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
Research Interests
My interests include treelines and the physiological
stresses imposed upon trees at their distributional limits. The
physiological stresses imposed upon trees during the long, cold winters
at alpine timberline have been a long-standing interest. More generally
I am interested in the distribution and dynamics of plants in the
Upper Gunnison Basin. Research projects have investigated 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
largely 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. [report]
- 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.
© 2007 Western State College of Colorado
Updated 01/07