Current research
The Zostera Experimental Network defense project
The ZEN Defense project aims to study the changes in traits related to herbivore defense in Zostera marina in response to latitude and rates of herbivory. This project is a collaboration among multiple institutions in the Zostera Experimental Network. UBC's contribution to this project is being led by assistant researcher Allison Dennert.
Identifying drivers of invertebrate diversity
Invertebrate communities in eelgrass meadows vary widely in diversity and community composition, even at small spatial (<10 km) and temporal (<3 months) scales. Some species are common across regions, whereas others are rare and found in low abundance at only a few sites at certain times of year. Former O'Connor lab MSc student Ross Whippo wrote his thesis on the factors that influence these invertebrate communities; he, Nicole Knight, and Mary O'Connor are currently in the process of writing a manuscript based on his work.
Invertebrate identification key
Despite their ecological importance, regional knowledge of eelgrass-dwelling invertebrates is very limited (particularly for smaller species) which makes it very difficult to determine where invertebrate species are or aren't found, as well as to estimate accurately key community metrics like species diversity. Assistant researcher Nicole Knight is in the process of developing an invertebrate identification key in the hopes that it will help researchers and students more easily identify invertebrate species found in BC.
The Zostera Experimental Network defense project
The ZEN Defense project aims to study the changes in traits related to herbivore defense in Zostera marina in response to latitude and rates of herbivory. This project is a collaboration among multiple institutions in the Zostera Experimental Network. UBC's contribution to this project is being led by assistant researcher Allison Dennert.
Identifying drivers of invertebrate diversity
Invertebrate communities in eelgrass meadows vary widely in diversity and community composition, even at small spatial (<10 km) and temporal (<3 months) scales. Some species are common across regions, whereas others are rare and found in low abundance at only a few sites at certain times of year. Former O'Connor lab MSc student Ross Whippo wrote his thesis on the factors that influence these invertebrate communities; he, Nicole Knight, and Mary O'Connor are currently in the process of writing a manuscript based on his work.
Invertebrate identification key
Despite their ecological importance, regional knowledge of eelgrass-dwelling invertebrates is very limited (particularly for smaller species) which makes it very difficult to determine where invertebrate species are or aren't found, as well as to estimate accurately key community metrics like species diversity. Assistant researcher Nicole Knight is in the process of developing an invertebrate identification key in the hopes that it will help researchers and students more easily identify invertebrate species found in BC.