Dr. Concilio is an Associate Professor of Environmental Science and Policy in the School of Behavioral and Social Sciences.
Her research and teaching interests are in climate change, environmental justice, biodiversity conservation, and ecosystem management. She joined the St. Edward’s faculty in 2016 after working for over a decade on research in global change impacts on plant communities and feasibility of various land management and restoration approaches in the Sierra Nevada and Rocky Mountains. She also spent one year as a Visiting Professor of Environmental Studies at Fort Lewis College in Durango, CO. Since joining the St. Edward's faculty, she has been working on ecological restoration and land management research in the Texas Hill Country. She collaborates on climate change research at Spicewood Ranch with Dr. Kim O'Keefe, professor of Biology in the School of Natural Sciences. She advises undergraduate student research on a range of topics related to climate change, restoration, and invasive species.
Dr. Concilio teaches courses in Climate Change, Natural Resource Conservation and Management, Environmental Chemistry, and Research Methods. She also serves as the coordinator of the Environmental Management Certificate Program and as a faculty advisor for the Interdisciplinary Scholars Program. She has taught field ecology courses in Costa Rica and Yellowstone National Park, and study abroad courses on urban sustainability in Angers, France. On campus, she is an active member of the Food Forest Guild and co-advises the St. Edward's Ecological Society with Dr. Darren Proppe. Off campus, she serves as the President of the Texas Society for Ecological Restoration, as a member of the DEIJ Committee for the Texas Hill Country Conservation Network, and as a volunteer for local climate change and bike/ped advocacy groups in the city of Austin.
Academic Appointments
Associate Professor of Environmental Science and Policy, St. Edward's University, 2020-present
Assistant Professor of Environmental Science and Policy, St Edward's University, 2016 - 2020
Visiting Professor of Environmental Studies, Fort Lewis College, Durango, CO, 2015 -2016
Postdoctoral Scholar, Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, 2013 - 2015
Adjunct Faculty, Department of Biology, Berkeley City College, Berkeley, CA, 2012 - 2013
Ph.D. Environmental Studies, University of California- Santa Cruz
M.S. Ecology, University of Toledo
B.A. Chemistry, Providence College, minors in Spanish and Environmental Studies
Research
My research focuses on global change, invasive species, and restoration and management of grassland and rangeland ecosystems. I employ a diversity of research methods, including ecological field trials, greenhouse experiments, and stakeholder interviews to measure impacts of global change on plant communities and ecosystems and to test the effectiveness and feasibility of land management approaches. Through outreach activities and close collaboration with researchers and practitioners from a range of different backgrounds, I work to translate my scientific results to conservation and restoration action. I have worked on research in mixed-conifer forests of the Western Sierra Nevada, CA, rangeland ecosystems of the Eastern Sierra Nevada, CA, and high elevation grasslands of the Front Range of Colorado. My current research explores restoration effectiveness in invaded grasslands at Commons Ford Metropark, ecosystem services of urban green spaces in Austin, TX, and the impacts of climate change, land use change, and invasive species on Hill Country grassland and forest ecosystems in Spicewood, TX. Additionally, I started a service-learning project with students in my Chemistry in the Environment class in 2018, in which we test water free-of-charge for at risk households around Travis County. Learn more about my research and outreach efforts.
I really enjoy working with students on field research and mentoring student research projects! If you are interested in working with me, see the dropdown Advising tab on my research website. There, you will find information about research advising, opportunities for field research training, advice for applying to jobs and graduate school, and tips on asking for letters of recommendation. Please contact me if you are interested in joining my field research team.
Publications
T. Vargas, A. Concilio, L.G. Woyann, R.H.S. Santos, and W. Cheng (2020) Rhizosphere priming on N mineralization in vegetable and grain crop systems. Plant and Soil. 452: 281-293
T. Seastedt, C.T. White, C. Tucker, E.M. Beaury, A. Concilio, E. Gasarch, V. Haggans, and J. Smith (2020) Decadal dynamics of dry alpine meadows under nitrogen and phosphorus additions. Plant Ecology. 221: 647-658
Concilio, A., T. Seastedt, and J. Nippert (2017) Changing edaphic conditions and exploitation of an expanded phenological niche allows for increased introduced species dominance. Plant and Soil. 415: 299-315
Concilio, A., J. Nippert, Shivani Ehrenfeucht *, Karie Cherwin and T. Seastedt (2016) Imposing antecedent global change conditions rapidly alters plant community composition in a mixed-grass prairie. Oecologia. 182 (3): 899-911
Concilio, A., J. Prevéy, P. Omasta*, J. Connor*, J. Nippert, and T. Seastedt (2015) Response of a mixed grass prairie to an extreme precipitation event: Introduced species, soil nitrogen and previous precipitation patterns influence responses. Ecosphere. 6(10): 172
Concilio, A., T. Vargas and W. Cheng (2015) Effect of an invasive annual grass on rhizosphere priming in invaded and uninvaded soils. Plant and Soil 393: 245-257
Loik, M.E., A.B. Griffith, H. Alpert, A. Concilio, C.E. Wade, and S.J. Martinson (2015) Impact of intra- vs. inter-annual snow depth variation on water relations and photosynthesis for two Great Basin Desert shrubs. Oecologia. 178(2): 403-414
Tzankova, Z. and A. Concilio (2014) Social, logistical, and regulatory factors affecting feasibility of control of a widespread non-noxious invasive species at the edge of its range. Biological Invasions. 17(1): 507-527
Concilio, A. (2013) Effectiveness and cost of downy brome (Bromus tectorum) control at high elevation. Invasive Plant Science and Management. 6(4): 502-511
Concilio, A. and M.E. Loik (2013) Elevated nitrogen effects on Bromus tectorum dominance and native plant diversity in an arid, montane ecosystem. Applied Vegetation Science. 16(4):598-609
Concilio, A. (2013) The spread of cheatgrass into the Eastern Sierra. Fremontia. 41(2): 10-13 2013
Concilio, A., M.E. Loik, and J. Belnap (2013) Global change effects on Bromus tectorum L. (Poaceae) at its high-elevation range margin. Global Change Biology. 19 (1): 161-172
Ma, S., A. Concilio, B. Oakley M. North, J. Chen (2010) Spatial variability in microclimate in a mixed-conifer forest before and after thinning and burning treatments. Forest Ecology and Management. 259: 904-915
Ryu, SR, A. Concilio, J. Chen, M. North, and S. Ma (2009) Prescribed burning and mechanical thinning effects on belowground conditions and soil respiration in a mixed-conifer forest, California. Forest Ecology and Management. 257 (4): 1324-1332
Concilio, A., J. Chen, S. Ma and M. North (2009) Precipitation patterns drive inter-annual variation in summer soil respiration in a Mediterranean-climate, mixed conifer forest. Climatic Change. 92: 109-122 2007
Ongley, L., L. Sherman, A. Armienta, A. Concilio, and C. Ferguson Salinas (2007) Arsenic contamination in the soils of Zimapán, Mexico. Environmental Pollution. 145 (3): 793-799
Concilio, A., S. Ma, S.R. Ryu, J. Chen, and M. North (2006) Soil respiration response to burning and thinning from one to three years after experimental treatments. Forest Ecology and Management. 228 (1-3): 82-90
Concilio, A., S. Ma, Q. Li, J. LeMoine, J.Chen, M. North, R. Jensen, and D. Moorhead (2005) Soil respiration response to burning and thinning in mixed conifer and hardwood forests. Canadian Journal of Forest Research. 35 (7): 1581-1591