Using the coralline algae as a paleoclimate record

 As a research associate at the University of Glasgow I worked on reconstructing past conditions in the fjord system (pictured below) adjacent to the tidewater glacier, Kangiata Nunata Sermia. Coralline algae embed an environmental signature in their calcified cell walls that can be used to recreate temperature and salinity in this system allowing reserachers to identify periods of high glacial melt. This work is continued by Bonnie Lewis at the University of Glasgow.
 I am interested in the role algae play in marine biodiversity. I investigate species physiological adaptations to to their environment by measuring characteristics like photosynthesis and calcification, and then look further into community interactions on  macro- (herbivory, symbioses, etc.) and micro-scales (microbiome composition and algal defense strategies).  Measuring both physiology and ecology of species allows me to measure or project species or community response to past, present, and future climate regimes. 
Biodiversity of the bacterial communities across a geographic and algal hosts in southwestern Greenland
My colleague Dr. Kenan Matterson and I investigate the diversity of the biofilm community on a Greenlandic coralline algae, Lithothamnion glaciale, across environmental gradients and geographical areas. We sample the biofilm to try and gain insight into the role bacteria play in the physiochemical environment of maerl in this extreme habitat.
Funded by: The University of Glasgow, GES Research Enabling Fund.

Function of biofilm communities in nutrient and gas exchange
With Dr. Laurie Hofmann at the MPIMM we investigating the role of the biofilm in nutrient uptake and other physiological processes in Lithothamnion glaciale.  We use microsensor technologies to measure flux in NOx and O2 in both wild type and axenic individiuals. 
Funded by: FEMS research grant and a SAGES PECRE exchange
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A pan-Arctic assessment of biodiversity and ecosystems services provided by coralline algae reefs
We compare maerl bed and kelp forest biodiversity in southwestern Greenland to determine how important coralline algae are in these polar habitats.
Funded by: MASTS small grants scheme

Nuuk, Greenland

Kangiata Nunata Sermia is one of the largest tidewater glaciers in Greenland and heads the fjord system outside of the capital, Nuuk. We assume it has a large influence on the coastal communities in this region (both biological and anthropogenic). We have been lucky to collaborate with and learn from researchers at the Greenland Institute for Natural Resources (http://www.natur.gl/en/) on this project.

CALVE members

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Dr. Danni Pearce
Dr. James Ed Schofield
Dr. Brice Rea
Dr. James Lea
Dr. Nicholas Kamenos
​Dr. Douglas Mair