Jason Kaye

Jason Kaye is a Distinguished Professor of Soil Biogeochemistry in the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management at Pennsylvania State University, where he chairs the Intercollege Graduate Degree Program in Ecology. A prominent figure in Biology, his research utilizes ecosystem ecology to examine biogeochemical cycles of nitrogen and carbon in forests and agroecosystems. In forests, nitrogen limitation influences plant growth, microbial communities, soils, and hydrology. In agriculture, fertilizers alleviate nitrogen shortages to support food production but contribute to water pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Kaye's studies aim to enhance understanding of the nitrogen cycle, reduce agricultural nitrogen losses, and explore how forests and riparian zones mitigate these losses. He earned a Ph.D. in Ecology from Colorado State University in 2000, an M.S. in Forestry from Northern Arizona University in 1997, and a B.A. in Chemistry from the University of Virginia in 1993. With a 75% research and 25% teaching appointment, he instructs undergraduate and graduate courses in ecosystem ecology, biogeochemistry, and environmental sustainability.

Kaye's scholarship features highly cited works including "Roots exert a strong influence on the temperature sensitivity of soil respiration" (Boone et al., Nature, 1998; 1471 citations), "Competition for nitrogen between plants and soil microorganisms" (Kaye and Hart, Trends in Ecology & Evolution, 1997; 1147 citations), "A distinct urban biogeochemistry?" (Kaye et al., Trends in Ecology & Evolution, 2006; 903 citations), and "Using cover crops to mitigate and adapt to climate change: A review" (Kaye and Quemada, Agronomy for Sustainable Development, 2017; 914 citations). Recent publications address practical applications such as "Managing cover crop mixtures over a decade via species replacement and seeding rate adjustment" (Hosler et al., Agricultural & Environmental Letters, 2025), "Improving a nitrogen mineralization model for predicting unfertilized corn yield" (Arrington et al., Soil Science Society of America Journal, 2024), and "Regenerative landscape design: an integrative framework to enhance sustainability planning" (Smithwick et al., Ecology and Society, 2023). Kaye received the Alex and Jessie C. Black Award for Excellence in Research from Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences in 2017 and was named a Distinguished Professor in 2021. He serves on the editorial board of Ecosphere, contributing to advancements in sustainable land management and global change biology.

Professional Email: jpk12@psu.edu