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Melissa M Baustian, Ph.D.

Melissa’s research interests include how pelagic, benthic, and vegetated habitats of coastal ecosystems support functions of nutrient cycling, trophic dynamics of food webs, and carbon sequestration, especially under the influence of nutrient enrichment, climate change, and restoration.

Melissa uses new and existing short- and long-term field observations, statistical analyses, and ecosystem models at the landscape level to answer ecological research questions and to meet the urgent needs of coastal managers. Melissa enjoys leading collaborative and interdisciplinary projects that generate information to inform management and policy decisions.

Education and Certifications

  • Ph.D., Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, Louisiana State University, 2011

  • M.S., Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, Louisiana State University, 2005

  • B.S., Biology, Iowa State University, 2003

Affiliations and Memberships*

  • Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation

  • Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography

  • Gulf Estuarine Research Society

Science and Products

*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government