Sam Simkin

Samuel M. Simkin is a Research Scientist at the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON), where he specializes in terrestrial observations and ecological data. He has been with NEON since March 2017 and is involved in enhancing the availability and quality of terrestrial data across various ecosystems.24

Educational Background

• Ph.D. in Natural Resources with a focus on Biogeochemistry from Cornell University.
• M.S. in Conservation Ecology and Sustainable Development from the University of Georgia.

Research Focus

Simkin's research primarily addresses:

• Plant Ecology: Investigating the effects of atmospheric deposition, particularly nitrogen and sulfur, on plant species.
• Wetland Ecology: Studying the interactions between soil chemistry and plant diversity in wetland ecosystems.13
• Ecosystem Vulnerability: Conducting assessments on how ecosystems respond to environmental changes, particularly in relation to nutrient deposition.12

Publications and Contributions

He has authored numerous publications, contributing significantly to the understanding of ecological dynamics through studies on:

• The vulnerability of herbaceous species to atmospheric deposition.
• Soil disturbance effects on plant recruitment in longleaf pine ecosystems.13

Simkin's work is essential for advancing ecological research and informing conservation strategies in response to environmental challenges.