Benton Taylor

Benton Taylor is an Assistant Professor of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology and Faculty Fellow at the Arnold Arboretum, Harvard University. His research focuses on terrestrial ecosystem responses to global change drivers such as rising CO2, nutrient pollution, and extreme weather. He leads the Taylor Lab, investigating symbiotic nitrogen fixation, below-ground tree responses, and soil carbon dynamics across tropical to boreal ecosystems. His work integrates field experiments, observational studies, and global data analyses to understand feedbacks between ecosystems and climate change.

Key research themes include nitrogen-fixing plant symbiosis, CO2 effects on root systems, and soil carbon sequestration mechanisms. Taylor collaborates internationally, with projects ranging from Costa Rican rainforests to Alaskan tundra. His lab emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to address questions at molecular to ecosystem scales.

Recent publications highlight novel insights into root exudation under elevated CO2, tropical nitrogen cycling gaps, and microbial mediation of tree responses. The lab actively mentors graduate students (e.g., Calvin Heslop, Carina Berlingeri) and postdocs (e.g., Lindsay McCulloch) exploring nutrient-cycling frontiers. Taylor’s team also prioritizes environmental justice through science communication and inclusive research practices, as stated in their lab’s diversity value statement.