World's Best Scientists 2026 revealed!

D-Index & Metrics

Plant Science and Agronomy

D-Index
84
Citations
21755
World Ranking
363
National Ranking
123

William K. Smith publication distribution in Plant Science and Agronomy in 2026

The chart shows the distribution of publications by all Research.com ranked scientists in the field of Plant Science and Agronomy in 2026. The highlighted bar marks where William K. Smith sits on this spectrum.

36–40 publications: 2 scientists 41–45 publications: 7 scientists 46–50 publications: 40 scientists 51–55 publications: 58 scientists 56–60 publications: 60 scientists 61–65 publications: 107 scientists 66–70 publications: 130 scientists 71–75 publications: 153 scientists 76–80 publications: 191 scientists 81–85 publications: 199 scientists 86–90 publications: 206 scientists 91–95 publications: 218 scientists 96–100 publications: 226 scientists 101–105 publications: 227 scientists 106–110 publications: 247 scientists 111–115 publications: 255 scientists 116–120 publications: 253 scientists 121–125 publications: 233 scientists 126–130 publications: 219 scientists 131–135 publications: 201 scientists 136–140 publications: 194 scientists 141–145 publications: 176 scientists 146–150 publications: 157 scientists 151–155 publications: 147 scientists 156–160 publications: 151 scientists 161–165 publications: 159 scientists 166–170 publications: 137 scientists 171–175 publications: 128 scientists 176–180 publications: 126 scientists 181–185 publications: 98 scientists 186–190 publications: 114 scientists 191–195 publications: 100 scientists 196–200 publications: 90 scientists 201–205 publications: 71 scientists 206–210 publications: 98 scientists 211–215 publications: 70 scientists 216–220 publications: 86 scientists 221–225 publications: 61 scientists 226–230 publications: 58 scientists 231–235 publications: 53 scientists 236–240 publications: 64 scientists 241–245 publications: 39 scientists 246–250 publications: 46 scientists 251–255 publications: 51 scientists 256–260 publications: 36 scientists 261–265 publications: 44 scientists 266–270 publications: 35 scientists 271–275 publications: 30 scientists 276–280 publications: 33 scientists 281–285 publications: 35 scientists 286–290 publications: 36 scientists 291–295 publications: 26 scientists 296–300 publications: 26 scientists 301–305 publications: 31 scientists 306–310 publications: 30 scientists 311–315 publications: 21 scientists 316–320 publications: 29 scientists 321–325 publications: 14 scientists 326–330 publications: 15 scientists 331–335 publications: 15 scientists 336–340 publications: 17 scientists 341–345 publications: 15 scientists 346–350 publications: 12 scientists 351–355 publications: 17 scientists 356–360 publications: 18 scientists 361–365 publications: 12 scientists 366–370 publications: 11 scientists 371–375 publications: 6 scientists 376–380 publications: 6 scientists 381–385 publications: 11 scientists 386–390 publications: 9 scientists 391–395 publications: 10 scientists 396–400 publications: 8 scientists 401–405 publications: 4 scientists 406–410 publications: 9 scientists 411–415 publications: 11 scientists 416–420 publications: 4 scientists 421–425 publications: 7 scientists 426–430 publications: 4 scientists 431–435 publications: 3 scientists 436–440 publications: 5 scientists 441–445 publications: 8 scientists 446–450 publications: 6 scientists 451–455 publications: 7 scientists 456–460 publications: 5 scientists 461–465 publications: 6 scientists 466 publications: 2 scientists 467+ publications: 99 scientists
36 publications 467+

This scientist: 221 publications — 82nd percentile

82% of scientists in this discipline score the same or lower.

The last bar groups every scientist with 467 publications or more.

William K. Smith D-index placement in Plant Science and Agronomy in 2026

The chart shows the D-index (discipline H-index) distribution of Plant Science and Agronomy scientists ranked by Research.com in 2026. The highlighted bar marks where William K. Smith sits on this spectrum.

30 D-Index: 200 scientists 31 D-Index: 236 scientists 32 D-Index: 253 scientists 33 D-Index: 283 scientists 34 D-Index: 288 scientists 35 D-Index: 240 scientists 36 D-Index: 246 scientists 37 D-Index: 243 scientists 38 D-Index: 247 scientists 39 D-Index: 229 scientists 40 D-Index: 232 scientists 41 D-Index: 230 scientists 42 D-Index: 228 scientists 43 D-Index: 219 scientists 44 D-Index: 193 scientists 45 D-Index: 164 scientists 46 D-Index: 158 scientists 47 D-Index: 143 scientists 48 D-Index: 131 scientists 49 D-Index: 127 scientists 50 D-Index: 122 scientists 51 D-Index: 122 scientists 52 D-Index: 110 scientists 53 D-Index: 102 scientists 54 D-Index: 98 scientists 55 D-Index: 79 scientists 56 D-Index: 85 scientists 57 D-Index: 88 scientists 58 D-Index: 91 scientists 59 D-Index: 62 scientists 60 D-Index: 61 scientists 61 D-Index: 59 scientists 62 D-Index: 54 scientists 63 D-Index: 61 scientists 64 D-Index: 59 scientists 65 D-Index: 58 scientists 66 D-Index: 41 scientists 67 D-Index: 49 scientists 68 D-Index: 39 scientists 69 D-Index: 32 scientists 70 D-Index: 40 scientists 71 D-Index: 47 scientists 72 D-Index: 38 scientists 73 D-Index: 28 scientists 74 D-Index: 29 scientists 75 D-Index: 28 scientists 76 D-Index: 22 scientists 77 D-Index: 21 scientists 78 D-Index: 25 scientists 79 D-Index: 26 scientists 80 D-Index: 19 scientists 81 D-Index: 16 scientists 82 D-Index: 12 scientists 83 D-Index: 16 scientists 84 D-Index: 14 scientists 85 D-Index: 11 scientists 86 D-Index: 17 scientists 87 D-Index: 13 scientists 88 D-Index: 10 scientists 89 D-Index: 12 scientists 90 D-Index: 18 scientists 91 D-Index: 16 scientists 92 D-Index: 16 scientists 93 D-Index: 17 scientists 94 D-Index: 12 scientists 95 D-Index: 8 scientists 96 D-Index: 9 scientists 97 D-Index: 9 scientists 98 D-Index: 11 scientists 99 D-Index: 12 scientists 100 D-Index: 5 scientists 101 D-Index: 8 scientists 102 D-Index: 4 scientists 103 D-Index: 11 scientists 104 D-Index: 5 scientists 105 D-Index: 9 scientists 106 D-Index: 7 scientists 107 D-Index: 4 scientists 108 D-Index: 8 scientists 109+ D-Index: 99 scientists
30 D-Index 109+

This scientist: 84 D-Index — 95th percentile

95% of scientists in this discipline score the same or lower.

The last bar groups every scientist with 109 D-Index or more.

Overview

What is he best known for?

The fields of study he is best known for:

  • Ecology
  • Botany
  • Photosynthesis

His primary scientific interests are in Botany, Photosynthesis, Abies lasiocarpa, Ecotone and Picea engelmannii. His research brings together the fields of Agronomy and Botany. His Photosynthesis research is multidisciplinary, relying on both Palisade cell and Horticulture.

His Ecotone study combines topics in areas such as Microsite and Seedling. He usually deals with Picea engelmannii and limits it to topics linked to Germination and Field experiment and Abies mariesii. His Ecology research is multidisciplinary, incorporating elements of Snow and Water content.

His most cited work include:

  • Conifer seedling distribution and survival in an alpine-treeline ecotone (290 citations)
  • Leaf Form and Photosynthesis (280 citations)
  • Relation between Mesophyll Surface Area, Photosynthetic Rate, and Illumination Level during Development for Leaves of Plectranthus parviflorus Henckel (271 citations)

What are the main themes of his work throughout his whole career to date?

William K. Smith mostly deals with Botany, Photosynthesis, Horticulture, Ecology and Transpiration. In his research, William K. Smith performs multidisciplinary study on Botany and Sunlight. His study in Photosynthesis is interdisciplinary in nature, drawing from both Chlorophyll, Palisade cell and Agronomy.

His Leaf size study in the realm of Horticulture connects with subjects such as Shading. In his research, Altitude, Abundance and Plant ecology is intimately related to Seedling, which falls under the overarching field of Ecology. His study explores the link between Transpiration and topics such as Stomatal conductance that cross with problems in Xylem, Vapour Pressure Deficit and Herbaceous plant.

He most often published in these fields:

  • Botany (70.95%)
  • Photosynthesis (50.68%)
  • Horticulture (27.03%)

What were the highlights of his more recent work (between 2013-2021)?

  • Botany (70.95%)
  • Wetland (4.73%)
  • Photosynthesis (50.68%)

In recent papers he was focusing on the following fields of study:

William K. Smith spends much of his time researching Botany, Wetland, Photosynthesis, Hydrology and Transpiration. His research in Botany is mostly concerned with Ecophysiology. His work deals with themes such as Atmospheric sciences and Bouteloua gracilis, which intersect with Photosynthesis.

The Hydrology study combines topics in areas such as Methane, Vegetation and Greenhouse gas. His research integrates issues of Microclimate, Growing season and Ecosystem in his study of Transpiration. His work carried out in the field of Microclimate brings together such families of science as Photosynthetically active radiation, Evapotranspiration, Animal science and Abies lasiocarpa.

Between 2013 and 2021, his most popular works were:

  • The role of vegetation in methane flux to the atmosphere: should vegetation be included as a distinct category in the global methane budget? (80 citations)
  • Photosynthetic costs and benefits of abaxial versus adaxial anthocyanins in Colocasia esculenta 'Mojito'. (31 citations)
  • Experimental cloud immersion and foliar water uptake in saplings of Abies fraseri and Picea rubens (30 citations)

In his most recent research, the most cited papers focused on:

  • Ecology
  • Botany
  • Ecosystem

William K. Smith mainly focuses on Botany, Wetland, Greenhouse gas, Methane and Vegetation. His Botany study integrates concerns from other disciplines, such as National park and Tundra. His research in Wetland intersects with topics in Atmosphere, Carbon dioxide and Carbon cycle.

William K. Smith has included themes like Biogeochemical cycle and Biogeochemistry in his Greenhouse gas study. The study of Biogeochemical cycle is intertwined with the study of Atmospheric sciences in a number of ways.

Best Publications

  • Increased atmospheric vapor pressure deficit reduces global vegetation growth

    Wenping Yuan;Yi Zheng;Shilong Piao;Philippe Ciais

  • Recent global decline of CO2 fertilization effects on vegetation photosynthesis

    Songhan Wang;Songhan Wang;Yongguang Zhang;Yongguang Zhang;Yongguang Zhang;Weimin Ju;Weimin Ju;Jing M. Chen;Jing M. Chen

  • Integrating the evidence for a terrestrial carbon sink caused by increasing atmospheric CO2

    Anthony P. Walker;Martin G. De Kauwe;Ana Bastos;Soumaya Belmecheri

  • Observed increasing water constraint on vegetation growth over the last three decades.

    Wenzhe Jiao;Lixin Wang;William K. Smith;Qing Chang

  • Estimating near-infrared leaf reflectance from leaf structural characteristics

    Michèle R. Slaton;E. Raymond Hunt;William K. Smith

  • Leaf Form and Photosynthesis

    William K. Smith;Thomas C. Vogelmann;Evan H. DeLucia;David T. Bell

  • Conifer seedling distribution and survival in an alpine-treeline ecotone

    Matthew J. Germino;William K. Smith;A. Catherine Resor

  • Increasing impact of warm droughts on northern ecosystem productivity over recent decades

    David Gampe;David Gampe;Jakob Zscheischler;Jakob Zscheischler;Jakob Zscheischler;Markus Reichstein;Michael O’Sullivan

  • COMPARATIVE WATER RELATIONS AND PHOTOSYNTHESIS OF MYCORRHIZAL AND NON-MYCORRHIZAL BOUTELOUA GRACILIS H.B.K. LAG EX STEUD.

    Michael F. Allen;William K. Smith;Thomas S. Jr Moore;Martha Christensen

  • Relation between Mesophyll Surface Area, Photosynthetic Rate, and Illumination Level during Development for Leaves of Plectranthus parviflorus Henckel

    Park S. Nobel;Lawrence J. Zaragoza;William K. Smith

  • Widespread seasonal compensation effects of spring warming on northern plant productivity

    Wolfgang Buermann;Wolfgang Buermann;Matthias Forkel;Michael O’Sullivan;Stephen Sitch

  • Another perspective on altitudinal limits of alpine timberlines

    William K. Smith;Matthew J. Germino;Thomas E. Hancock;Daniel M. Johnson

  • Remote sensing of dryland ecosystem structure and function: Progress, challenges, and opportunities

    William K. Smith;Matthew P. Dannenberg;Matthew P. Dannenberg;Dong Yan;Stephanie Herrmann

  • Functional interaction between leaf trichomes, leaf wettability and the optical properties of water droplets

    C. A. Brewer;W. K. Smith;T. C. Vogelmann

  • Leaves and light capture: Light propagation and gradients of carbon fixation within leaves

    Thomas C. Vogelman;John N. Nishio;William K. Smith

  • Wind Effects on Needles of Timberline Conifers: Seasonal Influence on Mortality

    Julian L. Hadley;William K. Smith

  • Chlorophyll and light gradients in sun and shade leaves of Spinacia oleracea

    M. Cui;T. C. Vogelmann;W. K. Smith

  • Sky exposure, crown architecture, and low‐temperature photoinhibition in conifer seedlings at alpine treeline

    M. J. Germino;W. K. Smith;W. K. Smith

  • The altitude of alpine treeline: a bellwether of climate change effects

    William K. Smith;Matthew J. Germino;Daniel M. Johnson;Keith Reinhardt

  • Increasing importance of precipitation variability on global livestock grazing lands

    Lindsey L. Sloat;James S. Gerber;Leah H. Samberg;William K. Smith;William K. Smith

  • SAP FLUX OF CO-OCCURRING SPECIES IN A WESTERN SUBALPINE FOREST DURING SEASONAL SOIL DROUGHT

    Diane E. Pataki;Ram Oren;William K. Smith

  • Patterns of leaf surface wetness for montane and subalpine plants

    C. A. Brewer;W. K. Smith

  • Relation between Mesophyll Surface Area, Photosynthetic Rate, and Illumination Level during Development for Leaves of

    Park S. Nobel;Lawrence J. Zaragoza;William K. Smith

Frequent Co-Authors

Daniel M. Johnson
Daniel M. Johnson University of Georgia
Alan K. Knapp
Alan K. Knapp Colorado State University
Donald R. Young
Donald R. Young Virginia Commonwealth University
Evan H. DeLucia
Evan H. DeLucia University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
E. Raymond Hunt
E. Raymond Hunt Agricultural Research Service
William A. Reiners
William A. Reiners University of Wyoming
Matthew J. Germino
Matthew J. Germino United States Geological Survey
Craig R. Brodersen
Craig R. Brodersen Yale University
Martha Christensen
Martha Christensen University of Wyoming
Park S. Nobel
Park S. Nobel University of California, Los Angeles

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