Department of Geography

University of Wyoming

Tom Minckley

Environmental Variability Lab:

Palynology and Paleoecology

Our research involves understanding the ecological response of plant communities to climate change and disturbance in the past. While we are centered in the intermountain West our work is broadly applicable to many regions in the world. 

Where possible and through collaboration, we look for independent evidence of past climate variability.  Proxy data, such as pollen, plant macro-remains, and sedimentology can be used to infer vegetation, climate, and disturbance history.

Current projects focus on the Rocky Mountains, American Deserts, and Portuguese Coast.  Linking these projects is a focus on the sensitivity of plant communities to rapid climate changes. In particular, we are currently interested in the ecological response to disturbance and changing moisture availability.

Dr. Thomas Minckley

Department of Geography, 3371

University of Wyoming

Laramie, WY  82071

Contact information:

Phone: 307-766-2925

Fax: 307-766-3294

E-mail: minckley@uwyo.edu

Please contact me if you would like more information or are interested in graduate opportunities.