Research in the lab is focused in three general areas, and we currently have a variety of projects in each area.

The transport and fate of nutrients, organic matter, and contaminants in ecosystems

The fluxes and transport of materials within and between ecosystems are critical processes that affect rates of productivity, biological diversity, and contaminant concentrations. One of my lab’s main research areas is the examination of the movement of organic matter (OM), nutrients, and contaminants within different compartments in an ecosystem and between different ecosystems (i.e., aquatic – terrestrial ecosystem exchange). We also investigate how these processes and linkages lead to changes in stability, diversity, and contaminant bioaccumulation in riverine communities.

The role of organisms and biological diversity in ecosystem functioning

Organisms can play a fundamental role in nutrient cycles, fluxes of organic matter, and other essential ecosystem functions (i.e., production and decomposition rates). Utilizing multiple theoretical frameworks (e.g., ecological stoichiometry, metabolic ecology) my lab seeks to understand how variation in community composition and diversity leads to changes in critical ecosystem functions. We are particularly interested in the implications of conservation of native taxa and the management of non-native (invasive) taxa for ecosystem functioning.

Patterns and drivers of biological diversity at multiple spatiotemporal scales

Over the last 50+ years, biological diversity on a global scale has declined substantially. Elucidating patterns of biological diversity at multiple spatiotemporal scales and identifying which drivers are most important in influencing local and regional biological diversity is critical for maintaining and potentially restoring ecosystems and the diversity they contain. One of my lab’s main research areas is the examination of spatiotemporal patterns of biodiversity in river networks and how drivers that operate at local and regional spatial scales affect patterns of community composition and diversity. In addition, we are interested in examining how biological diversity responds to both short- and long-term disturbances such as drought or flooding. Finally, we are interested in determining how spatiotemporal variation in biological diversity affects essential ecosystem functions.