Department of Botany, 3165
1000 E.
University Ave.
University of Wyoming
Laramie, WY
82071
Ph. 1-307-766-2380
FAX: 1-307-766-2851
Mark E. Lyford
Education
2001 Ph.D. University of Wyoming
1995 M.S. University of Wyoming
1993 B.A. Saint Olaf College
Research Emphasis
In general, my research interests focus on late Pleistocene and Holocene vegetation and climate change across western North America. In particular, I am interested in the temporal and spatial nature of plant migrations, with a recent emphasis on the Holocene migration of Utah juniper (Juniperus osteosperma). I utilize plant macrofossils preserved in woodrat (Neotoma cinerea) middens as a means to track the migration history of this species. I also study the vegetation-sensing properties of woodrat middens through comparisons of modern middens and the surrounding vegetation. In addition, I am interested in modern synoptic climatology and I am currently exploring ways to integrate this science into the field of paleoclimatology.
Personal Hobbies
The time required by my hobbies seems to exceed the amount of spare time I have these days. I love the outdoors, and consequently, I enjoy backpacking, cross-country skiing, hunting, and fishing. When not outside, I feel great satisfaction spending time in my woodshop building cabinets, clocks, shop equipment, or any sort of knick-knack that requires making sawdust. Woodworking is my therapy. However, my number one hobby these days is spending time with my wife, Jennifer, and my son, Derk, who was born in the summer of 2000.
Research Publications
Lyford, M.E., J.L. Betancourt, S.T. Jackson, & S.T. Gray. Anatomy of a late Holecene plant migration: Influence of environmental heterogeneity and climate variability. Nature (in preparation)
Lyford, M.E., S.T. Jackson, & J.L. Betancourt. Late Holocene synoptic climatology of the Pacific/North American Teleconnection. Geophysical Research Letters (in preparation).
Lyford, M.E., S.T. Jackson, S.T. Gray, K.G. Gerow, &R. Eddy. Are woodrat (Neotoma) middens an accurate sample of vegetation?: a modern comparison. Journal of Ecology (in preparation).
Lyford, M.E., M.A. Smith, & B.L. Perryman. Sagebrush establishment on drastically disturbed lands. Journal of Range Management (in preparation).
Jackson, S.T., M.E. Lyford, &J.L. Betancourt. A 3600-year record of woodland vegetation from Wind River Canyon, central Wyoming. Western North American Naturalist (in review).
Lyford, M.E., J.L. Betancourt, & S.T. Jackson. Holocene vegetation and climate history of the northern Bighorn Basin, southern Montana. Quaternary Research (accepted).
Lyford, M.E. 2001. The roles of dispersal, climate, and topography on the Holocene migration of Utah juniper into Wyoming and southern Montana, Ph.D. Dissertation, Department of Botany, University of Wyoming
Jackson, S.T., & M.E. Lyford. 1999. Pollen dispersal models in Quaternary plant ecology: assumptions, parameters, and prescriptions. Botanical Review 65(1):39-75.
Lyford, M.E. 1995. Shrub establishment on drastically disturbed lands. M.S. Thesis, Department of Rangeland Ecology and Watershed Management, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY.
Lyford, M.E. 1993. Reed Canary grass controls tested (Minnesota). Restoration and Management Notes 11:169.
Education Publications
Lyford, M.E., & J.M. Beiswenger. 2000. Paleoecology as a classroom tool to address global climate change. In: Tested Studies for Laboratory Teaching: Proceedings of the 21st Workshop/Conference of the Association for Biology Laboratory Education (ABLE) (S.J. Karcher, editor). pp. 324-338.
Beiswenger, J.M., & M.E. Lyford. 2000. Pollen Rain: Modern vegetation. In: Plant Science Activities for Secondary Science Teachers (G. Madrazo & S. Dyche, editors). pp. 47-61.
Beiswenger, J.M., & M.E. Lyford. 2000. Pollen Rain: Past vegetation and climate. In: Plant Science Activities for Secondary Science Teachers (G. Madrazo & S. Dyche, editors). pp. 62-71.
Booth, R.K., M.E. Lyford & J.M. Beiswenger. 2000. Paleoecology: Documenting long-term environmental variability. In: Beiswenger, J.M. Life Science: Outlines and Activities. Fifth Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Custom Publishing. pp. 111-122
Lyford, M.E., & J.M. Beiswenger. 1999. Global Ecology: Paleoecology. In: Beiswenger, J.M. Life Science: Outlines and Activities. Fourth Edition. Edina, MN: Burgess Publ. Co. pp. 129-138.
Beiswenger, J.M., & M.E. Lyford. 1998. Paleoecology and Paleontology. In: Beiswenger, J.M. & D.P. Gorski. General Biology Laboratory Manual. Fifth Edition. Edina, MN: Burgess Publ. Co. pp. 119-136.
Published Abstracts
Lyford, M.E., S.T. Jackson, & J.L. Betancourt. 2001. Paleoclimatic evidence for Late Holocene reorganization of atmospheric circulation patterns in the western United States. Pacific Climate Workshop 18th Annual Meeting, Asilomar, California.
Betancourt, J.L, S.T. Jackson, M.E. Lyford, S.T. Gray and J.R. Norris. 2000. Evidence and management implications of ecosystems presently undergoing natural migration. American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, San Francisco, California.
Lyford, M.E., J.L. Betancourt & S.T. Jackson. 2000. The role of dispersal, climate, and topography in the Holocene migration of Utah juniper (Juniperus osteosperma) into Wyoming and southern Montana. Ecological Society of America 85th Annual Meeting, Snowbird, Utah.
Jackson, S.T., J.L Betancourt, M.E. Lyford & S.T. Gray. 2000. Late Quaternary vegetation history of the Flaming Gorge region, Utah/Wyoming. Ecological Society of America 85th Annual Meeting, Snowbird, Utah.
Lyford, M.E., J.L. Betancourt & S.T. Jackson. 2000. Holocene migration of Utah juniper (Juniperus osteosperma) in Wyoming. Society for Range Management 53rd Annual Meeting, Boise, Idaho.
Jackson, S.T., J.L. Betancourt, C.L. Fastie, S.T. Gray, M.E. Lyford & S. Tharnstrom. 2000. Patterns and dynamics of Utah juniper expansion in Wyoming: a multiscale project. Society for Range Management 53rd Annual Meeting, Boise, Idaho.
Betancourt, J.L., K.A. Rylander, T.R. Van Devender, S.T. Jackson & M.E. Lyford. 2000. Late Quaternary history of junipers in Western North America. Society for Range Management 53rd Annual Meeting, Boise, Idaho.
Lyford, M.E., J.L. Betancourt & S.T. Jackson. 1999. Holocene vegetation history of the northern Bighorn Basin, southern Montana. Ecological Society of America 84th Annual Meeting, Spokane, Washington.
Norris, J.R., M.E. Lyford & S.T. Jackson. 1999. Differentiation of lodgepole (Pinus contorta) and ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) pollen in the western interior United States. Ecological Society of America 84th Annual Meeting, Spokane, Washington.
Lyford, M.E., & J.M. Beiswenger. 1997. Paleoecology as a classroom tool to address global climate change. Ecological Society of America 82nd Annual Meeting, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Lyford, M.E. 1993. Control of Reed Canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea) in wetlands. Minnesota Academy of Science.
Workshop Presentations
Lyford, M.E. 2000. History of Utah juniper (Juniperus osteosperma) migration in the Bighorn Basin, Wyoming. Workshop on the Dynamics and Management of Juniper Woodlands in the Bighorn Basin. University of Wyoming and The Nature Conservancy, Tensleep Preserve.
Lyford, M.E., & J.M. Beiswenger. 1999. Paleoecology as a classroom tool to address global climate change. Association for Biology Laboratory Education 21st Annual Meeting, Lincoln, Nebraska.
Invited Talks
Lyford, M.E. 2000. Holocene migration of Utah juniper (Juniperus osteosperma) in Wyoming. Biology Department Seminar Series, Saint Olaf College, Northfield, MN.
Lyford, M.E. 1998. Holocene migration of Utah juniper (Juniperus osteosperma) in Wyoming. Tumamoc Hill Talk Series, U.S. Geological Survey Desert Lab, Tucson, AZ.