Jayne Belnap
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B.A. Natural History, University of California, Santa Cruz
M.S. Ecology, Stanford University
Ph.D (1991) Botany, Brigham Young University
Jayne Belnap | |
|---|---|
 Belnap in 2010 | |
| Born | February 2, 1952 Utah, United States |
| Education | B.A. Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz B.A. Natural History, University of California, Santa Cruz M.S. Ecology, Stanford University Ph.D (1991) Botany, Brigham Young University |
Jayne Belnap (born February 2, 1952) is an American soil ecologist. Her expertise lies in desert ecologies and grassland ecosystems.[1]
In 2008, she was recognised by the Ecological Society of America as one of the most outstanding ecologists in the United States.[2] In 2010 and 2013, she received awards from the United States Department of Interior as one of the most outstanding women in science.[3] In 2015, she was elected as a fellow of the Ecological Society of America.[4]
Belnap completed two undergraduate degrees (in biology and natural history) at the University of California, Santa Cruz in 1980; a master's in ecology from Stanford University in 1983; and a PhD in botany from Brigham Young University in 1991.[5] After completing her undergraduate and master's degrees, she became a seasonal botanist at Canyonlands National Park.[6] In 1987, she joined the United States Department of Interior as a scientist.[7] Belnap now works as a research ecologist for the United States Geological Survey in the Moab field office.[8]
Belnap has published over 260 peer-reviewed articles, and her research has been highlighted in Scientific American.[9][10] In 2003, Belnap and Otto L. Lange co-edited the first book to summarise knowledge about biological soils crusts.[11] Her work has taken her all over the world, including Australia, Antarctica, China, Ethiopia, Iceland, Kenya, Mongolia, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, the United Arab Emirates and Zimbabwe.[12][13][14] In the United States, Belnap has worked with federal, state and private land managers on best management practices for drylands.[15] Much of her research has also highlighted how climate change will affect drylands ecosystems.[16]
