Dr. Darwyn Coxson

Coxson, Dr. Darwyn

PhD McMaster University

Professor
Phone
Office
8-333
Campus
Prince George

Biography

Darwyn Coxson is a Professor in the Ecosystem Science and Management Program and a founding faculty member of the University of Northern British Columbia. Dr. Coxson has previously been a member of the UNBC Board and Senate and has represented B.C. post-secondary institutions as past-President of the B.C. Confederation of University Faculty Members (CUFA-BA). Dr. Coxson has supported research and learning at UNBC as past Director of the Natural Resources and Environmental Studies Institute.

Research and Expertise

Dr. Coxson’s research was initially focused on the ecology of non-vascular plants – especially lichens – an amazing symbiosis between fungi and algae. Increasingly, however, Dr. Coxson realized that critical habitat for these organisms was rapidly being lost, especially within BCs inland temperate rainforests. Resulting studies on the conservation biology of inland temperate rainforest ecosystems in BC have focused on the role of old-growth forest ecosystems. This work has been highlighted in numerous books, journal articles, and more importantly, in changes to land management practices in B.C.

Research Fields
  • Biodiversity/Ecology
  • Conservation
  • Forestry
  • Natural Resources
Areas of Expertise
Lichen ecology, conservation biology, environmental physiology, forest management
Languages Spoken
  • English
Currently accepting graduate students
Supervises In
MSc NRES Biology, PhD NRES Biology
Graduate Supervisor Details
Dr. Coxson supervises students in the Natural Resources and Environmental Studies graduate programs at UNBC
Available to be contacted by the media as a subject matter expert

Selected Publications

Coxson, D., Goward, T., Werner, J.R., 2020. The Inland Temperate Rainforest and
Interior Wetbelt Biomes of Western North America. In: Goldstein, M.I., DellaSala, D.A.
(Eds.), Encyclopedia of the World's Biomes, vol. 3. Elsevier, pp. 88–102.
ISBN: 9780128160961

Bezzola, A., and Coxson, D. 2020. Lifeboat or sinking ship: will the size and shape of Old-Growth
Management Areas provide viable future habitat for temperate
rainforest lichens? http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/cjfr-2019-0381

Coxson, D., and Howe, N. 2017. Lichens in natural ecosystems, Chapter 13. In: The Fungal Community: its Organization and Role in the Ecosystem, Fourth Edition. Edited by J. Dighton and J.F. White. CRC Taylor & Francis. Boca Raton, FL. 

Coxson, D.S., Goward, T., and D. Connell. 2012. Analysis of ancient western redcedar stands in the upper Fraser River watershed and scenarios for protection. B.C. Journal of Ecosystems and Management 12: 1-20.