My research uses a variety of theoretical and empirical approaches to understand 1) how physical and biotic processes interact to determine the spatial structure and temporal dynamics of ecosystems and 2) the consequences of that structure for the transport and transformation of nutrients within and among landscape components. Current and recent study systems include streams and wetlands of the desert Southwestern US, spring-fed rivers of northern Florida, and the peatlands of the Florida Everglades. I am particularly interested in:

• the potential for ecohydrologic, biogeomorphic, and biogeochemical interactions to generate multiple stable states, self-organized patterning, and other non-linear behaviors in ecological systems
• the circumstances under which ecosystems or their constituent patches are sensitive to nutrient inputs from donor systems
• the effect of natural and anthropogenic disturbances on these interactions

The importance of hydrologic flowpaths to these processes, as vectors for both material exchange and physical disturbance, necessitates an integrative view of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Other related interests include biogeochemistry and disturbance ecology of urban ecosystems, adaptive management of environmental problems, and various approaches to synthesis of ecological data, concepts, and theories.

I will be considering applications from motivated graduate students with related interests for the Fall of 2009.