We study the ecology of aquatic organisms and ecosystems.
Aquatic ecosystems of the U.S. Southeast are renowned for their diversity, but this diversity is highly imperiled. We study the diversity of life in water and how aquatic systems respond to stressors such as pollution and climate change.
We tackle this broad question by focusing on energy and nutrient availability as factors limiting organisms and ecosystem processes. Our research combines methods such as laboratory experiments, field studies, and data synthesis to connect systems together, often employing the framework of ecological stoichiometry theory with other fields such as metabolic theory, biogeochemistry, and nutritional ecology.
Three broad questions we are investigating:
(1) How do environmental factors affect the activity and interactions of aquatic microbes (bacteria, fungi, algae)?
(2) What nutritional factors determine fitness and physiological regulation of aquatic animals?
(3) What are the functional roles of animals in ecosystem-level processes such as nutrient cycling?
In the Fall of 2019, we joined the Department of Biology at the University of Central Arkansas! Interested students or collaborators are encouraged to contact Hal below:
Dr. Halvor Halvorson
Assistant Professor
180 Lewis Science Center
Department of Biology
Conway, AR 72035
email: hhalvorson 'at' uca.edu
We tackle this broad question by focusing on energy and nutrient availability as factors limiting organisms and ecosystem processes. Our research combines methods such as laboratory experiments, field studies, and data synthesis to connect systems together, often employing the framework of ecological stoichiometry theory with other fields such as metabolic theory, biogeochemistry, and nutritional ecology.
Three broad questions we are investigating:
(1) How do environmental factors affect the activity and interactions of aquatic microbes (bacteria, fungi, algae)?
(2) What nutritional factors determine fitness and physiological regulation of aquatic animals?
(3) What are the functional roles of animals in ecosystem-level processes such as nutrient cycling?
In the Fall of 2019, we joined the Department of Biology at the University of Central Arkansas! Interested students or collaborators are encouraged to contact Hal below:
Dr. Halvor Halvorson
Assistant Professor
180 Lewis Science Center
Department of Biology
Conway, AR 72035
email: hhalvorson 'at' uca.edu
