Sara Souther

About

Dr. Sara Souther is an Assistant Professor in the School of Earth and Sustainability at Northern Arizona University, where she has been a faculty member since 2017. She is a core member of the Center for Adaptable Western Landscapes and leads research on plant conservation biology and population ecology.

Research Interests

Population Ecology and Demographic Modeling

• Demographic analysis of endangered and rare plant species
• Integral Projection Models (IPMs) for population dynamics
• Population viability analysis and extinction risk assessment
• Life history trait analysis and demographic vital rates
• Population structure and genetic connectivity studies

Conservation Biology and Endangered Species

• Conservation strategies for threatened and endangered plant species
• Habitat management and restoration for rare species
• Population monitoring and assessment protocols
• Species recovery planning and implementation
• Conservation genetics and population connectivity

Indigenous Resource Management and Conservation

• Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) integration with scientific research
• Local and Indigenous conservation practices
• Collaborative approaches to resource management
• Cultural and ecological value systems in conservation
• Community-based conservation initiatives

Restoration Ecology

• Restoration of grassland ecosystems in the Southwest
• Forest restoration and management strategies
• Native plant propagation and reestablishment
• Ecosystem restoration monitoring and assessment
• Human-environment interaction effects on restoration success

Education

• Ph.D. Biology, West Virginia University (2011)
• David H. Smith Conservation Research Postdoctoral Fellowship, University of Wisconsin, Madison (2011-2014)
• B.S. Biology, West Virginia University (2003)
• B.A. Sociology and Anthropology, West Virginia University (2003)

Professional Experience

Academic Positions

• Assistant Professor, Northern Arizona University (2020-present)
• Assistant Research Professor, Northern Arizona University (2018-2020)
• Research Faculty, Northern Arizona University (2017-2018)
• Assistant Professor, West Virginia Wesleyan College (2014-2016)
• Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Wisconsin, Madison (2011-2014)

Research Leadership

• Core Member, Center for Adaptable Western Landscapes
• Principal Investigator, NSF, NOAA and multiple state and federal research projects
• Collaborator, Multi-institutional conservation initiatives

Research Impact

Dr. Souther has made significant contributions to conservation biology and plant ecology with over 900 citations of her research across 30+ peer-reviewed publications. Her work spans ecosystems from Alaska to Arizona and directly informs conservation management decisions.

Major Research Projects

Endangered Species Conservation

Pectis imberbis (Beardless Chinchweed) Research

• Comprehensive demographic analysis of endangered plant in Arizona Sky Islands
• Population viability modeling using Integral Projection Models
• Genetic connectivity studies across fragmented populations
• Management recommendations for species recovery

Traditional Ecological Knowledge Integration

Indigenous Conservation Practices

• Collaborative research with tribal communities
• Traditional management integration with scientific approaches
• Cultural value documentation in conservation planning
• Community-based monitoring program development

Restoration Ecology Research

Southwestern Ecosystem Restoration

• Grassland restoration effectiveness studies
• Forest restoration monitoring and assessment
• Native species reestablishment protocols
• Human impact mitigation strategies

Center for Adaptable Western Landscapes

As a core member of CAWL, Dr. Souther contributes to:

• Landscape-scale conservation planning and implementation
• Collaborative research across multiple institutions
• Science-policy integration for land management decisions

Professional Service

Graduate Student Support

• Committee Member, DIGS, School of Earth and Sustainability
• Mentor, Research in STEM

Professional Organizations

• Lifetime Member, Society for Conservation Biology
• Active participant, Ecological Society of America

Awards and Recognition

• David H. Smith Conservation Research Fellowship - Prestigious postdoctoral fellowship
• Excellence in Research - Multiple departmental and university awards
• Community Engagement Recognition - Awards for outreach and diversity work
• Conservation Leadership - Recognition from professional organizations

Teaching and Outreach

Course Development

• Foundations of ecology
• Traditional ecological knowledge and conservation
• Field methods in conservation biology

Public Engagement

• Science communication with diverse outlets
• Community workshops on plant conservation
• K-12 educational programs in STEM
• Media engagement on conservation issues

Conservation Impact

Dr. Souther’s research has directly informed:

• Endangered Species Act listing and recovery planning
• Habitat management strategies for rare plants
• Restoration protocols for southwestern ecosystems
• Traditional ecological knowledge recognition in conservation policy
• Community engagement models for conservation research

Legacy and Vision

Dr. Souther’s career represents innovative integration of scientific rigor with community engagement to guide conservation action. Her work has advanced both the theoretical understanding of plant population dynamics and the practical application of conservation science for endangered species recovery while promoting inclusive, collaborative approaches to environmental research and management. Gemini Gemini in Drive doesn’t support text files Gemini in Workspace can make mistakes, so double-check responses. Learn more