John Wendt

John Wendt investigates how herbivores, fire, and climate shape landscapes over time. His research integrates rangeland ecology, paleoecology, and biomolecular methods to understand long-term disturbance dynamics and ecosystem adaptation.

John develops and applies biomolecular proxies, especially fecal steroids preserved in lake sediments, to reconstruct past herbivore identity and abundance. This work opens new possibilities for understanding variability in open ecosystems and informing adaptive management strategies.

At New Mexico State University beginning in the fall of 2025, John will be launching a research program focused on interactions among herbivores, fire, climate, and humans across ancient and contemporary cultural landscapes. He will be developing lab capacity for analysis of biomarkers and other paleoenvironmental proxies.