Biology Department
Trinity Western University
7600 Glover Road
Langley, BC V2Y 1Y1

Ph: (604)888-7511-3280
Fax: (604)513-2018
Email: clements@twu.ca

Background

Graduate Studies:
Ph.D., Queen's University, Kingston, Ont., Canada 1991
Subject: Integrated pest management in apple orchards

Undergraduate Studies:
B.Sc., University of Western Ontario, London, Ont., Canada 1986
Specialization: Ecology and Evolution; B.Sc. thesis subject: Weed ecology

Affiliations

A Rocha Canada—Christians in Conservation (founding board member, serving 1996-2011) chair

Agricultural Institute of Canada – member of Scientific Journals Committee (2008-2010)

American Scientific Affiliation/ Canadian Christian and Scientific Affiliation (member)

Canadian Journal of Plant Science, Associate Editor with responsibility for the Biology of Canadian Weeds Series (2004-2009)

Canadian Weed Science Society (2^nd vice President; chair of Biology of Weeds committee + served 4 years with the Awards committee)

Derek Double Day Arboretum stakeholders group (2008-present)

Garry Oak Ecosystems Recovery Team

Invasive Plant Council of BC (member of research and development committee)

Journal of Crop Improvement (editorial board 2001-2010)

Langley Environmental Partners Society (board of directors 2001-2009; Chair 2008-2009)

Langley Field Naturalists board member (2010-2011)

The Northwest Scientific Association

Pacific Science Board of Editors (2007-present)

Salmon River Enhancement Society (board of directors 1997 to present)

Soil and Water Conservation Society (Treasurer for the BC chapter 2004-present)

University of British Columbia (Faculty Associate in the Forest Science Department)

Weed Research editorial board (2007-present)

Research Interests

My research focuses on the biology and ecology of invasive plants.

I have investigated invasive plants within a variety of threatened environments such as Garry oak ecosystems in the BC Gulf Islands, arid grasslands of the southern Okanogan valley, and riparian areas of coastal BC. I am interested in developing a better understanding of invasive species that threaten these areas, looking at seed banks, ecotypic variation, response to herbivory and potential for allelopathy. Some of this research is facilitated by access to a 70-acre property on Salt Spring Island, known as the Trinity Western University Crow’s Nest Ecological Research Area which includes several Garry oak meadows.

Current invasive weed projects include:

• Biology and control of mile-a-minute weed (Mikania micrantha) in China and the Pacific Islands
• Canada-wide common garden study on invasiveness of potential biofuel crops (lead by University of Alberta with participants in Saskatchewan, Ontario, Quebec and B.C.)
• Management of Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica)
• Restoration of Garry oak ecosystems infested by sweet vernal grass (Anthoxanthum odoratum)
• Climate change and weed evolution

I am on the supervisory committee for two University of British Columbia graduate students, one studying the biology and management of hoary alyssum and another studying the effect of soil moisture stress on allelopathic influence of hound’s-tongue (Cynoglossum officinale)

I also conduct extensive literature research on a variety of weed species, contributing to the Biology of Canadian weeds and the Biology of Invasive Alien Plants in Canada series in the Canadian Journal of Plant Science. I am currently a subject editor with Weed Research and on the editorial board of Pacific Science.

I am very interested in the ethics of weed science and larger questions around bioethics and the potential for a Christian theology of environmental stewardship to bring to humanity a deeper, more holistic commitment to caring for the earth.

I am on the supervisory committee for two University of British Columbia graduate students, one studying herbivory and community ecology in Garry oak ecosystems and the other studying allelopathic effects of spotted knapweed (Centaurea maculosa).

I also conduct extensive literature research on a variety of weed species, contributing to the Biology of Canadian weeds and the Biology of Invasive Alien Plants in Canada series in the Canadian Journal of Plant Science. I am currently an associate editor of CJPS responsible for the Biology of Canadian weeds series.

My work in agroecology includes both empirical studies and more theoretical research looking at holistic approaches to agriculture. I am very interested in the ethics of weed science and larger questions around bioethics and the potential for a Christian theology of environmental stewardship to bring to humanity a deeper, more holistic commitment to caring for the earth.

Publications
Conference Presentations

Courses

Principles of Biology (BIOL 113)
Inroduction to Biology I, Ecology and Biodiversity (BIOL 103)
General Ecology (BIOL 381)
Biology of Vascular Plants (BIOL 212/312)
Biology of Nonvascular Plants (BIOL 214/314)
Plant Ecology (BIOL 316)
Tropical Botany (BIOL 318)
Developing a Christian Worldview in the Natural and Applied Sciences (NATS 487)
Senior Thesis Supervision (BIOL 409/410)