معرفی
Jesse Bellemare is an Associate Professor of Biological Sciences at Smith College and a visiting faculty member at Conway for fall 2024. He holds a PhD from Cornell University, an MFS from Harvard University, and a BS from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
His research focuses on plant ecology, biogeography, and evolution, particularly examining how historical processes like past climate change and dispersal limitation influence plant species' distributions and community diversity. Key projects include studying the impacts of Eastern hemlock decline due to invasive insects at Smith College’s MacLeish Field Station and exploring the potential for managed relocation of plant species under anthropogenic climate change. His work bridges foundational ecological theory with applied conservation challenges.
Research areas include climate change adaptation, species conservation, and the role of horticultural plantings as 'accidental experiments' revealing species' climatic tolerances beyond their native ranges. Recent studies highlight the naturalization of Magnolia tripetala in western Massachusetts and the cascading effects of foundation species loss on forest ecosystems.
Labs/Teams: Bellemare Lab, Smith College’s Ada and Archibald MacLeish Field Station.
