Research
Life History, Ecology, Ecological Stoichiometry, Population Genetics, and Conservation of Freshwater Mussels
Dr. Christian and his lab have been working on the life history, population, community and ecosystem ecology, population genetics, and conservation and management of freshwater mussels, especially federally listed and state listed and special concern species, since 1992 and this research continues today. More recently research has focused on paternity, food and feeding using stable isotopes, and ecological stoichiometry and consumer driven nutrient recycling of freshwater mussels. We collaborate with a variety of scientist on these projects including a current collaboration with Dr. Greg Beck investigating the natural and acquired immunity of host fish in New England Ponds.
Ecological Stoichiometry, Limnology, Geochemistry, Landscape Ecology, Paleolimnology, and of Lakes and Ponds
The FEL is currently investigating the limnology of and the effects of global change on New England Ponds and a lake in Haiti (Etang Saumatre). A variety of research lines are pursued such as 1) the basic limnology, geochemistry, and ecological stoichiometry of the water column, 2) paleolimnology reconstruction of lake sediments, 3) and the landscape ecology and sediment transport and delivery modeling of the watershed. Collaborators on these projects include Dr. Robyn Hannigan of the School for the Environment and Dr. Emanis Dorval of Haiti.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gj3Lz0P5FPk
The Effects of Land Use on Water Quality in Urban Watersheds: Geochemistry, Geomorphology, Aquatic Invertebrates, and Microbial Community Structure.
The Neponset River watershed is an urban watershed with a variety of land uses with the major land used being forest, residential, industrial, recreational, and wetlands. In this research we are investigating the effects of land use on 1) water column physical-chemical parameters, 2) aquatic invertebrate community structure, 3) physical habitat, and 4) microbial community structure. We are collaborating with Dr. Robert Chen of the School for the Environment, who has done extensive research on the Neponset River Watershed.
The Effects of Active and Passive Restoration on Stream Structure and Function
My lab is 1) using stream structure (e.g. aquatic insects, fish, habitat) and function (e.g.. nutrient limitation experiments, stream metabolism experiments) biodiversity attributes to investigate the effects of active and passive dam removal and cranberry bog farming restoration of streams, and 2) using physical habitat and fish and aquatic invertebrates assemblages to assess water quality above, within, and downstream of impoundments and cranberry bog farming stream systems. These projects started in 2010, are ongoing, and are in collaboration with Dr. Ellen Douglas in the School for the Environment, Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration scientists, and owners and researchers of the Tidmarsh Farms Living Observatory.
The Mussels of Arkansas
This research is a collaboration with Dr. John Harris (adjunct Professor at Arkansas State University) who is the lead on writing a book on the species account (taxonomy and systematics, biology, life history, ecology, and conservation status) of all species of freshwater mussels in Arkansas waters. This is at least a five year project that is starting in the summer of 2012.
Freshwater Ecology Laboratory (FEL)
100 Morrissey Blvd
Boston, MA 02125
617.287.6639
Connect
Contact Information
Dr. Alan Christian
Phone: 617 287 6639
Email: alan.christian@umb.edu
Contact Information
Dr. Alan Christian
Phone: 617.287.6639
Email: alan.christian@umb.edu