Josh Ness

Josh Ness is an Associate Professor in the Biology Department at Skidmore College since 2005. His research and teaching focus on mutualism, parasitism, biological invasions, plant-animal interactions, and urban ecology. He has mentored numerous undergraduate researchers on projects spanning desert ecosystems, eastern forests, and urban landscapes.

• University: Skidmore College
• Department: Biology
• Academic Rank: Associate Professor

Research Interests: His work explores how climate change, habitat fragmentation, and invasive species alter ecological interactions. He investigates mutualistic networks, plant defense mechanisms, and the cascading effects of trophic relationships on ecosystem stability.

Publication Trends: His 15 most recent articles emphasize mutualism dynamics, invasive species impacts, and climate-driven ecological shifts. Topics include ant-plant interactions, phylogenetic influences on enemy susceptibility, urban matrix effects on biodiversity, and curvilinear trade-offs in food-for-protection systems.

Student Collaborations: He has co-authored studies with undergraduates on niche differentiation, phylodiversity in plant interactions, climatic framing of mutualisms, and sustainability projects like compost thermal buffering and sustainable field station design.