Research Groups
Biogeochemistry
Water is found in many places beyond stream channels throughout the watershed. Streamwater, groundwater, soil water, and water in sediments below the channel contain a rich array of organic carbon molecules important as food for microorganisms and as resources for other living things. This laboratory works on identifying the presence of these molecules and determining their role in the stream ecosystem.
Ecosystem Processes
Both water and materials carried by water move through watersheds constantly. This laboratory is monitoring the movement of storm water into watersheds and tracks the movement of water into stream channels. Likewise, nutrients and other molecules carried by water are monitored on a regular basis so that we can have a better understanding of the hydrology and biogeochemistry of watersheds.
Entomology
Healthy streams often support 200 - 300+ species of aquatic insects, crustaceans and other invertebrates, forming a rich and complex biological community. This laboratory studies factors that affect the distribution and abundance of aquatic invertebrates, the functional role of invertebrates in stream and river ecosystems, and how these invertebrate communities respond to human activities in temperate and tropical watersheds.
Fish Molecular Ecology
This laboratory works to determine why fish in streams have the distributions they do. Our research includes field studies of fish movement, species composition and productivity; genetic studies of population structure; laboratory studies of tolerance limits to chemical, physical and biological factors; as well as mathematical modeling of population dynamics.
Microbiology
Microbial life such as bacteria, fungi, and algae are integral to a naturally functioning aquatic ecosystem. By applying comprehensive molecular approaches, this laboratory is focused on characterizing the composition and distribution of microbial communities, and determining the functional roles as well as their interactions with environments.
Organic and Isotope Geochemistry
The complex mixture of organic molecules in streams and rivers holds clues about a wide variety of natural and human processes occurring within watersheds. By determining the identity and origin of these molecules, the scientists in this laboratory can both expand scientific understanding of natural cycles of energy (carbon) and nutrients within the ecosystem and inform decision-makers about the sources and impact of human contamination on water quality.
