John Sowell
Professor of Biology and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Education
- Ph.D., University of Idaho, Biological Sciences
- B.S., University of California, Davis, Botany
Teaching Interests
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.
Research Interests
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.
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.
Student Research Projects Supervised
- 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.
© 2009 Western State College of Colorado
Updated 07/09
