My research group focuses on the dynamics of ecosystem change in shallow coastal systems, and the roles of climate, nutrient over-enrichment and species invasions on driving these changes. Current projects include: 1) Blue carbon sequestration in seagrass ecosystems, 2) Seagrass restoration and return of ecosystem services, 3) salt marsh resilience to sea-level rise, 4) ecosystem regime shifts in coastal barrier systems, and 5) impacts of invasive macro algae (Gracilaria). I am the lead PI of the Virginia Coast Reserve Long-Term Ecological Research Project on Virginia’s eastern shore, and the Director of UVA’s Environmental Resilience Institute.
First Name:
Karen
Position:
Sherrell J. Aston Professor
Email:
kjm4k@virginia.edu
Computing ID:
kjm4k
Photo:
Classification:
Research Area:
Graduate Students:
Lillian Aoki (M.S.)
Abby Lunstrum (M.S.)
Matthew Oreska (Ph.D.)
Gina Digiantonio (M.S.) (co-advised by Linda Blum)
Research:
Virginia Coast Reserve Long-Term Ecological Research (VCR/LTER)
Research activities at the VCR/LTER include seagrass and macroalgae ecology, nutrient processes, restoration of eelgrass habitats, and plant-animal interactions.
Shallow Coastal System Ecosystem Research Study Woods Hole, MA
A study funded by NSF in Biocomplexity and Coupled Biogeochemical Cycles
Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences (BIOS)
Research at the BBSR is studying the interactions of top-down and bottom-up forces on seagrass community structure and function.