Schwinning Lab
Plant Ecology
Welcome!The members of the Plant Ecology Lab examine terrestrial plant dynamics from the individual plant to the community level, viewed through the lens of plant water relations. Terrestrial plants are fundamentally limited by water and its variability through space and time has given rise to numerous and diverse strategies of optimizing growth and reproduction when water is available while limiting losses when it is not. How these adaptations translate into patterns of productivity, population dynamics, species coexistence and vegetation response to climate change is the unifying theme of our research. Research methods span the gamut from field research, greenhouse experiments and mathematical modeling. Current opportunities for new students:We are currently seeking a Ph.D. student to adapt an existing dynamic vegetation model (CENW) to woodlands in Texas (oak-juniper) and New Mexico (Pinyon-juniper). The research emphasis will be to develop and test novel algorithms for plant water uptake from soil and rock. In addition to modeling, the student would also conduct targeted experiments to support the overall goal. Persons interested in this opportunity should contact Dr. Susan Schwinning (schwinn@txstate.edu) and attach their CV and a statement detailing why they are interested and how they qualify for this opportunity. A master's student is sought to conduct field research on the water use of dominant trees of the Texas Hill Country (Ashe juniper, honey mesquite, live oak). The student should have taken coursework in plant sciences such as plant water relations, physiology or ecology and have interest and aptitude in electronic field instrumentation. Persons interested in this opportunity should contact Dr. Susan Schwinning (schwinn@txstate.edu) and attach their CV and a statement detailing why they are interested and how they qualify for this research opportunity. |
Lab News
Evan Simon presented his research at the 2022 TXSER in Austin entitled "The Relationship Between Elevation and Response of Trees of the Edwards Plateau to Drought." He won the first prize for an Oral Presentation by an Undergraduate Student.
A long-awaited Special Feature in the Journal of Ecology has finally been completed. These are our lab's contributions:
Schwinning, S., DeFalco, L.A., Esque, T.C. 2021.What common-garden experiments can tell us about climate responses in plants. Journal of Ecology 110: 986-996 pdf
Custer, N.A., Schwinning, S., Lortie, C.J., Esque, T.C., DeFalco, L.A. 2021. Local climate adaptations in two ubiquitous Mojave Desert shrub species, Ambrosia dumosa and Larrea tridentata. Journal of Ecology 110: 1072-1089. pdf
The following students have received research awards in 2022:
Evan Simons, who conducted research towards an undergraduate honors thesis, was awarded an undergraduate research followship by the College of Science and Engineering. He also won the first prize for the 'Best Undergraduate Oral Presentation' at the TXSER conference (Society for Ecological Restoration, Texas Chapter).
Owen Moorhead won the Ann Miller Gonzalez Graduate Research Grant from the Native Plant Society of Texas (NPSOT) to conduct an experiment in prairie restoration in collaboration with the Native Prairies Association of Texas (NPAT).
Silas Jenkins won the Ann Miller Gonzalez Graduate Research Grant from the Native Plant Society of Texas (NPSOT) to investigate the importance of mycorrhizal fungi for the survival of oak seedlings under drought.
| Susan Schwinning |
| 601 University Drive |
| 312 Supple Science Bldg |
| Texas State University |
| San Marcos, TX 78666, USA |
| Email: schwinn@txstate.edu |
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Comments on the contents of this site should be directed to Susan Schwinning