The ecology group studies algal species in the laboratory and in
the field. They study how different factors, such as nutritional
requirements, affect relationships between species and their
environment.
The HAB ecology
group studies the relationships between HAB species (including the
Florida red tide organism, Karenia brevis) and their
environment. Research is diverse, and projects include studies to
determine the different nutritional requirements of HAB species,
the role of different types of nutrients in supporting red tides,
the influence of behaviors (such as swimming) on bloom development,
the use of light by different HAB species, and the effects of
zooplankton grazing on blooms. Using both laboratory cultures and
HAB species collected during research cruises, the ecology group
examines how species respond in the laboratory and in natural
blooms to identify the different factors that both cause and
control red tides.
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