Seth Munson, Ph.D.
Seth Munson is an ecologist with the Southwest Biological Science Center in Flagstaff, Arizona. His research focuses on plant-soil interactions in dryland ecosystems and how these interactions are affected by climate and land use changes.
Much of Dr. Munson's research aims to understand the dynamics of dryland ecosystems at long temporal and broad spatial scales, and employs a multidisciplinary approach. His work seeks to improve the management of arid and semi-arid lands, including determining effective ecological restoration strategies, and is done in close collaboration with several land management agencies.
Check the Science Tab Below for a List of Current Research Projects.
Research Interests: Plant Ecology, Ecosystem Ecology, Dryland Ecology, Restoration Ecology, Soil Erosion
Professional Experience
Research Ecologist, US Geological Survey, Southwest Biological Science Center, Flagstaff, AZ
Adjunct Faculty, Northern Arizona University, Department of Biological Sciences, Flagstaff, AZ
Adjunct Faculty, Arizona State University, School of Life Sciences, Phoenix, AZ
Jan 2011 - Dec 2013: Research Ecologist (Mendenhall Fellow), US Geological Survey, Geology and Environmental Change Science Center, Denver, CO
Dec 2008 - Jan 2011: Ecologist, US Geological Survey, Canyonlands Research Station, Moab, Utah
May 2004 - Nov 2008; Research Assistant, Colorado State University, Forest and Rangeland Stewardship, Fort Collins, CO
Sep 2002 – May 2004; Research Associate, University of New Mexico, Biology Department, Albuquerque, NM
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. Ecology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, May 2009
B.A. Biology, Earlham College, Richmond, IN, May 2001
Science and Products
Effects of climate and water balance across grasslands of varying C3 and C4 grass cover
Temperature is better than precipitation as a predictor of plant community assembly across a dryland region
Prestoration: Using species in restoration that will persist now and into the future
Semi-arid vegetation response to antecedent climate and water balance windows
Cumulative drought and land-use impacts on perennial vegetation across a North American dryland region
Rangeland monitoring reveals long-term plant responses to precipitation and grazing at the landscape scale
Long-term shifts in the phenology of rare and endemic Rocky Mountain plants
Desert grassland responses to climate and soil moisture suggest divergent vulnerabilities across the southwestern United States
Repeated landscape-scale treatments following fire suppress a non-native annual grass and promote recovery of native perennial vegetation
Long-term plant responses to climate are moderated by biophysical attributes in a North American desert
Remote sensing of Sonoran Desert vegetation structure and phenology with ground-based LiDAR
Climate change and plant community composition in national parks of the southwestern US: forecasting regional, long-term effects to meet management needs
Non-USGS Publications**
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
Science and Products
Effects of climate and water balance across grasslands of varying C3 and C4 grass cover
Temperature is better than precipitation as a predictor of plant community assembly across a dryland region
Prestoration: Using species in restoration that will persist now and into the future
Semi-arid vegetation response to antecedent climate and water balance windows
Cumulative drought and land-use impacts on perennial vegetation across a North American dryland region
Rangeland monitoring reveals long-term plant responses to precipitation and grazing at the landscape scale
Long-term shifts in the phenology of rare and endemic Rocky Mountain plants
Desert grassland responses to climate and soil moisture suggest divergent vulnerabilities across the southwestern United States
Repeated landscape-scale treatments following fire suppress a non-native annual grass and promote recovery of native perennial vegetation
Long-term plant responses to climate are moderated by biophysical attributes in a North American desert
Remote sensing of Sonoran Desert vegetation structure and phenology with ground-based LiDAR
Climate change and plant community composition in national parks of the southwestern US: forecasting regional, long-term effects to meet management needs
Non-USGS Publications**
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.