Department of Zoology

Thomas O. Crist
Professor
Ph.D. Utah State University, 1990
terrestrial ecology, biodiversity, insect ecology, conservation biology
Office:
172 PSN

Lab:
167F PSN

Phone:
529-6187


529-3391 		Email:
cristto@MUOhio.edu

Home Page:
Click Here 		Office Hours:
  Monday . . . .
  Tuesday . . . .
  Wednesday . .
  Thursday. . . .
  Friday. . . . . . Others by appt.

Biographical Information:

Thomas Crist is a terrestrial ecologist with research interests in landscape ecology, biodiversity, and conservation biology. Using both experimental and landscape approaches, he examines how habitat fragmentation and edges influence animal movement, population distribution, and community diversity. He also investigates the effects of management practices and land use on forest insect biodiversity at multiple scales, from local habitats to biogeographic regions. The scope of his field studies ranges from old fields and small woodlots to larger parks and preserves. His research incorporates a wide variety of insect groups including ants, beetles, butterflies, and moths. Dr. Crist also has broad interests in the roles of animals in terrestrial ecosystems, including seed dispersal, herbivory, and effects of animals on plant communities and soils.

His research uses a variety of approaches in the field and laboratory. Field methods emphasize experimental manipulations and spatial measures of population and community structure. In the laboratory, he uses spatial analysis, simulation modeling, and geographic information systems to relate field data on animal responses to habitat heterogeneity. Dr. Crist teaches undergraduate courses in ecology and invertebrate zoology, and graduate courses in ecology.



Courses Taught:

  1. Fundamentals of Ecology (ZOO 204)
  2. Invertebrate Zoology (ZOO 312)
  3. Field Methods in Population Ecology (ZOO 437/537)
  4. Population and Community Ecology (ZOO 671)
  5. Graduate Seminar (ZOO 710)


Recent Publications:

  1. Crist, T.O., J.A. Veech, K.S. Summerville and J.C. Gering. 2003. Partitioning species diversity across landscapes and regions: a hierarchical analysis of alpha, beta, and gamma diversity. American Naturalist 162: 734-743.

  2. Veech, J.A., T.O. Crist, and K.S. Summerville. 2003. Intraspecific aggregation decreases local species diversity of arthropods. Ecology 84: 3376-3383.

  3. Summerville, K.S., M. Boulware, J.A. Veech, and T.O. Crist. 2003. Spatial variation in species diversity and composition of forest Lepidoptera: patterns and implications for conservation. Conservation Biology 17: 1045-1057.

  4. Gering, J.C., T.O. Crist and J.A. Veech. 2003. Additive partitioning of species diversity across multiple spatial scales: implications for regional conservation of biodiversity. Conservation Biology 17: 488-499.

  5. Summerville, K.S. and T.O. Crist. 2002. Effects of timber harvest practices on forest moths (Lepidoptera): community, guild, and species responses. Ecological Applications 12: 820-835.