Individuals
Dr. Gaines' research addresses a broad range of issues in ecology, sustainable fisheries, conservation biology, and climate change. More specifically, he focuses on how different populations respond to climate variation, as well as on the design elements that enhance both conservation and fisheries management. Dr. Gaines also studies exotic species patterns and biodiversity.
Dr. Ben Halpern focuses his research at the interface between marine ecology and conservation biology. His research focuses on global food systems, especially aquaculture and fisheries, the impacts of climate change on marine species as well as coupled human-natural systems, and the impacts of multiple stressors on coastal oceans, and strategic conservation planning and prioritization. His research has addressed a broad range of questions that span local to global scales, including spatial population dynamics, trophic interactions in community ecology, and the interface between ecology and human dynamics, all with the ultimate aim to inform and facilitate conservation and resource management efforts in marine systems.
Dr. Kendall applies the science of population ecology to the conservation of rare species and to the management of harvested populations. His research focuses on the causes of population fluctuation, the prediction of the extinction of rare species, and the effects of current-driven dispersal on marine fish species. He also studies the design of protected areas for biodiversity conservation and fisheries management and how to manage tradeoffs among multiple ecosystem services.
Marine Science Institute
Earth Science Institute
Dr. Lafferty's research mainly focuses on the ecology of parasites; however, his work also deals with conservation biology issues. Such research includes ways to further the protection and recovery of the endangered tidewater goby, black abalone, southern sea otter, and western snowy plover. In addition, Dr. Lafferty studies the effect of fishing on marine ecosystems (local estuaries, beaches, and kelp forests). In addition to being an adjunct faculty member at UCSB, he is also a Marine Ecologist for the USGS at the Santa Barbara Field Station.
Marine Science Institute
USGS
Dr. Lenihan's primary research interests lie in population and community ecology, especially in connection with coral reefs, estuaries, marine fisheries management, habitat restoration, aquaculture, and ecotoxicology. He is working on projects that aim to enhance coral reef management and restoration, sustainable aquaculture, mitigating Environmental harm caused by emerging chemicals, and managing coastal marine fisheries, for example those targeting sharks and invertebrates.
Sustainable Aquaculture Research Center
Moorea Coral Reef LTER
Santa Barbara Coastal LTER
Dr. Schmitt's research interests include population and community ecology, applied ecology, consumer-resource interactions, and resilience and sustainability of marine ecosystems. His current research in particular attempts to understand the processes that influence population and community dynamics, tipping points to alternative ecological states, feedbacks between social and ecological systems, and the scientific basis needed to conserve, restore and sustain coral reef ecosystems.