Your Company or Organization
University of South Alabama/Dauphin Island Sea Lab

Your Organization Type
Student

Phone
4097810355

Biographical sketch
I am currently attending Dauphin Island Sea Lab, in Alabama, where I am a Ph.D. candidate. My research focuses on how drifting macroalgae, found alongside coastal seagrass beds, can benefit fish, crabs and shrimp living in these areas. Seagrass habitats are important because they provide shelter and food for many organisms, including those of commercial and sports fishing value. As seagrass habitats decline due to changing water conditions, drift algae in these areas are simultaneously increasing and occupying the newly available space. My research focuses on the drifting macroalgae in the northern Gulf of Mexico, as well as how it influences the amount of oxygen in the system, the flow of water through the area, and the diversity and composition of organisms living in that area. I am also looking at how storm events affect seagrass resilience, and persistence in the coastal system. It is important to understand whether drifting algae are a suitable habitat for fish, crabs, and shrimp, or if seagrass decline could lead to an exponential decline in the habitat available for these coastal organisms. My talk for this conference focuses on the distribution of drifting macroalgae in the northern Gulf of Mexico and how algal species composition relates to animal abundance and species richness in the area.

I'm interested in
Attending
Presenting a 12-minute oral presentation
Socials

1. Living Marine Resources - Fish (Oral) - 01 Dec, 2020