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.