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Zakiya Leggett

Publications

Journal Articles

2025

Spence, P.L., Goller, C, Riley N, Norman D, Leggett Z.H. 2025. Where is Delftia? Implementing citizen science into the biotechnology and environmental science curriculum. J Microbiol Biol Educ.26:e00088-24. https://doi.org/10.1128/jmbe.00088-24

Aguilos, M., Leggett, Z. H., Jeffries, S., Lupek, M., & Ardon, M. 2025. University Students’ Ecological Footprint and Lifestyle Changes: Awareness vs. Action. Education Sciences, 15(4), 432. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci15040432

Woods, N. N., Leggett, Z. H., Spence, P. L., & Prevost, L. B. 2025. A 4DEE Approach to Evaluating Ecological Literacy in Environmental Science Courses. Journal of College Science Teaching, 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1080/0047231X.2025.2472143

Eltinay, M. D. E. Lin Hunter, P. Spence, and Z.H. Leggett. 2025. The Influence of Gender on the Support and Confidence of Students in Undergraduate STEM Majors. American Journal of Undergraduate Research, 22(1):27-35. https://doi.org/10.33697/ajur.2025.131 *undergraduate student

2024

McKenney, E.A., T. A. Gates, C. C. Goller, D. Tully, Z. H. Leggett, M. Lupek, W. Cross, and C. Krieg. 2024. Strategies to Empower Students through Open Pedagogy and Citizen Science. The International Journal of Open Educational Resources, https://doi.org/10.18278/ijoer.5.1.5

Spence, P. L. and Z. H. Leggett. 2024. A pilot program to expand career opportunities in conservation for students of color. Natural Sciences Education. https://doi.org/10.1002/nse2.20136

Korhonen, J., R. Panwar, J. Henderson, K. Fernholz, Z. H. Leggett, E. Meyer, A. A.R. Bhuta. 2024. Gaps in diversity representation and data insufficiencies in the U.S. forest sector workforce analysis. Trees, Forests and People. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tfp.2023.100486

Rodgers, V., S. E. Scanga, J. R. St. Juliana, E. S. Tietjen, J. M. Honea, L. Byrne, Z. H. Leggett, and G. Middendorf. 2024. 4-Dimensional Ecology Education (4DEE) for Everyone: Teaching Ecology to Non-majors. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment. https://doi.org/10.1002/fee.2749

Eltinay, M., P. L. Spence, and Z. H. Leggett. 2024. The Influence of Gender on the Support and Confidence of Students in Undergraduate STEM Majors. American Journal of Undergraduate Research. https://doi.org/10.33697/ajur.2025.131 *undergraduate student

Parris, K.*, P. L. Spence, and Z. H. Leggett. 2024. Undergraduate Students Scientific Confidence and Support Systems Based on Diversity in an Environmental Science Course. American Journal of Undergraduate Research. https://doi.org/10.33697/ajur.2024.113 *undergraduate student

2023

Barnes, T.*, R. Parajuli, Z.H. Leggett and D. Suchoff. 2023. Assessing the financial viability of growing industrial hemp with loblolly pine plantations in the southeastern United States, Frontiers in Forests and Global Change, https://doi.org/10.3389/ffgc.2023.1148221 *graduate student

Woods, N.N., Z.H. Leggett and M.N. Miriti. 2023. The intersections of identity and persistence for Black women in ecology and environmental biology. The Journal of Geoscience Education. https://doi.org/10.1080/10899995.2022.2154935

2022

Height, T. C.*, K.L. Martin and Z.H. Leggett. 2022. Call for environmental justice amplification among ecology scholars and practitioners: A Black Ecology perspective. The Bulletin of Ecological Society of America. https://doi.org/10.1002/bes2.2039 *graduate student

Arenas, A.*, P.L. Spence, C. H. Nilon, and Z. H. Leggett. 2022. Diversifying the Field of Forestry Through a Graduate Fellowship Program: A Pilot Study on the Expectations of Students of Color. Journal of Forestry. https://doi.org/10.1093/jofore/fvac024 *graduate student

Shively, T.J.*, R. Cook, C.A. Maier, K. Garcia, T.J. Albaugh, O. Campoe, Z. H. Leggett. 2022. Readily
available resources across sites and genotypes result in greater aboveground growth and reduced fine root production in Pinus taeda, Forest Ecology and Management. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2022.120431 *graduate student

Dick, D. L.*, T. Gardner, J. Frene, J. Heitman, E. Sucre and Z.H. Leggett. 2022. Forest floor manipulation effects on the relationship between aggregate stability and ectomycorrhizal fungi. Forest Ecology and Management. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2021.119873 *graduate student

2021

Leggett, Z. H. 2021. Compassionate Teaching: Let’s plan for that to stick after the pandemic. The Journal for Research and Practice in College Teaching. Volume 6, Number 2. https://journals.uc.edu/index.php/jrpct/article/view/4381

Cooper, C., C. Hawn, L. Larson, J. Parrish, G. Bowser, D. Cavalier, R. Dunn, M. Haklay, K. Gupta, N.
Jelks, V. Johnson, M. Katti, Z.H. Leggett, O. Wilson, and S. Wilson. 2021. Inclusion in citizen science: The conundrum of rebranding. Science. 372. 1386-1388. DOI: 10.1126/science.abi6487

Minick, K.J.*, Z. H. Leggett., E. B. Sucre, T.R. Fox, and B.D. Strahm. 2021. Bioenergy production effects on SOM with depth of loblolly pine forests on Paleaquults in southeastern USA. Geoderma Regional. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geodrs.2021.e00428. *graduate student

Bakken, K.A.*, J.A. Forrester, D.J. Mladenoff, Z. H. Leggett, J. Juzwik, R. M. Jetton. 2021. Mortality
patterns following a hickory decline event – Is density reduction key to maintaining bitternut hickory? Forest Ecology and Management. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2021.118956 *graduate student

Dyball, R., G. Bowser, S. Whipple, A. Sharma, and Z.H. Leggett. 2021. Human Dimensions:
Collaborations and moving past COVID-19: The Human Ecology and Applied Ecology sections. The
Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America. https://doi.org/10.1002/bes2.1844

2020

Sealey, B.*, D. Beasley, S. Halsey, C. Schell, Z. H. Leggett, S. Yitbarek, and N. Harris. 2020. Raising Black Excellence by elevating Black ecologists through collaboration, celebration, and promotion. The Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America. https://doi.org/10.1002/bes2.1765 *graduate student

Riley*, N. C.C. Goller, Z. H. Leggett, D. Lewis, K. Ciccone, and R. R. Dunn. 2020. Catalyzing rapid discovery of gold-precipitating bacteria with university students. Peer J. 8:e8925 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.8925 *undergraduate student

2019

Cacho, J.*, M. A. Youssef, W. Shi, G. M. Chescheir, R. W. Skaggs, S. Tian, Z. H. Leggett, E. B. Sucre, J. E. Nettles, C. Arellano. 2019. Impacts on soil nitrogen availability of converting managed pine plantation into switchgrass monoculture for bioenergy. Science of the Total Environment. 654:1326-1336. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.11.133 *graduate student

2018

Cacho, J.*, M. A. Youssef, W. Shi, G. M. Chescheir, R. W. Skaggs, S. Tian, Z. H. Leggett, E. B. Sucre, J. E. Nettles, C. Arellano. 2018. Impacts of forest-based bioenergy feedstock production on soil nitrogen cycling. Forest Ecology and Management. 419-420:227-239. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2018.04.002 *graduate student

Cacho, J.*, M. A. Youssef, G. M. Chescheir, R. W. Skaggs, T.W. Appelboom, Z. H. Leggett, E. B. Sucre, J. E. Nettles, C. Arellano. 2018. Effects of forest-based bioenergy feedstock production on shallow groundwater quality of a drained forest soil. Science of the Total Environment. 631-632:13-22. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.03.020 *graduate student

2017

Minick, K.J.*, Z. H. Leggett., E. B. Sucre, T.R. Fox, and B.D. Strahm. 2017. Soil and aggregate-associated carbon in a young loblolly pine plantation: Influence of bioenergy intercropping. Soil Science. 182:233-240. http://dx.doi.org.prox.lib.ncsu.edu/10.1097/SS.0000000000000215 *graduate student

2016

Shrestha, P.*, J.R. Seiler, B.D. Strahm, E.B. Sucre, and Z.H. Leggett. 2016. Soil CO2 efflux and root productivity in a switchgrass and loblolly pine intercropping system. Forests. 7:221 https://doi.org/10.3390/f7100221 *graduate student

2015

Blazier, M.A., T.R. Clason, H.O. Liechty, Z.H. Leggett, E.B. Sucre, S.D. Roberts, K. Krapfl, and E.D. Vance. 2015. Nitrogen and carbon of switchgrass, loblolly pine, and cottonwood biofuel production systems in the Southeast United States. Forest Science. 14-016. http://dx.doi.org/10.5849/forsci.14-016

Cacho, J.*, M. A. Youssef, G. M. Chescheir, R. W. Skaggs, Z. H. Leggett, E. B. Sucre, J. E. Nettles, C. Arellano. 2015. Impacts of switchgrass-loblolly pine intercropping on soil physical properties of a drained forest. Transactions of the ASABE. 58:1573-1583 doi: 10.13031/trans.58.11238 *graduate student

Minick, K.J.*, B.D. Strahm, T.R. Fox, E. Sucre, and Z. H. Leggett. 2015. Microbial nitrogen cycling response to forest-based bioenergy production. Ecological Applications. 25:2366-2381. https://doi-org.prox.lib.ncsu.edu/10.1890/14-1745.1 *graduate student

Strickland, M.*, Z. H. Leggett, E. Sucre, and M. Bradford. 2015. Biofuel intercropping effects on soil carbon and microbial activity. Ecological Applications. 25:140-150. https://doi-org.prox.lib.ncsu.edu/10.1890/14-0285.1 *postdoctoral researcher

2014

Albaugh, J.M.*, J. Domec, C.A. Maier, E.B. Sucre, Z.H. Leggett, and J.S. King. 2014. Gas exchange and stand-level estimates of water use and gross primary productivity in an experimental pine and switchgrass intercrop forestry system on the Lower Coastal Plain of North Carolina, U.S.A. Agricultural and Forest Meteorology. 192-193:27-40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agrformet.2014.02.013 *postdoctoral researcher

Albaugh, J.M.*, T. Albaugh, R. Heiderman, Z.H. Leggett, J. Stape, K. King, K. O’Neill, and and J.S. King. 2014. Evaluating changes in switchgrass physiology, biomass, and light-use efficiency under artificial shade to estimate yields if intercropped with Pinus taeda. Agroforestry Systems. 88:489-503. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-014-9708-3 *postdoctoral researcher

Dimov, L., K. J. Howard*, Z. H. Leggett, E. B. Sucre, L. L. Weninegar. 2014. Removal of organic matter from the forest floor in loblolly pine plantations increased ground layer richness and diversity 16 years after treatment. Forest Science. 13-151. http://dx.doi.org/10.5849/forsci.13-151 *undergraduate student

Mack, J.*, J.A. Hatten, E. Sucre, S. Roberts, Z. H. Leggett, and J. Dewey. 2014. The effect of organic matter manipulations on site productivity, soil nutrients, and soil carbon on a southern loblolly pine plantation.  Forest Ecology and Management 326: 25-35. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2014.04.008 *graduate student

Minick, K.J.*, B.D. Strahm, T.R. Fox, E. Sucre, Z. H. Leggett, and J. Zerpa. 2014.  Switchgrass intercropping reduces soil inorganic nitrogen in a young loblolly pine plantation located in coastal North Carolina.  Forest Ecology and Management. 319:161-168. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2014.02.013 *graduate student

2013

King, J.S., R. Ceulemans, J.M. Albaugh, S.Y. Dillen, J. Domec, R. Fichot,  M. Fischer, Z.H. Leggett, E. Sucre, M. Trnka, and T. Zenone. 2013. The challenge of lignocellulosic bioenergy in a water-limited world. BioScience. 63 (2):102-117. https://doi-org.prox.lib.ncsu.edu/10.1525/bio.2013.63.2.6

Ridley, C.E., H. I. Jager, C. M. Clark, R. A. Efroymson, C. Kwit, D. A. Landis, Z.H. Leggett, and D. A. Miller 2013. Debate: Can bioenergy be produced in a sustainable manner that protects biodiversity and avoids the risk of invaders? Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America. 94:277–290. https://doi.org/10.1890/0012-9623-94.3.277

2012

Albaugh, J.A.*, E.B. Sucre, Z.H. Leggett, J.C. Domec, and J.S. King. 2012. Evaluation of intercropped switchgrass establishment under a range of experimental site preparation treatments in a forested setting on the Lower Coastal Plain of North Carolina, U.S.A. Biomass and Bioenergy 46:473:482. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biombioe.2012.06.029 *postdoctoral researcher

Blazier, M.A., T.R. Clason, E.D. Vance, Z.H. Leggett, and E.B. Sucre. 2012. Loblolly pine age density affects switchgrass growth and soil carbon in an agroforestry system. Forest Science 58:485-496. http://dx.doi.org/10.5849/forsci.11-052

2011

Nettles, J., M. Youssef, J. Cacho, J. Grace, Z. H. Leggett and E. Sucre. 2011. The water quality and quantity effects of biofuel operations in pine plantations of the southeastern US. In  N.E. Peters, V. Krysanova, A. Lepisto, R. Prasad, M. Thomas, R. Wilby, S. Zandarya (Eds), Water Quality: Current Trends and Expected Climate Change Impacts. (115-122). IAHS Publication 348, IAHS Press, Oxfordshire, UK. https://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/pubs/ja/2011/ja_2011_grace_002.pdf

2009

Sanchez, F.G., E.A. Carter, and Z.H. Leggett. 2009. Loblolly pine growth and soil nutrient stocks eight years after forest slash incorporation. Forest Ecology and Management. 257: 1413-1419. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2008.12.016

2006

Leggett, Z. H. and D.L. Kelting. 2006. Fertilization effects on carbon pools in loblolly pine plantations on two upland sites. Soil Science Society of America Journal. 70: 279-286. https://doi.org/10.2136/sssaj2003.0232

2005

Sanchez, F.G., Z.H. Leggett, and S. Sankar. 2005. Analyzing water soluble soil organics as trifluoroacetyl derivatives by liquid state proton nuclear magnetic resonance. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis. 36: 2793-2805. https://doi-org.prox.lib.ncsu.edu/10.1080/00103620500304150

2001

Verchot, L.V., Z. Holmes, L. Mulon, P.M. Groffman, and G.M. Lovett. 2001. Gross vs net rates of N mineralization and nitrification as indicators of functional differences between forest types. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 33: 1889-1901. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0038-0717(01)00095-5

Theses & Dissertations – Chair

Theses & Dissertations – Committee Member