We investigate how ecosystem responses to global change drivers are mediated by biotic processes. Specifically, we study how ecosystem function is influenced by mutualisms, competition, consumers, and alterations in abiotic resource availability. Projects in our lab examine a diverse suite of global change drivers, such as nutrient deposition and runoff, consumer loss, altered climatic regimes, and species invasions. We use a variety of techniques to investigate ecosystem responses to global change agents, including long-term experiments, observational data collection, and statistical data synthesis.
We work across a broad range of sites within the United States, studying species invasions in California grasslands, rangeland sustainability in Montana, Wyoming, and Kansas, grassland dynamics in Kansas, forest dynamics in Maryland, and soybean agriculture in Maryland.
Land Acknowledgement
The Community Dynamics Lab currently physically conducts research in North Carolina, Kansas, and Iowa, as well as engages in global data syntheses. Throughout human history, many indigenous groups have stewarded these lands they call home. Colonization and imperialism have forced the removal and displacement of many of these groups. We recognize that we actively benefit from this legacy of colonization and imperialism as we conduct science on these lands, and many indigenous groups have been and continue to develop their own traditional ecological knowledge of the area.
Below are the names of the indigenous groups that are associated with the land where we physically conduct research. As we strive to learn more about the lands and people who inhabit them, we will continue to update this list. North Carolina has been home to many Indigenous peoples at various points in time, including the tribes of: Bear River/Bay River, Cape Fear, yeh is-WAH h’reh (Catawba), Chowanoke, Coharie, Coree, Croatoan, Eastern Band of Cherokee, Eno, Haliwa Saponi, Keyauwee, Lumbee , Machapunga, Meherrin, Moratoc, Muscogee, Ani'-Na'tsl (Natchez), Neusiok, Occaneechi , Pamlico, Roanoke-Hatteras, Saponi, Shakori, Saura/Cheraw, Sissipahaw, Skarù:ręʔ (Skarure), Sugeree, Waccamaw Siouan, Wateree, Woccon, Yeopim/Weapemeoc, and Yattken/Yattkin (Yadkin). At the Konza Prairie Biological Station, in northeastern Kansas, these tribes include: Kaáⁿze (Kaw/Kanza), Kickapoo, and Osage. Within Johnson, Iowa, and Washington counties in Iowa these tribes include: Meškwahki·aša·hina (Fox), Báxoje Máyaⁿ (Ioway), Kiikaapoi (Kickapoo), Očhéthi Šakówiŋ, and oθaakiiwaki‧hina‧ki (Sauk).
The Community Dynamics Lab currently physically conducts research in North Carolina, Kansas, and Iowa, as well as engages in global data syntheses. Throughout human history, many indigenous groups have stewarded these lands they call home. Colonization and imperialism have forced the removal and displacement of many of these groups. We recognize that we actively benefit from this legacy of colonization and imperialism as we conduct science on these lands, and many indigenous groups have been and continue to develop their own traditional ecological knowledge of the area.
Below are the names of the indigenous groups that are associated with the land where we physically conduct research. As we strive to learn more about the lands and people who inhabit them, we will continue to update this list. North Carolina has been home to many Indigenous peoples at various points in time, including the tribes of: Bear River/Bay River, Cape Fear, yeh is-WAH h’reh (Catawba), Chowanoke, Coharie, Coree, Croatoan, Eastern Band of Cherokee, Eno, Haliwa Saponi, Keyauwee, Lumbee , Machapunga, Meherrin, Moratoc, Muscogee, Ani'-Na'tsl (Natchez), Neusiok, Occaneechi , Pamlico, Roanoke-Hatteras, Saponi, Shakori, Saura/Cheraw, Sissipahaw, Skarù:ręʔ (Skarure), Sugeree, Waccamaw Siouan, Wateree, Woccon, Yeopim/Weapemeoc, and Yattken/Yattkin (Yadkin). At the Konza Prairie Biological Station, in northeastern Kansas, these tribes include: Kaáⁿze (Kaw/Kanza), Kickapoo, and Osage. Within Johnson, Iowa, and Washington counties in Iowa these tribes include: Meškwahki·aša·hina (Fox), Báxoje Máyaⁿ (Ioway), Kiikaapoi (Kickapoo), Očhéthi Šakówiŋ, and oθaakiiwaki‧hina‧ki (Sauk).
Recent Happenings:
April 2025: Kai DeLeon received an Honorable Mention from the NSF GRFP. Amazing work Kai!
April 2025: Elliot Turbeville presented the results of their independent research project at UNCG's Undergraduate Research, Scholarship, and Creativity Expo. Nice work Elliot!
December 2025: Congratulations to our December graduate, Ryan Hargrove!
November 2025: Ryan Hargrove presented his undergraduate honor's research on the impacts of drought, herbivore, and light stress on gingerol production in ginger plants at the State of North Carolina Undergraduate Research and Creativity Symposium. Great job Ryan!
August 2025: Starting the new academic year strong with several new lab members, including Master's student Kai DeLeon and undergraduate researchers Caden Brady, Samantha Esparza, Sarah Hill, Lynn Dabliz, and Cailin Nazworth. Learn more about our newest lab members here!
August 2025: We headed up to Baltimore for the annual Ecological Society of America meeting, with great presentations by Rachael Brenneman, Elise Grabda, and Kelly Clark. A super fun week reconnecting with friends and science, reminding us that Ecology is Everywhere!
June 2025: The lab traveled to Konza Prairie for summer field work on grassland restoration and woody encroachment, including poster presentations at the annual investigators meeting by Rachael Brenneman, Elise Grabda, and undergraduate researchers Elliot Turbeville!
May 2025: The lab group had so many great accomplishments during the 2024-2025 academic year! Kelly Clark received a Hayes Fellowship for her first year of graduate school, Elise Grabda received a McIver Inclusiveness Fellowship, Elise also received both the Monroe and Weaver grants for her research, Ryan Hargrove and Elliot Tubreville both received URCA funding for their summer research, Millie Ortiz successfully defended her Master's thesis, Olivia Kjuka and Elise Grabda successfully proposed their thesis/dissertations, and we had lots of papers accepted/published over the course of the year! Way to go team!
May 9, 2025: Congratulations to our lab graduates! Millie Ortiz (MS) and many undergraduate students, Holly Cha, Leslie DeCuesta, Alexis Dodd, Layla Eglin, ZaNay Forney, and Yoseph Sabek!
April 2025: Elliot Turbeville presented the results of their independent research project at UNCG's Undergraduate Research, Scholarship, and Creativity Expo. Nice work Elliot!
December 2025: Congratulations to our December graduate, Ryan Hargrove!
November 2025: Ryan Hargrove presented his undergraduate honor's research on the impacts of drought, herbivore, and light stress on gingerol production in ginger plants at the State of North Carolina Undergraduate Research and Creativity Symposium. Great job Ryan!
August 2025: Starting the new academic year strong with several new lab members, including Master's student Kai DeLeon and undergraduate researchers Caden Brady, Samantha Esparza, Sarah Hill, Lynn Dabliz, and Cailin Nazworth. Learn more about our newest lab members here!
August 2025: We headed up to Baltimore for the annual Ecological Society of America meeting, with great presentations by Rachael Brenneman, Elise Grabda, and Kelly Clark. A super fun week reconnecting with friends and science, reminding us that Ecology is Everywhere!
June 2025: The lab traveled to Konza Prairie for summer field work on grassland restoration and woody encroachment, including poster presentations at the annual investigators meeting by Rachael Brenneman, Elise Grabda, and undergraduate researchers Elliot Turbeville!
May 2025: The lab group had so many great accomplishments during the 2024-2025 academic year! Kelly Clark received a Hayes Fellowship for her first year of graduate school, Elise Grabda received a McIver Inclusiveness Fellowship, Elise also received both the Monroe and Weaver grants for her research, Ryan Hargrove and Elliot Tubreville both received URCA funding for their summer research, Millie Ortiz successfully defended her Master's thesis, Olivia Kjuka and Elise Grabda successfully proposed their thesis/dissertations, and we had lots of papers accepted/published over the course of the year! Way to go team!
May 9, 2025: Congratulations to our lab graduates! Millie Ortiz (MS) and many undergraduate students, Holly Cha, Leslie DeCuesta, Alexis Dodd, Layla Eglin, ZaNay Forney, and Yoseph Sabek!
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