Dr. Rachel Collins
Professor
Department: Biology
Office: 214 Life Science
540-375-2034
rcollins@roanoke.edu
Degrees
B.S., Wildlife and Fisheries Managment, North Carolina State University
M.S., Department of Zoology, Miami University
Ph.D., Program in Ecology and Evolution in the Biology Department, University of Pittsburgh
Homepage
www.roanoke.edu/inside/a-z_index/biology/meet_the_biologists/dr_rachel_collins
Research & Teaching Interests
As a community ecologist, I am interested in how organisms in forests interact with each other and with the environment to affect ecosystem function (e.g., species diversity, productivity, invasibility, and other dynamics). I am especially interested in species diversity. Many factors contribute to the number of species in an area and the number of species in an area impact ecosystem functions. You may have noticed that there seems to be some circularity in my description. Although in academic writing, one might try to avoid circular arguments, understanding this circular nature of species diversity is key to understanding natural systems. And it is this interplay of the causes and consequences of species diversity that I am most interested in exploring in my research lab and classes.
Recent Publications
Collins, R.J., C. A. Copenheaver, J.N. Barney, and P.J. Radtke. 2020. Using Invasional Meltdown Theory to Understand Patterns of Invasive Richness and Abundance in Forests of the Northeastern USA. Natural Areas Journal.40: 336-344
Wise, M and R. Collins. 2020. Using algal microcosms in introductory biology lab I: The influence of nutrient levels on the biodiversity of an ecological community. Bioscene. 46(2): 30-39
Wise, M and R. Collins. 2020. Using algal microcosms in introductory biology lab.II: The influence of biodiversity on ecosystem productivity. Bioscene. 46(2): 40-49.
Collins, R. and C. Copenheaver. 2019. Lessons learned from the loss of American chestnut. Virginia Forests. Spring 2019. Pages 16-18.
Collins, R.J., C.A. Copenheaver, M.E. Kester, E.J. Barker, and K.G. DeBose. 2018. American chestnut: Re-examining the historical attributes of a lost tree. Journal of Forestry. 113: 68-75
Collins, Rachel, Jerald Dosch, Kristine Hopfensperger, Karen Kuers, Erin Lindquist, Charles McClaugherty, and Tim Menzel. 2016. EREN PFPP Species Composition Curriculum Module with Data. QUBES. https://qubeshub.org/publications/31/2
Available as a Media resource for the following topics
biodiversity
plant and animal ecology
restoration ecology
invasive species
how ecosystems work
Roanoke College Environment Center
Willing to speak to professional, social or civic groups on
Value of biodiversity
How ecosystems work
Smooth coneflower (Echinacea laevigata) conservation
Invasive species ecology and management
Roanoke College Environment Center restoration projects and environmental literacy