University of Maine: School of Biology and Ecology

The new School of Biology and Ecology was formed this year (2007) as a central home for research and teaching programs in organismal biology and ecology at the University of Maine. Our programs span biology in both scale (cellular to global) and discipline (developmental biology to ecology and biogeochemistry).

We recognize that meeting the challenges of today’s human and environmental health issues now requires a solid foundation in organismal biology that encompasses the basic principles of anatomy, physiology, genetics, and development, integrated with an understanding of ecosystems and evolutionary principles. Among the broadest challenges facing science today relate to changes that human activities are causing in the earth's climate, on landscapes, and biogeochemical cycles and ecosystem processes. These changes have consequences for ecosystem structure and function, agricultural and forestry production, and human health and disease. Recent advances in our understanding of these issues have come about through effective integration of many different areas of science. Within biological sciences, principles derived from a variety of disciplines such as ecology, population biology, evolution and taxonomy, as well as the genetics, physiology, growth, and development of a broad array of organisms (e.g. bacteria, fungi, plants and animals) are integrated. Their collective strengths are powerful tools for future research on the organisms, natural resources, and quality of life in Maine, as well as throughout the world.

The School of Biology and Ecology serves the following goals:

Goal 1: Enhance Integrative Studies in Biology
Goal 2: Serve a Central Mission of Biology: the Study of Organisms
Goal 3: Serve as a Center of Excellence in Ecology

(more)

Ancestral Alewives

A genetic study of alewives living in landlocked lakes in Connecticut found that the popular baitfish evolved from a common anadromous rather than a freshwater ancestor.

The research found no evidence to uphold a common belief that all Connecticut landlocked alewife populations are nonnative, the result of intentional stocking years ago to provide forage for game fish.

The landlocked populations examined diverged from a common anadromous ancestor between 300 and 5,000 years ago, according to Eric Palkovacs, a postdoctoral researcher in the University of Maine School of Biology and Ecology, and his colleagues at Yale University. This time frame overlaps with the onset of human dam construction in Connecticut.

The study of genetic and phenotypic divergence between anadromous and landlocked alewife populations was con...(more)

Research on Sturgeon in the Penbscot River

Murray Carpenter from MPBN recently joined our research crew to discover what we have been learning about sturgeon in the Penobscot River over the past year and a half. In January 2006 NOAA-Fisheries approached Dr. Michael Kinnison to discover if he would design a study to determine whether sturgeon were present in the Penobscot River. Dr. Kinnison, in the School of Biological Sciences, decided to work with Dr. Gayle Zydlewski, in the School of Marine Sciences, to devise a study plan. NOAA-Fisheries and USGS funded the project. Stephen Fernandes was brought on as a M.S. graduate student in Environmental and Ecological Sciences program. Phillip Dionne started working on the project in September 2007 as part of the dual MS degree in Marine Biology and Marine Policy he is pursuing in the School of Marine Sciences.

Since spring ...(more)

UMaine Study Indicates Humans Accelerate Trait Change in Animals

September 26, 2007
Contact: Michael Kinnison (207) 581-2575; David Munson (207) 581-3777

ORONO, Maine – The influences humans have on the habitats of other species have long been recognized, raising concerns about loss of species. However, another widespread outcome of such disturbance has come to light. After examining over 3000 estimates of rates of evolution in wild animal populations, all occurring in modern times, UMaine researcher Michael Kinnison and colleagues from McGill University in Quebec have found that humans are accelerating changes in the animals themselves.

Click here for full article

(more)

Preparing for the Energy Crunch by UMaine Professor John Tjepkema

Oil is essential to the United States and world economies because it is the primary source of energy for transportation via auto, truck, and airplanes. In Maine it is also widely used for home heating. Thus any limitations in supply and-or major increases in price could have major effects on Maine and U.S. citizens.

When the price of oil reached high levels two years ago, many thought that it would soon decline as new oil wells began production. However, world oil supply has not increased very much, and prices have remained high. The question now facing the world is whether oil production is approaching a peak, where oil production from new wells is no longer sufficient to replace declining production from older wells. If we are approaching a peak, this could have a severe impact on the world and Maine economies.

The Intern...(more)