L. David Smith

L. David Smith is a marine ecologist in the Department of Biological Sciences and a member of the Environmental Science and Policy Program. His research examines marine biological invasions, the role of phenotypic plasticity (environmentally induced changes) in marine invertebrate predator-prey interactions, and coral reef conservation. He teaches courses in biodiversity, ecology, and conservation, invertebrate diversity, conservation biology, and environmental science and policy. He chaired working groups that created the major in environmental science and policy and the Center for the Environment, Ecological Design, and Sustainability (CEEDS) at Smith. He served as chair of biological sciences, director of environmental science and policy, co-director of the marine science and policy minor, and co-director of the Coral Reef Ed-Ventures Program in Belize.

Smith received a bachelor of arts in biology from the University of Virginia, a master of science in marine science from the University of South Carolina, and a doctoral degree in zoology from the University of Maryland. Prior to joining the faculty at Smith College, he conducted postdoctoral research at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, Bamfield Marine Station in western Canada, and the Williams College-Mystic Seaport Maritime Studies Program, and was an assistant professor at Northeastern University.

Selected Publications

Hines, A.H., M.A. Kramer, K.D. Richie, L.D. Smith, R. Aguilar, M.B. Ogburn, E.G. Johnson, G. Ruiz. “Cannibalism, predation, and refuges of juvenile blue crabs from a 37-year experiment.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 123, no. 12 (2026).

Frazer, K.J., H.M. Welch, M.G. Jacox, N. Lezama-Ochoa, B. Abrahms, M. Pozo Buil, S.R. Benson, D.M. Palacios, L.D. Smith, T.A. Clay, S. J. Bograd, E.L. Hazen. “Marine cold-spells in the California Current System: Modeling changes in frequency and impacts on endangered species habitat.” PLOS Climate 5, no. 1 (2026).

Smith, L. D. "The role of phenotypic plasticity in marine biological invasions" in Biological Invasions in Marine Ecosystems: Ecological, Management, and Geographic Perspectives. Ecological Studies Series. Edited by G. Rilov and J. A. Crooks. Volume 204. Springer, 2009.

Baldridge, A. K. and L. D. Smith. "Temperature constraints on phenotypic plasticity explain biogeographic patterns in predator trophic morphology." Marine Ecology Progress Series 365 (2008): 25–34.

Weigle, S. W., L. D. Smith, J. T. Carlton, and J. Pederson. "Assessing the risks of exotic species introductions via the live marine species trade." Conservation Biology 19 (2005): 213–23.

Smith, L. D. "Biogeographic differences in claw size and performance in an introduced crab predator Carcinus maenas." Marine Ecology Progress Series 276 (2004): 209–222.

Trussell, G. C., and L. D. Smith. "Induced defenses in response to an invading crab predator: an explanation of historical and geographic phenotypic change." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 97 (2000): 2123–2127.

Smith, L. D., M. J. Wonham, L. D. McCann, G. M. Ruiz, A. H. Hines, and J. T. Carlton. "Invasion pressure to a ballast¬ flooded estuary and an assessment of inoculant survival." Biological Invasions 1 (1999): 67–87.

Juanes, F. and L.D. Smith. “The ecological consequences of limb damage and loss in decapod crustaceans: a review and prospectus.” Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 193 (1995): 197-223.

Smith, L.D. and A.R. Palmer. “Effects of manipulated diet on size and performance of brachyuran crab claws.” Science 264 (1994): 710-712.