Dr. Tyler W. Smith

Image Tyler William 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

  1. 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, 95(4), 405-417. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/cjb-2016-0070

    2017 - View publication details

  2. 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, 166(2), 196-207. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/aab.12173

    2015 - View publication details

  3. Lundholm, J., Heim, A., Tran, S., Smith, T. (2014). Leaf and life history traits predict plant growth in a green roof ecosystem, 9(6), http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0101395

    2014 - View publication details

  4. Smith, T.W., Lundholm, J.T. (2012). Environmental geometry and heterogeneity-diversity relationships in spatially explicit simulated communities, 23(4), 732-744. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1654-1103.2011.01380.x

    2012 - View publication details

Contact

Research facility

Ottawa Research and Development Centre
960 Carling Avenue
Ottawa, ON K1A 0C6
Canada

Expertise

Agriculture›Biodiversity›Botany
Agriculture›Systematics›Canadian crop and crop relative
Environment›Nature & Wildlife›Biodiversity›Alien Species
Plant›Botany›Plants
Plant›Botany›Weeds

Affiliations

  • Canadian Botanical Association

  • Southern Applachian Botanical Association

  • Botanical Society of America

Language

English
French