Current Research

Why is it that so many microscopic species can be found in a single drop of water?  And how is it that these minute organisms can shape entire ecosystems?  Research in the Roelke Lab addresses these questions.  Understanding lower foodweb dynamics of aquatic ecosystems, with an emphasis on interactions between biota and with the physicochemical environment, is the focus of much of this research.  The ecosystems that members of the Roelke Lab study are diverse, including marine and freshwater systems, and flowing and still water bodies.  Areas of study have included Texas estuaries and lakes, coastal oceans of the northern Gulf of Mexico and Antarctica, the Sea of Galilee (Lake Kinneret) Israel, and the Cinaruco River, Venezuela.  Research approaches encompass ecosystem monitoring (system-wide, high-resolution spatial mapping coupled to fixed station sampling), in-system experimentation (mesocosm and microcosm), laboratory experimentation (chemostat and batch culture set ups), and modeling (statistical and numerical). To learn more, visit the Roelke Lab's webpage.