Research | Fish Biology & Physiological Ecology Research Group
Fish Biology & Physiological Ecology Research Group
Dr. Targett's team is examining the effects of physicochemical factors such as temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen (DO) on young fish that use estuaries as nursery grounds. These environmental factors vary temporally and spatially in estuaries and can have substantial effects on fish feeding, growth, survival, and production; and consequently on nursery habitat quality. Chronic and diel-cycling hypoxia (low DO) frequently occur in shallow coastal ecosystems during summer months. Although fishes vary in their sensitivity to changes in ambient DO concentration, sub-lethal hypoxia typically results in reduced growth rates. Dr. Targett and his team are studying the effects of chronic and diel-cycling hypoxia on the feeding, growth, survival and avoidance behavior of young weakfish, summer flounder, winter flounder, and striped bass across a range of temperatures and salinities.
