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Jim Ehleringer

Distinguished Professor

Ph.D. Stanford University


Office/Building: ASB 522A
Phone: 801-971-6004
Email: jim.ehleringer@utah.edu
Ehleringer Lab: http://ecophys.utah.edu/

Research Statement


Humans are having an ever-increasing influence on Earth, resulting in global changes that impact ecological systems and ecological cycles. These global changes include altering the trace gas composition of the atmosphere, changing the abundances and distributions of water and nutrients, and facilitating the spread of invasive species. In the Ehleringer Lab, we studied the interactions among the global change drivers, ecosystem form and function, and the responses of plant species. Our experimental approaches included physiological flux measurements, stable isotope analyses, and geographic information system (GIS) modeling. Student and postdoc research included animal physiology, anthropology, diet reconstruction, and fundamental forensic science interests.

Research Interests


General Interests
Specific Interests
  • Global change ecology
  • Urban ecology
  • Plant adaptation

Courses Taught


  • Biol 5460 & 5465: Plant Ecology and Lab
  • Biol 5470 & 5475: Stable Isotopes in Ecosystems
  • Biol 7473 & 7475: Stable Isotope Biogeochemistry and Ecology
  • Biol 6921: Isotopics
  • Biol 1620: Fundamentals of Biology II