In the Coastal and Wetlands Ecology Laboratory, we examine the community-level interactions that structure coastal ecosystems such as salt marshes, tidal mudflats, seagrass beds, and tidal freshwater wetlands. We are particularly interested in changes in trophic interactions following habitat restoration, nutrient enrichment, or other human disturbances. We utilize field experiments and diverse analytical procedures (stable isotopes, HPLC, stoichiometry) to investigate community dynamics in tropical, subtropical, and temperate environments.
Our ultimate goal is to incorporate our understanding of coastal ecosystem dynamics into the management of restored and anthropogenically impacted habitats. We seek to apply our findings to the design and management of restored coastal wetlands, maintenance of water quality standards in local watersheds, and coastal habitat management in the face of near-term global sea level rise.
