How do natural and human disturbances interact
to influence aquatic community composition
and function?
Freshwater ecosystems, in particular, small streams and wetlands, not only harbor species vulnerable to environmental alterations, but they also process and transfer energy and cycle matter that support an entire river system. Over-consumption of freshwater resources, contamination, habitat degradation, and landscape fragmentation are complex issues that require scientists to work collaboratively to develop a framework for predicting structural and functional responses to emerging ecological stressors across different environmental conditions.
to influence aquatic community composition
and function?
Freshwater ecosystems, in particular, small streams and wetlands, not only harbor species vulnerable to environmental alterations, but they also process and transfer energy and cycle matter that support an entire river system. Over-consumption of freshwater resources, contamination, habitat degradation, and landscape fragmentation are complex issues that require scientists to work collaboratively to develop a framework for predicting structural and functional responses to emerging ecological stressors across different environmental conditions.
We study macroinvertebrate communities because they:
- are diverse and sensitive to changes in the environment.
- are important food for other organisms.
- recycle nutrients that are used by other organisms.
- are diverse and sensitive to changes in the environment.
- are important food for other organisms.
- recycle nutrients that are used by other organisms.
Our current projects include how:
- rapid land use changes, such as natural gas extraction and urbanization, alter associated freshwater ecosystems.
- low-level salt concentrations modify detrital pathways.
- interactions among common and emerging watershed activities change stream structure and functions (for example, decomposition).
- forest insect outbreak species alter stream food webs.