Christopher D. Barton, Ph.D. is a Professor of Forest Hydrology and Watershed Management in the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources at the University of Kentucky. He is currently working in the areas of water resources, ecosystem restoration, reforestation and remediation of streams, wetlands and mined lands. Dr. Barton is the founder and President of Green Forests Work, an NGO that aims to improve the environment and economy of mined landscapes. Through this program, 8 million trees have been planted on mined lands in Appalachia and Australia and over 30,000 volunteers have participated. Dr. Barton currently serves on the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine’s Committee on Earth Resources. Recently, Dr. Barton was named a Fulbright Distinguished Chair and worked with CSIRO in Australia. In his free time, Chris and his wife, May May, are growing a truffle orchard on their family farm in Lexington and trying to teach their dog to sniff out the elusive fungi. For more information visit: www.greenforestswork.org.
Scholars@UK
Contaminant mixtures and their impact on nitrate removal in wetlands: A mesocosm study
Byers, E. N., Messer, T. L., Miller, D. N., Barton, C., Unrine, J. & Agouridis, C., May 2025, In: Journal of Environmental Management. 383, 125518.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
The occurrence and persistence of surface water contaminants across different landscapes
Byers, E. N., Messer, T. L., Unrine, J., Barton, C., Agouridis, C. & Miller, D. N., Jan 1 2025, In: Science of the Total Environment. 958, 177837.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Comparing the Response of Red Spruce Plantings on Legacy Coal Mines and Old-Field Restoration Sites in the West Virginia Highlands
Rhodes, B. M. & Barton, C. D., Mar 26 2024, In: Natural Areas Journal. 44, 2, p. 65-75 11 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Response of Red-backed Salamanders (Plethodon cinereus) to the Forestry Reclamation Approach on Legacy Surface Mines in the Monongahela National Forest (West Virginia)
Price, S. J., Davenport, R. N., Sherman, L., Larkin, J. L., Cox, J., Newman, J. C. & Barton, C., Jun 2024, In: Ecological Restoration. 42, 2, p. 105-107 3 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Comment/debate
Bat Activity on High Elevation Reforested Coal Mines in the Monongahela National Forest, West Virginia
Snyder, B., Barton, C., Lacki, M., Price, S. & Hackworth, Z., Jun 2024, In: Ecological Restoration. 42, 2, p. 108-122 15 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Ten-Year Response of Riparian-Associated Songbirds to Implementation of Streamside Management Zones in Watershed-Scale Harvests in the Appalachian Mountains
Hackworth, Z. J., Cox, J. J., Larkin, J. L., Leuenberger, W., Felch, J. M., Davis, A. G. & Barton, C. D., Jul 1 2024, In: Journal of Forestry. 122, 4, p. 383-397 15 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Wetland Creation and Reforestation of Legacy Surface Mines in the Central Appalachian Region (USA): A Potential Climate-Adaptation Approach for Pond-Breeding Amphibians?
Sherman, L., Barton, C. D., Guzy, J. C., Davenport, R. N., Cox, J. J., Larkin, J. L., Fearer, T., Newman, J. C. & Price, S. J., May 2024, In: Water (Switzerland). 16, 9, 1202.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
ROOT EXUDATES AND MICROORGANISMS
Koo, B. J., Adriano, D. C., Bolan, N. S. & Barton, C. D., Jan 1 2004, Encyclopedia of Soils in the Environment, Four-Volume Set. Vol. 3. p. V3-421-V3-428Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review
Long-term changes in coarse woody debris abundance in three Appalachian headwater streams with differing best management practices
Sena, K. L., Flynn, J. K., Leuenberger, W., Kolka, R. & Barton, C. D., 2023, In: Frontiers in Forests and Global Change. 6, 1242878.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Four decades of regional wet deposition, local bulk deposition, and stream-water chemistry show the influence of nearby land use on forested streams in Central Appalachia
Williamson, T. N., Sena, K. L., Shoda, M. E. & Barton, C. D., Apr 15 2023, In: Journal of Environmental Management. 332, 117392.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Do erosion control and snakes mesh?
Barton, C. & Kinkead, K., Mar 2005, In: Journal of Soil and Water Conservation. 60, 2, p. 33A-35AResearch output: Contribution to journal › Short survey › peer-review
Conversion options for mining-affected lands and waters in appalachia
Zipper, C. E., Agouridis, C. T., Barton, C. D. & Skousen, J., Nov 25 2020, Appalachia's Coal-Mined Landscapes: Resources and Communities in a New Energy Era. p. 167-192 26 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review
The Appalachian coalfield's energy transition and prospects
Zipper, C. E., Skousen, J. & Barton, C. D., Nov 25 2020, Appalachia's Coal-Mined Landscapes: Resources and Communities in a New Energy Era. p. 337-351 15 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review
Dynamics of streamflow permanence in a headwater network: Insights from catchment-scale model simulations
Mahoney, D. T., Christensen, J. R., Golden, H. E., Lane, C. R., Evenson, G. R., White, E., Fritz, K. M., D'Amico, E., Barton, C. D., Williamson, T. N., Sena, K. L. & Agouridis, C. T., May 2023, In: Journal of Hydrology. 620, 129422.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Evaluation of created wetlands as amphibian habitat on a reforested surface mine
Lambert, M., Drayer, A. N., Leuenberger, W., Price, S. J. & Barton, C., Nov 2021, In: Ecological Engineering. 171, 106386.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Diet composition: A proximate mechanism explaining stream salamander declines in surface waters with elevated specific conductivity
Hutton, J. M., Price, S. J., Richter, S. C. & Barton, C. D., Sep 2021, In: Global Ecology and Conservation. 29, e01719.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
The Robinson Forest environmental monitoring network: Long-term evaluation of streamflow and precipitation quantity and stream-water and bulk deposition chemistry in eastern Kentucky watersheds
Sena, K. L., Williamson, T. N. & Barton, C. D., Apr 2021, In: Hydrological Processes. 35, 4, e14133.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Development of mine soils in a chronosequence of forestry-reclaimed sites in eastern kentucky
Sena, K. L., Yeager, K. M., Barton, C. D., Lhotka, J. M., Bond, W. E. & Schindler, K. J., Apr 2021, In: Minerals. 11, 4, 422.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
An evaluation of methodologies for assessing geogenic carbon in mine soils of the Eastern United States
Jacinthe, P. A., Barton, C. D., Maharaj, S. & Lal, R., Oct 26 2015, Soil Carbon Sequestration and the Greenhouse Effect. p. 347-363 17 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review
First-year survival of native wetland plants in created vernal pools on an appalachian surface mine
Branduzzi, A. M., Barton, C. D. & Lovell, A., Jun 2020, In: Ecological Restoration. 38, 2, p. 70-73 4 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Collaborative Research: RII FEC: The Flooding in Appalachian Streams and Headwaters Initiative: Mitigating Impacts of Climate Change and Flash Flooding in Appalachia
Fox, J. (PI), Barton, C. (CoI) & Sena, K. (CoI)
9/1/24 → 8/31/28
Project: Research project
Collaborative Research: RII FEC: The Flooding in Appalachian Streams and Headwaters Initiative: Mitigating Impacts of Climate Change and Flash Flooding in Appalachia
Barton, C. (PI), Fox, J. (CoI) & Sena, K. (CoI)
9/1/24 → 8/31/28
Project: Research project
Collaborative Research: RII FEC: The Flooding in Appalachian Streams and Headwaters Initiative: Mitigating Impacts of Climate Change and Flash Flooding in Appalachia
Barton, C. (PI), Fox, J. (CoI) & Sena, K. (CoI)
9/1/24 → 8/31/28
Project: Research project
UK Research Foundation - Peer Review
Agouridis, C. (PI), Barton, C. (CoI), Gumbert, A. (CoI) & Price, S. (CoI)
KY Department of Fish and Wildlife
7/1/24 → 6/30/26
Project: Research project
Recovery of the Federally Threatened White Fringeless Orchid (Platanthera integrilabia) on the Daniel Boone National Forest in Kentucky
Barton, C. (PI)
KY Energy and Environment Cabinet
6/1/23 → 6/30/27
Project: Research project
UK Research Foundation - Peer Review FY23 Kentucky
Agouridis, C. (PI), Barton, C. (CoI), Gumbert, A. (CoI) & Price, S. (CoI)
KY Department of Fish and Wildlife
4/28/23 → 6/30/24
Project: Research project
Precision Agriculture: Precision Resource Management - Phase VI
Lee, B. (PI) & Barton, C. (CoI)
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
9/1/10 → 8/31/13
Project: Research project
Precision Agriculture: Precision Resource Management - Phase VI
Agouridis, C. (PI), Barton, C. (CoI) & Warner, R. (CoI)
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
9/1/10 → 8/31/13
Project: Research project
Scope A -- Precision Agriculture: Precision Resource Management
Stringer, J. (PI), Barton, C. (CoI) & Shearer, S. (CoI)
Cooperative State Research Education and Extension
9/15/04 → 9/14/07
Project: Research project
Scope 5-Kenton Sena-104B Water Resources Research Institute Annual Base Program 2021-2026
Sena, K. (PI), Barton, C. (CoI), Unrine, J. (CoI) & Ormsbee, L. (Former CoI)
9/1/21 → 11/30/22
Project: Research project
Participant Support Scope: Graduate Students: NRT: IN FElloWS & an Academy of Innovators at the Nexus of Food, Energy & Water Systems
Santillan-Jimenez, E. (PI), Barton, C. (CoI), DeBolt, S. (CoI), Moe, L. (CoI), Agouridis, C. (CoPI), Escobar, I. (CoPI), Mark, T. (CoPI), Crocker, M. (Former PI) & Landon, J. (Former CoI)
9/1/19 → 8/31/25
Project: Research project
Participant Support Scope: Undergraduate Students: NRT: IN FElloWS & an Academy of Innovators at the Nexus of Food, Energy & Water Systems
Santillan-Jimenez, E. (PI), Barton, C. (CoI), DeBolt, S. (CoI), Moe, L. (CoI), Agouridis, C. (CoPI), Escobar, I. (CoPI), Mark, T. (CoPI), Crocker, M. (Former PI) & Landon, J. (Former CoI)
9/1/19 → 8/31/25
Project: Research project
Participant Support Scope: NRT: IN FElloWS & an Academy of Innovators at the Nexus of Food, Energy & Water Systems
Santillan-Jimenez, E. (PI), Barton, C. (CoI), DeBolt, S. (CoI), Moe, L. (CoI), Agouridis, C. (CoPI), Escobar, I. (CoPI), Mark, T. (CoPI), Crocker, M. (Former PI) & Landon, J. (Former CoI)
9/1/19 → 8/31/25
Project: Research project
State Water Institute Program Scope 19: Toward rapid detection of Phytophthora cinnamomi and P. ramorum in Appalachian streams intrusion
Barton, C. (PI)
3/1/11 → 2/29/16
Project: Research project
Appalachian Research Initiative for Environmental Science (ARIES)
Barton, C. (PI)
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
7/1/11 → 6/30/16
Project: Research project
Development and Implementation of Stream Restoration and Riparian Corridor Techniques for Enhancing Water Quality in the Cane Run Watershed
Barton, C. (PI)
Natural Resources Conservation Service
4/22/10 → 4/30/13
Project: Research project
Subproject 7: Characterization of Headwater Seep Wetlands in Southeastern Kentucky
Barton, C. (PI)
Cooperative State Research Education and Extension
9/1/09 → 8/31/12
Project: Research project
Precision Agriculture: Precision Resource Management - Phase III - Scope 7
Barton, C. (PI) & Agouridis, C. (CoI)
Cooperative State Research Education and Extension
9/15/06 → 9/14/09
Project: Research project
Precision Agriculture: Precision Resource Management - Scope F
Grove, J. (PI), Barton, C. (CoI), Pena-Yewtukhiw, E. (CoI) & Shearer, S. (CoI)
Cooperative State Research Education and Extension
9/15/04 → 9/14/07
Project: Research project
104B Water Resources Research Institute Annual Base Program 2021-2026
Unrine, J. (PI), Ormsbee, L. (Former PI), Arpin, S. (Former CoI), Barton, C. (Former CoI), Brewster-Barnes, T. (Former CoI), Byrne, D. (Former CoI), Crofcheck, C. (Former CoI), D'Angelo, E. (Former CoI), Durham, R. (Former CoI), Erhardt, A. (Former CoI), Evans, S. (Former CoI), Ford, W. (Former CoI), Fryar, A. (Former CoI), Koyagi, E. (Former CoI), Lee, B. (Former CoI), Messer, T. (Former CoI), Moe, L. (Former CoI), Sena, K. (Former CoI), Shelley, A. (Former CoI), Shultis, A. (Former CoI), Tobin, B. (Former CoI) & Weisrock, D. (Former CoI)
9/1/21 → 8/31/26
Project: Research project
Education
- Ph.D. 1999. Soil Science. University of Kentucky
- M.S. 1997. Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Kentucky
- B.S. 1989. Centre College
Associated Departments