Assistant Unit Leader - Massachusetts Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
Research Interests
Allison's research broadly revolves around characterizing anthropogenic impacts on aquatic ecosystems and identifying conservation strategies for effectively protecting and restoring watersheds. The growing human population continues to constrain biotic assemblages in a variety of ways, and understanding the mechanisms by which urbanization and its associated stressors result in degraded fish assemblages is an overarching challenge of her research program. She is interested in examining effects of altered hydrology, temperature, habitat, water quality, and food resources on stream fishes; quantifying sublethal (e.g., behavior, physiology) responses of fishes to urbanization; and assessing potential for management (e.g., forested riparian buffers, green infrastructure, dam removal) to restore fish assemblages.
Teaching Interests
At the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Allison teaches Research Concepts for first-year graduate students and Aquatic Ecology for advanced undergraduate and graduate students. In the past, she has taught graduate classes in Stream Ecology and Watershed Theory & Management, and undergraduate classes in the areas of Ecology, Conservation Biology, and Environmental Science.
Professional Experience
Unit Leader, Massachusetts Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, 2020-
Assistant Unit Leader, Massachusetts Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, 2012-2019
Education and Certifications
Ph D The University of Georgia 2004
MS The University of Georgia 2000
BS Allegheny College 1998
Science and Products
Framework for Protecting Aquatic Biodiversity in the Northeast Under Changing Climates
Increasing Tribal Climate Adaptive Capacity for Coastal Resources in the Northeast
Rethinking Lake Management for Invasive Plants Under Future Climate: Sensitivity of Lake Ecosystems to Winter Water Level Drawdowns
Projecting the Future of Headwater Streams to Inform Management Decisions
Science and Products
- Publications
- Science
Framework for Protecting Aquatic Biodiversity in the Northeast Under Changing Climates
Aquatic ecosystems provide habitat and migration corridors to a myriad of species, including plants, fishes, amphibians, birds, mammals, and insects. These ecosystems typically contain relatively higher biodiversity than their terrestrial counterparts; yet, aquatic biodiversity loss in North America is occurring at a rate five times faster than in terrestrial ecosystems. One of the major causes ofIncreasing Tribal Climate Adaptive Capacity for Coastal Resources in the Northeast
Fish that migrate between fresh and salt waters, called diadromous fishes, are integral to coastal Tribal cultures as subsistence foods. Throughout their Northeast range, diadromous fish populations have shown strong declines over recent decades due to the combined impacts of habitat loss, pollution, overfishing, and climate change. These changes have led to decreasing access to traditional subsisRethinking Lake Management for Invasive Plants Under Future Climate: Sensitivity of Lake Ecosystems to Winter Water Level Drawdowns
Small lakes are important to local economies as sources of water supply and places of recreation. Commonly, lakes are considered more desirable for recreation if they are free of the thick weedy vegetation, often comprised of invasive species, that grows around the lake edge. This vegetation makes it difficult to launch boats and swim. In order to reduce this vegetation, a common technique in theProjecting the Future of Headwater Streams to Inform Management Decisions
There is growing evidence that headwater stream ecosystems are especially vulnerable to changing climate and land use, but managers are challenged by the need to address these threats at a landscape scale, often through coordination with multiple management agencies and landowners. This project sought to provide an example of cooperative landscape decision-making by addressing the conservation of - Data