Research Interests
We research global coastal change within three major realms:
Harmful algal blooms:
Our group is interested in understanding the functioning of aquatic ecosystems and
how that functioning can be effected by man or can affect man. We focus much of our
efforts investigating the organisms at the base of aquatic food webs, phytoplankton,
and have been particularly focused on harmful algae. We investigate harmful algal
blooms (HABs) caused by multiple classes of phytoplankton (cyanophyceae, dinophyceae,
bacillariophyceae, pelagophyceae, ulvophyceae) in diverse ecosystems (e.g. estuaries,
lakes, coastal ocean) using multiple approaches (field studies, laboratory experimental,
field experiments, molecular investigations, modeling). Collectively, these studies
have identified how nutrients, CO2 levels, zooplankton grazing, viral lysis, allelopathy
and grazing by bivalves influence the dynamics of HABs caused by genera such as Alexandrium, Anabaena, Aureococcus, Aureoumbra, Cochlodinium, Dinophysis, Microcystis, Pseuodonitzschia, and Ulva.
Interactions between climate change and eutrophication:
The second major research focus within our laboratory is understanding how climate
change and coastal ocean acidification affects marine organisms and ecosystems. The
combustion of fossil fuels has enriched levels of CO2 in the world’s oceans and decreased
ocean pH. The degradation of anthropogenically-enriched organic matter in coastal
ecosystems seasonally has a similar effect on ocean chemistry today, while concurrently
depressing dissolved oxygen levels. The continuation of these processes can alter
the growth, survival, and diversity of marine organisms. Within this realm, we have
been engaged in studies investigating how future and current coastal ocean acidification
effects the survival and performance of algae and larvae from bivalves and fish indigenous
to North America. We further strive to understand how co-occurring stressors related
to both climate change and shallow coastal ecosystems (hypoxia, thermal stress, algal
blooms) may act and interact to effect the performance of marine animals.
Phase shifts in coastal ecosystems:
A third area of interest of my lab group is the understanding the ecological functioning
and trophic status of shallow marine ecosystems. We investigate how anthropogenic
activities such as eutrophication and the depletion of fisheries may alter the natural
ecological and/or biogeochemical functioning of coastal ecosystems. In many cases,
we have explored the quantitative importance and impacts of various nitrogen loading
pathways on primary producers or the interactions and feedbacks among nutrient delivery
pathways, pelagic phytoplankton communities, benthic filter feeders, and benthic autotrophs
such as seagrass. All of these studies have important societal impacts and relevance
for the management of shallow, coastal ecosystems.
