John Sowell

I teach courses in ecology and plant biology and have particularly enjoyed providing students with field experiences through extended trips into the arid Southwest and backcountry trips into the wilderness of the Gunnison Basin. 

My interests include the physiological stresses imposed upon trees at their distributional limits and the dynamics of ecotones in the Upper Gunnison Basin. Research projects have investigated the physiology of trees at alpine timberline, the successional status of aspen, the factors that prevent trees from becoming established in subalpine meadows (parks), and the mapping of vegetation in the Upper Gunnison Basin. My research projects have been driven by student interest and designed to maximize student participation.

On a somewhat related vein, I am intrigued by the adaptations that allow plants and animals to survive extreme conditions. This interest led me to write a desert ecology text that was published in 2001 by the University of Utah Press. Chapter study guides are available.

• The influence of light on winter stomatal conductance of Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii [Parry] Engelm.) and bristlecone pine (Pinus aristata Engelm.). Stacey Clark and John Sowell.
• Effect of temperature and humidity on the cuticular conductance of Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii)  and bristlecone pine (Pinus aristata) needles. Tom McGinnis, Stacey Clark, and John Sowell.
• Digital land-cover map of the Gunnison Basin, Colorado (Phase 2). Ralph Falsetto, Joanna Soceka, John Sowell, and Allen Stork. [report]
  
• Condition of heavily-grazed riparian areas of the Gunnison Basin. Gay Austin and John Sowell.
• Long-term monitoring of riparian condition in the West Elk Wilderness. Andy Schauer and John Sowell.
• Digital land cover map of the Gunnison Basin, Colorado. Ralph Falsetto, Patrick Kline, John Sowell, and Allen Stork. [report]
• Changes in aspen communities over 30 years in Gunnison County, Colorado. Jeremy Crawford, Seth McNulty, Michael Morgan, and John Sowell.
• Persistence of subalpine forest-meadow ecotones in the Gunnison Basin, Colorado. Andy Schauer, Brian Wade, and John Sowell.
• Biocontrol of Canada thistle. Michael Miller and John Sowell
• The role of stem recharge in reducing the winter desiccation of Picea engelmannii (Pinaceae) needles at alpine timberline. Seth McNulty, Brad Schilling, and John Sowell.
  

Education

Academic Positions

• Professor of Biology, Western State College of Colorado, 1997-present
• Associate Professor of Biology, Western State College of Colorado, 1991-1997
• Associate Professor of Biology, Southwest State University (Minnesota), 1989-1991
• Assistant Professor of Biology, Southwest State University (Minnesota), 1985-1989
• Instructor, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, 1983-1984

Administrative Positions

• Vice President for Academic Affairs, Western State College of Colorado, 2002-2011
• Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, Western State College of Colorado, 2000-2002

State and Non-Profit Service

• Colorado Making Opportunity Affordable Team, Department of Higher Education; member, 2008-2009
• Governor Bill Ritter, Jr.’s P-20 Education Coordinating Council (Colorado), 2007-2010
• Colorado Department of Higher Education’s General Education Committee; member, 2004-2011
• Office of Resource Efficiency (Crested Butte and Gunnison, Colorado) Board of Directors; member, 2004-2007
• Colorado Department of Higher Education’s Academic Council; member, 2003-2011
• Colorado Trail Foundation (Golden, Colorado) Board of Directors; member, 1991-1997; chair, Education Committee; 1993-1997

© 2009 Western State College of Colorado
Updated 06/11