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2012 Spring | Natural Science & Restoration, Sustainability

Science at Sea

Student(s):

Derek Blackstone

Program or Department(s):

  • Program on the Environment
  • University of Washington

Site supervisor(s):

Jan Newton

Partner(s):

  • Friday Harbor Labs

Faculty advisor(s):

Jan Newton, School of Oceanography

The primary goal of this research project was to investigate the San Juan Archipelago’s pelagic ecosystem to under- stand how physical oceanography shapes the patterns of biotic communities in the open ocean. The apprenticeship team and I used university research vessels to explore the complex physical and biological relationships of the San Juan Channel. This research built upon the findings of previous apprentices and contributed to a unique data set that allowed us to examine long-term ecological changes in the region. My research focuses primarily on how local environmental conditions influence the behavioral patterns and population dynamics of zooplankton, which are an essential component of marine food webs.