How my work benefits society
Algae is a critical part of stream food webs, transferring sunlight energy to higher trophic levels like insects and fish. However, too much algae can harm ecosystems (by lowering stream dissolved oxygen) and human health (by creating toxins). Algal blooms can also be aesthetically displeasing or cause drinking water to have a foul taste or odor. Over-enrichment of nutrients from fertilizers, wastewater, and atmospheric deposition is a large culprit in this problem. But algae in streams will respond differently to nutrients based on light levels, streamflow patterns, water temperature, and other environmental factors. By providing research on how algae responds to heterogeneous environments, I can help managers protect water quality in a cost-effective and efficient way. My modeling studies will help managers predict which streams are most vulnerable to algal blooms so they can take preventative action. Additionally, states are currently setting numeric limits for nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations in freshwater bodies. This is a challenging task because there is not always a predictable stressor-response relationship between nutrients and algae. My project will help determine how criteria can be spatially targeted based on the stream environmental conditions.