Hoverman Aquatic Community Ecology Lab

My research group works with freshwater systems to address questions in the fields of community ecology, ecotoxicology, disease ecology, and conservation. Our work has a strong emphasis on the interactive effects of natural and anthropogenic factors on individuals, populations, and communities. Our general approach is to combine laboratory and mesocosm experiments with broad-scale field surveys to provide mechanistic insights into these interactive effects. Over the years, we have worked in a variety of systems (e.g., ponds, wetlands, lakes, streams) using a diversity of taxa (e.g., tadpoles, snails, insects, fish, parasites). In 2024, we started working with hellbenders to advance conservation efforts and improve our basic ecological understanding of this imperiled amphibian species. This work is part of the Help the Hellbender Program. For more information about Dr. Hoverman’s research, visit his Aquatic Community Ecology Lab web site.