This is an archived profile of a former SES faculty member.
About
Dr. Brett Dickson is an Associate Professor and Co-Director of the Lab of Landscape Ecology and Conservation Biology in the School of Earth and Sustainability at Northern Arizona University, where he has been a faculty member since 2014. He is also affiliated with the Lab of Conservation Ecology at NAU.
Research Interests
Landscape Ecology and Connectivity
Development of innovative approaches to connectivity modeling using circuit theory
Landscape-scale spatial analysis of ecological conditions and processes
Habitat connectivity modeling for wide-ranging species
Large-scale ecosystem restoration strategies
Conservation Biology
Applied conservation research with stakeholder partnerships
Conservation and management of resources in the American Southwest
Integration of ecological science with conservation practice
Landscape-scale conservation planning
Statistical Ecology
Development of new analytical methods for ecological data
Spatial modeling of ecological processes
Quantitative approaches to conservation planning
Education
Ph.D. Ecology/Conservation Biology, University of California, Davis
M.S. Wildlife Biology, University of Montana
B.S. Wildlife Biology, University of Montana
Research Accomplishments
Dr. Dickson has made significant contributions to the field of landscape ecology, particularly in developing circuit theory applications for modeling ecological connectivity. His work has introduced a new class of ecological connectivity models that offer distinct advantages over traditional analytic connectivity models.
Awards and Recognition
David H. Smith Conservation Research Fellow - Two-year post-doctoral fellowship supporting early-career scientists in applied conservation biology
Research Partnerships
Field Research Experience
Extensive work on the Kaibab Plateau in Arizona developing new data and approaches for restoring native ecosystems
Collaboration with Grand Canyon Trust, Grand Canyon National Park, and Kaibab National Forest
Stakeholder Engagement
Development of landscape-scale spatial datasets for stakeholder-based conservation efforts
Integration of scientific research with management applications
Partnerships with federal and state land management agencies
Key Research Contributions
Circuit Theory in Ecology
Co-authored groundbreaking research on using circuit theory to model connectivity in ecology, evolution, and conservation
Developed innovative analytical frameworks for understanding landscape connectivity
Advanced methodological approaches to connectivity modeling
Landscape-Scale Conservation
Created comprehensive spatial datasets describing vegetation composition and structure
Developed models for large fire risk assessment
Designed habitat connectivity models for wide-ranging species
Graduate Student Supervision
Dr. Dickson mentors graduate students in:
Landscape ecology field and analytical methods
Conservation biology research design
Statistical and spatial modeling techniques
Professional development in applied conservation science
Professional Service
Co-Director of the Lab of Landscape Ecology and Conservation Biology
Collaborator with regional land management agencies
Contributor to landscape-scale conservation initiatives