What is Physical Ecology?

• Physical Ecology is the interdisciplinary examination of evolutionary and ecological phenomena across taxa, populations, communities and ecosystems within a physical perspective. It involves the examination of how organisms have (i) adapted to the constraints imposed by the physical environment; (ii) adapted to use physical mechanisms to satisfy biological processes; and (iii) matched form to function.

• See the course syllabus for Physical Ecology (ENVS307)

• See the Biological and Environmental Mechanics Homepage

 

Lab Members

• Dr. Josef Daniel Ackerman

Faculty Supervisor --- Physical Ecology of Aquatic Plants and Invertebrates

Graduate Students
 

• Julianne Trelenberg (2001 -)

MSc Candidate --- Fluid Dynamic Factors Affecting the Productivity of Aquatic Macrophytes
 
• Julia Bolton (2001 -)

MSc Candidate --- The Effects of Emergent Structures on the Irrigation of Aquatic Sediments.
 
• Michael Nishizaki (1999 -)

MSc Candidate --- The Role of Adult Sheltering in the Early Life History of Sea Urchins: Fluid Dynamics and Other factors.
 
• Trent Hoover  (1996 -)

MSc Candidate--- Fluid Dynamic Influences on the Behavioral and distribution of Mayflies (Epeorus) in Torrential Streams. (Nominated for the Best TA of the Year, 1999)
Currently: Ph.D. candidate, Civil Engineering, UBC.

Undergraduate Students
 

• Honey Giroday (2001-)

BSc Student --- Fluid Dynamic Affects on Stream Periphyton.

Graduates of the Lab
 

• Jacquie Lee - MSc 2000

Freshwater molluscs of Northern British Columbia: Their Ecology and Distribution
(Best Student Paper: World Malacological Congress 1998)
Currently: Environmental and Biodiversity Consultant, Victoria, BC.
 
• Jen McConnachie -  Research Technician

(NSERC Postgraduate Scholarship winner)
Currently: MSc Candidate ---University of Northern British Columbia
 
• Shelley Hoover - Rosenthal - B.Sc. 1999

(NSERC Postgraduate Scholarship winner)
Currently: Ph.D. --- Simon Fraser University
 
• Julianne Trelenberg - B.Sc. 1999

Currently: MSc Candidate ---University of British Columbia
 
• Shelley Kuromi

BSc Student --- Physical Ecology --- Kelp Germination and Adhesion (NSERC Undergraduate Fellow 1999)
 
• Terri Fortune

BSc Student --- Physical Ecology --- Effects of Forestry on Periphyton (Bursary Winner)
 
• Audrey deKoning

MSc Candidate ---University of British Columbia (NSERC Undergraduate Research Fellow 1997)
 
• Leanne Wilson

Research Technician --- University of California at Berkeley.
 
• Dr. N. Yonemitsu

Assistant Professor --- Civil Engineering, University of British Columbia

Current research projects

(1) Mass transfer and the ecophysiology of benthic producers and consumers in aquatic ecosystems  (NSERC funded).
This project involves laboratory and field research in the marine environment. We are currently undertaking this research at the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre on the west coast of Vancouver Island.
 
Our research involves the following components:
 
• The effects of fluid dynamics on bivalve (Mytilus) feeding and growth.
• The effects of fluid dynamics on macrophyte productivity.
• Benthic-pelagic coupling and its relationship to trophic transfer.

Benthic pelagic coupling in a zebra mussel bed in Lake Erie (with Mark Loewen [Alberta] and Paul Hamblin [CCIW]).
(2) Biophysical structuring of habitats in Riparian Ecosystems (FRBC funded).
This is largely a field-oriented project centered in the Torpy River just east of Prince George, BC. We are currently involved in characterizations of the hydraulic habitats as they are affected by varying riparian reserve strips in forested habitats. For more information see The Hydro-Riparian Homepage
 
Our research involves the following components:
 
• Fluid dynamic characterization of hydraulic habitats of stream periphyton
• Water chemistry, hydrology, riparian, and invertebrate survey of streams in the Torpy River.
• Effects of Forest Practices on Periphyton Growth, Invertebrate Drift
(3) Abiotic pollination and particle capture mechanisms in aquatic vascular plants (NSERC funded).
This research is largely oriented toward flow chamber studies in the laboratory and verification in the field. For more information see Aquatic Plants BIOL 402 and Physical Ecology ENVS307.
 
Our research involves the following components:
 
• Characterizing the velocity fields around plants and flowers.
• Stoboscopic imaging of pollen transport and capture.
• Pollen dispersion and fluid dynamics of plant canopies.
• Particle capture mechanisms in aquatic and wetland plants (with Heidi Nepf [MIT]).
(4) Characterization and identification of spatial patterns (unfunded).
This project is largely methodological involving both monte carlo simulation methods and the application of spatial methods to ecological/environmental research.
 
Our research involves the following components:
 
• The effect of biased random walks on spatial patterns (with the late Akira Okubo [Stony Brook]).
• Identifying the spatial distribution of iron oxide nodules in soils (with Lito Arocena [UNBC]).

Some of Our Resources

• Laboratory Instrumentation

 
• Acoustic Doppler Velocimeters
• Constant Temperature Anemometer (NSERC Funded)
• Particle Imaging Velocimeter (NSERC Funded)
• Preston-static tubes
• Portable Fluorometer
• Multimeters
• Light Meters

 
• Field Instrumentation
• Acoustic Doppler Velocimeters
• Ultrasonic Doppler Velocimeters
• Acoustic Doppler Profiler (NSERC Funded)
• Preston-static tubes
• Integrating Natural Fluorometers (NSERC Funded)
• Multimeters
• Light Meters

 
Laboratory Flow Chambers
• Recirculating flow chamber (17.5 x 3.5 x 180 cm)

 
 
• Larger flow chamber (20 x 20 x 220 cm)

    (Note ADV on Stand; Recirculating flow chamber on right)



 

• Enclosed flow chamber with oxygen electrode

 

 

Publications from the laboratory

Publications fall into the following categories:

(I) MACROPHYTE EVOLUTIONARY ECOLOGY

(II) BIVALVE EVOLUTIONARY ECOLOGY

(III) ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY

(IV) ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING

(V) RECENT CONFERENCE PUBLICATIONS

These can be viewed at Joe Ackerman's Profile Page.
 

 

Students interested in the Physical Ecology Laboratory may wish to consult the Faculty of Natural Resources and Environmental Studies at the University of Northern British Columbia, which offers BSc, MSc, and PhD degree programs in the areas of Biology and Environmental Science.
 

 



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