Algae are important to many of the processes that characterize wetland ecosystems. Despite their importance, we know relatively little about the factors that regulate algal communities in wetlands. This is particularly true for northern boreal regions where wetlands are abundant and are considered to be extremely vulnerable to disturbances associated with climate change. My dissertation research investigates how nutrients, grazing, light, and hydrology regulate algal primary production and taxonomic structure in high latitude wetlands. I documented spatial and temporal variability in algal structure and function in six northern boreal wetlands in interior Alaska to determine the contribution of algal primary production to wetland primary [...]
