Projects

Fiorenza Micheli's group is involved in several projects investigating how coastal marine assemblages are shaped through the interplay of physical factors and biological interactions, and examining how much of the observed variation in these assemblages can be attributed to human impacts on the marine environment. The group has initiated field studies examining if and how recreational use of rocky shore habitats in the Monterey area alter the composition of ecological assemblages. Elkhorn Slough is the site of an in depth investigation by graduate student Kimberly Heiman into the role of invasive species in altering community structure and the effect of human disturbances on invasive spread. Fiorenza and her graduate student Carrie Kappel are involved in a collaborative project led by scientists at the American Museum of Natural History. This project uses multidisciplinary approaches to understand the biodiversity, oceanography, connectivity, and land use practices in the Bahamas. The ultimate goal of this project is to develop a network of marine reserves for the Bahamian government. Fiorenza and graduate students Rebecca Martone and Geoff Shester are also involved in a biocomplexity project examining the sustainability of small-scale fisheries in Baja California. Humans have become an important and ubiquitous force shaping marine ecosystems. These studies investigate how human activities compare and interact with natural processes to shape communities.