Wetlands Ecology

The Center for Wetlands is actively involved in research in several areas of wetlands ecology:
* Constructed wetlands and plant succession.
* Benthic macroinvertebrates and the development of biotic indices
* Effects of deforestation and other human impacts on wetlands
* Fish ecology and adaptations to low oxygen environments
* Nutrient uptake in wetland plants

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Aquatic Ecology and Conservation
Understanding the biotic structure and function of forested and marsh wetland ecosystems has always been a major focus of the Center. Major research strengths of this program have been in the areas of plant community analysis, wetland delineation, biogeochemical processes, macroinvertebrate and fish community analyses, and development of biotic indices for assessment of water quality. Our lake work has tackled such pressing environmental problems as eutrophication, algal and macrophyte management, acid rain, climate change and exotic species while at the same time continuing to build a strong record of publications on basic ecological questions related to lakes. Throughout our long history, the Center has worked closely with local, national and international conservation groups on questions related to sound management of aquatic resources, including a strong economic and social component.
Thomas Crisman (Environmental Engineering Sciences)

Wetland Hydrology
The Center works closely with hydrologists at the University of Florida to understand both the controlling factors for wetland hydrology and the linkage between hydrology and the structure and function of wetland and lake ecosystems. This area will increasingly become a major research focus of Center activities.
Michael Annable (Environmental Engineering Sciences)
William Wise (Environmental Engineering Sciences)

Wildlife Ecology
Peter Frederick (Wildlife Ecology and Conservation)
Harvey Lillywhite (Zoology)

Biogeochemistry
Ramesh Reddy (Soil and Water Science)

Tropical Wetland Ecology and Conservation
The Center is involved with several ongoing projects in tropical wetland ecosystems. Researchers from Center for Wetlands have worked extensively at a site in Uganda for over 7 years. The field station at Kibale is the home of the longest running forest research and training facility in Africa and field courses in Tropical Aquatic Ecology are taught by Center Staff every summer. Since 1970, a number of national and international students have conducted their doctoral and masters research at the field station (national - Ph.D. 3, Masters 13: international -Ph.D. 16, Masters 4), and the rate at which such training is taking place is increasing. These programs have helped in the design, implementation, and evaluation of numerous management activities, in addition to having contributed over 185 scientific publications to international journals. Such a large volume of accessible research activity from Kibale has had a major impact on advancement of our basic understanding of the interface between forest and aquatic ecosystems. Also see USIA FUNDED WORK ON WETLANDS for other international projects.
Thomas Crisman (Environmental Engineering Sciences)

Coastal Engineering
Clay Montague (Environmental Engineering Sciences)
Ed Philips (Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences)