John F. O’Leary
Professor of Geography
Storm Hall 309C | [email protected]
Curriculum Vitae
John O’Leary’s teaching and research interests include introductory physical geography, biogeography, climatology, and vegetation ecology (particularly of Mediterranean-type ecosystems) with special emphases upon spatial and temporal patterns of species diversity, community composition, post-disturbance resilience, and habitat preferences of species. He also has expertise in methods of vegetation analysis (vegetation mapping, field sampling techniques, statistical analysis) as well as conservation planning. He teaches GEOG 101 (Earth’s Physical Environment), GEOG 507 (Geography of Natural Vegetation), GEOG 509 (Regional Climatology), and GEOG 710 (Seminar in California Ecosystems). In 2003 he was awarded the SDSU Senate Excellence in Teaching Award and was designated as a Senate Distinguished Professor. While continuing with research projects based on field sampling and monitoring of coastal sage scrub, chaparral, and riparian vegetation he has also developed teaching and research interests in techniques and issues associated with vegetation mapping.
- Ph.D., University of California, Los Angeles, 1984
- M.A., University of California, Los Angeles., 1976
- B.A. with Honors, University of California, Riverside, 1971
- GEOG 101: Earth's Physical Environment
- GEOG 507: Geography of Natural Vegetation
- GEOG 509: Regional Climatology
- GEOG 710: Seminar in California Ecosystems
- GEOG 710: Seminar in Human Impacts On Mediterranean-type Ecosystems
- Methods of vegetation analysis (field sampling techniques, statistical analysis, remote sensing GIS, and mapping)
- Biogeography and vegetation ecology (particularly of Mediterranean-type ecosystems) with special emphases upon spatial and temporal patterns of species diversity, community composition, post-disturbance resilience, and habitat preferences of species
- Conservation planning