Richard Smith

Richard Smith

Professor
Phone: (603) 862-2724
Office: James Hall, Room 264, Durham, NH 03824
Websites:
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

Education

  • Ph.D., Plant Biology; Ecology, Evolutionary Biology & Behavior, Michigan State University
  • B.S., Biology, University of New Mexico

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

  • Mandal, P., Lima, M. R. M., Wallingford, A. K., Warren, N. D., Brito, A. F., & Smith, R. G. (2025). Short-term exposure to elevated temperature and CO2 alters phytoestrogen production in red clover.. Sci Rep, 15(1), 9105. doi:10.1038/s41598-025-92250-y

  • Ativor, I. N., Warren, N. D., & Smith, R. G. (2025). Effects of tillage intensity and pesticide treated seeds on epigeal arthropod communities and weed seed predation in a maize-soybean rotation. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 379, 109338. doi:10.1016/j.agee.2024.109338

  • Rowen, E. K., Pearsons, K. A., Smith, R. G., Wickings, K., & Tooker, J. F. (2025). Insecticides may facilitate the escape of weeds from biological control.. PeerJ, 13, e18597. doi:10.7717/peerj.18597

  • Menalled, U. D., Ann Bybee-Finley, K., Smith, R. G., DiTommaso, A., Darby, H. M., Pethybridge, S. J., & Ryan, M. R. (2024). Legacy effects of crop diversity on weed-crop competition in maize production. npj Sustainable Agriculture, 2(1). doi:10.1038/s44264-024-00036-y

  • Menalled, U. D., Djuric, N., Smith, R. G., Baas, D. G., Basche, A., Haramoto, E. R., . . . Ryan, M. R. (2024). The Cover Crop Challenge: An experiential learning activity for teaching students about cover crop mixtures. Natural Sciences Education, 53(2). doi:10.1002/nse2.70002

  • 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

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  • Most Cited Publications