1979, 1983: M.S., Ph.D. Coastal Oceanography, University of South Carolina

1977: B.S. Biology, Phi Beta Kappa, Emory University

Stream Community and Ecosystem Ecology

The broad objective of my research is to understand what controls stream ecosystem structure and function. I specifically focus on restoration ecology and how land use, hydrology and geomorphology influence the health of running-water ecosystems. For more information, visit www.palmerlab.umd.edu

Postdoctoral:
Dr. Karen Nelson, mathematical modeler - metapopulation dynamics; land use change, climate change & stream ecosystems. karen-nelson@verizon.net

Dr. Solange Filoso - stream and river biogeochemistry; watershed restoration and nitrogen dynamics. filoso@umd.edu

Recent Graduates:
Aaron Moore, MS 2003
Dr. Chris Swan, PhD 2003
Brooke Hassett, MS 2006
Chris Patrick, BS 2006
Dr. Holly Menninger, PhD 2006
Dr. Emily Bernhardt, PostDoc 2005

Current Graduate Researchers:
Laura Craig - stream nitrogen dynamics and human dominated watersheds. lscraig@umd.edu

Evan Grant - salamander population dynamics and stream network structure; metapopulation dynamics. ehgrant@usgs.gov

Brian Laub - stream restoration, geomorphic stability and algal diversity. blaub@umd.edu

Owen McDonough - stream restoration. otmcdonough@gmail.com

Dave Richardson - dynamics of seston transport in streams. drichar4@umd.edu

Lie Ann Van-Tull - streams and stormwater managment. lieann@umd.edu

Undergraduate Researchers:
Angela Johnson, Andrew Dietrich

STREAM RESTORATION SHORT COURSE ANNOUNCING: 2007 Summer Short Course in stream restoration: "The Ecological and Geomorphic Principles of Stream Restoration" will be taught June 4 - 8, 2007. Dr. Palmer will be the primary instructor, along with Dr. Peter Wilcock from Johns Hopkins University, Sean Smith from MD Dept. of Natural Resources and Jack Schmidt from Utah State University. The course can be taken as a workshop only ($1600 fee) or participants may pay an additional fee for tuition to receive 2 graduate credits for the course. Course book, field materials, field trips, most meals including breakfast included. Course will be taught at the Cromwell Valley Park in Baltimore County, MD. The course is designed for anyone that deals with rivers and streams and who can benefit from a more in-depth understanding of how they work and how they can be restored -- students, engineers, geologists, biologists, planners, landscape architects, and government officials.

For information on the course, go to www.palmerlab.umd.edu

To register for the course, go to http://ops-customerservice.umd.edu/ApplicationFiles/web/WebFrame.cfm?web_id=985

Class Instructors 2006

Class 2006

Recent Work: My recent work has concentrated on: 1) synthesizing the scientific status of riverine restoration nationally (NRRSS project, see below); 2) how urbanizing landscapes influence stream fauna and ecosystem processes through changes in the riparian zone, the hydrology, and channel characteristics; 3) the interactive effects of land use change and climate change on stream ecosystem services.