Edward H. Proffitt, PhD
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Marine GEO Texas Advisory Board Member
Professor Department of Life Sciences Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi Ed.Proffitt@tamucc.edu 361-825-2358 Coastal Ecology and Genetics Lab |
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Ed Proffitt is a Professor of Life Sciences at Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi. He and his lab, Coastal Ecology & Genetics Lab or CEGL (pronounced Sea-gull) is broadly interested in plant and animal assemblages in intertidal and shallow subtidal habitats. We have particular emphasis on ecological foundation species, as changes in these have effects that can cascade through a number of trophic levels. We use both experimental and observational studies, and employ multivariate techniques such as structural equation modeling, to address both theoretical and applied questions.
Some recent work has involved assessing the Stress Gradient Hypothesis and disturbance effects in both oyster and marsh-mangrove systems. In one set of interrelated projects we are analyzing the interactions occurring as mangroves invade salt marsh because of climate warming in the northern Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic. Associated with this is a study of the potential development of black mangrove populations in the hypersaline Laguna Madre. Another study involves fertilization of mangrove-marsh to assess how interactions might vary with nutrients. An additional interest is marine and estuarine invertebrate assemblages, most recently oyster reefs in Florida. |
