Professor, Community & Climate-Change Ecology
- Department:
- Office: 775-682-9512
- Email: jhcushman@unr.edu
- Building: FA
- Room: 224
- Mailstop: 186
- Website: Hall Cushman Lab
- Website: Twitter: @HallCushman
Summary
My research addresses a wide range of questions in ecology at the population, community, ecosystem and landscape levels. I am particularly interested in 1) the ecological consequences of anthropogenic climate change, 2) the long-term dynamics of tree and shrub populations, 3) the restoration of riparian corridors in arid landscapes, 4) the influence of native and domestic herbivores on plant and animal communities, and 5) the ecology and impacts of invasive, non-native plant species. My work has a strong applied emphasis and strives to provide science-based insights about the management and restoration of human-altered landscapes.
I have a diverse group of graduate students, postdocs and research technicians working with me on projects in ecology, conservation biology and restoration ecology – and am always on the look-out for bright, motivated individuals who want to join our group.
Courses & Teaching Responsibilities
Natural Resource Ecology (NRES 217); Plant Ecology (NRES 347); Climate-Change Policy (EECB 751)
Education
B.S. Marlboro College
M.S. University of Arizona
Ph.D. Northern Arizona University
Publications
Publications are listed below.
Journals
Continent-wide synthesis of the long-term population dynamics of quaking aspen in the face of accelerating human impacts.
2021
Oecologia 197, 25–42
Refsland, T. K., & Cushman, J. H.
Effects of human-altered landscapes on a reintroduced ungulate: Patterns of habitat selection at the rangeland-wildland interface.
2021
Biological Conservation Volume 257, 109086
Hughey, L. F., Shoemaker, K. T., Stewart, K. M., McCauley, D. J., & Cushman, J. H.
Context-dependent effects of a large mammalian herbivore on soil properties and processes due to soil texture and herbivore activity.
2020
Ecology and Evolution 10:10858-10871.
Dodge, V., V. E. Eviner & J. H. Cushman.
Long-term and interactive effects of different mammalian consumers on growth, survival and recruitment of dominant tree species.
2020
Ecology and Evolution 10:8801–8814.
Cushman, J. H., L. E. Saunders & T. K. Refsland.
Cascading effects of mammalian herbivores on ground-dwelling arthropods: variable responses across arthropod groups, habitats and seasons.
2019
Journal of Animal Ecology 88:1319–1331.
Cecil, E., M. J. Spasojevic & J. H. Cushman.
Effects of native bryophytes on exotic grass invasion across an environmental gradient.
2019
Ecosphere 10(6):e02769.
Kleinhesselink, A. R. & J. H. Cushman.
Synthesizing the effects of large, wild herbivore exclusion on ecosystem function.
2019
Functional Ecology 33:1597–1610.
Forbes, E. S., J. H. Cushman, D. E. Burkepile, T. P. Young, M. Klope, H. S. Young.
Indirect effects of a large mammalian herbivore on small mammal populations: Context-dependent variation across habitat types, mammal species, and seasons
2018
Ecology & Evolution 8:12115-12125
Ellis, T. D., & J. H. Cushman.
Native herbivores and environmental heterogeneity as mediators of an exotic grass invasion.
2017
Ecology and Evolution 7:1561–1571
Ender, C. L., C. E. Christian & J. H. Cushman.
Effects of individual, community and landscape drivers on the dynamics of a wildland forest epidemic.
2016
Ecology 97:649-660
Haas, S. E., J. H. Cushman, W. W. Dillon, N. E. Rank, D. M. Rizzo and R. K. Meentemeyer.
Shrubs as ecosystem engineers across an environmental gradient: effects on species richness and exotic plant invasion.
2014
Oecologia 175:1277-1290
Kleinhesselink, A. R., S. M. Magnoli, & J. H. Cushman.
Community-level consequences of cattle grazing for an invaded grassland: variable responses of native and exotic vegetation.
2013
Journal of Vegetation Science 24:332-343
Skaer, M. J., D. J. Graydon & J. H. Cushman.
Responses to invasion and invader removal differ between native and exotic plant groups in a coastal dune.
2013
Oecologia 173:1521-1530.
Magnoli, S. M., A. R. Kleinhesselink, & J. H. Cushman.
Population genetic diversity and structure of two rare vernal pool grasses in central California.
2012
Conservation Genetics 13:117-130
Gordon, S. P., C. M. Sloop, H. G. Davis & J. H. Cushman.
Native herbivores and plant facilitation mediate the performance and distribution of an invasive exotic grass.
2011
Journal of Ecology 99:524-531
Cushman, J. H., C. J. Lortie & C. E. Christian.
Spatial estimation of the density and carbon content of host populations for Phytophthora ramorum in California and Oregon.
2011
Forest Ecology & Management 262:989-998.
Lamsal, S., R. C. Cobb, J. H. Cushman, Q. Meng, D. M. Rizzo & R. K. Meentemeyer.
Community-level consequences of invasion: impacts of exotic clonal plants on riparian vegetation.
2010
Biological Invasions 12:2765-2776
Cushman, J. H., & K. A. Gaffney.
Shrubs as ecosystem engineers in a coastal dune: influences on plant populations, communities and ecosystems.
2010
Journal of Vegetation Science 21:821-831
Cushman, J. H., J. C. Waller & D. R. Hoak.
Influence of land-cover change on the spread of an invasive forest pathogen.
2008
Ecological Applications 18:159-171.
Meentemeyer, R. K., N. E. Rank, B. L. Anacker & J. H. Cushman.
Multi-scale patterns of human activity and the incidence of an exotic forest pathogen.
2008
Journal of Ecology 96:766-776
Cushman, J. H., & R. K. Meentemeyer
Negative effects of vertebrate herbivores on invertebrates in a coastal dune community.
2008
Ecology 89:1972-1980.
Huntzinger, M., R. Karban & J. H. Cushman.
Effects of a directional abiotic gradient on plant community dynamics and invasion in a coastal dune system.
2007
Journal of Ecology 95:468-481.
Lortie, C. J. & J. H. Cushman.
Influence of a large herbivore reintroduction on plant invasions and community composition in a California grassland.
2007
Conservation Biology 21:15-521.
Johnson, B. E. & J. H. Cushman.
Temporal changes in native and exotic vegetation and soil characteristics following disturbances by feral pigs in a California grassland.
2006
Biological Invasions 8:1073-1089.
Tierney, T. & J. H. Cushman
Indirect effects of deer herbivory on local nitrogen availability in a coastal dune ecosystem.
2005
Oikos 110:124-132.
McNeil, S. G. & J. H. Cushman.