In general, my research tends to focus on the interface between agriculture and plant community and ecosystem ecology. My interests include weed ecology and management, the role of diversity in agroecosystem function, plant invasions, community assembly theory, trophic interactions, and implications of land-use and climate change. The overall goal of my research is to better understand the ecological interactions that underpin agricultural production systems so as to improve the economic and environmental sustainability of agriculture.
Courses Taught
- ANFS/SAFS 895/795: Special Topics
- NR 600: Work Experience
- NR 909: Analysis of Ecological Data
- NRES 997: Interdisciplinary Research
- NRES 999: Doctoral Research
- SAFS 502: Agroecology
- SAFS 795W: Investigations
Research Interests
- Agricultural Management
- Agriculture Conservation
- Agronomy
- Climate Change
- Crop Protection (Pests, Diseases, & Weeds)
- Crops and Pastures
- Ecology
- Ecosystems
- Environmental Conservation
- Invasive Species
- Organic Farming
- Pest Management
- Plant Sciences
Selected Publications
Mortensen, D. A., Ryan, M. R., & Smith, R. G. (2024). Another step on the transgene-facilitated herbicide treadmill.. Pest Manag Sci, 80(9), 4145-4149. doi:10.1002/ps.8105
Mandal, P., Mortensen, D. A., Brito, A. F., Wallingford, A. K., Lima, M. R. M., Warren, N. D., & Smith, R. G. (2024). Water Stress Influences Phytoestrogen Levels in Red Clover (Trifolium pratense) but Not Kura Clover (T. ambiguum).. J Agric Food Chem, 72(18), 10247-10256. doi:10.1021/acs.jafc.4c00300
Bybee-Finley, K. A., Menalled, U. D., Pelzer, C. J., Ruhl, L., Lounsbury, N. P., Warren, N. D., . . . Ryan, M. R. (2023). Quantifying the roles of intraspecific and interspecific diversification strategies in forage cropping systems. Field Crops Research, 302, 109036. doi:10.1016/j.fcr.2023.109036
Warren, N. D., Hobbie, E. A., Chen, J., & Smith, R. G. (2023). Relative uptake of organic and inorganic nitrogen by common weed species. Weed Science, 71(5), 470-477. doi:10.1017/wsc.2023.48
de Souza, I. A., Daly, A. B., Schnecker, J., Warren, N. D., Lobo Jr, A. R., Smith, R. G., . . . Grandy, A. S. (2023). Short‐term responses of soil carbon, nitrogen, and microbial biomass to cover crop mixtures and monocultures. Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment, 6(3). doi:10.1002/agg2.20395
Hunter, M. C., Smith, R. G., Schipanski, M. E., Atwood, L. W., & Mortensen, D. A. (2017). Agriculture in 2050: Recalibrating Targets for Sustainable Intensification. BIOSCIENCE, 67(4), 385-390. doi:10.1093/biosci/bix010
Smith, R. G., Atwood, L. W., & Warren, N. D. (2014). Increased Productivity of a Cover Crop Mixture Is Not Associated with Enhanced Agroecosystem Services. PLOS ONE, 9(5). doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0097351
Mortensen, D. A., Egan, J. F., Maxwell, B. D., Ryan, M. R., & Smith, R. G. (2012). Navigating a Critical Juncture for Sustainable Weed Management. BIOSCIENCE, 62(1), 75-84. doi:10.1525/bio.2012.62.1.12
Smith, R. G., Gross, K. L., & Robertson, G. P. (2008). Effects of crop diversity on agroecosystem function: Crop yield response. ECOSYSTEMS, 11(3), 355-366. doi:10.1007/s10021-008-9124-5
Menalled, F. D., Smith, R. G., Dauer, J. T., & Fox, T. B. (2007). Impact of agricultural management on carabid communities and weed seed predation. AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT, 118(1-4), 49-54. doi:10.1016/j.agee.2006.04.011