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My
colleagues and I are studying factors determining species composition
in marine bottom communities. We are particularly interested in
the effects of predation, competition, biological disturbance, introduced
species and eutrophication on community structure. Ongoing research
projects include examining: 1) ecosystem functions of oyster reefs,
including use of oyster reefs as habitat for fish, crabs, shrimp,
and benthos as well as the role of oysters in filtering the overlying
water column; 2) the relative effects of nutrient addition and predation
in determining the composition of benthic communities; 3) indirect
effects of interactions among predators for benthic prey using shrimp
and fish species as model organisms; 4) the influence of dredging
disturbance on bottom communities; 5) factors structuring the benthic
communities of estuarine marshes; and 6) restoration of marsh and
oyster communities. Most of these projects are interdisciplinary,
involving collaboration with researchers from several universities
and government agencies.
Nelson, K.A., L.A. Leonard,
M.H. Posey, T.D. Alphin and M.A. Mallin. 2004. Transplanted oyster
(Crassostrea virginica) beds as a self-sustaining mechanism
for water quality improvement in small tidal creeks. Journal of
Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology. 298: 347-368.
Posey, M.H., T.D. Alphin, D.L. Meyer
and J.M. Johnson. 2003. Benthic communities of common reed Phragmites
australis and marsh cordgrass Spartina alterniflora
marshes in Chesapeake Bay, USA. Marine Ecology Progress Series.
261: 51-61.
Posey, M.H., T.D. Alphin,
L.B. Cahoon, D.G. Lindquist, M.A. Mallin and M.B. Nevers. 2002.
Top-down versus bottom-up limitation in benthic communities: direct
and indirect effects. Estuaries. 25: 999-1014.
Mallin, M., M.H. Posey ,
M.R. McIver, D.C. Parsons, S.H. Ensign and T.D. Alphin. 2002. Impacts
and recovery from multiple hurricanes in a piedmont-coastal plain
river system. BioScience. 52: 999-1010.
Posey, M.H. and T.D. Alphin.
2002. Resilience and stability in an offshore benthic community:
responses to sediment borrow activities and hurricane disturbance.
Journal of Coastal Research. 18: 685-697.
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