Dr. William Lauenroth

Biography

William Lauenroth is the Joseph F. Cullman 3rd ’35 Professor at Yale School of the Environment, where he studies ecosystems in dry areas. His past work has centered on grasslands, while his current research focuses on questions related to mixtures of grasses and shrubs in ecosystems dominated by shrubs. Specific areas of research include plant population and community ecology, ecohydrology, and ecosystem ecology, as well as the effects of projected climate change on plant communities and ecosystems. He has guided students through research on demographic controls, recruitment, resource partitioning among grasses and woody plants, and responses to disturbances at varying spatial scales. Lauenroth employs simulation modeling as a crucial exploratory analysis tool in his research, particularly regarding belowground net primary production, carbon budgets, and water balance. His current work examines big sagebrush plant communities in western North America. Lauenroth has extensive teaching and mentoring experience, having taught various courses at Colorado State University and the University of Wyoming, encompassing vegetation ecology and terrestrial ecosystem ecology. He emphasizes personal responsibility and active engagement in mentoring students throughout their academic journeys.

Research Interests