Current Research Interests

The role of water quality monitoring in conservation, population and community ecology of temperate and tropical aquatic invertebrates, pollution assessment in temperate and tropical streams using macroinvertebrates, the role of streamside forests in the structure and function of stream and river ecosystems, factors affecting the growth and survivorship of trees in riparian forests, the effects of global warming on stream ecosystems, genetic variation and gene flow among populations of stream insects, the effects of diel and seasonal temperature change on aquatic insect populations, evolution of facultative parthenogenesis in aquatic insects, bioenergetics and secondary production of aquatic insects, and the bioassay of toxic materials in aquatic systems.

Education

• Ph.D. 1976. University of Pennsylvania (Population Biology/Zoology)
• B.S. 1972. Delaware Valley College of Science and Agriculture (Biology)

Previous Positions Held

• Vice-President, Environmental Group, Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia: 1996 — 1999.
• Curator, Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, 1996 — 1999
• Associate Curator, Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, 1988 — 1996
• Assistant Curator, Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, 1978 — 1988
• Adjunct Associate Professor, Department of Zoology and The School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. 1988 — present

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Publications

Copyright Notice: This material is presented to ensure timely dissemination of scholarly and technical work. Copyright and all rights therein are retained by authors or by other copyright holders. All persons copying this information are expected to adhere to the terms and constraints invoked by each author's copyright. In most cases, these works may not be reposted without the explicit permission of the copyright holder.

Newbold, J. D. N., S. Herbert, B. W. Sweeney, and P. Kiry. 2009. Water quality functions of a 15 year old riparian forest buffer. Journal of the American Water Resources Association: (In Press).

Andrews, D.M., C.D. Barton, S. J. Czapka, R.K. Kolka, and B.W. Sweeney. 2009. Influence of tree shelters on seedling success in an afforested riparian zone. New Forests (In Press).

Sweeney, B. W., R. W. Flowers, D. H. Funk, S. Ávila, and J. K. Jackson. 2009. Mayfly Communities in Two Neotropical Lowland Forests. Aquatic Insects 31:311-318.

Funk, D. H., B. W. Sweeney, and J. K. Jackson. 2008. A taxonomic reassessment of the Drunella lata species complex (Ephemeroptera: Ephemerellidae) in northeastern North America based on genetic, morphometric and life history data. Journal of the North American Benthological Society: 27 (3): 647-663.

Funk, D.H, B.W. Sweeney, and J.K. Jackson. 2008. A new parthenogenetic mayfly (Ephemeroptera:Ephemerellidae:Eurylophella Tiensuu) oviposts by abdominal bursting in the subimago. Journal of the North American Benthological Society 27 (2): 269 – 279.

Horwitz, R. J., T. E. Johnson, P. F. Overbeck, T. K. O’Donnell, W. C. Hession, and B. W. Sweeney. 2008.  Effects of riparian vegetation and watershed urbanization on fishes in streams of the mid-atlantic piedmont (USA).  Journal of the American Water Resources Association 44(3):1-18.

Sweeney, B. W. and J. G. Blaine. 2007. Resurrecting the in-stream side of riparian forests. Journal of Contemporary Water Research and Education 136: Journal of Contemporary Water Research and Education 136:17-27. [ View PDF; 1.5MB]

Battle, J. M., J. K. Jackson, and B. W. Sweeney. 2007. Annual and spatial variation for macroinvertebrates in the Upper Mississippi River near Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Fundamental and Applied Limnology Archiv fur Hydrobiology 168 (1):39-54.

Horwitz, R. J., T. E. Johnson, P. F. Overbeck, T. K. O’Donnell, W. C. Hession, and B. W. Sweeney. 2007. Effects of riparian vegetation and landuse on fishes in mid-Atlantic streams. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (in press).

Sweeney, B. W., S. J. Czapka, and C. Petrow. 2007. How planting method, weed abatement, and herbivory affect afforestation success. Southern Journal of Applied Forestry 31(2):85-92. [ View PDF; 603KB]

Arscott, D. B., C. L. Dow, and B. W. Sweeney. 2006. Landscape template of New York City’s drinking-water supply watersheds Journal of the North American Benthological Society 25:867-886.

Blaine, J. B., B. W. Sweeney, and D. B. Arscott. 2006. Enhanced source water monitoring for New York City: Historical framework, political context, and program design. Journal of the North American Benthological Society 25:851-866.

Sweeney, B. W., D. B. Arscott, C. L. Dow, J. G. Blaine, A. A. Aufdenkampe, T. L. Bott, J. K. Jackson, L. A. Kaplan, J. D. Newbold. 2006. Enhanced Source Water Monitoring for New York City: Summary and Perspective. Journal of the North American Benthological Society 25:1062-1067.

Kratzer, E. B., J. K. Jackson, D. B. Arscott, A. K. Aufdenkampe, C. L. Dow, L. A. Kaplan, J. D. Newbold, and B. W. Sweeney. 2006. Macroinvertebrate distribution in relation to land use and water chemistry in tributaries providing drinking water to New York City, N.Y., U.S.A. Journal of the North American Benthological Society 25:954-976.

Funk, D. H., J. Jackson, and B. W. Sweeney. 2006. Taxonomy and genetics of the parthenogenetic mayfly Centroptilum triangulifer and its sexual sister Centroptilum alamance (Ephemeroptera: Baetidae). Journal of the North American Benthological Society (in press).

Jackson, J. K., A. D. Huryn, D. L. Strayer, D. L. Courtemanch, and B. W. Sweeney. 2005. Atlantic Rivers – Northeast United States. In press in: A. C. Benke and C. E. Cushing (eds.), Rivers of North America. Academic Press, San Diego, California 1144 pp..

Sweeney, B.W., T.L. Bott, J.K. Jackson, L.A. Kaplan, J.D. Newbold, L.J. Standley, W.C. Hession, R.J. Horwitz. 2004. Riparian Deforestation, Stream Narrowing, and Loss of Stream Ecosystem Services. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 101(39):14132-14137.

Sweeney, B. W. and S. J. Czapka. 2004. Riparian forest restoration: Why each site needs an ecological prescription. Forest Ecology and Management 192:361-373. [View PDF; 63KB]

Jackson, J. K., R. J. Horwitz, and B. W. Sweeney. 2002. Effects of Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis on Black Flies and Nontarget Macroinvertebrates and Fish in a Large River.Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 131:910-930.

Sweeney, Bernard W., T. L. Bott, J. K. Jackson, L. A. Kaplan, J. D. Newbold, L. J. Standley, W. C. Hession, R. J. Horwitz. 2004. Riparian deforestation, stream narrowing, and loss of stream ecosystem services. PNAS September 28, 2004, 101(39):14132-14137. [View PDF ; 393K]

Sweeney, B. W. and S. J. Czapka. 2004. Riparian forest restoration: Why each site needs an ecological prescription. Forest Ecology and Management (in press).

Jackson, J. K., A. D. Huryn, D. L. Strayer, D. L. Courtemanch, and B. W. Sweeney. 2004. Atlantic Rivers — Northeast United States. In press in: A. C. Benke and C. E. Cushing (eds.), Rivers of North America. Academic Press, San Diego, California (in press).

Jackson, J. K., R. J. Horwitz, and B. W. Sweeney. 2002. Effects of Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis on Black Flies and Nontarget Macroinvertebrates and Fish in a Large River. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 131:910-930.

Jackson, J. K., A. D. Huryn, D. L. Strayer, D. L. Courtemanch, and B. W. Sweeney. 2002. Atlantic Rivers — Northeast United States. in: A. C. Benke and C. E. Cushing (eds.), Rivers of North America. Academic Press, San Diego, California (in press).

Jackson, J. K., R. J. Horwitz, and B. W. Sweeney. 2002. Replicated field experiments examining the effects of Bti on black flies and nontarget macroinvertebrates and fish in a large river. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society (in press).

Sweeney, B. W., S. J. Czapka, and T. Yerkes. 2002. Riparian Forest Restoration: Increasing success by reducing plant competition and herbivory. Restoration Ecology 10 (2): 1 — 9. [View PDF; 918K]

Horwitz, R. J. , W. C. Hession, and B. W. Sweeney. 2000. Paired comparisons of effects of type of riparian vegetation on stream fishes: Implications for restoration. American Water Resources Association 197-202

Newbold, J. D., T. L. Bott, L. A. Kaplan, B. W. Sweeney, and R. L. Vannote. 1997. Organic matter dynamics in White Clay Creek, Pennsylvania, USA. Journal of the North American Benthological Society 16: 46 – 50 .

Sweeney, B. W., J. K. Jackson, and D. H. Funk. 1995. Semivoltinism, seasonal emergence, and adult size variation in a tropical stream mayfly (Euthyplocia hecuba). Journal of the North American Benthological Society 14:131-146. [ View PDF; 2.39MB]

Standley, L. J. and B. W. Sweeney. 1995. Organochlorine pesticides in stream mayflies and terrestrial vegetation of undisturbed tropical catchments exposed to long-range atmospheric transport. Journal of the North American Benthological Society 14:38-49.

Jackson, J. K. and B. W. Sweeney. 1995. Egg and larval development times for 35 species of tropical stream insects from Costa Rica. Journal of the North American Benthological Society 14: 115-130.

Jackson, J. K. and B. W. Sweeney. 1995. Research in tropical streams and rivers. Introduction. Journal of the North American Benthological Society 14:2-4.

Jackson, J. K. and B. W. Sweeney. 1995. Present status and future directions of tropical stream research. Journal of the North American Benthological Society 14:5-11.

Newbold, J. D., B. W. Sweeney, J. K. Jackson, and L. A. Kaplan. 1995. Concentrations and export of solutes from six mountain streams in northwestern Costa Rica. Journal of the North American Benthological Society 14:21-37. [ View PDF; 2.34MB]

Funk, D. H., and B. W. Sweeney. 1994. The larvae of eastern North American Eurylophella Tiensuu (Ephemeroptera: Ephemerellidae). Transactions of the American Entomological Society 120: 209-286.

Standley, L. J., B. W. Sweeney, and D. H. Funk. 1994. Maternal transfer of chlordane and its metabolites to the eggs of a stream mayfly Centroptilum triangulifer. Environmental Science and Technology 28:2105-2111.

Newbold, J.D., B. W. Sweeney, and R. L. Vannote. 1994. A model for seasonal synchrony in stream mayflies. Journal North American Benthological Society 13:3-18.

Sweeney, B. W. 1993. Effects of streamside vegetation on macroinvertebrate communities of White Clay Creek in Eastern North America. Proceedings of The Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia 144:291-340. [View PDF; 3.5MB]

Sweeney, B. W. 1992. Streamside forests and the physical, chemical, and trophic characteristics of piedmont streams in Eastern North America. Water Science and Technology 26:2653-2673. [View PDF; 2.3MB]

Sweeney, B. W., D. H. Funk, and L. J. Standley. 1992. Use of the stream mayfly, Cloeon triangulifer as a bioassay organism: life history response and body burden following exposure to technical chlordane. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 12:115-125. [View PDF ; 1.1MB]

Sweeney, B. W. and D. H. Funk. 1991. Population genetics of the burrowing mayfly Dolania americana: Geographic variation and the presence of a cryptic species. Aquatic Insects 13 (1):17-27.

Sweeney, B. W., J. K. Jackson, J. D. Newbold, and D. H. Funk. 1990. Climate change and the life histories and biogeography of aquatic insects. pp. 143-176. In P. Firth and S. Fisher (eds.) Global warming and freshwater ecosystems. Springer-Verlag New York Inc. 321 pp. [View PDF; 1.6 MB]

Funk, D. H. and B. W. Sweeney. 1990. Electrophoretic analysis of species boundaries and phytogenetic relationships of taeniopterygid stoneflies (Plecoptera). Transactions of the American Entomological Society 116(3): 727-751.

Funk, D. H., B. W. Sweeney, and R. L. Vannote. 1988. Electrophoretic study of Eastern North American Eurylophella (Ephemeroptera: Ephemerellidae) with the discovery of morphologically cryptic species. Annals of the Entomological Society of America 81:174-186.

Sweeney, B. W., D. H. Funk, and R. L. Vannote. 1987. Genetic variation in stream mayfly (Insecta: Ephemeroptera) populations in eastern North America. Annals of the Entomological Society of America 80:600-612.

Sweeney, B. W. and R. L. Vannote. 1987. Geographic parthenogenesis in the stream mayfly Eurylophella funeralis in eastern North America. Holarctic Ecology 10:52-59. [View PDF ; 713KB]

Sweeney, B. W., D. H. Funk, and R. L. Vannote. 1986. Population genetic structure of two mayflies (Ephemerella subvaria, Eurylophella verisimilis) in the Delaware River drainage basin. Journal of the North American Benthological Society 5:253-262.

Sweeney, B. W. and R. L. Vannote. 1986. Growth and production of a stream stonefly: Influences of diet and temperature. Ecology 67:1396-1410 [View PDF; 2MB].

Sweeney, B. W., R. L. Vannote, and P. J. Dodds. 1986. Effects of temperature and food quality on growth and development of a mayfly, Leptophlebia intermedia. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 43:12-18.

Sweeney, B. W., R. L. Vannote, and P. J. Dodds. 1986. The relative importance of temperature and diet to larval development and adult size of the winter stonefly Soyedina carolinensis (Plecoptera: Nemouridae). Freshwater Biology 16:39-48 [View PDF; 2MB].

Vannote, R. L. and B. W. Sweeney. 1985. Larval feeding and growth rate of the stream cranefly Tipula abdominalis in gradients of temperature and nutrition. Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia 137:119-128. [View PDF ; 600KB]

Sweeney, B. W. and R. L. Vannote 1984. Influence of food quality and temperature on life history characteristics of the parthenogenetic mayfly Cloeon triangulifer. Freshwater Biology 14:621-630. [View PDF; 801KB]

Sweeney, B. W. l984. Factors influencing life history patterns of aquatic insects, pp. 56-100. In. V. H. Resh and D. Rosenberg (eds.) Ecology of aquatic insects. Praeger Scientific Publishers, New York, New York. USA 625 pp. [View PDF; 2MB]

Sweeney, B. W. and R. L. Vannote 1982. Population synchrony in mayflies: A predator satiation hypothesis. Evolution 36:8l0-82l.

Sweeney, B. W. and R. L. Vannote 1981. Ephemerella mayflies of White Clay Creek: Bioenergetic and ecological relationships among six coexisting species. Ecology 62:l353-1369.

Harvey, R., R. L. Vannote, and B. W. Sweeney 1980. Life history, developmental processes, and energetics of the burrowing mayfly Dolania americana. pp.211-230. In. J. Flannagan ed. Proc. Third Int. Conf. Ephemeroptera. 552 pp.

Vannote, R. L. and B. W. Sweeney 1980. Geographic Analysis of Thermal Equilibria: A conceptual model for evaluating the effect of natural and modified thermal regimes on aquatic insect communities. American Naturalist 115(5):667-695. [View PDF; 1.8MB]

Sweeney, B. W. and R. L. Vannote 1978. Size variation and the distribution of hemimetabolous aquatic insects: Two thermal equilibrium hypotheses. Science 200 (4340):444-446. [View PDF; 350KB]

Sweeney, B. W. 1978. Bioenergetic and developmental response of a mayfly to thermal variation. Limnology and Oceanography 23(3):461-477. [View PDF; 1.2MB]

Schnack, J. A., B. W. Sweeney, and R. L. Vannote 1978. Biology, ecophysiology, and energetics of Sigara alternata (Say) in White Clay Creek. Physis, Seccion, Buenos Aires, 37(93):89-98.

Sweeney, B. W. and J. A. Schnack 1977. Egg development, growth and metabolism of Sigara alternata (Say) (Hemiptera: Corixidae) in fluctuating thermal environments. Ecology 58(2):265-277.

Sweeney, B. W. 1976. A diurnally fluctuating thermal system for studying the effect of temperature on aquatic organisms. Limnology and Oceanography 21(5):758-763. [View PDF; 310KB]

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Presentations

Sweeney, Bernard W. November 18, 2009.  Rainwater Capture and Re-Use as Potable Drinking Water: A Proof of Concept Study.  Guest Speaker:  US EPA Region III meeting of State Water Directors, Newark DE.

Sweeney, Bernard W. November 11, 2009.  Water quality analysis with macroinvertebrate barcoding.  Keynote address: Consortium for the Barcode of Life international Conference, Mexico City, Mexico.

Sweeney, Bernard W. October 29, 2009.  Water Quality and Public Health Issues in the Mid-Atlantic Region: An Ecologist Perspective.  Guest speaker. Chester County Health Department All Staff Meeting, West Chester, PA.

Sweeney, Bernard W., October 14, 2009. Streamside forest buffers as best management practice in the mid-Atlantic region. Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources / Chesapeake Bay Foundation workshop at the Stroud Water Research Center.

Sweeney, Bernard W., September 22, 2009. Backyard Solutions to a Global Water Crisis. Greenville Rotary. Hockessin, DE.

Sweeney, Bernard W.,  September 3, 2009.  The role of native trees and shrubs in determining water quality in the mid-Atlantic region.  Pennsylvania Landscape Nursery Association Annual Meeting.

Sweeney, Bernard W.,  August 25, 2009. The A, B, C’s of Streamside forest buffers in eastern USA.   Natural Resource Conservation Service buffer committee.

Sweeney, Bernard W., June 30, 2009. Streamside forest buffers as best management practice in the mid-Atlantic region. Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources / Chesapeake Bay Foundation workshop at the Stroud Water Research Center.

Sweeney, Bernard W.,  June 6, 2009. Land use, water quality, and trees: Making Connections in the Schuylkill River Watershed.  Schuylkill Sojourn, Pottstown, PA.

Sweeney, Bernard W.,  May 8, 2009.  Streamside forests:  Filter functions and In-Stream Services (Keynote Address) Pennsylvania Land Conservation Conference, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA.

Sweeney, Bernard W.,  April 28, 2009.  Use of DNA barcoding for water quality assessment in North America.  Workshop convened by the Consortium for the Barcode of Life (CBOL) at the Smithsonian Institute, Washington, DC.

Sweeney, Bernard W.,  April 27, 2009. Habitat Quality of Cold Water, Trout Stocking, and Warm Water Streams in Pennsylvania. (Keynote Address) 65th Annual Meeting Northeast Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Hershey, PA.

Sweeney, Bernard W.,  April 24, 2009.  The Freshwater Crisis: A Local, Regional, and Global Problem. (Keynote Address) Rotary Mid-Atlantic District Conference, Williamsburg, VA.

Sweeney, Bernard W.,  April 14, 2009. The Fresh Water Crisis: A Global Problem with Backyard Solutions.   (Keynote Address)  West Chester University (Research Day Festivities), West Chester, PA.

Sweeney, Bernard W.,  April 3, 2009. Forest Buffers, the Stream Ecosystem, and Water Quality: What is the science telling us?  Workshop for Lancaster County Politicians and Conservation Workers at Stroud Water Research Center.  Sponsored by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.

Sweeney, Bernard W.,  March 17, 2009. Role of streamside forests in mitigating water pollution: Past, Present, and Future Considerations.  (Testimony) Delaware River basin Commission Floodplain Regulations Evaluation Committee, Trenton, NJ.

Sweeney, Bernard W., February 7, 2009.  Watersheds and foodsheds: When they are the same?  (Keynote Address) Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture Annual Conference.  Pennsylvania State University, College Park, PA.

Sweeney, Bernard W., January 27, 2009. Water quality monitoring in Costa Rica: Professional versus Community Volunteer Approaches.  Blue Moon Foundation Meeting. San Jose, Costa Rica.

Sweeney, Bernard W., December 16, 2008. (Keynote) Clean Water Action: Improve, Conserve, Forget it. Chester County Water Forum, West Chester, PA.

Sweeney, Bernard W., November 24, 2008.  Experimental approach to assessing the effects of short term temperature fluctuations on aquatic macroinvertebrates and fish. Exelon.

Sweeney, Bernard W., May 15, 2008. Water Quality of Streams Supplying New York City Drinking Water: A Baseline & Some Insights. New York Academy of Sciences Symposium, “Taking Stock of the New York City’s Drinking Water”.

Sweeney, Bernard W., November 16, 2007. Issues Affecting the Quality of New York City Drinking Water. Glynwood Center, Cold Spring, NY.

Sweeney, Bernard W., November 16, 2007. Gardening for Water vs. Watering Your Garden. Wissahickon Garden Club, PA.

Sweeney, Bernard W., November 1, 2007. How to Restore Streamside Forests Quickly and Efficiently. Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (PA DCNR) workshop at Stroud Water Research Center, Avondale, PA.

Sweeney, Bernard. W. and Aufdenkampe, Anthony K., October 22, 2007. The Mighty Amazon River Basin. Stroud Water Resources Science Lecture Series, Avondale, PA.

Sweeney, Bernard. W., October 17, 2007. Mitigating Point and Non-point Pollution with Streamside Forest Buffers. Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Watershed Specialists Conference, State College, PA. 

Sweeney, Bernard. W., October 16, 2007. Streamside Forests as Best Management Practice in the Mid-Atlantic Region. Villanova Water Conference, Villanova, PA. 

Sweeney, Bernard. W., October 1, 2007. The Freshwater Crisis: A Global Problem with Backyard Solutions. Stroudsburg University, Stroudsburg, PA.

Sweeney, Bernard. W., July 18, 2007. The Role of Streamside Forests in Preserving Water Quality in New York Watersheds. NY Department of Environmental Protection Workshop. Belleayre, NY.

Sweeney, Bernard. W. July 20, 2007. Backyard Measures for Preserving Water Quality in North America. Jenner’s Pond Community, Jennersville, PA.

Sweeney, Bernard. W., June 5, 2007. The Need for Riparian Buffer Ordinances at the Municipal Level. Tredyffrin Township Meeting, Tredyffrin, PA.

Sweeney, Bernard. W., June 2007. Assessing Water Quality with Macroinvertebrates in Andes Amazon Streams of Peru. The 55th Annual Meeting of the North American Benthological Society (NABS), Columbia, SC.

Sweeney, Bernard. W., May 5, 2007. From Mountaintop to Tap: A Review of the New York City Drinking Water Project. Stroud Water Research Center Science Lecture Series, Avondale, PA.

Sweeney, Bernard. W., Importance of Riparian Forests to the Structure and Function of Stream Ecosystems. Natural Resources Conservation Service Workshop, Stroud Water Research Center, Avondale, PA.

Sweeney, Bernard. W., April 4, 2007. Overview of Science and Educational Programs on Point Lookout Preserve. Point Lookout Preserve, Centerville, DE.

Sweeney, Bernard. W., April 19, 2007. Restoring the Integrity of Riparian Forest Through the Use of Deer Exclosures. Stroud Water Research Center Deer Symposium, Avondale, PA.

Sweeney, Bernard. W., April 18, 2007. Local, Regional and Global Patterns of Water Quality. Haverford College, PA.

Sweeney, Bernard. W., March 15, 2007. Measuring Watershed Health: Training Conservation Planners How to Use Biophysical Tools for Monitoring Neo-Tropical Streams. Moore Foundation, San Francisco, CA.

Sweeney, Bernard. W., March 3, 2007. Water Quality Issues in the United States: The Cat is Out of the Bag. Primitive Hall Meeting House, West Grove, PA.

Sweeney, Bernard. W., January 22, 2007. Riparian Forest Buffers and the Quality of Fresh Water. Oysterville Township Meeting, Oysterville, PA.

Sweeney, Bernard. W., January 10, 2007. Use of Fenced Exclosures for Increasing Forest Regeneration Along Streams. Stroud Water Research Center Deer Exclosure Workshop, Avondale, PA.

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Society Memberships

• American Association for the Advancement of Science
• American Society of Limnology and Oceanography
• Ecological Society of America
• North American Benthological Society (President 2001-2002)
• Society of the Study of Evolution
• Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society