Researcher to speak at FLI
18 January 2007 Researcher to speak at FLI
Tim Sellers, an assistant professor of biology and environmental science at Keuka College and director of its Center for Aquatic Research, will speak on Microscopic, But Macro-important: The Phytoplankton of Keuka Lake, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 24 at the Finger Lakes Institute Classroom, 601 S. Main St.
Phytoplankton, which are floating microscopic algae in lakes, are central to water quality issues and the lakes ecological health. The Center for Aquatic Research is doing a series of experiments to determine what factors affect phytoplankton growth and type, said Sellers, an expert on nutrient limitation studies.
These plants can respond rapidly to changes in the watershed including nutrient runoff, and form the base of energy and nutrition sources for the majority of aquatic organisms in the lakes food web. Researchers are working on ways to better understand the mechanisms that influence the phytoplankton and the resulting food web, as part of the effort to improve water quality.
Sellers talk will cover how students and faculty researchers are integrating their phytoplankton-based research studies with the existing field work conducted by many regional groups. The Center for Aquatic Research is partnering with the Finger Lakes Institute in studying the quality of the water in the regions many lakes.
His program is free and open to the public; registration is requested by calling ext. 4382 or e-mailing fli@hws.edu. Details on the programs and other offerings of the Finger Lakes Institute are available by visiting FLI