Ecosystem Science & Modeling

We investigate environmental changes in coastal and estuarine ecosystems due to climate change and anthropogenic activities. Our research provides science-based information for stakeholders and resource managers to adapt and mitigate impacts.

Estuaries and the coastal ocean face multifaceted threat from both local and global drivers. These drivers often vary on different time scales. Changes in river inflow along with nutrient discharge into both estuaries and the coastal ocean and the rising atmospheric carbon dioxide level cause significant changes in these economically sensitive ecosystems, and ocean acidification is one of the many problems that these systems are facing. 

Our research focuses on understanding the dynamics of estuarine and ocean acidification and the controlling factors, in an effort to understand its impact on marine organisms. We employ a multitude of techniques, including in situ and shipboard observations, as well as statistical and numerical modeling to unravel the linkages between the changes in the water and the factors that are behind. Our research aims to provide most up-to-date information to stakeholders that include coastal communities, fishing and aquaculture industries, and state and federal agencies for management purposes.