Aquatic Science and Conservation Initiative
Click on stressor to see research topics. Click on research questions to
to see a list of faculty working on research topic.
Research Model
The conceptual model depicting the research focus of the Environmental Sciences Program is organized around four major human-caused stressors. The model shows the relevance of FAU’s Environmental Sciences research to some of the most pressing problems in South Florida and other coastal areas. It is issue-driven and focused on aquatic systems from their freshwater source out to the coral reefs, where many problems are most obvious. Humans are viewed as an integral part of ecosystems rather than separate from them. There are likely no ecosystems left on the planet that are unaffected by human activities. Click on the anthropogenic stressor to see a list of research topics and the names of associated faculty.
Ecosystem Attributes and services
This column highlights the values of healthy aquatic ecosystems and their direct importance to humans. Although many practitioners of Environmental Sciences at FAU believe that ecosystems and their components have intrinsic value, defining values relative to humans also leads to good management decisions and the long term sustainability of our natural systems.
Human use
Humans use ecosystems in different ways and for different purposes. Their use is guided by ethics, culture, and economics. Research aimed at understanding these factors can help resolve environmental conflicts and lead to a more effective and efficient implementation of conservation projects and resource management decisions. The framework within which the large scale use of ecosystems by humans is governed, involves planning, public outreach and education, and ultimately policy. Understanding this framework is just as critical to effective resource management as is an understanding of biological processes.
Faculty research and education in this area draw heavily on examples from the large scale restoration and management of south Florida ecosystems. Our planning and policy expertise is sharpened by working in a setting where urban planning must be conducive to large scale restoration
and management of our wetland ecosystems. South Florida's vast sensitive wetlands are directly adjacent to a large and burgeoning human
population that is dependent on the same water, so South Florida is encountering sooner than most areas, unprecedented challenges in balancing
human and environmental water needs. However, evidence is mounting that worldwide water conflicts are on the rise and they will continue. In
other words, for many places around the world, it can be said that this is a problem coming to a town near you. Developing tools and expertise
to solve such thorny water-related problems, put our faculty and students in a strong position to apply their expertise to other areas around the
country, and indeed the globe.
Anthropogenic stressors
Human use of ecosystems can lead to many outcomes. Human activities that negatively affect environmental sustainability are termed stressors. In South Florida and other coastal systems, some of the worst stressors are the (1) destruction of wetlands, (2) alteration of hydrologic regimes, (3) increase of contaminants, and (4) introduction of invasive species. Listed under each category are specific examples that are applicable to many areas of the world.
Research topics
The research interests of faculty in the Environmental Sciences Program reflect our emphasis on the freshwater and near shore marine systems, which dominate South Florida. We are strong in our ability to bring genetic and physiological tools to bear on environmental problems, as well as in our use of ecological models and GIS. We also have a number of faculty with expertise in the ecology and management of rare and endangered species, of which Florida has the dubious distinction of having more than almost any state in the U.S. The list of research topics will change often to reflect the change in our faculty membership and their evolving research interests.
Faculty
Individual faculty are linked to particular research topics for which they have experience or an interest. The list is not exhaustive but is rather meant to facilitate contact between our faculty and students, scientists, or agency staff with a common interest in a research topic.