Project highlights

Researchers at the Rice Center are working to solve some of our most pressing environmental concerns. Below are three examples of the important work being carried out at the center.

Nutrient dynamics in the James River

Paul Bukaveckas, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Biology and Center for Environmental Studies at VCU, is conducting research focused on nutrient and plankton dynamics in the James River. By combining these data with innovative ecosystem modeling, he and his graduate students hope to provide river and watershed management strategies. Read more »

Fish-bird interactions

Greg Garman, Ph.D., director of VCU’s Center for Environmental Studies and Cathy Viverette, CES research associate, are participating in a multi-institution and cross-disciplinary study of the trophic relationships among fish-eating birds and selected fishery resources within the Chesapeake Bay and its major tributaries. Read more »

Prothonotary Warblers

Cathy Viverette, research associate at VCU, with the assistance of a dedicated group of faculty, students and volunteers, is continuing the work of Charles Blem, Ph.D., ornithologist and ecologist from the VCU Department of Biology (retired), on the migratory patterns and breeding habits of the Prothonotary Warbler. The warblers have returned to their breeding grounds on the James River an average of one day earlier each year since the study began nearly 20 years ago. A change in egg production also has been noted. Researchers believe the earlier arrival dates may be linked to global warming. This research has far-ranging implications for the population dynamics of Neotropical migrant bird species and on conservation management strategies. Read more »

Gene movement across landscapes

Along with his graduate students, Rodney Dyer, Ph.D., assistant professor in the VCU Department of Biology, is conducting research that focuses on understanding the processes, mechanisms and consequences of gene distribution across a landscape. The spatial patterning of gene movement within populations has several ecological and evolutionary consequences, including population size and genetic variation. Read more »

Conservation Medicine

Joy Ware, Ph.D., Professor of Pathology and Affiliate Professor of Biology, and her graduate students are conducting research focused on monitoring, evaluating and understanding the relationship between diseases and abnormalities of amphibians and reptiles, human health and environmental conditions. Amphibians and reptiles are sensitive to environmental conditions and can serve as bioindicators for some potential human health risks. These investigations can thus contribute to both better conservation of wildlife and improvement of some conditions affecting human health. Read more »