David Burdick
(Ph.D. Louisiana State University, 1988)
Research Associate Professor of Marine Ecology and Restoration
Jackson Estuarine Laboratory
85 Adams Point Road
Durham, NH 03824
Research Areas
Ecology and Management of Coastal Wetlands
Research Emphasis
Tidal wetlands play invaluable roles in supporting marine ecosystems, yet these habitats and the plants that characterize them are poorly understood. Furthermore, they are subject to direct and indirect impacts by a growing coastal population. I am interested in the functions of tidal habitats, how plants respond to stresses (flooding, salinity, pollution, disease, invasive species, and human alterations), and how plants interact with physical processes to maintain these habitats. I use the structure and function of tidal wetlands to assess their status, their responses to impacts from development (eutrophication, shading, tidal restriction), and the success of creation and restoration activities. Several long-term research questions include: . What are the most effective strategies to control invasive Phragmites populations and revegetate marshes? . How do restored habitats interact to enhance their function and benefits? . What are the benefits of restoration to the Gulf of Maine, and what types of restoration are most effective? . How can human structures (roadways, docks) be designed to minimize impacts to wetlands? . Can structural components of vegetation provide an early warning of human impacts? Much of my research is management oriented to improve planning, regulation and restoration science. I also develop and participate in several community-based habitat monitoring and restoration programs.
Courses Taught:
Freshwater Resources NR 504; Wetland Ecology & Management NR 711/811; Summer Institute for Environmental Education program- NR 846; Wetland Mitigation and Restoration NR 719/819