Richard A. Niesenbaum

Professor and Head of Biology
New Science Building 327
484-664-3258
niesenba@muhlenberg.edu

Faculty Web Page

NSF Project Web Page: Plant-Insect Interactions

Education
B.A. Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Pennsylvania
M.S. Biological Oceanography, University of Connecticut
Ph.D. Biology/Ecology, University of Pennsylvania

Research Interests
In my lab we focus on two distinct, but related areas, plant-insect interactions and conservation biology and sustainable development. With research funding from NSF and Merck/AAAS, our studies of plant-insect interactions are now focused on how abiotic and biotic environmental factors influence insect herbivory as mediated through leaf defensive chemistry. In the area of conservation biology and sustainable development, we have been collaborating with the Rodale Institute on measuring the success of sustainable forestry practice in northern Guatemala, and on developing ways to effectively link social, economic, and ecological indicators in the evaluation of international conservation and development projects. We have also established a long-term, interdisciplinary watershed-monitoring project in Abangares, Costa Rica. Finally, a number of my students conduct research at the interface between environment and human/public health including ethnobotanical and medicinal plant studies. 

Selected Publications (for a complete list click here)
Niesenbaum, R.A., J.F. Cahill, and C. Ingersoll. 2006. Light, wind, and touch influence leaf chemistry, growth, and rates of herbivory in Apocynum cannabinum (Apocynaceae). International Journal of Plant Sciences 167:969-978..

Niesenbaum, R.A., M.E. Salazar, and A.M. Diop. 2004. Community forestry in the Mayan Biosphere Reserve in Guatemala. The Journal of Sustainable Forestry 19:11-28.

Niesenbaum, R.A. and T. Lewis.  2003. Ghettoization in Conservation Biology: How interdisciplinary is our teaching.  Conservation Biology 17:6-10.