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

Insights from a Cross-Disciplinary Seminar: 10 Pivotal Papers for Ecological Restoration

CU Boulder Authors: Suding, Katharine Nash

All Authors:

Eitzel MV; Diver S; Sardinas H; Hallett LM; Olson JJ; Romero A; Oliveira GDLT; Schuknecht AT; Tidmore R; Suding KN...

Eitzel MV
Diver S
Sardinas H
Hallett LM
Olson JJ
Romero A
Oliveira GDLT
Schuknecht AT
Tidmore R
Suding KN

Published in: Restoration Ecology
Publication Date: 2012-03-01
Type: Journal Article

The Abundance of Pink-Pigmented Facultative Methylotrophs in the Root Zone of Plant Species in Invaded Coastal Sage Scrub Habitat

CU Boulder Authors: Suding, Katharine Nash

All Authors: Irvine IC; Brigham CA; Suding KN; Martiny JBH

Published in: PLoS One
Publication Date: 2012-02-24
Type: Journal Article

Phenological Changes in Alpine Plants in Response to Increased Snowpack, Temperature, and Nitrogen

CU Boulder Authors: Smith, Jane Griffin; Suding, Katharine Nash

All Authors: Smith JG; Sconiers W; Spasojevic MJ; Ashton IW; Suding KN

Published in: Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research
Publication Date: 2012-02-01
Type: Journal Article

Dealing with Complexity and Extreme Events Using a Bottom-Up, Resource-Based Vulnerability Perspective

CU Boulder Authors: Suding, Katharine Nash

All Authors: PIELKE RA; WILBY R; NIYOGI D; HOSSAIN F; DAIRUKU K; ADEGOKE J; KALLOS G; SEASTEDT T; SUDING KN

Publication Date: 2012-01-10
Type: Chapter

Co-occurrence patterns of plants and soil bacteria in the high-alpine subnival zone track environmental harshness

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

All Authors: King AJ; Farrer EC; Suding KN; Schmidt SK

Published in: Frontiers in Microbiology
Publication Date: 2012-01-01
Type: Journal Article

Patterns of trait convergence and divergence among native and exotic species in herbaceous plant communities are not modified by nitrogen enrichment

CU Boulder Authors: Suding, Katharine Nash

All Authors: Cleland EE; Clark CM; Collins SL; Fargione JE; Gough L; Gross KL; Pennings SC; Suding KN

Published in: Journal of Ecology
Publication Date: 2011-11-01
Type: Journal Article

Seed Supply, Recruitment, and Assembly: Quantifying Relative Seed and Establishment Limitation in a Plant Community Context

CU Boulder Authors: Suding, Katharine Nash

All Authors: Aicher RJ; Larios L; Suding KN

Published in: The American Naturalist
Publication Date: 2011-10-01
Type: Journal Article

Don't judge species on their origins

CU Boulder Authors: Suding, Katharine Nash

All Authors:

Davis M; Chew MK; Hobbs RJ; Lugo AE; Ewel JJ; Vermeij GJ; Brown JH; Rosenzweig ML; Gardener MR; Carroll SP...

Davis M
Chew MK
Hobbs RJ
Lugo AE
Ewel JJ
Vermeij GJ
Brown JH
Rosenzweig ML
Gardener MR
Carroll SP

Published in: Nature
Publication Date: 2011-06-09
Type: Journal Article

A test of the niche dimension hypothesis in an arid annual grassland

CU Boulder Authors: Suding, Katharine Nash

All Authors: Harpole WS; Suding KN

Published in: Oecologia
Publication Date: 2011-05-01
Type: Journal Article

Toward an Era of Restoration in Ecology: Successes, Failures, and Opportunities Ahead

CU Boulder Authors: Suding, Katharine Nash

All Authors: Suding KN

Published in: Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution and Systematics
Publication Date: 2011-01-01
Type: Journal Article

Contrasting effects of hemiparasites on ecosystem processes: can positive litter effects offset the negative effects of parasitism?

CU Boulder Authors: Suding, Katharine Nash

All Authors: Spasojevic MJ; Suding KN

Published in: Oecologia
Publication Date: 2011-01-01
Type: Journal Article

Niche complementarity due to plasticity in resource use: plant partitioning of chemical N forms

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

All Authors: Ashton IW; Miller AE; Bowman WD; Suding KN

Published in: Ecology
Publication Date: 2010-11-01
Type: Journal Article

Strong feeding preference of an exotic generalist herbivore for an exotic forb: a case of invasional antagonism

CU Boulder Authors: Suding, Katharine Nash

All Authors: La Pierre KJ; Harpole WS; Suding KN

Published in: Biological Invasions
Publication Date: 2010-09-01
Type: Journal Article

Within-Year Soil Legacies Contribute to Strong Priority Effects of Exotics on Native California Grassland Communities

CU Boulder Authors: Suding, Katharine Nash

All Authors: Grman E; Suding KN

Published in: Restoration Ecology
Publication Date: 2010-09-01
Type: Journal Article

Dealing With Complexity and Extreme Events Using a Bottom-Up, Resource-Based Vulnerability Perspective

CU Boulder Authors: Suding, Katharine Nash

All Authors: Pielke RA; Wilby R; Niyogi D; Hossain F; Dairuku K; Adegoke J; Kallos G; Seastedt T; Suding K

Published in: Geophysical Monograph
Publication Date: 2010-02-01
Type: Conference Proceeding

Contrasting trait responses in plant communities to experimental and geographic variation in precipitation

CU Boulder Authors: Suding, Katharine Nash

All Authors: Sandel B; Goldstein LJ; Kraft NJB; Okie JG; Shuldman MI; Ackerly DD; Cleland EE; Suding KN

Published in: New Phytologist
Publication Date: 2010-01-01
Type: Journal Article

Strain and vegetation effects on local limiting resources explain the outcomes of biotic interactions

CU Boulder Authors: Suding, Katharine Nash

All Authors: Gross N; Liancourt P; Choler P; Suding KN; Lavorel S

Published in: Perspectives in Plant Ecology, Evolution and Systematics
Publication Date: 2010-01-01
Type: Journal Article

Linking individual response to biotic interactions with community structure: a trait-based framework

CU Boulder Authors: Suding, Katharine Nash

All Authors: Gross N; Kunstler G; Liancourt P; de Bello F; Suding KN; Lavorel S

Published in: Functional Ecology
Publication Date: 2009-12-01
Type: Journal Article

Effects of Nutrient Manipulations and Grass Removal on Cover, Species Composition, and Invasibility of a Novel Grassland in Colorado

CU Boulder Authors: Suding, Katharine Nash

All Authors: Cherwin KL; Seastedt TR; Suding KN

Published in: Restoration Ecology
Publication Date: 2009-11-01
Type: Journal Article

Threshold models in restoration and conservation: a developing framework

CU Boulder Authors: Suding, Katharine Nash

All Authors: Suding KN; Hobbs RJ

Published in: Trends in Ecology and Evolution
Publication Date: 2009-05-01
Type: Journal Article

RANK CLOCKS AND PLANT COMMUNITY DYNAMICS

CU Boulder Authors: Suding, Katharine Nash

All Authors:

Collins SL; Suding KN; Cleland EE; Batty M; Pennings SC; Gross KL; Grace JB; Gough L; Fargione JE; Clark CM...

Collins SL
Suding KN
Cleland EE
Batty M
Pennings SC
Gross KL
Grace JB
Gough L
Fargione JE
Clark CM

Published in: Ecology
Publication Date: 2008-12-01
Type: Journal Article

Management of novel ecosystems: are novel approaches required?

CU Boulder Authors: Suding, Katharine Nash

All Authors: Seastedt TR; Hobbs RJ; Suding KN

Published in: Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment
Publication Date: 2008-12-01
Type: Journal Article

Restoration through reassembly: plant traits and invasion resistance

CU Boulder Authors: Suding, Katharine Nash

All Authors: Funk JL; Cleland EE; Suding KN; Zavaleta ES

Published in: Trends in Ecology and Evolution
Publication Date: 2008-12-01
Type: Journal Article

The impact of invasion and subsequent removal of an exotic thistle, Cynara cardunculus, on CO2 and H2O vapor exchange in a coastal California grassland

CU Boulder Authors: Suding, Katharine Nash

All Authors: Potts DL; Harpole WS; Goulden ML; Suding KN

Published in: Biological Invasions
Publication Date: 2008-10-01
Type: Journal Article

Scale-dependent responses of plant biodiversity to nitrogen enrichment

CU Boulder Authors: Suding, Katharine Nash

All Authors: Chalcraft DR; Cox SB; Clark C; Cleland EE; Suding KN; Weiher E; Pennington D

Published in: Ecology
Publication Date: 2008-08-01
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.

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Katharine Suding

Bio

Education

Awards

Research

Publications

Dealing with Complexity and Extreme Events Using a Bottom-Up, Resource-Based Vulnerability Perspective

Pages

Teaching

Courses

Current postdocs and students

Alumni

Outreach

News