Lan Xu

Education

Ph.D. 1998; Rangeland Ecology, Minor in Statistics, North Dakota State University
M.S. 1988; Plant Ecology, University of Science and Technology, Institute of Applied Ecology of Chinese Academy of Sciences, PR China
B.S. 1985; Botany, Shanxi University, PR China

Academic Interests

Spatial distribution of vegetation in relation to environmental gradient factors
Reclamation/restoration of disturbed lands and vegetation succession in semiarid and arid regions
Understanding how plants adapt and grow sustainably in changing environments
Plant-animal interaction, in particular, effects of grazing, competition, and climate (e.g. drought) on plant survival, production, and reproductive strategy
Ecology of invasive plant species/Soil seed and bud bank

Plant Ecology, Rangeland Ecology

Academic Responsibilities

Advanced Plant Ecology (BOT 715/715L)
Grassland Fire Ecology (RANG 421-521)
Plant Ecology (BOT 419/419L)
Principles of Ecology (NRM 311)
Principles of Ecology Laboratory (NRM 311L)
Rangeland Assessment & Monitoring (RANG 425/425L-525/525L)
Undergrad Research/Scholarship (BOT 498)
International Experience -Arctic (ABS 482/582)
Taught
Biosurvey I (BIOL101/101L)
Biosurvey II (BIOL 103/103L)
General Biology -Honor (BIOL 151/151L)

Awards and Honors

Gamma Sigma Delta The Honor Society of Agriculture Teaching Award, 2017
David W. Willis Faculty Excellence Award, 2016
F.O. Butler Foundation Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching, 2007
Nominee and Certificate A community of Scholars Honoring Excellence for the Food and Agricultural Sciences Excellence in College and University Teaching Award by USDA- Higher Education Programs, Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, and American Association of State Colleges and Universities; 2007, 2008, 2009.
National Recognition: Biology Survey II (BIOL 103/103L) was selected as one of the top 20 examples of Best Practices Course in the nation at the College Board Advanced Placement ® Best Practices Study, 2006

Grants

Evaluating the potential role of belowground bud banks in providing resistance and resilience to climate change in grassland ecosystems; US-FS; 2014-2018
Bud bank: a promising new ecological approach for controlling invasive plants and improving wildlife habitat; SDGFP; 2012-2017
Mapping and Characterization of Native Grassland Habitat on South Dakota’s Prairie Coteau; USFWS; 2013-2016
Renewal on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation: Land, Cattle, Beef, and People; USDA; 2011-2017
Vegetation Ecology and Management on Active and Inactive Prairie Dog Towns; USFS; 2008-2011
Inter-seeding yellow-flowered alfalfa to improve depleted Northern Great Plains rangeland; USDA; 2009-2011

Professional Memberships

Society for Range Management, South Dakota Academy of Science, The Honor Society of Agriculture Gamma Sigma Delta

Area(s) of Research

Community/Vegetation Ecology and Management on prairie dog towns; Restoration/reclamation disturbed lands and vegetation succession; Natural resource sustainability