Chad Jones

Biography

Chad Jones is interested in a wide range of topics in plant ecology. His research has involved two major themes: plant succession and invasive species. Professor Jones has studied plant colonization following a broad array of disturbances ranging from volcanic eruptions and the retreat of glaciers to gopher mounds in mountain meadows. Among other topics, he has examined spatial patterns of dispersal, factors that limit plant colonization and effects of disturbances on plant diversity. A second area of research involves investigating patterns of spread of invasive species. He uses statistical models and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to predict the potential distributions of invasive species at several scales. Professor Jones teaches courses in ecology, ecological restoration, plant taxonomy, plant ecology and environmental studies. He is a fellow with the College's Goodwin-Niering Center for the Environment. At the beginning of the spring 2014 semester, Professor Jones was selected to serve as the first Suzi Oppenheimer '56 Faculty Director of the Office of Sustainability. As the Faculty Director, Professor Jones co-directs the Office with the Manager of Sustainability, specifically leading all of the College’s efforts to integrate the central tenets of sustainability throughout the curriculum.

Research Interest

PLANT ECOLOGY PLANT SUCCESSION INVASIVE SPECIES GIS AND ECOLOGICAL MODELING