About Us

Research Interests: Our research objectives include asking of how factors intrinsic and extrinsic to aquatic habitats interact and influence the structure and functioning of aquatic ecosystems. For example, while the transfer of material through food webs is dictated by consumer-resource interactions and/or physical dynamics within the habitat, properties extrinsic to food webs may set a template in which these interactions operate. Landscape or watershed features coupled with hydrology can play a critical role in both the distribution of species and runoff to ecosystems, which may respectively limit potential food web configurations and productivity. I also link basic and theoretical research to applied ecosystem management. A positive and significant outcome of this objective would be to give some resolution to the existing mismatch of the spatial and temporal scales of research and management approaches.

This research typically straddles the interface of inland aquatic communities and ecosystems. Research funding is driven by the importance of understanding factors which may compromise surface water and thus aquatic communities and ecosystems. Within this focus is an emphasis on how human impacts such as hydrological manipulation, nutrient loading, and fish management affect aquatic habitats, populations, and communities. Recent research methodology includes analysis of large datasets, a broad range of statistical techniques, stable isotope analyses, and enough field sampling of water, habitats, and biota to keep tabs on local conditions.