Meet The Contributing Authors
David Pimentel
Department of Entomology, Systematics and Ecology
Cornell University
5126 Comstock Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853-0901
phone: (607) 255-2212
e-mail: dp18@cornell.edu
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- My research is focused on the theoretical and experimental
aspects of the population dynamics and coevolution in parasite-host systems. This basic
research has led to both theoretical and experimental research on the bio-logical control
of pests. My studies have confirmed that selecting parasites and predators that attack
related species for introduction and control of the pest species improves biological
control successes threefold. Although classical biocontrol has proven effective in the
past, my "new association" approach has broadened and improved the strategies
available in biological control.
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- I am also studying the ecological effects of pesticides on
natural ecosystems and human health in an effort to improve pesticide effectiveness while
reducing the hazards of these agricultural chemicals. By studying the complexities of
agricultural ecosystems, I am developing ecological techniques to insure sound management
of soil, water, energy, and biological resources so vital to a sustainable food system.
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- As an agricultural ecologist, I am investigating energy flows in
the agriculture and food systems. This research has focused on the more efficient use of
fossil energy in agricultural production to make agriculture sustainable.
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- Current research projects in my laboratory include theoretical
and experimental investigations of parasite-host population dynamics and evolution;
theoretical and experimental investigations of biological control of pests in agriculture;
energy flows in agricultural and food systems and biomass energy systems; and ecological
resource management in agriculture to reduce pesticide effects, soil erosion, rapid water
runoff, and protect natural biota for a sustainable agriculture.
- BIO SKETCH
B.S. 1948 (University of Massachusetts)
Ph.D. 1951 (Cornell University)
- Professor Pimentel had postdoctoral research scholarships at
Oxford University (England), the University of Chicago, and Massachusetts Institute of
Technology. After serving four years as Director of a U.S. Public Health Ser-vice Tropical
Research Laboratory in Puerto Rico, Pimentel returned to Cornell to join the faculty of
the Department of Entomology and Limnology. There he developed the first course in general
ecology and now teaches a course in environmental policy. He holds a joint appointment in
the Department of Entomology and the Section of Ecology and Systematics and is a member of
the Graduate Fields of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Entomology, and Natural
Resources. Nationally, Pimentel has served in the Office of the President and as Chairman
of the Environmental Studies Board in the National Academy of Sciences.
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- SELECTED PUBLICATIONS:
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- Pimentel, D. 1988. Herbivore population feeding pressure on plant
hosts: feedback evolution and host conservation. Oikos 53:289-302.
Pimentel, D., M.S. Hunter, J.A. LaGro, R.A. Efroymson, J.C.
Landers, et al. 1989. Benefits and risks of genetic engineering in agricul-ture.
BioScience 39: 606-614.
Pimentel, D., N. Brown, F. Vecchio, V. La Capra, S. Hausman, et al.
1992. Ethical issues concerning potential global climate change on food production.
Journal of Agricul-tural and Environmental Ethics 5:113-146.
Pimentel, D., ed. 1993. World Soil Erosion and Conservation.
Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, England. 349 p.
Pimentel, D. & H. Lehman, eds. 1993. The Pesticide Question:
Environment, Economics and Ethics. Chapman and Hall, New York. 441 p.
Pimentel, D. 1993. Economics and energetics of organic and
conventional farming. Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Ethics 6:53-60.
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