Rolf W. Mathewes

Rolf W. Mathewes is a Professor of Paleoecology & Palynology in the Department of Biological Sciences at Simon Fraser University. He specializes in reconstructing past environmental changes using pollen, plant macrofossils, and radiocarbon dating, focusing on western Canada. His research bridges biology, earth sciences, and archaeology, addressing climate change impacts on forests, wetlands, and postglacial vegetation dynamics. Notable projects include studies on Haida Gwaii's Pleistocene ecosystems, Eocene flora of the Okanagan Highlands, and forensic botany applications.

Educated at SFU (BSc) and UBC (PhD), he collaborates with earth scientists and forensic researchers. His work supports interdisciplinary fields like climate modeling, resource management, and legal investigations. Recent studies include postglacial forest histories, mammoth steppe collapses, and archaeological site analyses in Yukon and British Columbia.

Lab facilities (B8236/B9227) facilitate pollen analysis and fossil studies. Research outputs span over 130+ publications, with emphasis on Eocene insects, Pleistocene mammal diets, and Holocene fire regimes. Awards and recognitions are currently unspecified, though contributions to paleoenvironmental methodologies are prominent.