Karen McGlathery
Sherrell J. Aston Chaired Professor in Environmental Sciences
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.
Publications
- Exploring the impacts of seagrass on coupled marsh-tidal flat morphodynamics
2018; Frontiers in Environmental Science; Carr, J. | Mariotti, G. | Fahgerazzi, S. | McGlathery, K. | Wiberg, P. - Restoration enhances denitrification and DNRA in subsurface sediments of Zostera marina seagrass meadows
2018; Marine Ecology Progress Series; Aoki, L.R. | McGlathery, K.J. - The Science and Policy of the Verified Carbon Standard Methodology for Tidal Wetland and Seagrass Restoration
2018; Estuaries and Coasts; Needelman, B.A. | Emmer, I.M. | Emmett-Mattox, S. | Crooks, S. | Megonigal, J.P. |... - Oyster (Crassostrea virginica) Aquaculture Shifts Sediment Nitrogen Processes toward Mineralization over Denitrification
2018; Estuaries and Coasts; Lunstrum, A. | McGlathery, K. | Smyth, A. - Non-seagrass carbon contributions to seagrass sediment blue carbon
2018; Limnology and Oceanography; Oreska, M.P.J. | Wilkinson, G.M. | McGlathery, K.J. | Bost, M. | McKee, B.A. - Comment on Geoengineering with seagrasses: Is credit due where credit is given?
2018; Environmental Research Letters; Oreska, M.P.J. | McGlathery, K.J. | Emmer, I.M. | Needelman, B.A. | Emmett-Mattox, S. |... - Latitude, temperature, and habitat complexity predict predation pressure in eelgrass beds across the Northern Hemisphere
2018; Ecology; Reynolds, P.L. | Stachowicz, J.J. | Hovel, K. | Boström, C. | Boyer, K. |... - Push-pull incubation method reveals the importance of denitrification and dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium in seagrass root zone
2017; Limnology and Oceanography: Methods; Aoki, L.R. | McGlathery, K.J. - Seagrass blue carbon spatial patterns at the meadow-scale
2017; PLoS ONE; Oreska, M.P.J. | McGlathery, K.J. | Porter, J.H. - Benthic nitrogen fixation in Zostera marina meadows in an upwelling-influenced coastal lagoon | Fijación bentónica de nitrógeno en praderas de Zostera marina de una laguna costera influenciada por surgencias
2017; Ciencias Marinas; Hernández-López, J. | Camacho-Ibar, V.F. | Macías-Tapia, A. | McGlathery, K.J. | Daesslé, L.W. |...
Teaching
Global Coastal Change (EVSC 4140)
A comprehensive treatment of global environmental factors affecting coastal marine systems, including climate change, sea-level rise, alterations in freshwater and sediment transport, disturbance and habitat loss, overfishing, alien species, and eutrophication. Includes case studies providing real-world examples, and detailed reviews of the evidence of changes and possible solutions.
Estuarine Ecology (EVEC 4110)
An interdisciplinary course covering the physical, biogeochemical and ecological aspects of coastal estuaries.