We study the ecology of aquatic organisms and ecosystems.
Aquatic ecosystems such as streams, lakes, and wetlands are extremely diverse, but this diversity is also highly imperiled in the 21st century. Our lab seeks to understand the diversity of life in water and investigate 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 "bottom-up" controls that limit both organisms and ecosystems. Our research combines experimental, field, and data synthesis methods to link levels of organization, often employing the framework of ecological stoichiometry theory in conversation with other fields such as metabolic theory, biogeochemistry, and nutritional geometry.
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?
Beginning in August 2019, we are joining the Department of Biology at the University of Central Arkansas! Interested students or collaborators are encouraged to contact Hal below:
Contact info:
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 "bottom-up" controls that limit both organisms and ecosystems. Our research combines experimental, field, and data synthesis methods to link levels of organization, often employing the framework of ecological stoichiometry theory in conversation with other fields such as metabolic theory, biogeochemistry, and nutritional geometry.
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?
Beginning in August 2019, we are joining the Department of Biology at the University of Central Arkansas! Interested students or collaborators are encouraged to contact Hal below:
Contact info:
Dr. Halvor Halvorson
Assistant Professor
180 Lewis Science Center
Department of Biology
Conway, AR 72035
email: hhalvorson 'at' uca.edu
