We examine the consequences of historic and global change on key species interactions that shape coastal habitats.
Current Projects
1. Anthropogenic impacts on marine subsidies to coastal ecosystems
Resources associated with seabirds and marine detritus subsidize coastal ecosystems and profoundly affect community structure, species richness, and ecosystem function. Although the movement of such material is susceptible to human influence, anthropogenic impacts on marine subsides are poorly known beyond the disruption of subsidies to islands by invasive predators like rats, cats, and foxes. Humans are also changing 1) the composition of seaweed wrack (via range shifts and species introductions), 2) coastal herbivore populations (via overharvesting), and 3) baitfish availability for seabirds - yet there is a paucity of information about how these changes will impact recipient coastal ecosystems. Further, it is unclear how multiple stressors will interact, and whether humans can enhance, as opposed to disrupt, the movement of oceanic material onto land. Our research will highlight the need for conservation and biosecurity programs to better consider the diversity of ways in which we modify these subsidies.
Check out our Storymap and YouTube video about our project on the Coronado Islands.
Current Projects
1. Anthropogenic impacts on marine subsidies to coastal ecosystems
Resources associated with seabirds and marine detritus subsidize coastal ecosystems and profoundly affect community structure, species richness, and ecosystem function. Although the movement of such material is susceptible to human influence, anthropogenic impacts on marine subsides are poorly known beyond the disruption of subsidies to islands by invasive predators like rats, cats, and foxes. Humans are also changing 1) the composition of seaweed wrack (via range shifts and species introductions), 2) coastal herbivore populations (via overharvesting), and 3) baitfish availability for seabirds - yet there is a paucity of information about how these changes will impact recipient coastal ecosystems. Further, it is unclear how multiple stressors will interact, and whether humans can enhance, as opposed to disrupt, the movement of oceanic material onto land. Our research will highlight the need for conservation and biosecurity programs to better consider the diversity of ways in which we modify these subsidies.
Check out our Storymap and YouTube video about our project on the Coronado Islands.
2. Climate as a driver of key intertidal processes
As humans continue to change our climate, there is increased interest in predicting the consequences of these changes on ecological communities. Through a combination of lab manipulations, field manipulations, and natural field experiments, we are currently examining how intertidal communities will respond to these changes. Importantly, we have emerging evidence that such chances can shift the sign and strength of interactions between plants and their herbivores, competitors, and epiphytes. Together, these studies are expected to highlight mechanisms by which intertidal communities will shift as climate change continues.
3. The role of inducible resistance in seaweed communities
Plants and animals often respond to attack by inducing defensive responses that can shape community structure and function by triggering trophic cascades, suppressing herbivore performance and population size, initiating competition between herbivores, and signaling predators. Despite several examples that seaweeds can display inducible resistance (particularly in brown seaweeds), we lack an understanding about the role of these responses in seaweed communities. Recent work in my lab demonstrated that, like plants and animals, inducible resistance in seaweeds can 1) indirectly influence competitive interactions between herbivore, 2) suppress herbivore performance, and 3) can occur in the field. In contrast to terrestrial plants, common kelp forest seaweeds do not signal for predators in the field when attacked by herbivores. We are currently exploring how realistic changes in seaweed diversity influence the elicitation of these responses in the field.
As humans continue to change our climate, there is increased interest in predicting the consequences of these changes on ecological communities. Through a combination of lab manipulations, field manipulations, and natural field experiments, we are currently examining how intertidal communities will respond to these changes. Importantly, we have emerging evidence that such chances can shift the sign and strength of interactions between plants and their herbivores, competitors, and epiphytes. Together, these studies are expected to highlight mechanisms by which intertidal communities will shift as climate change continues.
3. The role of inducible resistance in seaweed communities
Plants and animals often respond to attack by inducing defensive responses that can shape community structure and function by triggering trophic cascades, suppressing herbivore performance and population size, initiating competition between herbivores, and signaling predators. Despite several examples that seaweeds can display inducible resistance (particularly in brown seaweeds), we lack an understanding about the role of these responses in seaweed communities. Recent work in my lab demonstrated that, like plants and animals, inducible resistance in seaweeds can 1) indirectly influence competitive interactions between herbivore, 2) suppress herbivore performance, and 3) can occur in the field. In contrast to terrestrial plants, common kelp forest seaweeds do not signal for predators in the field when attacked by herbivores. We are currently exploring how realistic changes in seaweed diversity influence the elicitation of these responses in the field.