معرفی
Katharine Suding serves as a Professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Colorado Boulder, leading the Suding Lab focused on plant community ecology at the intersection of ecosystem, landscape, and population biology. Her work integrates long-term monitoring, modeling, and experimental approaches across diverse ecosystems—from alpine tundra to grasslands—with conservation groups, government agencies, and land managers to develop evidence-based solutions for restoration, species invasion, and environmental change.
Her educational background includes a PhD from the University of Michigan (1999) and a BS from Williams College (1994). Key research interests center on plant-soil feedbacks, functional traits, species effects on ecosystem processes, and non-linear/threshold dynamics in ecological systems. Her work emphasizes usable science that addresses biodiversity conservation, human well-being, and management opportunities through frameworks like cross-scale facilitation and adaptive capacity for restoration.
Recent publications reveal strong trends in integrating remote sensing with causal inference for biodiversity monitoring, redefining restoration intervention continua beyond active-passive dichotomies, and exploring climate change impacts on alpine phenology and soil communities. Her research consistently bridges theoretical ecology with practical applications, particularly in grassland and tundra restoration under global change.
Scientific recognition includes:
- Bower Award and Prize for Achievement in Science (Franklin Institute, 2025)
- Eminent Ecologist (Journal of Ecology, 2023)
- Highly Cited Researcher (Web of Science, 2016-2019)
- MacArthur Award (Ecological Society of America, 2018)
- Fellow of AAAS and ESA
Dr. Suding actively mentors 26 degree-seeking students (current and alumni), including PhD candidates in grassland restoration and MS students in conservation biology. Her lab secures significant grants for projects like alpine climate resilience and invasive species management, emphasizing collaborative frameworks with stakeholders. The Suding Lab maintains a strong commitment to inclusive science through field safety protocols, peer mentorship, and equitable opportunity strategies, operating from CU Boulder's Sustainability, Energy and Environment Community building.
The lab fosters interdisciplinary teams studying critical transitions in ecological systems, with current projects spanning from Colorado grasslands to tropical restoration. Future work focuses on scaling restoration science through remote sensing integration and developing adaptive capacity metrics for climate-vulnerable ecosystems.
