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Lynn M. Resler

Professor and Associate Chair
Lynn Resler
200 Wallace Hall (0115)
295 West Campus Drive
Blacksburg, VA
24061
resler@vt.edu
540-231-5790
 

My teaching and research interests lie within the subdiscipline of ecological biogeography. I have emphasized most of my research efforts on spatial pattern-process relationships, with a particular interest in vegetation pattern and dynamics at mountain ecotones, which are the transition zones between two or more vegetation types. I am intrigued by questions that address how local biophysical and biotic processes affect broader vegetation patterns. For example: how exotic and invasive diseases impact treeline response to climate warming; how fine-scale geomorphic processes and patterns influence tree seedling growth and ultimately treeline advance; and how historical land use impacts contemporary vegetation pattern, are examples of some of the topics that have driven my past and present work. I conduct field-based research in the Rocky Mountains of the U.S. and Canada, and in the high elevation ecosystems of the Appalachian Mountains. My work has been funded by agencies such as the National Science Foundation, National Park Service, Virginia Native Plant Society, and the Association of American Geographers, among others.

I am also  passionate about providing students with field-based, experiential learning opportunities to expand their knowledge of physical geography. I bring more than 20 years of experience to this role. I have directed and led multiple learning experiences including: Service Without Borders, Mustang, Nepal (2024); Antarctica: Humans and the Environment (2017, 2023, 2024); Mountain Environments: Mount Baker, Washington (2013); Sustainability in New Zealand (2009, 2022); North American Landscapes: Atlantic Provinces (2009).

I currently serve as an editorial board member of the Annals of the Association of American Geographers, Physical Geography, Land, and Southeastern Geographer. I have served as Associate Editor at Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research, and Progress in Physical Geography. I am a past president of the Southeastern Division of the American Association of Geographers (SEDAAG, 2020-2021), and past president of the Mountain Geography and Biogeography Specialty Groups of the AAG.

Areas of Expertise:

  • Physical geography
  • Ecological biogeography 
  • Alpine treelines and other mountain ecotones
  • Study abroad, experiential learning
  • Geospatial applications in physical geography

Education:

  • Ph.D - Texas State University – San Marcos, 2004
  • M.L.I.S - University of Texas at Austin, 2000
  • B.A. - University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, 1997
  • Biogeography (GEOG 4044)
  • Mountain Geography (GEOG 3404)
  • Survey of Geography (GEOG 1024)
  • Topics in Physical Geography (GEOG 5444)
  • Polar Environments (GEOG 3444)
  • Antarctica: Human Impacts on a Fragile Ecosystem (GEOG 3954/5954)
  • New Zealand: Sustainability and the Environment (GEOG  3954/5954)
  • 2019 Distinguished Alumnus Award, Texas State University, Department of Geography.
  • 2019 Silver Star Award, Texas State University, Department of Geography.
  • 2005 J. Warren Nystrom Award, American Association of  Geographers.
  • Ami Schukte. 2023. M.S. Plant successional patterns at Sperry Glacier foreland, Glacier National Park, Montana, USA.
    Professor(s): Lynn M. Resler
  • Kyler Stanley. 2022. M.S. Toward Understanding Geodiversity Perception in Grayson County, VA Through Geodiversity Mapping.
    Professor(s): Lynn M. Resler
  • Peter Forister. 2021. M.S. Spatial Patterns and Variations of Tornado Damage as Related to Southeastern Appalachain Forests and Terrain from the Franklin County, Virginia EF-3 Tornado.
    Professor(s): Lynn M. Resler
  • Jen Kern. 2021. M.S. Modelling Hydrologic System Change in a Paraglacial Catchment in the Northern Rocky Mountains.
    Professor(s): Luke Juran and Lynn M. Resler
  • David Jensen. 2020. Ph.D. Detecting and Modeling Landfast Ice in the Alaskan Bering Sea.
    Professor(s): Lynn M. Resler
  • Gretchen Goeke Dee. 2020. M.S. Spatial Pattern Analysis of Tree Species Distribution in a Central Appalachian Upland Heath Barren.
    Professor(s): Lynn M. Resler
  • Nathaniel Lawrence. 2019. M.S. Fire History of an Acidic Barrens Complex: A Methods Assessment of Fire Return Intervals.
    Professor(s): Lynn M. Resler and Thomas Saladyga (Concord U.)
  • Helen White. 2019. M.S. Biotic and Abiotic Factors of Picea rubens (Red Spruce) Seedling Regeneration in Disturbed Heathland Barrens of the Central Appalachians.
    Professor(s): Lynn M. Resler
  • Sanam Aksha. 2018. Ph.D. Assessing Vulnerability and Multi-Hazard Risk in the Nepal Himalaya.
    Professor(s): Luke Juran and Lynn M. Resler
  • Callie Lambert. 2018. M.S. Spatio-Temporal Vegetation Change as Related to Terrain Factors at Two Glacier Forefronts, Glacier National Park, Montana.
    Professor(s): Lynn M. Resler and Yang Shao
  • Mario Garza. 2016. M.S. Biophysical and Climate Analysis of the Mountain Pine Beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae) Infestations in the Crown of the Continent Ecosystem, 1962-2014.
    Professor(s): Lynn M. Resler
  • Amanda Michaels. 2016. M.S. Land Use and Land Cover Change in the Crown of the Continent Ecosystem.
    Professor(s): Lynn M. Resler

Native Lianas of Virginia's Appalachian/Blue Ridge Forests: Environment and Ecology
Investigator: L.M. Resler
Sponsor: Virginia Native Plant Society
2022 - 2023

Biogeomorphic interactions at Sperry and Grinnell glacier forefronts, Glacier National Park, MT
Investigator: L.M. Resler
Sponsor: American Association of Geographers
2019

Assessing functional role and community dynamics of whitebark pine at alpine treeline, GTNP
Investigator(s): L.M. Resler, Yang Shao
Sponsor: University of Wyoming and National Park Service Research Center
2015 - 2016

Implications of an invasive forest pathogen for alpine treeline dynamics
Investigator(s): L.M. Resler, G.P. Malanson (University of Iowa), and D.F. Tomback (University of Colorado, Denver)
Sponsor: National Science Foundation, Geography and Spatial Sciences
2009 - 2013

Geomorphology and vegetation: interactions, dependencies and feedback loops
Investigator(s): C. Hession, T. Wynn, and L. Resler
Amount: $29,864
2009 -2010

  • Bryant, A., Resler, L. M., Gielstra, D., & Pingel, T. (2025). Vegetation Succession Patterns at Sperry Glacier’s Foreland, Glacier National Park, MT, USA. Land, 14(2), 306. https://doi.org/10.3390/land14020306
  • Campbell, J.B. and L.M. Resler. (2024). Geomorphological studies from remote sensing. In Prasad Thenkabail (Ed.), Remote Sensing of Water Resources, Disasters, and Urban Studies, 313. (vol. 2), 2nd ed. London: Taylor and Francis.
  • Resler, L.M., & Ogburn, M. (2024). Reflections on a scientific study abroad program to the Antarctic Peninsula. In: Ed. Wessell, J. Experiential Learning in Geography II: Experience, Evaluation, and Encounters, Springer: UK.
  • Gielstra, D., Moorman, L., Kelly, J., Schulze, U., Resler, L. M., Cerveny, N. V., ... & Butler, D. R. (2024). Designing Virtual Pathways for Exploring Glacial Landscapes of Glacier National Park, Montana, USA for Physical Geography Education. Education Sciences, 14(3), 272. 
    https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci14030272
  • Anderson, K., Tooth, S., Kim, D., Resler, L. M., Schillereff, D., Williams, J. W., ... & Brian, J. V. (2024). A horizon scan for novel and impactful areas of physical geography research in 2023 and beyond. Progress in Physical Geography: Earth and Environment, 48(1), 3-23. 
    https://doi.org/10.1177/0309133323121
  • Resler, L. M., Patil, P. V., Bristow, C., Finks, L., & Dolby, M. (2024). Patterns of native and invasive lianas of Virginia's Ridge and Valley forests in relation to land use history. Southeastern Geographer. 
    https://dx.doi.org/10.1353/sgo.2024.a942021
  • Gallagher, J. A., Resler, L. M., Taylor, J., & Hamed, M. K. (2023). Utilizing Mini-Grants to Meaningfully Engage Instructors in General Education Assessment. Intersection: A Journal at the Intersection of Assessment and Learning.
  • Stanley, K. B., Resler, L. M., & Carstensen, L. W. (2023). A public participation GIS for geodiversity and geosystem services mapping in a mountain environment: a case from Grayson County, Virginia, USA. Land, 12(4), 835. 
    https://doi.org/10.3390/land12040835
  • Jensen, D. A., Nandan, V., Mahoney, A. R., Yackel, J. J., & Resler, L. M. (2023). Landfast sea ice break out patterns in the northern Bering Sea observed from C-band Synthetic Aperture Radar. International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation, 117, 103183. 
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jag.2023.103183
  • Resler, L. M. (2023). Unraveling the Nature of Southeastern Lianas. Southeastern Geographer, 63(4), 311-316. 
    https://doi.org/10.1353/sgo.2023.a912262
  • Resler, L. M., & Gunya, A. (2023). Trends of Land Use and Land Cover Change in Mountain Regions. In Montology Palimpsest: A Primer of Mountain Geographies (pp. 151-167). Cham: Springer International Publishing. 
    https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-13298-8_9
  • Resler, L. M., Fry, J. T., Leman, S., & Jelesko, J. G. (2022). Assessing poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) presence and functional traits in relation to land cover and biophysical factors. Physical Geography, 43(5), 614-637. 
    https://doi.org/10.1080/02723646.2021.1883802
  • Bader, M. Y., Llambí, L. D., Case, B. S., Buckley, H. L., Toivonen, J. M., Camarero, J. J., ... & Resler, L. M. (2021). A global framework for linking alpine‐treeline ecotone patterns to underlying processes. Ecography, 44(2), 265-292. 
    https://doi.org/10.1111/ecog.05285
  • White, H. M., Resler, L. M., & Carroll, D. (2021). Characteristics of Red Spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.) Encroachment at Two Central Appalachian Heathland Study Areas. International Journal of Applied Geospatial Research (IJAGR), 12(1), 1-20.
  • Jensen, D., Mahoney, A., & Resler, L. (2020). The annual cycle of landfast ice in the eastern Bering Sea. Cold Regions Science and Technology, 174, 103059. 
    https://doi.org/10.4018/IJAGR.2021010102
  • Resler, L. M., Shao, Y., Campbell, J. B., & Michaels, A. (2020). Land cover and land use change in an emerging national park gateway region: Implications for mountain sustainability. In The Elgar companion to geography, transdisciplinarity and sustainability (pp. 270-292). Edward Elgar Publishing. 
    https://doi.org/10.4337/9781786430106.00026
  • Ramírez, N., Melfo, A., Resler, L. M., & Llambí, L. D. (2020). The end of the eternal snows: Integrative mapping of 100 years of glacier retreat in the Venezuelan Andes. Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research, 52(1), 563-581. 
    https://doi.org/10.1080/15230430.2020.1822728
  • Aksha, S. K., Resler, L. M., Juran, L., & Carstensen Jr, L. W. (2020). A geospatial analysis of multi-hazard risk in Dharan, Nepal. Geomatics, Natural Hazards and Risk, 11(1), 88-111. 
    https://doi.org/10.1080/19475705.2019.1710580
  • Lambert, C. B., Resler, L. M., Shao, Y., & Butler, D. R. (2020). Vegetation change as related to terrain factors at two glacier forefronts, Glacier National Park, Montana, USA. Journal of Mountain Science, 17(1), 1-15.
    https://doi.org/10.1007/s11629-019-5603-8
  • Malanson, G. P., Resler, L. M., Butler, D. R., & Fagre, D. B. (2019). Mountain plant communities: Uncertain sentinels?. Progress in Physical Geography: Earth and Environment, 43(4), 521-543.
  • Brodersen, C. R., Germino, M. J., Johnson, D. M., Reinhardt, K., Smith, W. K., Resler, L. M., ... & Wieser, G. (2019). Seedling survival at timberline is critical to conifer mountain forest elevation and extent. Frontiers in Forests and Global Change, 2, 9.
  • Aksha, S. K., Juran, L., Resler, L. M., & Zhang, Y. (2019). An analysis of social vulnerability to natural hazards in Nepal using a modified social vulnerability index. International Journal of Disaster Risk Science, 10, 103-116.
  • Wagner, A. C., Tomback, D. F., Resler, L. M., & Pansing, E. R. (2018). Whitebark pine prevalence and ecological function in treeline communities of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, USA: Potential disruption by white pine blister rust. Forests, 9(10), 635.
  • Aksha, S. K., Juran, L., & Resler, L. M. (2018). Spatial and temporal analysis of natural hazard mortality in Nepal. Environmental Hazards, 17(2), 163-179.
  • Malanson, G. P., Resler, L. M., & Tomback, D. F. (2017). Ecotone response to climatic variability depends on stress gradient interactions. Climate Change Responses, 4, 1-8.
  • Jin, X., Shao, Y., Zhang, Z., Resler, L. M., Campbell, J. B., Chen, G., & Zhou, Y. (2017). The evaluation of land consolidation policy in improving agricultural productivity in China. Scientific Reports, 7(1), 2792.
  • Tomback, D. F., Blakeslee, S. C., Wagner, A. C., Wunder, M. B., Resler, L. M., Pyatt, J. C., & Diaz, S. (2016). Whitebark pine facilitation at treeline: potential interactions for disruption by an invasive pathogen. Ecology and Evolution, 6(15), 5144-5157.
  • Malanson, G. P., & Resler, L. M. (2016). A size-gradient hypothesis for alpine treeline ecotones. Journal of Mountain Science, 13, 1154-1161.
  • Pyatt, J. C., Tomback, D. F., Blakeslee, S. C., Wunder, M. B., Resler, L. M., Boggs, L. A., & Bevency, H. D. (2016). The importance of conifers for facilitation at treeline: comparing biophysical characteristics of leeward microsites in whitebark pine communities. Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research, 48(2), 427-444.
  • Tomback, D. F., Resler, L. M., Keane, R. E., Pansing, E. R., Andrade, A. J., & Wagner, A. C. (2016). Community structure, biodiversity, and ecosystem services in treeline whitebark pine communities: potential impacts from a non-native pathogen. Forests, 7(1), 21.
  • Campbell, J. B., & Resler, L. M. (2016). Geomorphological studies from remote sensing. Remote Sensing Handbook, Volume V, 3-34.
  • Malanson, G. P., & Resler, L. M. (2015). Neighborhood functions alter unbalanced facilitation on a stress gradient. Journal of Theoretical Biology, 365, 76-83.
  • Smith-McKenna, E. K., Malanson, G. P., Resler, L. M., Carstensen, L. W., Prisley, S. P., & Tomback, D. F. (2014). Cascading effects of feedbacks, disease, and climate change on alpine treeline dynamics. Environmental Modelling & Software, 62, 85-96.
  • Resler, L. M., Shao, Y., Tomback, D. F., & Malanson, G. P. (2014). Predicting functional role and occurrence of whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis) at alpine treelines: model accuracy and variable importance. Annals of the Association of American Geographers, 104(4), 703-722.
  • Tomback, D. F., Chipman, K. G., Resler, L. M., Smith-McKenna, E. K., & Smith, C. M. (2014). Relative abundance and functional role of whitebark pine at treeline in the Northern Rocky Mountains. Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research, 46(2), 407-418.
  • Rivers, B., Oliver, R., & Resler, L. (2014). Pungent provisions: the ramp and Appalachian identity. Material Culture, 1-24.
  • Malanson, G. P., Scuderi, L., Moser, K. A., Willmott, C. J., Resler, L. M., Warner, T. A., & Mearns, L. O. (2014). The composite nature of physical geography: Moving from linkages to integration. Progress in Physical Geography, 38(1), 3-18.
  • Evans, A., Odom, R., Resler, L., Ford, W. M., & Prisley, S. (2014). Developing a topographic model to predict the northern hardwood forest type within Carolina northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus coloratus) recovery areas of the southern Appalachians. International Journal of Forestry Research, 2014(1), 179415.
  • Smith-Mckenna, E. K., Resler, L. M., Tomback, D. F., Zhang, H., & Malanson, G. P. (2013). Topographic influences on the distribution of white pine blister rust in Pinus albicaulis treeline communities. Écoscience, 20(3), 215-229.
  • Kolivras, K. N., Luebbering, C. R., & Resler, L. M. (2012). Evaluating differences in landscape interpretation between webcam and field-based experiences. Journal of Geography in Higher Education, 36(2), 277-291.
  • Stine, M. B., Resler, L. M., & Campbell, J. B. (2011). Ecotone characteristics of a southern Appalachian Mountain wetland. Catena, 86(1), 57-65.
  • Malanson, G. P., Resler, L. M., Bader, M. Y., Holtmeier, F. K., Butler, D. R., Weiss, D. J., ... & Fagre, D. B. (2011). Mountain treelines: a roadmap for research orientation. Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research, 43(2), 167-177.
  • McManamay, R. H., Resler, L. M., Campbell, J. B., & McManamay, R. A. (2011). Assessing the impacts of balsam woolly adelgid (Adelges piceae Ratz.) and anthropogenic disturbance on the stand structure and mortality of Fraser fir [Abies fraseri (Pursh) Poir.] in the Black Mountains, North Carolina. Castanea, 76(1), 1-19.
  • Smith, E. K., Resler, L. M., Vance, E. A., Carstensen Jr, L. W., & Kolivras, K. N. (2011). Blister rust incidence in treeline whitebark pine, Glacier National Park, USA: environmental and topographic influences. Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research, 43(1), 107-117.
  • Hession, W. C., Curran, J. C., Resler, L. M., & Wynn, T. M. (2010). Preface: geomorphology and vegetation: Interactions, dependencies, and feedback loops. Geomorphology, 116(3-4), 203-205.
  • Resler, L. M., & Kolivras, K. N. (2009). A field-based technique for teaching about habitat fragmentation and edge effects. Journal of Geography, 108(4-5), 210-218.
  • Resler, L. M., & Stine, M. B. (2009). Patterns and processes of tree islands in two transitional environments: Alpine treeline and bog forest‐meadow ecotones. Geography Compass, 3(4), 1305-1330.
  • Schmid, G. L., Butler, D. R., Malanson, G. P., & Resler, L. M. (2009). Soils and pedogenesis at alpine treeline. Developments in Earth Surface Processes, 12, 107-118.
  • Resler, L. M., & Fonstad, M. A. (2009). A Markov analysis of tree islands at alpine treeline. Developments in earth surface processes, 12, 151-165.
  • Butler, D. R., Malanson, G. P., Resler, L. M., Walsh, S. J., Wilkerson, F. D., Schmid, G. L., & Sawyer, C. F. (2009). Geomorphic patterns and processes at alpine treeline. Developments in earth surface processes, 12, 63-84.
  • Lambert, R. C., Kolivras, K. N., Resler, L. M., Brewster, C. C., & Paulson, S. L. (2008). The potential for emergence of Chagas disease in the United States. Geospatial Health, 2(2), 227-239.
  • Resler, L. M., & Tomback, D. F. (2008). Blister rust prevalence in krummholz whitebark pine: implications for treeline dynamics, northern Rocky Mountains, Montana, USA. Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research, 40(1), 161-170.
  • Tomback, D. F., & Resler, L. M. (2007). Invasive pathogens at alpine treeline: consequences for treeline dynamics. Physical geography, 28(5), 397-418.
  • Resler, L. M. (2006). Geomorphic controls of spatial pattern and process at alpine treeline. The Professional Geographer, 58(2), 124-138.
  • Resler, L. M., Butler, D. R., & Malanson, G. P. (2005). Topographic shelter and conifer establishment and mortality in an alpine environment, Glacier National Park, Montana. Physical Geography, 26(2), 112-125.
  • Butler, D. R., Malanson, G. P., & Resler, L. M. (2004). Turf-banked terrace treads and risers, turf exfoliation and possible relationships with advancing treeline. Catena, 58(3), 259-274.
  • Resler, L. M., Fonstad, M. A., & Butler, D. R. (2004). Mapping the alpine treeline ecotone with digital aerial photography and textural analysis. Geocarto international, 19(1), 37-44.
  • Resler, L. M. (2004). Conifer establishment sites on a periglacial landscape, Glacier National Park, Montana. Texas State University-San Marcos.
  • Butler, D. R., Malanson, G. P., Bekker, M. F., & Resler, L. M. (2003). Lithologic, structural, and geomorphic controls on ribbon forest patterns in a glaciated mountain environment. Geomorphology, 55(1-4), 203-217.
  • Butler, D. R., Resler, L. M., Gielstra, D. A., & Cerney, D. L. (2003). Ecotones in mountain environments: Illustrating sensitive biogeographical boundaries with remotely sensed imagery in the geography classroom. Geocarto International, 18(3), 63-72.
  • Malanson, G. P., Butler, D. R., Cairns, D. M., Welsh, T. E., & Resler, L. M. (2002). Variability in an edaphic indicator in alpine tundra. Catena, 49(3), 203-215.
  • Resler, L. M. (2002). Remote Sensing and Image Analysis-TM Lillesand and RW Kiefer. John Wiley and Sons, New York, 2000. 736 pp. ISBN: 0471255157. Geomorphology, 1(46), 144-146.
  • Frohlich, C., & Resler, L. (2001). Analysis of publications and citations from a geophysics research institute. Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology, 52(9), 701-713.
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