Ecosystems are complex webs of matter fluxes between organisms, trophic levels, and the abiotic environment. Polar ecosystems, especially those in the high Arctic and Antarctica, contain simple trophic structures and reduced ecological complexity due to the selection pressures and low energy budget. The reduced complexity of polar ecosystems provides a more tractable environment in which to test ecological hypotheses. In the case of life within an ice sheet or glacier, microorganisms may be the only trophic level capable of life. A quantitative understanding of ecological interactions and the resulting biogeochemical fluxes within a polar ecosystem begins with understanding the microorganisms and their activity. Thus, forces which alter the microbial engines that drive biogeochemical cycles merit study. One such force is the change in the extent, duration, and timing of ice in polar and temperate regions. There is a growing need to quantify how aquatic ecosystems are responding to the decline and changing phenology of ice worldwide. It is the response of microorganisms and their ecology that is central to understanding these ecosystem changes in the polar regions. However, in many cases, we still do not know the extent of the biosphere in polar environments.
My research is motivated by the overarching question, how does changing ice impact aquatic ecosystems? My current and future efforts to address this overarching question can be generally categorized into two themes: (1) paleoclimate geomicrobiology and (2) contemporary cryosphere contributions to downstream ecosystems.
My research is motivated by the overarching question, how does changing ice impact aquatic ecosystems? My current and future efforts to address this overarching question can be generally categorized into two themes: (1) paleoclimate geomicrobiology and (2) contemporary cryosphere contributions to downstream ecosystems.