John Kricher
Meneely Professor of Biology
Degrees
Ph.D., Rutgers University
B.A., Temple University
Main Interests
Ecology, Evolution, Charles Darwin, Birds, Dinosaurs.
Research Interests
I write extensively about ecology and natural history, especially about the ecology of the Americas, thus I have made many trips to Central and South America to study tropical ecology, especially as it applies to birds. My principal area of expertise is ornithology, thus I commit a great deal of effort watching birds, an activity in which I take much pleasure. I have studied North American migrant birds on their wintering grounds in the tropics and have led trips to many tropical regions. But I am trained broadly as an ecologist and have traveled the world to study Earth's major ecosystems, the biomes. These travels have formed the basis for my various books, each of which deals with some aspects of ecology and evolution.
Teaching Interests
I offer a variety of courses in ecology and evolution including Ornithology and Vertebrate Evolution and Anatomy. I enjoy showing students the importance, power, and logic of organic evolution as an explanation for patterns of life both present and past, as well as how evolution has shaped the human species and its behavior, including development of moral values. My courses each include a historical perspective emphasizing the history of life on Earth. I also believe it is essential to have field experience and so courses such as Ornithology include a large measure of field work and trips off campus.
Other Interests
I spend much time birding and am involved in both professional and amateur bird organizations. I am past president of the Wilson Ornithological Society, the Association of Field Ornithologists, and the Nuttall Ornithological Club. I have served on the board of directors of the American Birding Association, New Jersey Audubon Society, and the Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences. I am currently on the Council of the Massachusetts Audubon Society. I also like to study dinosaurs, visiting museums and field sites, and have included dinosaurs in my courses. I have an extensive collection of model dinosaurs which I often bring to my labs for students to enjoy.
Student Projects
I have sponsored numerous student research projects ranging from laboratory studies of ecological microcosms to field studies of birds. Once recent study dealt with the ecology of migrant waterfowl at local reservoirs and another with the foraging behavior of black-capped chickadees in the campus woods.
Publications
I have authored three ecology field guides to various regions of North America. I am perhaps best known for my book A NEOTROPICAL COMPANION, which deals with the scope of ecology and natural history in the New World Tropics. I have also authored GALAPAGOS, a general natural history of the Galapagos Islands with a focus on how Charles Darwin's views on organic evolution were shaped by his visit to those islands. I have done two recorded lecture series, BEHOLD THE MIGHTY DINOSAUR and THE ECOLOGICAL PLANET. And, most recently, I have completed a book titled THE BALANCE OF NATURE: ECOLOGY'S ENDURING MYTH. This book will be published in spring of 2009 by Princeton University Press. I also author both scientific and general papers and articles on various aspects of my fields of interest.
Selected Publications, Creative Work or Performances
Kricher, John. In production. The Balance of Nature: Ecology≠s Enduring Myth. Princeton: Princeton University Press.
Kricher, John. 2008. The Ecological Planet: An Introduction to Earth≠s Major Ecosystems. CD Lecture Series, Modern Scholar.
Kricher, John. 2007. Behold the Mighty Dinosaur. CD Lecture Series: Modern Scholar.
Kricher, John. 2007. Tropical Forest Animal Communities. Encyclopedia of Life Sciences. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. www.els.net.
Kricher, John. 2002. Galapagos. Princeton: Princeton University Press.
Kricher, John C., (and W.E.Davis, Jr.). 2000. Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus). In The Birds of North America, No. 545 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.
Kricher, John. 1998. A Field Guide to Rocky Mountains and Southwest Forests. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston.
Kricher, John. 1998. A Field Guide to California and Pacific Northwest Forests. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston.
Kricher, John. 1998. A Field Guide to Eastern Forests, Second Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston.
Kricher, John 1997. A Neotropical Companion: A Guide to the Animals, Plants, and Ecosystems of the New World Tropics. Second Edition, revised and expanded. Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ.
Kricher, John C. 1995. Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia). In The Birds of North America, No. 158 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, and The American Ornithologists Union, Washington, D.C.