Stony Brook University Professors Awarded More Than $270K by New York State DEC

Stony Brook University Professors Robert Thacker and Elizabeth Watson recently received separate awards from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation through the New York State Environmental Protection Fund.

"These awards capture something important about Stony Brook's Department of Ecology and Evolution: we want to understand how natural systems work, and put that understanding to use," said Joshua Rest, associate professor and chair, Department of Ecology and Evolution. "Beth Watson and Bob Thacker are outstanding scientists and mentors, and I'm very proud to see them and their students doing work that matters here on Long Island and across New York."

Thacker was awarded $176,954 to support his project, Integrating Modeling, Field Experiments, and Automated Monitoring to Optimize Long-Term Aquatic Invasive Species Management on Long Island, New York. This project involves strengthening early detection and rapid response to invasive species Trapa natans (water chestnut) and Ludwigia peploides (floating water primrose) through the use of automated lake-surveying tools.

The project also advances the suppression of these aquatic invasive species using a mathematically informed management framework, as well as restoring native aquatic plant communities by testing native water lilies as functional replacements for water chestnuts. Finally, the project provides the life-history parameters and predictive tools managers need to determine effective removal levels. The award will support one graduate student researcher and at least four undergraduate students.

"This project will enhance our ability to detect and respond to infestations of two invasive plant species, water chestnut and floating water primrose. We will test whether restoration of native water lilies can prevent water chestnuts from overwhelming our native plant communities," Thacker said. "This project provides an excellent opportunity for graduate students and undergraduate students to contribute to improving Long Island's freshwater habitats."

Watson was awarded $95,615 to support her project, Landscape-Scale Monitoring and Control of Invasive Trees: Developing Integrated Approaches to Forest Health and Pest Management. The project involves identifying invasive tree species using Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) surveys, and determining whether removal of Tree-of-heaven reduces measurable abundance of spotted lanternfly. In addition, the project will also involve converting invasive trees to biochar, a type of charcoal that is an important carbon sequestration technology, and checking whether these biochars have allelopathic effects on native and agricultural plant species. The award will support three graduate student researchers and the work will be conducted in collaboration with the Shinnecock Nation.

"These awards are very exciting as they provide opportunities for a range of students - graduate and undergraduate - to be involved with applied ecology research that benefits the DEC. This helps prepare students for environmental careers," said Watson, associate professor and PhD program director. "Our award is also in collaboration with the Shinnecock Nation, the only federally recognized tribe on Long Island. Across the country, more and more public land management is occurring in collaboration with tribes and indigenous nations. This award will provide an incredible opportunity for students to engage with tribal environmental work, helping to gain a background in indigenous issues. This includes recognition of history and land dispossession, tribal values and the importance of sovereignty."