Kathryn M. Flinn

Courses

Ecology; Fundamentals of Ecology, Evolution, and Diversity

Teaching

Dr. Kathryn Flinn began teaching full time in 2010. Her courses incorporate the process of scientific inquiry. For example, her students study the ecological impacts of earthworm invasions.

Research

Dr. Flinn is a plant ecologist working with students to investigate northeast Ohio’s natural heritage. Her lab uses diverse techniques of historical and contemporary ecology to understand how and why species distributions and plant communities have changed over recent centuries, with the goal of informing conservation and education. Recent projects examine the development of an old-growth forest and the impacts of land-use change on forests.

For more information, view the lab page.

Recent Publications

Flinn, K.M., Z. Litwinowicz*, T.P. Mahany*, and J.I. Watling. 2025. Presettlement tree distributions and forest types of northeast Ohio, USA mapped with species distribution models. Journal of Vegetation Science 36: e70007.

Flinn, K.M. and Z.R. Hughes*. 2024. How a city shapes its forests: Land use change and forest distribution around Cleveland, Ohio over 220 years. Urban Ecosystems 27: 635-648.

Flinn, K.M., M.N. Dolnicek*, and A.L. Cox*. 2022. Gap dynamics and disease-causing invasive species drive the development of an old-growth forest over 250 years. Forest Ecology and Management 508: 120045.

Flinn, K.M., E.R. Bly*, and C.S. Dickinson*. 2019. Major changes in tree community composition and structure over 86 years in an old-growth forest. Journal of the Torrey Botanical Society 146: 87-95. 

Flinn, K.M., T. Mahany* and C.E. Hausman. 2018. From forest to city: Plant community change in northeast Ohio from 1800 to 2014. Journal of Vegetation Science 29: 297-306. 

Flinn, K.M. 2017. Invasive earthworms ingest and digest garlic mustard seeds at rates equal to native seeds. Northeastern Naturalist 24: 413-420.

*Student Authors