Ecological research at CERC serves as a critical link between environmental
toxicology and chemistry and landscape-level assessments that is needed to
protect and restore our nation’s biological resources. Research focuses on the
effects of environmental stressors on the structure and function of aquatic and
terrestrial ecosystems at the population, community, and ecosystem levels.
Ecological research consists of the following categories: baseline studies of
the structure and function of populations, communities, and ecosystems;
evaluation of bioindicators of environmental stress at multiple levels of
biological organization; and assessment of ecosystem health from a holistic
perspective. This information provides managers with scientific information
needed to evaluate habitat management strategies, monitor the status and health
of resources, determine the degree of impairment or injury to resources, and
develop mitigation and restoration strategies.
