Randy Jackson

Campbell-Bascom Professor of Grassland Ecology

Department of Plant and Agroecosystem Sciences

College of Agricultural & Life Sciences

Randy Jackson's research takes place at the community and ecosystem ecology levels to analyze large amounts of data from long-term field studies, and his approach is aimed at developing experiments that produce practical management solutions. Jackson’s bioenergy research interests include biofuel cropping systems, and the pros and cons of the ecosystem services they provide. Projects include comparing grass species' carbon-sequestration ability, ecosystem provisioning and regulating services in C3-C4 grass mixes, carbon balance of grasslands under various management regimes, renovation and management effects on pasture productivity and quality under rotational grazing, and promoting establishment and persistence of native C4 grasses in grazed pasture.

  • Structure and function of managed, semi-natural, and natural grassland ecosystems
  • Landscape-level nutrient exchange
  • Ecosystem-level carbon and nutrient cycling
  • Plant community responses to disturbances