--- Texas A&M AgriLife Research · Vernon, TX
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Regenerative Ecology
Environmental Sustainability
A multidisciplinary lab advancing mechanistic understanding of biogeochemical cycles — from soil microbes to ecosystem-scale processes — to build resilient, sustainable agricultural systems.
40+
PUBLICATIONS
$158M+
IN FUNDING
6
ACTIVE PROJECTS
30+
COLLABORATING INSTITUTIONS
Funding Streams
FEDERAL, STATE, PRIVATE
How can we sustainably meet the growing demand for plant biomass—providing food, feed, and renewable energy for a global population projected to reach 11 billion—while improving the resilience and sustainability of agricultural and managed ecosystems?
RESEARCH AREAS
Six active projects.
Six active projects.
One urgent mission.
One urgent mission.
GRAZINGLANDS-GASES
ADAPTIVE MULTIPADDOCK GRAZING
Evaluating rotational grazing inspired by ancient herds to enhance forage production, carbon accumulation, and water use efficiency while reducing nutrient losses.
CROP-SOIL
MICROBIOLOGICAL BIOFERTILIZERS
Investigating how microalgae-based soil amendments affect productivity, water use efficiency, and carbon accumulation.
BIOCHAR-SOIL
WOODY
ENCROACHMENT
Studying how biochar derived from woody encroachment affects soil health and the impact of woody encroachment on soil carbon dynamics.
BIOENERGY-GASES
BIOENERGY CROPS
Measuring the environmental sustainability of sugarcane and energy cane as advanced biofuel feedstocks in the Southern US.
ENERGY-FOOD
SOLAR GRAZING
Combining solar panels with crops and grazing lands to reduce land competition while boosting climate resilience across US agroecosystems.
ENERGY-FOOD
URBAN AGRIVOLTAICS
Designing integrated layouts for solar panels, horticulture, and grazing in urban environments.
2025
The Carbon Budget of Land Conversion: Sugarcane Expansion in the Southeastern US
Blanc-Betes E, Gomez-Casanovas N, Bernacchi CJ, Boughton EH, Yang W, DeLucia EH
Global Change Biology-Bioenergy
DEC 2025
New grant awarded to investigate the colocation of solar arrays in urban settings
NOV 2025
Stephanie Plaissance joins the lab.
2025
Linking Extracellular Enzyme Activities in Soil Aggregates to Carbon Stabilization Along an Elevational Gradient
Feyissa A, et al.
Catena
Interested in joining the lab?
We welcome prospective graduate students, postdocs, and collaborators passionate about regenerative ecology and environmental sustainability.
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