Steve Thomas

Bishop Professor of Aquatic Biology

My research focuses on the functional attributes of stream ecosystems, the influence of community composition on these processes, and how ecosystem and evolutionary processes interact. Much of my work has focused on the transport dynamics of various ecological entities (e.g. fine organic particles, nitrogen, and phosphorus) and how material transport longitudinally links aquatic ecosystems. Over the last decade, my research has expanded to consider community and evolutionary topics and to understand the functional consequences of management activities (e.g. land use change, riparian and stream restoration, etc.). Currently, I have funded research examining ecological interactions within microbiomes, compiling a stoichiometry database to address ecological patterns across scales, and using state-of-the-art nutrient sensor platforms to quantify nutrient loading to rivers from urban and agricultural landscapes. Although my research has focused on streams, I seek an understanding of these principles as generic processes active in all ecosystems.