DR. CHRISTY MORRISSEY
ECOTOXICOLOGY LAB
Ecotoxicology is by definition a multidisciplinary field, which integrates ecology and toxicology. My lab focuses on integrating many important aspects of organism and community ecology, to better interpret exposure and understand effects of various environmental pollutants such as pesticides, PCBs, PBDEs, PAHs and Hg. Birds are visible, well studied and often highly sensitive to environmental change and are therefore regarded as excellent indicator species. As such, our work tackles applied questions about how birds respond- physiologically and behaviourally - to pollutant exposure during key stages in the annual life cycle such as reproduction and migration. Since environmental pollution can also lead to changes in food availability, we also study the indirect effects of pollutants on invertebrate communities. A holistic understanding of chemical threats remains an essential conservation need to preserve biodiversity.
Ecotoxicologists today... are at the forefront of informing a public that has become complacent about the dangers of chemicals.
Morrissey in Environmental Health News
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/news/2014/aug/a-new-generation-of-scientists
Browse some of the work we are doing...
Studying pesticide fate in wetlands | Tree swallow nestbox check |
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Telemetry tracking at Chaplin Lake | Aquatic inverts of Prairie wetlands |
Banded and nanotagged sanderling | Wetland plant and sediment collecion |
RFID reader on nestbox | Sanderling in mistnet at dawn |
Texas Sanderling: Flag and nanotag | MOTUS tower on grain elevator |
Chironomid lab toxicity study | Measuring tree swallow |
Limnocorrals to study neonics | Neurobehavioural effects of PCBsStarling in an Emlen funnel |
Banded Sanderling sighted in winter | Hydropower and American dippers |