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Jay R. Christensen, Ph.D.
EcologistE-Mail: christensen.jay@epa.gov
Phone (702)-798-2328
Education:
- Ph.D. (2007) Ecology and Evolutionary Biology - Iowa State University
Dissertation Title: Litter accumulation in emergent marshes: investigating the effects of litter on wetland invertebrates and the processes controlling litter distribution and accumulation - B.S. (2000) Conservation Biology - Brigham Young University
Professional Experience:
- Ecologist - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Las Vegas, NV, September 2007 - present
- Instructor - Iowa State University, Department of Environmental Science, September 2004 - December 2006
Professional Affiliations:
- Ecological Society of America 2004- Present
- Society of Wetland Scientists 2003-2005, 2007-Present
Research Interests:
- Investigating landscape patterns of invasive wetland species in relation to multiple landscape-level stressors
- Determining the direct and indirect influence of natural or anthropogenic-induced changes in water levels on wetland ecosystem processes and functions, including impacts on plant biodiversity, decomposition, and biogeochemical cycles
- Developing landscape metrics that serve as indicators of wetland degradation
- Investigating production, decomposition, and accumulation dynamics of plant litter and using GIS models to predict long-term spatial dynamics of litter in wetlands
Publications and Presentations:
Christensen, J.R. and W.G. Crumpton. 2006. (presentation) Macroinvertebrate response to emergent macrophyte litter manipulations in a depressional wetland. Ecological Society of America. Memphis, TN.Christensen, J.R. and W.G. Crumpton. 2005. (poster) Distribution of Hyalella azteca across an emergent vegetation to open water gradient in a prairie pothole wetland. Ecological Society of America. Montreal, Canada.
Christensen, J.R. and W.G. Crumpton. 2005. (presentation) Horizontal and vertical distribution of Hyalella azteca across an emergent vegetation to open water gradient. 32nd Annual Great Plains Limnology Conference. Lawrence, KS.