Seth Munson
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smmunson.bsky.social
Seth Munson
@smmunson.bsky.social
650 followers 110 following 52 posts

Plant, ecosystem, restoration ecologist in the southwestern US researching global drylands.

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Environmental science 80%
Geography 20%
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smmunson.bsky.social
Seth Munson @smmunson.bsky.social · 10d
Thanks for covering this. Many U.S. fed scientists have strict travel caps or are not receiving approval to attend

smmunson.bsky.social
Seth Munson @smmunson.bsky.social · 10d
“Notably, desert species had the most cold and heat tolerant leaves, and therefore the widest thermal tolerance breadth”
journalofecology.bsky.social Journal of Ecology @journalofecology.bsky.social · 10d
Published!📖

Plants have remarkably wide thermal tolerance breadth. By measuring both heat and cold tolerance in 69 diverse species from 3 contrasting biomes in the field, we revealed associations between physiological tolerance and local climate factors🏔️

Read more:https://buff.ly/i5DcHsY

Reposted by Seth M. Munson

journalofecology.bsky.social
Journal of Ecology @journalofecology.bsky.social · 10d
Published!📖

Plants have remarkably wide thermal tolerance breadth. By measuring both heat and cold tolerance in 69 diverse species from 3 contrasting biomes in the field, we revealed associations between physiological tolerance and local climate factors🏔️

Read more:https://buff.ly/i5DcHsY

Reposted by Seth M. Munson

science.org
Science Magazine @science.org · 15d
Long before flowers dazzled pollinators with brilliant colors and sweet scents, ancient plants used another feature to signal insects: heat. The findings in Science offer insights into what shaped the earliest eras of plant-animal coevolution.

Read more in this week's issue: https://scim.ag/4rVtArQ
Cycad plants use thermogenesis to warm their reproductive cones. A beetle dusted with pollen and fluorescent dyes lands on the warm cone of a cycad. High concentrations of dye have been deposited on the cone’s hottest regions during previous visits by other labeled beetles. Beetle pollinators use these thermal infrared patterns as a guide to locate host pollen and ovulate cones.

smmunson.bsky.social
Seth Munson @smmunson.bsky.social · 16d
This paper was led by two top-notch early career researchers Laura Shriver and Sarah Costanzo

smmunson.bsky.social
Seth Munson @smmunson.bsky.social · 16d
Seed-based restoration often fails. Find out how seed enhancement technologies can improve outcomes by shifting emergence to target favorable climate windows and bet-hedge against variable precipitation. Our new paper in @restorationecology.bsky.social

onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Seed coating treatments alter emergence timing of native Intermountain West U.S. grasses under different regimes of water availability
We demonstrate that seed coatings can alter seedling emergence percent and timing across different timings and amounts of water availability in a greenhouse setting. Seed coatings designed to acceler...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com

Reposted by Seth M. Munson, Drew Peltier, Tyson Wepprich

jbyoder.org
Jeremy "abiding in the fields" Yoder 🌲⭐️🐑🌙🌟🌲 @jbyoder.org · 16d
I started getting reports of an unseasonal Joshua tree bloom in the last few weeks, and looking over records on @inaturalist.bsky.social it's pretty widespread! So we're putting out the call for folks to record this "bonus bloom" and help us study it 🌿

lab.jbyoder.org/2025/12/10/w...
Weird wet weather has Joshua trees flowering early — or late? Help the Yoder Lab map this “bonus bloom” to understand why
A flowering tree in Yucca Valley, CA, observed by iNaturalist contributor wanderingmojave on December 9. A tree with lots of flowers in Tehachapi, CA, observed by iNaturalist contributor tina9294 o…
lab.jbyoder.org

Reposted by Seth M. Munson

esa-sw.bsky.social
ESA Southwestern Chapter @esa-sw.bsky.social · 17d
Meet the 2026 team for the ESA Southwest Chapter! 🌵☀️ We're super excited to serve our community and support your science in any way we can! Got questions or ideas? Send them our way! Stay tuned for introduction posts of each of our amazing new leaders!

smmunson.bsky.social
Seth Munson @smmunson.bsky.social · 27d
We compared the responses of aboveground and seed bank communities at five perennial grass-dominated sites across an elevational gradient to 6 years of extreme drought and deluge. New paper led by Jenny Gremer

link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Divergent responses of seed banks and aboveground vegetation to drought and deluge in grasslands across an elevational gradient - Oecologia
Increased variability in precipitation associated with climate change creates extreme conditions of drought and deluge that can have profound effects on the abundance and composition of plant communit...
link.springer.com

smmunson.bsky.social
Seth Munson @smmunson.bsky.social · 28d
Can rare species coexist with energy generation from large solar facilities? We show this may be possible with alternative construction methods that reduce disturbance. #ecovolataics

www.frontiersin.org/journals/eco...
Frontiers | Rare milkvetch (Astragalus) persistence at a utility-scale solar energy facility in the Mojave Desert
Utility-scale solar energy (USSE) development is driving the projected growth in global renewable energy capacity but comes with environmental tradeoffs. New...
www.frontiersin.org

Reposted by Seth M. Munson, Joan Dudney

globalchangebio.bsky.social
Global Change Biology @globalchangebio.bsky.social · Nov 12
Insights Into Water Vapor Uptake by Dry Soils Using a Global Eddy Covariance Observation Network

🔗 buff.ly/O9bovwm

Reposted by Seth M. Munson

tomgillpredicts.bsky.social
Tom Gill @tomgillpredicts.bsky.social · Nov 11
A wetter future for the Sahara?
www.sciencedaily.com/releases/202...
Scientists predict a wetter, greener future for the Sahara Desert
UIC researchers predict that the Sahara Desert could see up to 75% more rain by the end of this century due to rising global temperatures. Using 40 climate models, the team found widespread precipitat...
www.sciencedaily.com

Reposted by Seth M. Munson

restorecal.bsky.social
Dr. Elise Gornish @restorecal.bsky.social · Nov 11
Call to Artists – Grant Opportunity for Projects about Invasive Plants in the Sonoran Desert: artsfoundtucson.org/call-to-arti...
Call to Artists - Grant Opportunity for Projects about Invasive Plants in the Sonoran Desert - Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona
Now accepting proposals for one $3,000 grant to fund an art project that promotes increased public understanding around the issue of invasive plants in the Sonoran Desert. Proposed projects must […]
artsfoundtucson.org

Reposted by Stephen D. Murphy, Seth M. Munson, Billur Bektaş

esajournals.bsky.social
ESA Journals @esajournals.bsky.social · Nov 10
🆕 in "Ecological Monographs": Static models miss the mark—adding nonlinear, density-based facilitation helps predict coexistence, persistence, and realistic community dynamics

📄Neighbor density-dependent facilitation promotes coexistence and internal oscillation
doi.org/10.1002/ecm....
Schematic illustrating how species interactions can depend on neighborhood density and identity.

Reposted by Jens‐Christian Svenning, Brian J. Enquist, Julie L. Lockwood , and 4 more

milanchytry.bsky.social
Milan Chytrý @milanchytry.bsky.social · Nov 10
Our new paper in Ecology Letters, led by Jan Divíšek, shows that non-invasive alien plant species that successfully establish within local plant communities tend to resemble the resident native species. In contrast, invasive alien species usually differ from native plants.
doi.org/10.1111/ele....

Reposted by Seth M. Munson

restorecal.bsky.social
Dr. Elise Gornish @restorecal.bsky.social · Nov 8
Bridging theory and practice to inform seed selection for restoration: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1...
Bridging theory and practice to inform seed selection for restoration
Key differences between the agency guidance and scientific literature indicate opportunities to integrate theory and practice to improve seed selection. Research and guidance to mitigate the genetic ....
onlinelibrary.wiley.com

Reposted by Brian J. Enquist, Monica G. Turner, Jason Stajich , and 5 more

seemasheth.bsky.social
Seema Sheth @seemasheth.bsky.social · Nov 7
Amy Angert and I are recruiting a #postdoc to participate in a collaborative NSF-funded study of demographic responses to climate across the geographic range of the scarlet monkeyflower. Please repost! jobs.ncsu.edu/postings/224...

Reposted by Julian Schrader, Seth M. Munson

jvs-avs.bsky.social
Journal of Vegetation & Applied Vegetation Science @jvs-avs.bsky.social · Nov 3
‼️ Call for papers!
We're looking forward to your submissions to our Special Feature on “Scaling laws in (vegetation) ecology”
🌿First deadline for abstract submission: 30 November 2025
🌿Second deadline: Spring 2026
🌿Last deadline: Summer 2026
Invitation to contribute to a Special Feature on “Scaling laws in (vegetation) ecology” in the Journal of Vegetation Science - vegsciblog.org
Posted by Jürgen Dengler (Chair of the Guest Editors) Outline: Scaling laws are ubiquitous in ecology. Ignoring them can lead
vegsciblog.org

Reposted by Aníbal Pauchard, Ben Bond‐Lamberty, Seth M. Munson

botsocamerica.bsky.social
Botanical Society of America @botsocamerica.bsky.social · Oct 30
🔥🌱 The new #AJB Special Issue, “Understanding novel #fire regimes using plant trait‐based approaches," is now online! 🌱🔥

This issue features studies from evolutionary, ecological, organismal, physiological, fire management & conservation perspectives.

bsapubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/15372197...
Prescribed ecological burn conducted at Como in southeastern Queensland, Australia. Fires were implemented in either autumn or winter, and obligate seeding species were subsequently monitored over time to see if recovery differed with fire seasonality. The work was undertaken as a joint collaboration between the University of New South Wales (Sydney, Australia), Queensland Fire and Biodiversity Consortium, Queensland Parks and Wildlife and HQ Plantations. (Photo credit: Mark Ooi.)

Reposted by Ben Bond‐Lamberty, Stephen D. Murphy, Seth M. Munson , and 3 more

magdagarbowski.bsky.social
Magda Garbowski @magdagarbowski.bsky.social · Oct 23
Hello! I’m recruiting three graduate students (MS or PhD) to start in summer or fall 2026 . Projects are broadly focused on the ecology, restoration, and management of rangelands, deserts, and forests. Please share!

Lab website: functionalrestoration.nmsu.edu
Students collecting vegetation data in the Organ Mountains Plants with soil and roots Students collecting plants from forest understory

Reposted by Brian J. Enquist, Kevin J. Anchukaitis

smmunson.bsky.social
Seth Munson @smmunson.bsky.social · Oct 21
Court document reveals that the USGS Ecosystems Mission Area would be cut severely, and maybe entirely, along with critical natural resource management staff. This would be devastating for our public lands!
virginiagewin.bsky.social Virginia Gewin @virginiagewin.bsky.social · Oct 21
“The Monday filing outlines where 2,050 positions would be eliminated; the U.S. Geological Survey, the Bureau of Land Management, and the main Interior office would be especially hard hit. Regional offices with the National Park Service are also targeted for significant cuts.”
Inside Trump's plan to eviscerate USGS and beyond - Center for Western Priorities
Forced by a federal judge to partially reveal plans for firing federal employees, the Trump administration on Monday said it plans to “imminently” terminate more than 2,000 employees at the Interior d...
westernpriorities.org

Reposted by Brian J. Enquist, Kevin J. Anchukaitis, Patrick A. Jansen , and 1 more

virginiagewin.bsky.social
Virginia Gewin @virginiagewin.bsky.social · Oct 21
“The Monday filing outlines where 2,050 positions would be eliminated; the U.S. Geological Survey, the Bureau of Land Management, and the main Interior office would be especially hard hit. Regional offices with the National Park Service are also targeted for significant cuts.”
Inside Trump's plan to eviscerate USGS and beyond - Center for Western Priorities
Forced by a federal judge to partially reveal plans for firing federal employees, the Trump administration on Monday said it plans to “imminently” terminate more than 2,000 employees at the Interior d...
westernpriorities.org

Reposted by Fernando T. Maestre, Klaus E. Meyer, A. E. Dessler , and 4 more

science.org
Science Magazine @science.org · Oct 21
Although many ecosystems can weather several years of moderate drought, consecutive years of extreme dryness push them past a tipping point, resulting in dramatic declines in plant growth, researchers report in Science. https://scim.ag/4ogN9I8
Drought intensity and duration interact to magnify losses in primary productivity
As droughts become longer and more intense, impacts on terrestrial primary productivity are expected to increase progressively. Yet, some ecosystems appear to acclimate to multiyear drought, with cons...
scim.ag

Reposted by Meelis Pärtel, Akira Mori, Ben Bond‐Lamberty , and 4 more

droughtnet.bsky.social
DroughtNet @droughtnet.bsky.social · Oct 16
The latest DroughtNet paper is out in Science today! Using coordinated experiments across six continents and 74 sites, the International Drought Experiment found differences between the effects of extreme droughts and more typical droughts... (1/3) www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Drought intensity and duration interact to magnify losses in primary productivity
As droughts become longer and more intense, impacts on terrestrial primary productivity are expected to increase progressively. Yet, some ecosystems appear to acclimate to multiyear drought, with cons...
www.science.org

smmunson.bsky.social
Seth Munson @smmunson.bsky.social · Oct 13
I’ve had as many as 14 and definitely have invited more recently. Need a new model for journal reviews

Reposted by Seth M. Munson, Korina Ocampo‐Zuleta

botsocamerica.bsky.social
Botanical Society of America @botsocamerica.bsky.social · Oct 13
🔥🌱 From the upcoming #AJB Special Issue: “Understanding novel #fire regimes using plant trait‐based approaches" 🌱🔥

Modifications in fire frequency impact belowground plant components in old-growth grasslands, posing risks to their resilience

doi.org/10.1002/ajb2... @leveg.bsky.social
Campos Rupestres landscape with open-field vegetation. On the right, two images show belowground organs: above, samples of belowground bud-bearing organs; below, samples of fine roots.

Reposted by Seth M. Munson

droughtnet.bsky.social
DroughtNet @droughtnet.bsky.social · Oct 11
We are really excited to announce… that our next big DroughtNet paper will be published… next week. And that’s about all we can say for now! 😁
🧪🌐🌎🌍🌏
🚫💧☘️🌾🗓️
A view from underneath a rainout shelter made of clear corrugated plastic slats on a wood frame at the Purdue Wildlife Area, near West Lafayette, Indiana. These shelters reduced precipitation in a restored prairie as part of the International Drought Experiment. Credit: Jeff Dukes

smmunson.bsky.social
Seth Munson @smmunson.bsky.social · Oct 6
We mapped invasive grasses at very high resolution using UAS and satellite imagery in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem to help land managers detect them early, monitor their spread, and develop strategies to reduce their abundance.

link.springer.com/article/10.1...
UAS and high-resolution satellite imagery improve the accuracy of cheatgrass detection across an invaded Yellowstone landscape - Landscape Ecology
Context Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum L.) is a problem across the western United States, where it outcompetes and replaces native grass species, alters habitats, and increases the risk of wildfires. Cheatgrass greens up earlier in the growing season compared to native grasses, making it classifiable with multi-temporal and multi-spectral remote sensing. Objectives We mapped cheatgrass at different scales in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem using 10-m Sentinel-2 imagery, 3-m PlanetScope, and 10-cm Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) imagery. We compared these maps to field-collected data to address 1) variation in seasonal phenological signals of native and cheatgrass patches, 2) the influence of scale on detectability and map accuracy across our study area. Results Model accuracy to predict cheatgrass presence increased with imagery resolution and ranged from 83% using 10-m Sentinel-2 to 94% with the integration of PlanetScope and UAS imagery. While there was spatial agreement across models, the fusion of UAS data with satellite sources allowed the detection of small cheatgrass with more precision. Our novel use of NExR and dNExR (a redness and differenced redness index) data in the classification of cheatgrass capitalizes on the senescence of cheatgrass during peak summer periods where cloud free imagery is more prevalent. Conclusions Our satellite and UAS-based models of cheatgrass prediction compare the fusion of very high resolution imagery and phenological time differencing to identify infested areas. Tradeoffs between accuracy and expense lead to important questions for management applications.
link.springer.com

Reposted by Kevin J. Anchukaitis, Julie L. Lockwood, Seth M. Munson

susancosier.bsky.social
Susan Cosier @susancosier.bsky.social · Oct 3
USGS scientists tell us about the effects of invasive species & climate change. Yet their fate, like many other federal employees who work in science & the environment, is unknown. My latest for @nrdc.org. Thank you to @meadekrosby.bsky.social, John Organ, Ed Arnett, and others for speaking with me.
The Attacks on Science Continue—This Time at the USGS
From sea level rise to bee populations, the agency’s wildlife and climate programs shed light on the world around us.
www.nrdc.org

smmunson.bsky.social
Seth Munson @smmunson.bsky.social · Oct 3
I wasn’t a fan of this format at the last SER. Takes away from the fun engagement and freedom to walk the aisles and check results at any level after a long day of talks