Paul Knapp

Paul Knapp is a Professor and Director of the Carolina Tree-ring Science Laboratory at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG), within the Department of Geography, Environment, and Sustainability. He holds a B.A. in Geography from the University of Colorado, an M.A. from the University of Arizona, and a Ph.D. from the University of Georgia. His research focuses on biogeography, climatology, and dendroclimatology, with a particular emphasis on using tree-ring data to study climate variability, drought patterns, and environmental changes over centuries. Key areas of inquiry include tropical cyclone precipitation, fire regimes, and tree growth responses to climatic extremes.

Knapp’s work bridges field studies, laboratory analysis, and computational modeling. His recent projects explore the interplay between modern warming trends and historical climate patterns, leveraging tree-ring records to contextualize contemporary environmental shifts. He teaches courses such as GES 103 (Introduction to Earth Science), GES 418/618/718 (Biogeography), and GES 702 (Research Design), integrating his research into undergraduate and graduate education.

His publications highlight innovative methodologies, such as dendroecological approaches to soil moisture analysis and fire activity reconstruction. Notable grants include collaborative research on conifer growth responses to environmental change and paleoclimatic studies of tropical cyclone impacts. Knapp’s interdisciplinary approach addresses climate adaptation strategies and ecosystem resilience in the face of global warming.