contributors: E. LaRue *, J. Knott *, G. Domke *, H. Chen*, Q. Guo *, M. Hisano *, C. Oswalt *, S. Oswalt *

2022 journal article
A National Multi-Scale Assessment of Regeneration Deficit as an Indicator of Potential Risk of Forest Genetic Variation Loss
FORESTS, 13(1).

2022 article
Global genetic diversity status and trends: towards a suite of Essential Biodiversity Variables (EBVs) for genetic composition
Hoban, S., Archer, F. I., Bertola, L. D., Bragg, J. G., Breed, M. F., Bruford, M. W., … Hunter, M. E. (2022, April 12). BIOLOGICAL REVIEWS, Vol. 4.
Contributors: S. Hoban *, F. Archer *, L. Bertola *, J. Bragg *, M. Breed *, M. Bruford *, M. Coleman *, R. Ekblom *

2022 journal article
Non-native tree regeneration indicates regional and national risks from current invasions
FRONTIERS IN FORESTS AND GLOBAL CHANGE, 5.
Contributors: , K. Riitters* & Q. Guo * n

2022 article
Table Mountain Pine (Pinus pungens): Genetic Diversity and Conservation of an Imperiled Conifer
Potter, K. M., Jetton, R. M., Whittier, W. A., Crane, B. S., Hipkins, V. D., Echt, C. S., & Hodge, G. R. (2022, December 12). FOREST SCIENCE, Vol. 12.
Contributors: , R. Jetton n, W. Whittier n, B. Crane *, V. Hipkins*, C. Echt*, G. Hodge n n

2022 report
The contribution of nonnative tree species to the structure and composition of forests in the conterminous United States in comparison with tropical islands in the Pacific and Caribbean
2021 journal article
Developing a set of indicators to identify, monitor, and track impacts and change in forests of the United States
CLIMATIC CHANGE, 165(1-2).
Contributors: S. Anderson *, L. Heath *, M. Emery *, J. Hicke *, J. Littell *, A. Lucier*, J. Masek*, D. Peterson *

2021 report
Forest Health Monitoring

2021 journal article
Genetic diversity is considered important but interpreted narrowly in country reports to the Convention on Biological Diversity: Current actions and indicators are insufficient
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION, 261.
Contributors: S. Hoban *, C. Campbell *, J. Silva *, R. Ekblom *, W. Funk *, B. Garner *, J. Godoy *, F. Kershaw *

2021 journal article
Mitochondrial phylogeography of the ponderosa pines: widespread gene capture, interspecific sharing, and two unique lineages
TREE GENETICS & GENOMES, 17(6).
Contributors: A. Willyard *, D. Gernandt *, A. Lopez-Reyes * & n

2020 article
A forest health retrospective: national and regional results from 20 years of Insect and Disease Survey data
Figshare.
2020 article
Broad-scale patterns of forest fire occurrence across the 50 United States and the Caribbean Territories, 2018
Figshare.
2020 article
Coordinating the IUCN Red List of North American tree species: A special session at the USFS gene conservation of tree species workshop
Figshare.
2020 book
Forest health monitoring: national status, trends, and analysis 2019
In figshare.
2020 article
Introduction: Forest Health Monitoring: National Status, Trends and Analysis, 2019
Figshare.
2020 article
Large-scale patterns of insect and disease activity in the conterminous United States, Alaska, and Hawaii from the national Insect and Disease Survey, 2018
Figshare.
2020 journal article
New Seed-Collection Zones for the Eastern United States: The Eastern Seed Zone Forum
Journal of Forestry, 3.
Contributors: C. Pike *, n , P. Berrang*, B. Crane *, J. Baggs*, L. Leites *, T. Luther *

2020 article
Predicting climate change extirpation risk for central and southern Appalachian forest tree species
Figshare.
2019 journal article
Impacts of Nonnative Species on the Health of Natural and Planted Forests
Forests, 10(5), 366.
Contributors: Q. Guo *, n , F. Koch * & K. Riitters *

2019 journal article
Important Insect and Disease Threats to United States Tree Species and Geographic Patterns of Their Potential Impacts
Forests, 10(4), 304.
Contributors: , M. Escanferla n, R. Jetton n & G. Man* n

2019 journal article
Prioritizing the conservation needs of United States tree species: Evaluating vulnerability to forest insect and disease threats
Global Ecology and Conservation, 18, e00622.
Contributors: , M. Escanferla n, R. Jetton n, G. Man* & B. Crane * n

2019 journal article
Tree diversity regulates forest pest invasion
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 116(15), 7382–7386.
Contributors: Q. Guo *, S. Fei *, n , A. Liebhold * & J. Wen*

2018 journal article
A Subcontinental Analysis of Forest Fragmentation Effects on Insect and Disease Invasion
Forests, 9(12), 744.
Contributors: Q. Guo *, K. Riitters* & n

2018 journal article
Current Perspectives on Sustainable Forest Management: North America
Current Forestry Reports, 4(3), 138–149.
Contributors: J. Siry *, F. Cubbage n , n & K. McGinley*

2018 journal article
Do United States protected areas effectively conserve forest tree rarity and evolutionary distinctiveness?
Biological Conservation, 224, 34–46.

2018 journal article
Environmental harshness drives spatial heterogeneity in biotic resistance
NeoBiota, 40, 87–105.

2018 journal article
Exposure of Protected and Unprotected Forest to Plant Invasions in the Eastern United States
Forests, 9(11), 723.
Contributors: K. Riitters*, n , B. Iannone *, C. Oswalt*, Q. Guo * & S. Fei *

2018 journal article
Intraspecific Niche Models for Ponderosa Pine (Pinus ponderosa) Suggest Potential Variability in Population-Level Response to Climate Change
Systematic Biology, 67(6), 965–978.
Ed(s): N. Matzke

2017 journal article
A United States national prioritization framework for tree species vulnerability to climate change
New Forests, 48(2), 275–300.
Contributors: , B. Crane * & W. Hargrove * n

2017 journal article
Banking on the future: progress, challenges and opportunities for the genetic conservation of forest trees
New Forests, 48(2), 153–180.

2017 journal article
Divergence of species responses to climate change
Science Advances, 3(5), e1603055.
Contributors: S. Fei *, J. Desprez*, n , I. Jo *, J. Knott * & C. Oswalt *

2017 journal article
Dominant forest tree mycorrhizal type mediates understory plant invasions
Ecology Letters, 21(2), 217–224.
Contributors: I. Jo *, n , G. Domke * & S. Fei *
Ed(s): M. Vila

2017 journal article
Interactions between white-tailed deer density and the composition of forest understories in the northern United States
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT, 384, 26–33.
Contributors: M. Russell *, C. Woodall *, n , B. Walters *, G. Domke * & C. Oswalt *

2017 journal article
Landscape correlates of forest plant invasions: A high-resolution analysis across the eastern United States
Diversity and Distributions, 24(3), 274–284.
Contributors: K. Riitters *, n , B. Iannone *, C. Oswalt*, S. Fei * & Q. Guo *
Ed(s): T. Vaclavik

2017 journal article
Macro-scale assessment of demographic and environmental variation within genetically derived evolutionary lineages of eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis), an imperiled conifer of the eastern United States
Biodiversity and Conservation, 26(9), 2223–2249.

2017 journal article
Population isolation results in unexpectedly high differentiation in Carolina hemlock (Tsuga caroliniana), an imperiled southern Appalachian endemic conifer
Tree Genetics & Genomes, 13(5).

2017 journal article
Prioritizing conservation seed banking locations for imperiled hemlock species using multi-attribute frontier mapping
New Forests, 48(2), 301–316.
Contributors: J. Hastings n, n , F. Koch *, M. Megalos n & R. Jetton n

2016 journal article
A subcontinental view of forest plant invasions (vol 24, pg 49, 2015)
NeoBiota.
Contributors: C. Oswalt*, S. Fei *, Q. Guo *, B. Iannone *, S. Oswalt *, B. Pijanowski *, n

2016 journal article
Exploring Climate Niches of Ponderosa Pine (Pinus ponderosa Douglas ex Lawson) Haplotypes in the Western United States: Implications for Evolutionary History and Conservation
PLOS ONE, 11(3), e0151811.
Ed(s): T. Chiang

2016 journal article
Pinus ponderosa : A checkered past obscured four species
American Journal of Botany, 104(1), 161–181.
Contributors: A. Willyard *, D. Gernandt *, n , V. Hipkins*, P. Marquardt *, M. Mahalovich*, S. Langer, F. Telewski *

2016 journal article
Species pool, human population, and global versus regional invasion patterns
Landscape Ecology, 32(2), 229–238.
Contributors: Q. Guo *, B. Iannone *, G. Nunez-Mir *, n , C. Oswalt* & S. Fei *

2016 article
Trends over time in tree and seedling phylogenetic diversity indicate regional differences in forest biodiversity change
Figshare.
2015 journal article
A subcontinental view of forest plant invasions
NeoBiota, 24, 49–54.
Contributors: C. Oswalt*, S. Fei *, Q. Guo *, B. Iannone, S. Oswalt *, B. Pijanowski *, n

2015 journal article
A subcontinental view of forest plant invasions
NeoBiota.

2015 journal article
A unified approach for quantifying invasibility and degree of invasion
Ecology, 96(10), 2613–2621.
2015 journal article
A unified approach to quantify invisibility and degree of invasion
Ecology, 95(10), 2613–2621.

2015 journal article
Biological invasion hotspots: a trait-based perspective reveals new sub-continental patterns
Ecography, 39(10), 961–969.
Contributors: B. Iannone *, n , Q. Guo *, A. Liebhold *, B. Pijanowski *, C. Oswalt*, S. Fei *

2015 journal article
Data, data everywhere: detecting spatial patterns in fine-scale ecological information collected across a continent
Landscape Ecology, 31(1), 67–84.
Contributors: , F. Koch *, C. Oswalt* & B. Iannone * n

2015 journal article
Evidence of biotic resistance to invasions in forests of the Eastern USA
Landscape Ecology, 31(1), 85–99.
Contributors: B. Iannone *, n , K. Hamil*, W. Huang *, H. Zhang *, Q. Guo *, C. Oswalt*, C. Woodall *, S. Fei *

2015 article
Genetic Assessment of Ponderosa Pine (Pinus ponderosa) at Regnier Ponderosa-Pinyon Pine Natural Area, Oklahoma
US Forest Service, National Genetics Laboratory.
2015 report
Indicators of climate impacts for forests: recommendations for the US National Climate Assessment indicators system

2015 journal article
Macrosystems ecology: novel methods and new understanding of multi-scale patterns and processes
Landscape Ecology, 31(1), 1–6.

2015 journal article
Nuclear genetic variation across the range of ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa): Phylogeographic, taxonomic and conservation implications
Tree Genetics & Genomes, 11(3).

2015 journal article
Region-specific patterns and drivers of macroscale forest plant invasions
Diversity and Distributions, 21(10), 1181–1192.
Contributors: B. Iannone *, C. Oswalt*, A. Liebhold *, Q. Guo *, n , G. Nunez-Mir *, S. Oswalt *, B. Pijanowski *, S. Fei *
Ed(s): B. Bradley

2014 journal article
Does biodiversity make a difference? Relationships between species richness, evolutionary diversity, and aboveground live tree biomass across U.S. forests
Forest Ecology and Management, 321, 117–129.
Contributors: & C. Woodall * n

2014 book
Forest Health Monitoring: National Status, Trends and Analysis, 2012
In U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Southern Research Station.
2014 article
Genetic Assessment of Ponderosa Pine (Pinus Ponderosa) Sites in the Big Hole River Region, Beaverhead County, Montana
US Forest Service, National Genetics Laboratory.
2014 article
Genetic Assessment of Ponderosa Pine (Pinus ponderosa) Sites within the Proposed Wah Wah Mountains Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC), Millard County and Iron County, Utah
US Forest Service, National Genetics Laboratory.
2014 article
Genetic Assessment of Ponderosa Pine (Pinus ponderosa) at Lassen Volcanic National Park, California
US Forest Service, National Genetics Laboratory.
2014 article
Genetic Assessment of Ponderosa Pine (Pinus ponderosa) at Lava Beds National Monument, California
US Forest Service, National Genetics Laboratory.
2014 article
Genetic Assessment of Ponderosa Pine (Pinus ponderosa) at Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
US Forest Service, National Genetics Laboratory.
2014 article
Genetic Assessment of Ponderosa Pine (Pinus ponderosa) at Sagauro National Park, Arizona
US Forest Service, National Genetics Laboratory.
2014 article
Genetic Assessment of Ponderosa Pine (Pinus ponderosa) at Yosemite National Park, California
US Forest Service, National Genetics Laboratory.
2014 article
Genetic Assessment of Ponderosa Pine (Pinus ponderosa) within Glacier National Park, Montana
US Forest Service, National Genetics Laboratory.
2014 article
Large-scale patterns of forest fire occurrence in the conterminous United States and Alaska, 2011
Unpublished.
2014 article
Large-scale patterns of insect and disease activity in the conterminous United States and Alaska from the national insect and disease survey, 2011
Unpublished.
2014 journal article
Patterns of Forest Phylogenetic Community Structure across the United States and Their Possible Forest Health Implications
Forest Science, 60(5), 851–861.
Contributors: & F. Koch * n

2014 journal article
Systems Thinking For Rapid Decision Making In Industrial Contexts
9TH ANNUAL IEEE INTERNATIONAL SYSTEMS CONFERENCE (SYSCON).
Contributors: D. Winter, P. Ashton-Rickardt, C. Ward *, M. Yearworth *, C. McMahon * & *

2013 journal article
An Economic Assessment of Mountain Pine Beetle Timber Salvage in the West
Western Journal of Applied Forestry, 28(4), 143–153.

2013 journal article
Mitochondrial DNA haplotype distribution patterns in Pinus ponderosa (Pinaceae): Range-wide evolutionary history and implications for conservation
American Journal of Botany, 100(8), 1562–1579.

2013 journal article
QUANTITATIVE METRICS FOR ASSESSING PREDICTED CLIMATE CHANGE PRESSURE ON NORTH AMERICAN TREE SPECIES
Mathematical and Computational Forestry & Natural-Resource Sciences. https://publons.com/wos-op/publon/14711399/
2012 journal article
Determining suitable locations for seed transfer under climate change: a global quantitative method
New Forests, 43(5-6), 581–599.

2012 journal article
Trends over time in tree and seedling phylogenetic diversity indicate regional differences in forest biodiversity change
Ecological Applications, 22(2), 517–531.
Contributors: & C. Woodall * *

2011 journal article
Molecular approaches in natural resource conservation and management
Landscape Ecol, 27(3), 467–468.
2011 journal article
Widespread inbreeding and unexpected geographic patterns of genetic variation in eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis), an imperiled North American conifer
Conservation Genetics, 13(2), 475–498.

2009 journal article
Evolutionary history of two endemic Appalachian conifers revealed using microsatellite markers
Conservation Genetics, 11(4), 1499–1513.

2009 journal article
Genetic Diversity and Gene Exchange in Pinus oocarpa, a Mesoamerican Pine with Resistance to the Pitch Canker Fungus (Fusarium circinatum)
International Journal of Plant Sciences, 170(5), 609–626.

2008 journal article
Genetic variation and population structure in Fraser fir (Abies fraseri): a microsatellite assessment of young trees
Canadian Journal of Forest Research, 38(8), 2128–2137.
Contributors: , J. Frampton n, S. Josserand n & C. Nelson n n

2008 journal article
Isolation and characterization of microsatellite markers for Carolina hemlock (Tsuga caroliniana)
Molecular Ecology Resources, 8(6), 1371–1374.

2007 journal article
Allozyme variation and recent evolutionary history of eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) in the southeastern United States
New Forests, 35(2), 131–145.

2006 article
Biological Resources and Migration
Potter, K. M. (2006, May). LANDSCAPE ECOLOGY, Vol. 21, pp. 625–626.
2006 journal article
Isolation and characterization of microsatellite markers in Fraser fir (Abies fraseri)
Molecular Ecology Notes, 6(1), 65–68.

2005 journal article
Multiple-scale landscape predictors of benthic macroinvertebrate community structure in North Carolina
Landscape and Urban Planning, 71(2-4), 77–90.
2005 journal article
Multiple-scale landscape predictors of benthic macroinvertebrate community structure in North Carolina
Landscape and Urban Planning, 71(2-4), 77–90.

2004 journal article
A Watershed-Scale Model for Predicting Nonpoint Pollution Risk in North Carolina
Environmental Management, 34(1), 62–74.

1965 journal article
LOCATION AND ANALYSIS OF NEUTRINO INTERACTIONS IN PHOTOGRAPHIC EMULSION
Nuovo Cimento.
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