Haldre S. Rogers

Dr. Haldre S. Rogers is a distinguished professor working to advance the understanding of tropical forest ecology and conservation biology. As a faculty affiliate at Virginia Tech's Global Change Center, she specializes in exploring the intricate roles that animals play within forest systems, particularly as pollinators, seed dispersers, and predators. Her research is pivotal in understanding the cascading effects of species loss on ecosystem services and food web dynamics. Dr. Rogers's work is particularly focused on the impact of the brown tree snake's introduction to Guam's forests, a subject she has extensively studied through both comparative studies and manipulative experiments. Her research is primarily conducted on the Mariana Islands, where she seeks to unravel the complex interactions within tropical forest communities and develop effective conservation strategies for these threatened ecosystems. Her interests span across tropical forest community ecology, animal ecology, and the dynamics of food webs, with a keen focus on mutualisms and biodiversity loss. Through her innovative research, Dr. Rogers aims to shed light on how the loss of biodiversity can alter the provision of ecosystem services, which are crucial for maintaining the health and functionality of tropical forests. Dr. Rogers's contributions to the field are not only academic but also practical, as she strives to inform conservation efforts that can mitigate the adverse effects of invasive species and other threats to biodiversity. Her work is instrumental in guiding policies and practices that aim to preserve the delicate balance of tropical ecosystems. In addition to her research, Dr. Rogers is dedicated to mentoring the next generation of ecologists and conservationists, fostering a deeper understanding of the importance of biodiversity and the roles that animals play in sustaining healthy ecosystems. Her commitment to education and research continues to inspire both her students and colleagues in the field of ecology.