Applied Scientist
Terrestrial
gabriel.runte@TNC.ORG
Gabe is an ecologist with TNC's California Land Program, focused on expanding the scope and impact of scientific research throughout the San Andreas Corridor. He will be helping to maintain ongoing projects across The Nature Conservancy's grazed California estate and developing new efforts focusing, in particular, on restoration and soil carbon studies. Gabe is interested in helping to grow the organization's understanding of the stores and dynamics of carbon under management.
Prior to joining TNC, Gabe received his PhD from The University of California, Santa Barbara in the field of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology. Gabe's dissertation research focused on the ecology of temperate forests and the role of symbiotic soil fungi, specifically ectomycorrhizae, in shaping forest community trajectories. He combines field research, mesocosm experiments, molecular tools, and mathematical modeling toward a more holistic understanding of ecosystems.
What Gabriel is working on now:
Gabe joined TNC in early 2025 and is excited to get up to speed on the projects already ongoing on the Las Piletas Ranch and the broader San Andreas Corridor. He is particularly excited about the virtual fencing pilot project and the potential to observe soil carbon dynamics in response to grazing pressure. Looking ahead, Gabe is keen to apply his skills in mapping soil microbial communities on TNC lands.