Marcel Holyoak

Professor, Department of Environmental Science and Policy

 

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People

Research pages

Spatial community dynamics

Insect conservation 

Predator-prey metapopulations

Teaching pages

ESP001 "Environmental Applications"

ECL200A "Ecological Principles"

Personal information

Curriculum Vitae

Publications

Other

Some of my photos

Department Homepage

 

http://www.des.ucdavis.edu/faculty/holyoak/Marcel2.jpgPhone: (530) 754-7046 

Fax: (530) 752-3350 

Email: maholyoak AT ucdavis.edu

Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of California, 1 Shields Ave.,

Davis, CA 95616, USA.

Office: 3154 Wickson Hall.

Lab: 1219 P.E.S. Building.

 

Education:
Ph.D., Ecology, 1992, Imperial College at Silwood Park, University of London
B.S., Biology, 1989, Imperial College, Univ. of London

Introduction to research

My research program focuses on questions about the importance of spatial dynamics to populations and communities. It addresses theories that are central to conservation and the maintenance of biodiversity, and combines field, laboratory and theoretical components. Many of these projects are collaborative, as described on the pages for each topic area.

My work focuses on three major topics: 

(1) I am very interested in the role of spatial dynamics in ecological communities (metacommunity ecology). Ongoing research investigates the factors that maintain species diversity in both laboratory and field systems. This work also re-evaluates and challenges existing community theory that was developed for closed local communities.

(2) Conservation of a threatened insect species, the Valley Elderberry Longhorn Beetle. This project aims to better understand regional population survival using knowledge of local and regional dynamics. It includes consideration of both habitat restoration efforts and landscape-scale factors. 

(3) A long-held interest of mine is developing and testing theory about predator and prey metapopulations. This work uses microorganisms (protozoa and bacteria) in laboratory microcosms and theoretical models as tools for testing and improving ecological theory about mechanisms of persistence. 

Curriculum Vitae as a PDF file

I am an associate editor for The American Naturalist and Ecology/Ecological Monographs. I am a member of the Faculty of 1000 in biology, an online research tool that highlights the most interesting papers in biology, based on the recommendations of over 1000 scientists worldwide.

 

Teaching

I accept students through the Graduate Group in Ecology, although my lab is currently full. Information for prospective graduate students is given at this link.

I currently teach two courses. I am also the master advisor for students in the Environmental Biology and Management major. 

ESP001 "Environmental Applications" is an introductory undergraduate course in environmental science and policy. It is a lecture and discussion course that aims to provide students with: (1) Knowledge of the scientific basis of the current understanding of environmental issues. (2) An appreciation of the technical, political and legal issues associated with getting better scientific information for the purpose of environmental policy. (3) An understanding of the public policy process. (4) Awareness of the principle debates in current public policy regarding the environment, especially water policy, land use and habitat/biodiversity. The course is co-taught with a policy instructor, currently Jeff Loux of University Extension and Landscape Architecture.

ECL200A "Ecological Principles and Applications" forms the first part of the core course for the Graduate Group in Ecology. The main aim of Ecology 200A is to provide students with a broad background in the principles, theoretical underpinnings, and applications of ecology. This serves as preparation for more specialized courses in the ecology program and gives students a general grounding in ecology. The course has a lecture and discussion format. Lectures aim to give the necessary background to understand ongoing debates in ecology and to synthesize the current state of empirical and theoretical knowledge of a broad range of areas in ecology.

Last modified 08/12/2008, M. Holyoak index.htm