I employ my expertise in plankton ecology, trophic ecology, environmental monitoring and assessment, biodiversity and conservation to test ecological theory and to understand and develop approaches for solving diverse environmental problems. I am particularly interested in how ecological systems respond to an environmental disturbance caused by anthropogenic impacts, hydroperiod and invasive species. Working with fellow ecologists, resource managers and policy makers often stimulates new directions for my research. Most of my projects use field observations, and experiments, to better understand the effects of natural and anthropogenic factors on flora and fauna and their role in aquatic ecosystems. Field studies are used to identify interesting patterns in nature that may indicate ecological and environmental problems or an interesting natural phenomenon. Manipulative experiments in artificial microcosms and mesocosms are used to confirm cause-effect relationships.