Research
Connell was best known for his work studying tropical diversity. Much of his work focused on community structure, examining the roles of physical factors, species interactions ( competition, predation, recruitment) and disturbances. Connell's paper on "Diversity in tropical rain forest and coral reefs" made it clear that disturbance has crucial impacts on ecological communities. This article discuss the organisation and assemblages of coral reefs and tropical rain forest. He explored that trees in the tropical rain forest and coral reefs are in non-equilibrium state, and if they are not disturbed, then they will progress towards low-diversity equilibrium community. Besides this foundational paper, he wrote numerous other papers that explore ecological community structure, patterns of succession and species biodiversity. As a teacher he encouraged his students to go beyond and look beneath the surface and evaluate the ecological matter. As a mentor, he was very eager to discuss ecological concepts with his undergraduate students, and help them in their work. He received awards such as George Mercer Award in 1963. and Eminent Ecologist Award form Ecological Society of America. ----[1] ESA History. Ecological Society of America. Web. 21 February 2014. ----[1] Connell, J. H. (1978). Diversity in tropical rain forests and coral reefs. Science, 199(4335), 1302-1310. ----[1] Day, R. W., Huchette, S., Haliotis, S. F., Dixon, C., Murdoch, W. W., Nisbet, R. M., & Briggs, C. J. A Celebration and Exploration of Joseph H. Connell's Conceptual and Empirical Influence, Inspiration, and Legacy in Ecological Research and Education. [2] http://www.esa.org/history/Awards/bulletin/eminent1985.pdf ==Selected publications==
Selected publications
• Joseph H. Connell. Diversity in Tropical Rain Forests and Coral Reefs (PDF). Science, New Series, Vol. 199, No. 4335. (March 24, 1978), pp. 1302–1310. • Joseph H. Connell; Ralph O. Slatyer. Mechanisms of Succession in Natural Communities and Their Role in Community Stability and Organization (PDF). The American Naturalist, Vol. 111, No. 982. (November - December 1977), pp. 1119–1144. • Joseph H. Connell. The influence of interspecific competition and other factors on the distribution of the barnacle Chthamalus stellatus (PDF). Ecology 42(4) (October 1961), 710-723. ==References==