Bernd Blossey, PhD

Dept. of Natural Resources, Cornell University
Ithaca, NY

Dr. Bernd Blossey was born and raised in northern Germany. In 1992, he moved to Cornell University, where he is a Professor directing the Ecology and Management of Invasive Plants Program in the Department of Natural Resources. Bernd develops and implements biological weed control programs; among his target plants are purple loosestrife, garlic mustard, water chestnut, Japanese knotweeds and invasive Phragmites. An ever increasing focus of his team are investigations into impacts of multiple “stressors” including invasive and native plants, earthworms, slugs and deer on a wide range of native organisms.  He is intimately involved in different approaches to deer management at Cornell and in the surrounding municipalities, he has developed a network or deer exclosures to study impact of deer on many species and processes, and is developing bioindicators to assess effects of different stressors, including deer.  The ultimate aim of this work is to increase the conservation values of all lands through development of best management practices.