Welcome to the Smith Lab at Colorado State University

Who we are:

   We are grassland ecologists. Our lab studies the effects of global change, such as intensified droughts and deluges, land-use change, and nutrient enrichment. Our research spans many levels of biological organization, from soil microbial communities and root traits to the complex interactions between plants and their environment. We describe ecological changes but also reveal the underlying mechanisms to advance theory.

Our impact:

   Grasslands cover ~30% of the Earth’s land surface, providing stability in a changing world. We uncover opportunities to maintain and restore resilient biodiversity while balancing human needs, such as solar development.