University at Albany Biological Sciences Department

George R. Robinson

Associate Professor
Co-Director, Graduate program in Biodiversity, Conservation, and Public Policy

Co-Director, Campus Natural Areas Studies

Office and Laboratory: BIO 253B
Phone: 518-442-4302
EMail: grobins@cnsunix.albany.edu
FAX: 518-442-4767

Courses taught

Plant Ecology (Bio 455/555) alternate fall semesters http://www.albany.edu/~grobins/pesched.html
Restoration Ecology (Bio 442/542) and Laboratory (Bio 443/543) alternate fall semesters http://www.albany.edu/~grobins/sched.html
Biogeography (Bio 316, spring semester) http://www.albany.edu/~grobins/316.html
Graduate Population and Community Ecology (Bio 533, alternate spring semesters)
Biodiversity and Conservation: Theoretical Issues (Bio 530A, alternate spring semesters) http://www.albany.edu/~grobins/530a.html
Biodiversity and Conservation: Policy issues (Bio 530B, in conjunction with the Rockefeller College of Public Policy and Administration, alternate spring semesters). A syllabus for Bio 530B can be found at http://www.albany.edu/~birkland/
Graduate Seminars in Ecology, Behavior and Evolution (Bio 601)
Graduate Seminar in Biodiversity, Conservation, and Policy (Bio 601)

Current research activities:

Ecological impact of a widespread tree disease. We are examining populations of American beech in the aftermath of a chronic, non-native disease syndrome. Population studies are focused on effects of land use history and host population structure on pest population dynamics. In collaboration with Dr. Richard Wyman, Director of the E.N. Huyck Preserve and Biological Research Station.
Spatial stability and population dynamics in a fragmented urban forest preserve. Using experimental techniques and observational studies, we are examining the relationship between fragment size, perimeter configuration, and the population dynamics of key species in the Albany Pine Bush Preserve. Current work is focused on the rapid spread of several invading tree species, and food web variation in the presence and absence of top carnivores. In collaboration with Dr. Roland Kays, NYS Museum.
Habitat islands as tools for restoration. We are testing methods for regenerating forests on open, derelict lands, using clusters of woody plants that vary in size, arrangement, and species composition. Current focus is on the quantity and quality of species interactions, including seed dispersal, herbivory, and the macroinvertebrate food web. In collaboration with Steven Handel, Joan Ehrenfeld, and Scott Ruhren at Rutgers University, and Jennifer Mattei at Sacred Heart College.
Reforestation in southern Brazil. Dr. Ingrid Peters Robinson is directing studies of forest restoration on the reservoir margin of the Itaipu Dam, Paraná. Current work is aimed at maximizing genetic diversity of seed orchards for native tree species collected from regional forest fragments.

Recent Publications:

Glavanakov, S., D.J. White, T. Caraco, A. Lapenis, G.R. Robinson, B.K. Szymanski, and W.A. Manniaty. 2001. Lyme disease in New York State: Spatial pattern at a regional scale. (in press, American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Health).

Lee, C.-S., H.H You, and G.R. Robinson. Succession and habitat recovery in abandoned rice paddy fields in central Korea. (in press, Restoration Ecology)

G.R. Robinson, N.D. Wright, and I. Peters Robinson. Land use history and spatial variability in the beech bark disease. (in press, Proceedings, Second Annual Conference, Catskill Institute).

G.R. Robinson and J. Zappieri. 1999. Biodiversity policy in time and space: Lessons from divergent approaches to salvage logging on public lands. Conservation Ecology, Volume 3, on line (URL: http://www.consecol.org/Journal/vol3/iss1/art3).

Robinson, G.R. and Handel, S.N. 1999. Spatial and temporal patterns of recruitment in an urban woodland restoration. (Ecological Applications 10:174-188).

Handel, S.N., Robinson, G.R., Parsons, W.F., and Mattei, J.H. 1997. Restoration of woody plants to capped landfills: Root dynamics in engineered soils. Restoration Ecology 5: 178-186.

Robinson, G.R., Quinn, J.F., & Stanton, M.L. 1995. Invasion of experimental habitat islands in a California winter annual grassland. Ecology 76: 786-794

Holt, R.D., Robinson, G.R., & Gaines, M.S. 1995. Vegetation dynamics in an experimentally fragmented landscape. Ecology 76: 1610-1624.

Holt, R.D., Debinski, D.M., Diffendorfer, J.E., Gaines, M.S., Martinko, E.A., Robinson, G.R., and Ward, G.C. 1995. Perspectives from an experimental study of habitat fragmentation in an agroecosystem. Pages 147-1275 in: D.M. Glen, M.P. Greaves, and H.M. Anderson, editors, Ecology and Integrated Farming Systems. Wiley, Chichester, UK.

Robinson, G.R., & Handel, S.N. 1994. A century of change in the Staten Island flora: Ecological correlates of species losses and gains. Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club 121: 119-129.

Handel, S.N., Robinson, G.R., and Beattie, A.J. 1994. Biodiversity resources for ecological restoration. Restoration Ecology 2: 230-241.

Robinson, G.R., & Handel, S.N. 1993 Forest restoration on a closed landfill: Rapid addition of new species by bird dispersal. Conservation Biology 7: 271-278.

Robinson, G.R., Holt, R.D., Gaines, M.S., Hamburg, S.P., Johnson, M.L., Fitch, H.S., & Martinko, E.A. 1992. Diverse and contrasting effects of habitat fragmentation. Science 257: 524-526.

Robinson, G.R., & Quinn, J. F. 1992. Habitat fragmentation and the design of nature reserves. Pages 223-248 in: S.K. Jain & L. Botsford, editors, Applied Population Biology. Kluwer Academic, Dordrecht.

George R. Robinson

Associate Professor
Co-Director, Graduate program in Biodiversity, Conservation, and Public Policy

Co-Director, Campus Natural Areas Studies

Office and Laboratory: BIO 253B
Phone: 518-442-4302
EMail: grobins@cnsunix.albany.edu
FAX: 518-442-4767

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George R. Robinson

Associate Professor Co-Director, Graduate program in Biodiversity, Conservation, and Public Policy

Co-Director, Campus Natural Areas Studies

Office and Laboratory: BIO 253B Phone: 518-442-4302 EMail: grobins@cnsunix.albany.edu FAX: 518-442-4767

Go to Top of this page

Go to University at Albany Biology Dept Home Page

Associate Professor
Co-Director, Graduate program in Biodiversity, Conservation, and Public Policy

Office and Laboratory: BIO 253B
Phone: 518-442-4302
EMail: grobins@cnsunix.albany.edu
FAX: 518-442-4767