Oyster Talk at Northeastern January 15th

In 2013, the Northeastern University Marine Science Center (MSC) is continuing its series of monthly marine science lectures through March. On January 15 at 7:00 p.m., Dr. Jonathan Grabowski, Associate Professor at Northeastern, will present the Eastern Oyster: An Iconic Fishery and Valuable Habitat. The lecture is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served at 6:30 p.m.  

Here is a bit about Dr. Grabowski.

Appointments

• Associate Professor, Northeastern University (2011 – present)
• Research Scientist, Gulf of Maine Research Institute (2004-2011)
• Post-Doctorate, Dr. Phil Yund, Darling Marine Center, University of Maine at Orono (2002-2004)

Other Professional Activities

• Member, The Nature Conservancy’s National Oyster Goals Science Advisory Team (2010-present)
• Member, New England Fisheries Management Council – Ecosystem Management and Habitat Plan & Development Team (2007-present)
• Member, Gulf of Maine Mapping Initiative (GOMMI) Advisory Board (2007-present)
• Member, National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis (NCEAS) Working Group, “When, and how much, does fear matter”? Quantitatively assessing the impact of predator intimidation of prey on community dynamics” (2005-2007)
• Member, Working Group, “Defining metrics of successful oyster reef restoration” (2004-2005)
• Member, Ecological Society of America, American Fisheries Society, National Shellfish Association, American Academy of Underwater Sciences

Research Interests

My research interests span issues in ecology, fisheries and conservation biology, and ecological economics. I have used a variety of estuarine (oyster reef, seagrass, salt marsh, mud bottom) and marine (kelp bed, cobble-ledge) systems to examine how resource availability, habitat heterogeneity and predation risk affect population dynamics, community structure, and ecosystem functioning. Much of this work focuses on economically important species such as lobsters, cod, herring, monkfish, and oyster reef and seagrass communities, and consequently is relevant for fisheries and ecosystem management. My lab also focuses on how habitat degradation and restoration influence benthic community structure, population structure, and the transfer of energy to higher trophic levels. In addition, I am interested in how management initiatives such as closed areas, fishing gear modifications, and fishing effort reductions impact local habitat recovery, fisheries productivity, and the balance of resident and migratory life-history strategies for species such as cod. Finally, we are also examining a number of other important topics aimed at enhancing our ability to restore and conserve aquatic species and ecosystems: fish migratory behavior, population structure, and age validation; the economic value of ecosystem services associated with coastal habitats; seafloor habitat mapping and its role in ecosystem management; and the influence of climate change and biogeography on species range shifts, ecological interactions, and ecosystem functions.