BACKGROUND
Professor Peckol’s major research effort is concentrated on a long-term monitoring of coral reef systems off the Bahamas and Belize coasts with H. Allen Curran (Geology). In selecting these sites, she joins a larger international effort (The Atlantic and Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment Project, AGRRA, coordinated by the Rosenthiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Miami, Florida) that has initiated an investigation into the declining conditions of various Caribbean reef systems. Her fieldwork is focused on assessing abundance and diversity of coral and fish populations, as well as considering overall reef condition following natural disturbances such as hurricanes and warming (ENSO) events. Currently, she is investigating the impact of marine protected areas (MPAs) on the balance of carnivore and herbivore fish populations and the consequent effects on reef health. Future work will include investigating factors contributing to the dramatic increases of the macroalga, Microdictyon marinum, on Bahamian patch reefs. In addition to conducting primary scientific research, she (along with Al Curran and Susan Etheredge (Education & Child Study) have initiated an educational outreach program in Belize, Coral Reef Ed-ventures, aimed at teaching Belizean children about reef ecology and conservation. This program celebrated its 10th successful year during 2009.
In addition to her research on coral reef habitats, Prof. Peckol continues her studies on ecological responses of macroalgae to coastal pollution (e.g. oil pollution, UV radiation, nutrient enrichment). For example, past work with Smith students has assessed the effectiveness of bioremediation to respond to oil spills.
COURSES
- Geology and Ecology of Coral reefs: Past, Present and Future
- Marine Ecology
- Biogeography
Selected publications
*Brown-Saracino, J., P. Peckol, H.A. Curran & *M. Robbart. 2007. Spatial variation in sea urchins, fish predators, and bioerosion rates on coral reefs of Belize Coral Reefs 26: 71-78.
Curran, H.A., S. Etheredge, *E. Callaghan & P. Peckol. 2005. Coral Reef Ed-Ventures: an Environmental Education Program for School Children in San Pedro, Belize, Reef Encounter 33: 22-27.
*Robbart, M.L., P. Peckol, S. P. Scordilis, H. A. Curran & *J. Brown-Saracino.2004, Population recovery and differential heat shock protein expression for the corals Agaricia agaricites and A. tenuifolia in Belize. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 283:151-160.
Curran, H.A., P. Peckol, B. J. Greenstein, *S. Ristau & *S. DeYoung. 2004. Shallow-water coral reefs in transition: examples from Belize and the Bahamas. R.D. Lewis and B.C. Panuska (eds) Proc. 11th Symposium on the Geology of the Bahamas and other Carbonate Regions, Gerace Research Center, p. 13-24.
Peckol, P., H.A. Curran, B.J. Greenstein, *E. Floyd & *M. Robbart. 2003. Assessment of the status of coral reefs and fish populations off San Salvador Island, Bahamas. Atoll Research Bull. 496: 124-144.
Peckol, P., H.A. Curran, *E. Floyd, *M. Robbart, B.J. Greenstein & *K. Buckman. 2003. Assessment of the condition of forereef and backreef sites to northern and south-central Belize, including recovery from bleaching and hurricane disturbances. Atoll Research Bull. 496: 146-171.
Peckol, P., H.A. Curran, *M. Robbart, & B. Greenstein. 2001. Resilience and recovery from large-scale disturbances: contrasting patterns for San Salvador, Bahamas and Belize. In: Greenstein, B.J. & C.K. Carney (eds.) Proc 10th Symp on the Geology of the Bahamas and Other Carbonate Regions, pp. 132-144.
*Wrabel, M.L. & P. Peckol. 2000 Effects of bioremediation on toxicity and chemical composition of no. 2 fuel oil: growth responses of the brown alga Fucus vesiculosus. Marine Pollution Bulletin. 40:135-139.
*Denotes student author
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