Research Programs

Restoration Ecology

Current research focuses on ecological aspects of oyster-reef restoration, including the effects of habitat complexity and scale on the development of oyster populations and associated reef communities.

Non-Native Oysters

Studies at the ESL are examining various aspects of the biology and ecology of non-indigenous oyster species to inform management decisions regarding the possibility of an intentional introduction. Ongoing studies are examining the reproductive biology and larval behavior of an Asian oyster species and its competitive interactions with the native oyster.

Shellfish Aquaculture

Research and advisory service activities related to shellfish aquaculture at the ESL include developing carrying-capacity models for major clam-growing areas, investigating interactions between aquaculture and the environment, developing Best Management Practices, maintaining algal stock cultures, and disseminating technical information.

Water Quality

Research and monitoring projects are ongoing to evaluate interactions between changing land-use on the Eastern Shore and water quality in adjacent tributaries and bays. Projects include watershed-based mapping of land-use, groundwater and surface-water sampling, and collaborations with numerical modeling studies in the Physical Sciences Department.