Katharine Suding

Distinguished Professor • PI, Niwot Ridge LTER •
• Plant community ecology • Restoration and conservation • Invasion biology

Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

katharine.suding@colorado.edu

303 735-3193

Visit the Suding Lab

Bio

Plant community ecology; restoration, invasion biology, environmental change, and conservation.

I am a plant community ecologist working at the interface of ecosystem, landscape and population biology. My goal is to apply cutting-edge “usable” science to the challenges of restoration, species invasion, and environmental change. My research group and I work with a range of conservation groups, government agencies and land managers to provide evidence-based solutions that take into account biodiversity, human well-being, and management opportunities. We employ a combination of long-term monitoring, modeling and experimental approaches in settings that range from alpine tundra to oak woodlands to grasslands. Common themes include plant-soil feedbacks, functional traits, species effects on ecosystem processes, and non-linear and threshold dynamics.

Visit the Suding Lab web site.

Education

PhD: University of Michigan, 1999
BS: Williams College, 1994

Awards

Highly Cited Researcher (2016-2019), Web of Science Group, 2019
Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science, 2018
MacArthur Award, Ecological Society of America, 2018
BFA Award for Excellence in Research, Scholarly and Creative Work, Boulder Faculty Assembly, 2018
Fellow, Ecological Society of America, 2016

Research

Visit the Suding Lab web site. We are plant community ecologists working at the interface of ecosystem, landscape and population biology. Our goal is to apply cutting-edge science to the challenges of restoration, invasion, and environmental change.

Publications

Recent publications

Catchment-scale observations at the Niwot Ridge long-term ecological research site

CU Boulder Authors: Johnson, Pieter; Livneh, Ben; Elmendorf, Sarah Claire; Hinckley, Eve-Lyn; Emery, Nancy C.; Suding, Katharine Nash; Molotch, Noah Paul

All Authors:

Bjarke NR; Livneh B; Elmendorf SC; Molotch NP; Hinckley E-LS; Emery NC; Johnson PTJ; Morse JF; Suding KN...

Bjarke NR
Livneh B
Elmendorf SC
Molotch NP
Hinckley E-LS
Emery NC
Johnson PTJ
Morse JF
Suding KN

Published in: Hydrological Processes
Publication Date: 2021-09-01
Type: Journal Article

The spatial synchrony of species richness and its relationship to ecosystem stability

CU Boulder Authors: Suding, Katharine Nash

All Authors:

Walter JA; Shoemaker LG; Lany NK; Castorani MCN; Fey SB; Dudney JC; Gherardi L; Portales-Reyes C; Rypel AL; Cottingham K...

Walter JA
Shoemaker LG
Lany NK
Castorani MCN
Fey SB
Dudney JC
Gherardi L
Portales-Reyes C
Rypel AL
Cottingham KL

Published in: Ecology
Publication Date: 2021-08-12
Type: Journal Article

Drivers of seedling establishment success in dryland restoration efforts (Jul, 10.1038/s41559-021-01510-3, 2021)

CU Boulder Authors: Suding, Katharine Nash; Barger, Nichole

All Authors:

Shackelford N; Paterno GB; Winkler DE; Erickson TE; Leger EA; Svejcar LN; Breed MF; Faist AM; Harrison PA; Curran MF...

Shackelford N
Paterno GB
Winkler DE
Erickson TE
Leger EA
Svejcar LN
Breed MF
Faist AM
Harrison PA
Curran MF

Published in: Nature Ecology and Evolution
Publication Date: 2021-07-28
Type: Journal Article

Determinants of community compositional change are equally affected by global change

CU Boulder Authors: Suding, Katharine Nash

All Authors:

Avolio ML; Komatsu KJ; Collins SL; Grman E; Koerner SE; Tredennick AT; Wilcox KR; Baer S; Boughton EH; Britton AJ...

Avolio ML
Komatsu KJ
Collins SL
Grman E
Koerner SE
Tredennick AT
Wilcox KR
Baer S
Boughton EH
Britton AJ

Published in: Ecology Letters
Publication Date: 2021-06-25
Type: Journal Article

Experimental warming differentially affects vegetative and reproductive phenology of tundra plants

CU Boulder Authors: Suding, Katharine Nash; Elmendorf, Sarah Claire

All Authors:

Collins CG; Elmendorf SC; Hollister RD; Henry GHR; Clark K; Bjorkman AD; Myers-Smith IH; Prevey JS; Ashton IW; Assmann J...

Collins CG
Elmendorf SC
Hollister RD
Henry GHR
Clark K
Bjorkman AD
Myers-Smith IH
Prevey JS
Ashton IW
Assmann JJ

Published in: Nature Communications
Publication Date: 2021-06-11
Type: Journal Article

Connectivity: insights from the US Long Term Ecological Research Network

CU Boulder Authors: McKnight, Diane Marie; Gooseff, Michael N; Suding, Katharine Nash; Johnson, Pieter; Ray, Chris

All Authors:

Iwaniec DM; Gooseff M; Suding KN; Samuel Johnson D; Reed DC; Peters DPC; Adams B; Barrett JE; Bestelmeyer BT; Castorani ...

Iwaniec DM
Gooseff M
Suding KN
Samuel Johnson D
Reed DC
Peters DPC
Adams B
Barrett JE
Bestelmeyer BT
Castorani MCN

Published in: Ecosphere
Publication Date: 2021-05-01
Type: Journal Article

Taking climate change into account: Non-stationarity in climate drivers of ecological response

CU Boulder Authors: Suding, Katharine Nash

All Authors: Bueno de Mesquita CP; White CT; Farrer EC; Hallett LM; Suding KN

Published in: Journal of Ecology
Publication Date: 2021-01-13
Type: Journal Article

RESPONSE OF NEMATODE COMMUNITIES TO CLIMATE-DRIVEN PLANT COLONIZATION OF A HIGH ALPINE LANDSCAPE

CU Boulder Authors: Suding, Katharine Nash; Schmidt, Steve

All Authors: Porazinska DL; de Mequita CPB; Farrer EC; Spasojevic MJ; Suding KN; Schmidt SK

Published in: Journal of Nematology
Publication Date: 2021-01-01
Type: Conference Proceeding

LONG-TERM NITROGEN DEPOSITION IN ALPINE TUNDRA ALTERS NEMATODE COMMUNITIES

CU Boulder Authors: Suding, Katharine Nash; Schmidt, Steve

All Authors: Shepherd R; Brigham LM; de Mesquita CPB; Smith JG; Schmidt SK; Suding KN; Porazinska DL

Published in: Journal of Nematology
Publication Date: 2021-01-01
Type: Conference Proceeding

Temporal variability in production is not consistently affected by global change drivers across herbaceous-dominated ecosystems

CU Boulder Authors: Suding, Katharine Nash; Bowman, Bill

All Authors:

Avolio ML; Wilcox KR; Komatsu KJ; Lemoine N; Bowman WD; Collins SL; Knapp AK; Koerner SE; Smith MD; Baer SG...

Avolio ML
Wilcox KR
Komatsu KJ
Lemoine N
Bowman WD
Collins SL
Knapp AK
Koerner SE
Smith MD
Baer SG

Published in: Oecologia
Publication Date: 2020-11-01
Type: Journal Article

The presence of a foreign microbial community promotes plant growth and reduces filtering of root fungi in the arctic-alpine plant Silene acaulis

CU Boulder Authors: Schmidt, Steve; Suding, Katharine Nash

All Authors: Meade C; de Mesquita CPB; Schmidt SK; Suding KN

Published in: Plant Ecology and Diversity
Publication Date: 2020-11-01
Type: Journal Article

Warming of alpine tundra enhances belowground production and shifts community towards resource acquisition traits

CU Boulder Authors: Suding, Katharine Nash

All Authors: Yang Y; Klein JA; Winkler DE; Peng A; Lazarus BE; Germino MJ; Suding KN; Smith JG; Kueppers LM

Published in: Ecosphere
Publication Date: 2020-10-01
Type: Journal Article

Micro-scale geography of synchrony in a serpentine plant community

CU Boulder Authors: Suding, Katharine Nash

All Authors: Walter JA; Hallett LM; Sheppard LW; Anderson TL; Zhao L; Hobbs RJ; Suding KN; Reuman DC

Published in: Journal of Ecology
Publication Date: 2020-09-28
Type: Journal Article

The elusive search for tipping points

CU Boulder Authors: Suding, Katharine Nash

All Authors: Dudney J; Suding KN

Published in: Nature Ecology and Evolution
Publication Date: 2020-08-17
Type: Journal Article

Growing-season length and soil microbes influence the performance of a generalist bunchgrass beyond its current range

CU Boulder Authors: Schmidt, Steve; Suding, Katharine Nash

All Authors: de Mesquita CPB; Sartwell SA; Schmidt SK; Suding KN

Published in: Ecology
Publication Date: 2020-06-09
Type: Journal Article

A new variance ratio metric to detect the timescale of compensatory dynamics

CU Boulder Authors: Suding, Katharine Nash

All Authors:

Zhao L; Wang S; Hallett LM; Rypel AL; Sheppard LW; Castorani MCN; Shoemaker LG; Cottingham KL; Suding K; Reuman DC...

Zhao L
Wang S
Hallett LM
Rypel AL
Sheppard LW
Castorani MCN
Shoemaker LG
Cottingham KL
Suding K
Reuman DC

Published in: Ecosphere
Publication Date: 2020-05-01
Type: Journal Article

Global plant trait relationships extend to the climatic extremes of the tundra biome

CU Boulder Authors: Suding, Katharine Nash; Elmendorf, Sarah Claire

All Authors:

Thomas HJD; Bjorkman AD; Myers-Smith IH; Elmendorf SC; Kattge J; Diaz S; Vellend M; Blok D; Cornelissen JHC; Forbes BC...

Thomas HJD
Bjorkman AD
Myers-Smith IH
Elmendorf SC
Kattge J
Diaz S
Vellend M
Blok D
Cornelissen JHC
Forbes BC

Published in: Nature Communications
Publication Date: 2020-03-12
Type: Journal Article

Evidence for phosphorus limitation in high-elevation unvegetated soils, Niwot Ridge, Colorado

CU Boulder Authors: Suding, Katharine Nash; Schmidt, Steve

All Authors:

Bueno de Mesquita CP; Brigham LM; Sommers P; Porazinska DL; Farrer EC; Darcy JL; Suding KN; Schmidt SK...

Bueno de Mesquita CP
Brigham LM
Sommers P
Porazinska DL
Farrer EC
Darcy JL
Suding KN
Schmidt SK

Published in: Biogeochemistry: an international journal
Publication Date: 2020-01-01
Type: Journal Article

Soil Microbial Networks Shift Across a High-Elevation Successional Gradient

CU Boulder Authors: Schmidt, Steve; Suding, Katharine Nash

All Authors:

Farrer EC; Porazinska DL; Spasojevic MJ; King AJ; de Mesquita CPB; Sartwell SA; Smith JG; White CT; Schmidt SK; Suding K...

Farrer EC
Porazinska DL
Spasojevic MJ
King AJ
de Mesquita CPB
Sartwell SA
Smith JG
White CT
Schmidt SK
Suding KN

Published in: Frontiers in Microbiology
Publication Date: 2019-12-18
Type: Journal Article

Litter-driven feedbacks influence plant colonization of a high elevation early successional ecosystem

CU Boulder Authors: Schmidt, Steve; Suding, Katharine Nash

All Authors: de Mesquita CPB; Schmidt SK; Suding KN

Published in: Plant and Soil: international journal on plant-soil relationships
Publication Date: 2019-11-01
Type: Journal Article

Global change effects on plant communities are magnified by time and the number of global change factors imposed

CU Boulder Authors: Suding, Katharine Nash; Bowman, Bill

All Authors:

Komatsu KJ; Avolio ML; Lemoine NP; Isbell F; Grman E; Houseman GR; Koerner SE; Johnson DS; Wilcox KR; Alatalo JM...

Komatsu KJ
Avolio ML
Lemoine NP
Isbell F
Grman E
Houseman GR
Koerner SE
Johnson DS
Wilcox KR
Alatalo JM

Published in: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of USA
Publication Date: 2019-09-03
Type: Journal Article

Seeking diverse nominations for ESA awards

CU Boulder Authors: Suding, Katharine Nash

All Authors: Suding K; Huenneke L

Published in: Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment
Publication Date: 2019-08-01
Type: Journal Article

When and where plant-soil feedback may promote plant coexistence: a meta-analysis

CU Boulder Authors: Suding, Katharine Nash

All Authors:

Crawford KM; Bauer JT; Comita LS; Eppinga MB; Johnson DJ; Mangan SA; Queenborough SA; Strand AE; Suding KN; Umbanhowar J...

Crawford KM
Bauer JT
Comita LS
Eppinga MB
Johnson DJ
Mangan SA
Queenborough SA
Strand AE
Suding KN
Umbanhowar J

Published in: Ecology Letters
Publication Date: 2019-08-01
Type: Journal Article

Rainfall variability maintains grass-forb species coexistence

CU Boulder Authors: Suding, Katharine Nash

All Authors: Hallett LM; Shoemaker LG; White CT; Suding KN

Published in: Ecology Letters
Publication Date: 2019-07-12
Type: Journal Article

Environmental gradients determine the potential for ecosystem engineering effects

CU Boulder Authors: Suding, Katharine Nash

All Authors: Grinath JB; Larios L; Prugh LR; Brashares JS; Suding KN

Published in: OIKOS
Publication Date: 2019-07-01
Type: Journal Article

Teaching

Courses

EBIO 6100: Graduate Seminar in Critical Transitions & Resilience
- It is increasingly clear that ecological systems, like many other complex systems, have critical thresholds at which they shift abruptly from one state to another--non-linear transitions that are abrupt and hard to reverse. We will explore the application of complexity theory to such issues as desertification in rangelands, dieback in coral reefs, and turbidly in lakes.

Current postdocs and students

Sam Ahler

PhD Student •
• Plant community ecology • Functional traits • Belowground dynamics • Restoration

Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

Visit the Suding Lab Advisor: Katharine Suding

sam.ahler@colorado.edu

Jonathan Henn

Postdoctoral Scholar •
• Alpine plant ecology

Visit Suding Lab Advisor: Katharine Suding I am a Postdoctoral Researcher working with Marko Spasojevic and Katie Suding to characterize long-term change in alpine plant communities. Overall, my research focuses on these issues to improve the restoration and management of ecosystems under rapidly changing conditions. I also actively work on developing effective mentoring, teaching, and outreach skills to help cultivate the next generation of scientists and engaged citizens. See more...

jonathan.henn@colorado.edu

Katya Jay

Postdoctoral Scholar •
• Plant ecology • Climate change

Visit the Suding Lab Advisor: Katharine Suding Bio Education PhD: Oregon State University, 2021 BS: Macalester College, 2016

katya.jay@colorado.edu

Thomas Merchant

PhD Student •
• Plant community ecology

Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

Advisor: Katharine Suding Specialties: plant community, ecosystem ecology, and global change; plant-microbial interactions; data science.

thomas.merchant@colorado.edu

Melinda Stueber

Bachelor's Accelerated Master's Student •
• Restoration ecology • Conservation biology • Landscape ecology

Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

Advisor: Katharine Suding

melinda.stueber@colorado.edu

Caitlin White

PhD Student •
• Plant community ecology • Restoration ecology

Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

Advisor: Katharine Suding Research Publications Seastedt, T., White, C., Tucker, C., Beaury, E. M., Concilio, A., Gasarch, E., Haggans, V. J., Smith, J. G., 2020: Decadal dynamics of dry alpine meadows under nitrogen and phosphorus additions . Plant Ecology, 221(8): 647-658. DOI: 10.1007/s11258-020-01039-8 Balch, J. K., Iglesias, V., Braswell, A. E., Rossi, M. W., Joseph, M. B., Mahood, A. L., Shrum, T. R., White, C., Scholl, V. M., McGuire, B.,...

caitlin.t.white@colorado.edu

Alumni

See Suding Lab alumni.

Outreach

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News

Alpine wildflowers bloom on the tundra of Niwot Ridge. Photo by William Bowman.

$7.65 million grant to extend study of how climate change shapes life at 10,000 feet (CU Boulder Today)

Feb. 3, 2023

For more than 40 years, scientists from the Niwot Ridge Long-Term Ecological Research program have worked to better understand high-alpine ecosystems in a warming world. Thanks to a new $7.65 million, six-year grant from the National Science Foundation, that work will continue, making Niwot Ridge LTER the longest-running NSF-funded program at CU Boulder.

A map shows where surface water samples were collected from the Coal Creek waterway shortly after the Marshall Fire.

Ongoing CU research explores impacts, solutions after Marshall Fire (CU Boulder Today)

Dec. 21, 2022

On Dec. 30, 2021, a fast-moving wildfire in suburban Boulder County became the costliest wildfire in Colorado history. It burned 6,000 acres, destroyed more than 1,000 homes and damaged thousands of others. The Marshall Fire also spurred researchers—many personally affected by the fire—to apply their expertise to the aftermath. A year later, dozens of ongoing research projects continue to explore the science behind the fire; its widespread impacts; and how we can mitigate future catastrophes in a changing climate.

Miles Moore and Jimmy Howe toss black sand onto a test plot on Niwot Ridge. Photo by Kelsey Simpkins, CU Boulder.

To study impacts of longer, hotter summers, ecologists haul 5,000 pounds of sand up a mountain (CU Boulder Today)

Sept. 12, 2022

For the past five years, a team of research assistants and volunteers have hiked up Niwot Ridge in late May to set the stage for a unique experiment in which they spread 5,000 pounds of black sand across portions of the remaining snowpack. Their goal is to simulate the near-future effects of a warming planet on alpine ecosystems.

3 faculty members headed out on Fulbright Program (CU Boulder Today)

Aug. 10, 2022

Katharine Suding is among three CU Boulder faculty members who received Fulbright fellowships to study internationally. Suding will travel to the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand, to work on a project called Recovery, Resilience and the Ecology of Change.

Oft-overlooked grasslands build biodiversity, resilience over centuries (CU Boulder Today)

Aug. 4, 2022

Grasslands’ biodiversity and resilience to disturbances such as fire, heat and drought is the result of a slow process over hundreds of years, like that of old growth forests, finds new CU research led by INSTAAR Katharine Suding that was published today in Science. An implication of the research is that it's important to conserve grasslands that are still intact.

More Suding news >

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Katharine Suding

Bio

Education

Awards

Research

Publications

RESPONSE OF NEMATODE COMMUNITIES TO CLIMATE-DRIVEN PLANT COLONIZATION OF A HIGH ALPINE LANDSCAPE

LONG-TERM NITROGEN DEPOSITION IN ALPINE TUNDRA ALTERS NEMATODE COMMUNITIES

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Teaching

Courses

Current postdocs and students

Alumni

Outreach

News