Dr. Tyler W. Smith

Research Scientist

I am a botanist with a background in systematics, ecology, and conservation biology. My research at AAFC focuses on the diversity of uncultivated plants in agricultural ecosystems, including crop wild relatives, weeds and invasive species.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

960 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON

Current research and/or projects

Modeling IAS risk under climate change 2019-2021

Assessing the range potential of Invasive Alien Species (Dog-strangling Vine) and associated herbivores under climate change with geospatial models of biological collections data

Supporting Makkovimiut food systems 2021-2025

Identifying key factors contributing to yield variability, assess pollinator communities, and develop locally-relevant semi-cultivated management practices for Rubus chamaemorus (bakeapple) to enhance annual yields.

Systematics of Weeds, Crops, and Crop Wild Relatives 2019-2025

Assessing in situ diversity of important berry crop wild relatives (Vaccinium, Rubus).

Research and/or project statements

My work focuses on the diversity of uncultivated plants in agricultural systems. This includes assessing the current and potential risks posed by weeds and invasive species, and evaluating the genetic and taxonomic diversity of crop wild relatives with the potential to enhance the sustainability and resilience of Canada's agricultural sector.

Professional activities / interests

Board Member of the Committee on the Status of Species at Risk in Ontario (COSSARO) 2016-2019
Board Member of the Canadian Botanical Association 2011-2021
Adjunct Faculty Carleton University 2012-current
Associate Editor Botany 2011-2019, Castanea 2011-current
Chair, AAFC Vascular Plant Herbarium Collection Curatorial Committee 2018-current
Expert Reviewer for the Technical Advisory Group for the Biological Control Agents of Weeds 2018-current

Education and awards

B.Sc (Hons.) Pure and Applied Ecology, University of Guelph, 1996
Ph.D Plant Science (Systematics), McGill University, 2007

International experience and/or work

Assistant Professor, Eastern Kentucky University, 2009-2011

Additional links

plantarum.ca

Key publications

Martin, S.L., Smith, T.W., James, T., Shalabi, F., Kron, P., Sauder, C.A. (2017). An update to the canadian range, abundance, and ploidy of camelina spp. (brassicaceae) east of the Rocky Mountains. Botany, [online] 95(4), 405-417. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/cjb-2016-0070
2017 - View publication details
Nowell, V., Smith, T.W., Cavallin, N., and McPhee, J. (2015). COSEWIC Assessment and Update Status Report on the hop tree, Ptelea trifoliata, in Canada. Technical Report, Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada, Ottawa. (Report)
2015 - View publication details
Zalapa, J.E., Bougie, T.C., Bougie, T.A., Schlautman, B.J., Wiesman, E., Guzman, A., Fajardo, D.A., Steffan, S., Smith, T. (2015). Clonal diversity and genetic differentiation revealed by SSR markers in wild Vaccinium macrocarpon and Vaccinium oxycoccos. Annals of Applied Biology, [online] 166(2), 196-207. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/aab.12173
2015 - View publication details
Mitrow, G., Catling, P.M., Cayouette, J., Macklin, J.A., Smith, T.W., and Ward, A. (2014). "Preventing humidity and direct water damage in a dried plant collection (DAO).", The Society for Preservation of Natural History Collection (SPNHC), June 2014. (Poster)
2014 - View publication details
Côté, M.J., Leduc, L., Kerr, D., Dollard, C., Blain, A., Catling, P.M., Mitrow, G., Martin, S.L., Smith, T.W., and Macklin, J.A. (2014). "Barcoding of Quarantine and invasive species in Canada: Invasive Plants.", Weeds Across Boarders, Ottawa, Canada, October 2014. (Abstract)
2014 - View publication details
Mitrow, G., Catling, P.M., Cayouette, J., Macklin, J.A., Smith, T.W., and Ward, A. (2014). Annual Report of the AAFC National Collection of Vascular Plants (DAO Herbarium) and National Vascular Plant Identification Service (January – December 2013). Completed in May 2014. (Report)
2014 - View publication details
Lundholm, J., Heim, A., Tran, S., Smith, T. (2014). Leaf and life history traits predict plant growth in a green roof ecosystem. PLoS ONE, [online] 9(6), http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0101395
2014 - View publication details
Smith, T.W. and Wang, S. (2013). "Species Limits and Polyploidy in Vaccinium oxycoccos.", Canadian Botanical Association, Kamloops, BC, Canada, Oral Presentation.
2013 - View publication details
Côté, M.J., Leduc, L., Kerr, D., Dollard, C., Catling, P.M., Mitrow, G., Martin, S.L., Smith, T.W., and Macklin, J.A. (2013). "Barcoding of Quarantine and Invasive Species in Canada: Invasive Plants. Co-operation project between the Canadian Food Inspection Agency – CFIA and AAFC (GRDI - Genomics Research and Development).", Plant Genome Evolution Meeting 2013, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, September 8-10, 2013. (Abstract)
2013 - View publication details
Walinga, C. and Smith, T.W. (2013). "Morphometric analysis of the small-fruited cranberry, Vaccinium oxycoccos L. in eastern Canada.", Canadian Botanical Association, Kamloops, BC, Canada. (Poster)
2013 - View publication details
Smith, T.W., Lundholm, J.T. (2012). Environmental geometry and heterogeneity-diversity relationships in spatially explicit simulated communities. Journal of Vegetation Science, [online] 23(4), 732-744. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1654-1103.2011.01380.x
2012 - View publication details
Rothfels, C.J. and Smith, T.W. (2011). COSEWIC assessment and update status report on the Green Dragon Arisaema dracontium in Canada., Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) Secretariat, Canadian Wildlife Service. (Report)
2011 - View publication details
Smith, T.W. (2011 under review). Recovery strategy for the Ram's Head Lady Slipper (Cypripedium arietinum) in Nova Scotia., Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources, Canada.
2011 - View publication details
Galbraith, D.A., Iwanycki, N.E., McGoey, B.V., McGregor, J., Pringle, J.S., Rothfels, C.J., and Smith, T.W. (2011). "The Evolving Role of Botanical Gardens and Natural Areas: A Floristics Case Study from Royal Botanical Gardens, Canada.", Plant Diversity and Resources, 33(1), pp. 123-131. doi : 10.3724/SP.J.1143.2011.10235
2011 - View publication details
Smith, T.W. and Rothfels, C.J. (2011). COSEWIC assessment and update status report on the Broad Beech Fern Phegopteris hexagonoptera in Canada., Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) Secretariat, Canadian Wildlife Service. (Report)
2011 - View publication details
Balsdon, J.L., Smith, T.W., and Lundholm, J.T. (2011). "Phenotypic and genotypic differentiation of Vaccinium vitis-idaea (L.) between coastal barrens and forests in Nova Scotia, Canada.", Botany, 89(3), pp. 147-155. doi : 10.1139/B11-003
2011 - View publication details
Smith, T.W. and Blaney, S. (2010). COSEWIC assessment and status report on the Tubercled Spike-rush Eleocharis tuberculosa in Canada., Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) Secretariat, Canadian Wildlife Service. (Report)
2010 - View publication details
Smith, T.W. and Lundholm, J.T. (2010). "Variation partitioning as a tool to distinguish between niche and neutral processes.", Ecography, 33(4), pp. 648-655. doi : 10.1111/j.1600-0587.2009.06105.x
2010 - View publication details
Smith, T.W. (2009). "Plant Taxonomy: The Systematic Evaluation of Comparative Data, Second Edition. Stuessy, T.F. 2009. 539 pp. ISBN 978-0-231-14712-5. Columbia University Press, New York, NY (Book Review).", Plant Science Bulletin, 55(3), pp. 136-137.
2009 - View publication details
Blaney, S. and Smith, T.W. (2009). COSEWIC assessment and update status report on the Carolina Redroot Lachnanthes caroliniana in Canada., Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) Secretariat, Canadian Wildlife Service. (Report)
2009 - View publication details