Biodiversity loss in highly diverse systems such as coral reefs has been linked to significant declines in the ecosystem functions and services provided by marine species. Ecological functioning of coral reefs and the resistance of coral reef fish communities to disturbance depend on the functional traits of species that promotes...
The effects of Marine protected areas (MPAs) on adult fish populations depend on the degree of protection provided, which is partly a function of MPA size and the spatial extent of fish movements. The Redfish Rocks Marine Reserve (RRMR) and MPA, located on the south coast of Oregon near Port...
Tropical coral reef ecosystems are very important from both the ecological and economical
points of view. However, they are also particularly fragile, and have been
declining in recent years in most regions of the world, since they are highly susceptible
to anthropogenic stressors operating at global scales (e.g., global warming...
The lingcod (Ophiodon elongatus) is an important groundfish species in both recreational and commercial fisheries of the Northeastern Pacific. It is a large, fast-growing, generalist predator of invertebrates and fishes. In response to concerns that lingcod may limit populations of rockfishes (Sebastes spp.), I compared the diets of 375 adult...
This study evaluates the functional organization of stream fish assemblages in response to streamflow factors and biotic interactions across a range of spatial scale. The study area for this project includes 109 stream reaches located on tributaries to the upper Missouri River in the northern Great Plains. Fish distribution data...
Conservation efforts have been increasing in recent years to help preserve threatened coastal and ocean resources. Marine protected areas (MPAs) are an important tool to protect and conserve ocean resources. The MPA Center was established to take the lead in developing a framework for a national system of MPAs. The...
Understanding how large-scale processes (>100 kms) influence ecological communities is currently a major focus in ecology. In marine systems, coastal upwelling, a large-scale oceanographic process in which surface water pushed offshore by winds is replaced by cold, nutrient-rich water from depth, appears to cause variation in rocky intertidal communities. Along...
New approaches are needed to quantify and understand spatial patterns of stream fishes and their environment. Concepts in riverine ecology emphasize the importance of thermal zones and gradual longitudinal changes in physical habitat and biota, but little is known about spatial variability within the river continuum. I present a conceptual...
If two dams on the Elwha River are removed, the ecosystem will be open to the downstream flow of sediments and the upstream flow of marine nutrients in the form of anadromous fish. Nutrient enrichment may influence trophic dynamics of the entire ecosystem, extending beyond the aquatic boundary. I assessed...
One of the greatest threats to native bull trout Salvelinus confluentus populations is the presence of non-native brook trout S. fontinalis. This study, conducted in two second-order Eastern Oregon streams, investigates the effect of brook trout on the feeding behavior arid diet of bull trout. Feeding behavior, microhabitat use, and...