Richard Smith

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.
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
Courses Taught
- NR 600: Work Experience
- NR 909: Analysis of Ecological Data
- NRES 997: Interdisciplinary Research
- NRES 999: Doctoral Research
- SAFS 502: Agroecology
- SAFS 795W: Investigations
Selected Publications
Whalen, E. D., Grandy, A. S., Sokol, N. W., Keiluweit, M., Ernakovich, J., Smith, R. G., & Frey, S. D. (2022). Clarifying the evidence for microbial- and plant-derived soil organic matter, and the path toward a more quantitative understanding. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY. doi:10.1111/gcb.16413
Contosta, A. R., Asbjornsen, H., Orefice, J., Perry, A., & Smith, R. G. (2022). Climate consequences of temperate forest conversion to open pasture or silvopasture. AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT, 333. doi:10.1016/j.agee.2022.107972
Rowen, E. K., Pearsons, K. A., Smith, R. G., Wickings, K., & Tooker, J. F. (2022). Early-season plant cover supports more effective pest control than insecticide applications.. Ecol Appl, 32(5), e2598. doi:10.1002/eap.2598
Menalled, U. D., Adeux, G., Cordeau, S., Smith, R. G., Mirsky, S. B., & Ryan, M. R. (2022). Cereal rye mulch biomass and crop density affect weed suppression and community assembly in no-till planted soybean. ECOSPHERE, 13(6). doi:10.1002/ecs2.4147
Lounsbury, N. P., Lounsbury, B. B., Warren, N. D., & Smith, R. G. (2022). Tarping Cover Crops Facilitates Organic No-till Cabbage Production and Suppresses Weeds. HORTSCIENCE, 57(4), 508-515. doi:10.21273/HORTSCI16389-21
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
Most Cited Publications