Dr. Oswald Schmitz

Biography

Oswald Schmitz is an Oastler Professor at the Yale School of the Environment. His research focuses on the important linkages between biodiversity and ecosystem services. He employs field experimentation and formal mathematical theory to investigate species interactions, particularly how predator and herbivore species affect plant productivity and ecosystem processes like nutrient and carbon cycling. His work aims to understand how environmental disturbances such as global climate change and resource exploitation influence these interactions. Schmitz emphasizes the need to rethink conservation strategies and considers a diverse portfolio of management alternatives, moving away from conventional, technologically intensive approaches. He has also written a book titled 'New Ecology: Rethinking Science in the Anthropocene,' which makes ecological science more accessible to a broader audience. Schmitz’s teaching philosophy encourages the development of quantitative and analytical skills among students, supporting responsible management decisions. He incorporates real-world applications into his courses, enabling students to conduct computer simulations and learn at their own pace. Schmitz received his B.Sc. and M.Sc. from the University of Guelph and his Ph.D. from the University of Michigan.

Research Interests