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Name: Robert R. Christian Title: Professor Area of Study:  Microbial Ecology; Estuarine and Saltmarsh Ecology Phone: 252-328-1835 Fax: 252-328-4178 E-mail: christianr@ecu.edu Office: BS-105A Address: Department of Biology   East Carolina University   Greenville, NC 27858

 

Education

Ph.D., 1976.  University of Georgia - Microbiology. Dissertation Title: Regulation of a Salt Marsh Soil Microbial Community: A Field Experimental Approach.
M.S., 1972.  University of Georgia - Microbiology. Thesis Title: The Effects of Temperature and Hydrostatic Pressure Upon the Reproduction and Respiration of Selected Marine Psychrophiles.
A.B., 1969.  Rutgers University, Camden College of Arts and Sciences - Biology - Graduated cum laude.
 
Professional Experience

2003-Present.  Distinguished Research Professor of Biology at East Carolina University.
1991.  Visiting Professor at University of Ferrara, Department of Evolutionary Biology, Italy (3 months).
1986-1989.  Director of Graduate Studies for Biology at East Carolina University.
1985-Present.  Professor of Biology at East Carolina University.
1981-1985.  Associate Professor of Biology at East Carolina University.
1979-1980.  Research Associate at the University of Georgia.  During a one year leave of-absence from Drexel University.
                   Duties shared between the Marine Institute and the Department of Microbiology.
1977-1981.  Assistant Professor in Environmental Science and Engineering Faculty at Drexel
University.
1976-1981.  Assistant Professor of Biology at Drexel University.
1974-1976.  Research assistantship at the University of Georgia.
1972-1974.  Graduate non-teaching assistantship at the University of Georgia.
1970-1972.  Assistant instructor of Biology at Rutgers.
1969-1970.  NSF Traineeship at the University of Georgia.
 
Professional Honors

Sigma Xi award for outstanding Ph.D. dissertation of 1976 from the University of Georgia
Outstanding Young Men of America
Distinquished Alumni Lecturer for 1993. University of Georgia, Microbiology Department
Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology
Helms Faculty Research Award from ECU Sigmi Xi, 1994
The Venerable Clam for Spring 1994 meeting of Atlantic Estuarine Research Society
Lifetime Achievement Award in Research and Creative Activity at East Carolina University, 2003

Membership in Learned Societies

Atlantic Estuarine Research Society (President 1982-1984, Secretary 1992-93)
American Society of Limnology and Oceanography
American Society for Microbiology
Ecological Society of America
Estuarine Research Federation (Governing Board Member 1982-1984, President-elect 2003-2005)
North Carolina Chapter of the American Society for Microbiology (Alternate Councilor
1989-90, Councilor 1990-92, President-elect 1992-93, President 1993-94)(membership lapsed 2003).
Sigma Xi (E.C.U. Chapter President-Elect 1986-1987, E.C.U. Chapter President 1987-88)
Society of Wetland Scientists
International Association for Ecology
 
 
Research Grants Awarded

July 1978-June 1979. Sigma Xi Grant-In-Aid Award. Community Metabolism of Salt Marsh Potholes.

Sept. 1978-Sept. 1981. EPA. Sampling Frequency - Microbiological Drinking Water Regulations. (Principal investigator is W. O. Pipes)

Jan. 1980-July 1980. Georgia Sea Grant and University Georgia Marine Institute. Preliminary Investigation of Nearshore Coastal Processes. (Principal investigator is D. W. Kinsey).

Jan.-July 1981. Wyandotte Chemical Company. Study of Bacteriological Quality of Hospital Laundry under Low Temperature Wash Conditions.

1981. Water availability as an important regulator of anaerobic activity in salt marsh soils. Drexel Research Scholar Award. (Awarded but declined because of move to East Carolina University)($25,000).

Aug. 1981-June 1982. North Carolina Marine Science Council. Pilot study for the evaluation of water availability as an important regulator of anaerobic microbial activity in salt marsh soils. ($5,000)

Jan. 1982-Dec. 1984. University of North Carolina Sea Grant College Program. Effects of freshwater blue-green algal blooms on the Neuse Estuary, North Carolina. (With D. W. Stanley).

May 1984-June 1985. U.N.C. Water Resources Research Institute. The Relationship between River Flow and Blue-Green Algal Blooms in the Neuse River, N.C. (Co-PI with D.W. Stanley) ($24,095).

Jan. 1985-Dec. 1987. U.N.C. Sea Grant College Program. Relative Contributions of New and Recycled Nitrogen to the Eutrophication of the Neuse Estuary, N.C. (Co-PI with D. W. Stanley) (Approx. $139,000).

Sept. 1985-Dec. 1988. U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Nutrient Cycling and Fish Utilization in High Marsh Habitats in Coastal North Carolina. (Faculty Associate with M. M. Brinson as PI) ($300,000).

Oct. 1986 - Sept. 1989. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Modulation of Nitrogen Loading within an Estuary (Co-PI with D. W. Stanley) ($333,504).

Jan. 1988 - Dec. 1989. UNC Sea Grant College Program. Contribution of Benthic Community Metabolism to Water Quality in the Neuseiver Estuary, North Carolina (Co-PI with W. M. Rizzo) ($47,231).

June - Oct. 1990. U. Va./NSF VCR-LTER. Preliminary Study of Juncus roemerianus as a Biogenicly Accreting Species. (Co-PI with M.M. Brinson) ($4,494).

Oct. 1990-Sept. 1993. U. Va./NSF VCR-LTER. Various Studies of Juncus roemerianus as a Biogenicly Accreting Species and High Marsh Dynamics. (Partly as Co-PI with M. M. Brinson and partly as PI) (ca. $29,000).

Jan. 1992-Sept. 1992. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Network Analysis of Carbon Flow in a Multi-Compartment Seagrass Model. ($1,800).

July 1992-June 1993. NOAA/National Estuarine Research Reserve System. Sediment-water Nutrient Exchange in Estuarine Sediments of Differing Trophic Status. (as subcontractee through Va. Inst. Marine Sci., R. L. Wetzel as PI) ($21,716).

Sept. 1992-October 1994. U. Va. NSF LTER. Contributions to Virginia Coast Reserve-LTER. ($20,000).

Sept. 1993-Sept. 1995. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Foodweb Structure of the Seagrass Community of St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge in Winter through Network Analysis (with J.
J. Luczkovich) ($40,000).

Oct. 1994-Nov. 2000. NSF. Long-Term Ecological Research on Disturbance, Succession, and Ecosystem State Change at the Virginia Coast Reserve: LTER III (Co-PI with 20 others) ($3,780,000) (Subcontract through University of Virginia of $10,000 per year plus inflation).

Jul. 1997-Sept. 1998. UNC Water Resources Research Institute. Contribution to Long-term Modeling tier of the Neuse River and Estuary ($11,702).

Mar. 1999-Dec. 1999. NSF-International Programs. Long-term Ecological research in the Northern Adriatic Region: Project Development Travel. (as supplement for VCR-LTER through Univ. of Virginia).  ($4,098).

Aug. 1999-Dec. 2000. UNC Water Resources Research Institute. Contribution to Long-term Modeling tier of the Neuse River and Estuary: Functional Assessment of Environmental Phenomena through Network Analysis. ($19,910).

Mar. 2000- Feb. 2003.  Mid-East Resource Conservation and Development Council, Inc.  Water Quality Changes Accompanying Restoration of Wetlands in Mill Branch Watershed.  (with Terri Woods)($39,996)

Apr. 2000-May 2002. UNC Water Resources Research Institute.  Episodic Cultural Eutrophication of Pamlico Sound: Effects of Hurricane Loadings.  (with Hans Paerl)($69,840)

Oct. 2000-March. 2003.  Inter American University of Puerto Rico.  Contributions to Studies in La Parguera.  (Co-PI with Mark Brinson and James Dame)($19,997)

Aug. 2000- Dec. 2004.  NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources/ US EPA.  Development of Assessment Procedures and a Monitoring and Assessment Program for Restoration of Streams.  (Co-PI with Mark Brinson, as PI, and Richard Rheinhardt)($200,008)

Oct. 2000-Sep. 2002.  National Science Foundation.  Biocomplexity-Incubation Activity Networking the “Invisible Colleges”: Application of Network Theory to Biocompexity.  (Co-PI with Jeffery Johnson, Joseph Luczkovich and Steve Borgatti)($49,125)

Nov. 2000-Oct. 2006. NSF. Long-Term Ecological Research on Disturbance, Succession, and Ecosystem State Change at the Virginia Coast Reserve: LTER IV (Co-PI with 20 others) ($4,200,000) (Subcontract through University of Virginia of $10,000 per year).

Nov. 2000-2003.  US Long-Term Ecological Research Network Office.  Series of 2 small grants for 2 workshops to promote the use of network analysis within the LTER network.  (last with Alan Covich) (total $15,750)

June 2003-May 2004.  National Science Foundation.  Evaluation of Ecological Network Analysis Using Stable Isotopes.  (Dissertation Improvement Grant for James Dame with Dame as Co-PI)($9,000)

Aug. 2005-July 2008.  NOAA.  Ecological Effects of Sea-level Rise on Coastal North Carolina Marshes.  (Co-PI with J. T. Morris (PI), D. J. Furbish, D. R. Cahoon) ($610,000 total and as PI on contract to ECU, $206,702)

Aug. 2005-July 2008.  NOAA.  Shore-zone Dynamics in Response to Sea-level Rise in North Carolina Estuaries.  (Co-PI with D. R. Corbett (PI), J. P. Walsh, S. Riggs, M. M. Brinson) ($460,626)

Oct. 2006-Nov. 2011.  Dept. of Energy.  Center for Riparian and Coastal Ecosystem Research ($1,000,000) (PI with Co-PI Mark M. Brinson)


Research Summary and Publications

My research has focused on coastal ecosystems, particularly salt marshes, estuaries and coastal lagoons along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the USA and in the Mediterranean.  Most recently I have been involved in studies of low order and headwater streams within the coastal plain.  In these ecosystems I have studied nutrient cycling, especially the nitrogen and carbon cycles, and energy flow.  While initial interests were in the microbial communities and processes, their importance and regulation; my research has often taken broader perspective.  Thus I have studied primary production of macrophytes, food webs, and ecosystem state changes. My work has had laboratory, field and modeling components. Recently, much of my efforts have been devoted to network analysis as a mathematical tool for the comparisons among and within ecosystems.  I have been active in promoting large-scale studies.  These have been associated with the U.S. Long-term Ecological Research (LTER) and International LTER programs and a coastal module of the Global Terrestrial Observing System (GTOS), a program of the United Nations.  Recently I served as chair of the panel that developed the plan for the Coastal module of GTOS.  

As a result of my broad interests and experience, publications listed below have been divided into research categories.  These categories are not mutually exclusive and serve as general guide to my areas of interest.  

Salt Marsh and Estuarine Ecology (Field Studies)

Refereed Journal Publications
Christian, R. R., K. Bancroft and W. J. Wiebe.  1975.  Distribution of microbial adenosine triphosphate in salt marsh sediments at Sapelo Island, Georgia.  Soil Science 119:89-97.

Christian, R. R. and W. J. Wiebe.  1978.  Anaerobic microbial community metabolism in Spartina alterniflora soils.  Limnology & Oceanography 23:328-336.

Christian, R. R., K. Bancroft and W. J. Wiebe.  1978.  Resistance of the microbial community within salt marsh soils to selected perturbations.  Ecology 59:1200-1210.

Christian, R. R.  1981.  Community metabolism of a salt marsh pothole.  Bull. New Jersey Acad. of Sci. 26:34-40.

Chalmers, A. G. and R. R. Christian.  1982.  Residual effects of scientific manipulation: A salt marsh revisited.  Bull. GA. Acad. Sci. 40:85-90.

Christian, R. R., J. A. Hansen, R. E. Hodson and W. J. Wiebe.  1983.  Relationships of soil, plant, and microbial characteristics in silt-clay and sand tall Spartina alterniflora marshes.  Estuaries 6:43-49.

Imberger, J., T. Berman, R. R. Christian, E. Haines, R. B. Hanson, L. R. Pomeroy, D. Whitney, W. J. Wiebe and R. G. Wiegert.  1983.  The influence of water motion on the distribution and transport of materials in a salt marsh estuary.  Limnol. Oceanogr. 28:201-214.

Christian, R. R.  1984.  A life table approach to decomposition studies.  Ecology. 65:1693-1697.

Hodson, R. E., R. R. Christian, and A. E. Maccubbin.  1984.  Lignocellulose and lignin in the saltmarsh grass Spartina alterniflora: initial concentrations and short-term, post-depositional changes in detrital matter.  Marine Biol. 81:1-7.

Heath, J. K. and R. R. Christian.  1985.  Sulfate reduction in oligohaline marsh soils.  J. Elisha Mitchell Scientific Society. 101:110-115.

Christian, R. R., W. L. Bryant, Jr., and M. M. Brinson.  1990.  Juncus roemerianus production and decomposition along gradients of salinity and hydroperiod.  Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 68:137-145.

Christian, R. R., J. N. Boyer, and D. W. Stanley.  1991.  Multi-year distribution patterns of nutrients within the Neuse River Estuary, North Carolina.  Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 71:259-274.

Rizzo, W. M., G. L. Lackey and R. R. Christian.  1992.  Significance of euphotic, subtidal sediments to oxygen and nutrient cycling in a temperate estuary.  Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 86:51-61.

Boyer, J. N., R. R. Christian and D. W. Stanley.  1993.  Patterns of phytoplankton primary productivity in the Neuse River Estuary, North Carolina.  Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 97:287-297.

Viaroli, P., M. Naldi, R. R. Christian, and I. Fumagalli.  1993.  The role of macroalgae and detritus in the nutrient cycles in a shallow-water dystrophic lagoon.  Verh. Internat. Verein. Limnol. 25:1048-1051.

Boyer, J. N., D. W. Stanley, and R. R. Christian.  1994.  Dynamics of NH4+ and NO3- uptake in the water column of the Neuse River Estuary, North Carolina.  Estuaries 17:361-371.

Brinson, M. M., R. R. Christian, and L. K. Blum.  1995.  Multiple states in the sea-level induced transition from terrestrial forest to estuary.  Estuaries 18:648-659.

Rizzo, W. M., and R. R. Christian.  1996.  Significance of subtidal sediments to heterotrophically-mediated oxygen and nutrient dynamics in a temperate estuary.  Estuaries 19:475-487.

Rizzo, W. M., S. K. Dailey, G. J. Lackey, R. R. Christian, B. E. Berry, and R. L. Wetzel.  1996.  A metabolism-based trophic index for comparing the ecological values of shallow water sediment habitats.  Estuaries 19: 247-256.

Viaroli, P., M. Bartoli, C. Bondavalli, R. R. Christian, G. Giordani, and M. Naldi.  1996.  Macrophyte communities and their impact on benthic fluxes of oxygen, sulphide and nutrients in shallow eutrophic environments.  Hydrobiologia 329: 105-119.

Nuttle, W. K. and "The Working Group on Sea Level Rise and Wetland Systems."  1997.  Conserving coastal wetlands despite sea level rise.  Eos 78: 259-261.

Brinson, M. M., and R. R. Christian.  1999.  Stability and response of Juncus roemerianus patches in a salt marsh.  Wetlands. 19: 65-70.

Tolley, P. M., and R. R. Christian.  1999.  Effects of increased inundation and wrack deposition in a salt marsh: plant community response.  Estuaries 22: 944-954.

Peierls, B. L., H. W. Paerl, and R. R. Christian.  2003.  Water quality and phytoplankton as indicators of hurricane impacts on a large estuarine ecosystem.  Estuaries 26: 1329-1343.

Viaroli, P., and R. R. Christian.  2003.  Description of trophic status, hyperautotrophy and dystrophy of a coastal lagoon through a potential oxygen production and consumption index.  Ecological Indicators 3: 237-250.

Powers, S. P., C. H. Peterson, R. R. Christian, E. Sullivan, M. J. Powers, M. J. Bishop, and C. P. Buzzelli.  2005.  Effects of eutrophication on bottom habitat and prey resources of demersal fishes.  Marine Ecology Progress Series 302: 233-243.

Brinson, M. M., and R. R. Christian.  (In press)  Assessing functions of wetlands and the need for reference.  Biologia Ambientale

Paerl, H. W., L. M. Valdez, A. R. Joyner, B. L. Peierls, M. F. Piehler, S. R. Riggs, R. R. Christian, L. A. Eby, L. B. Crowder, J. S. Ramus, E. J. Clesceri, C. P. Buzzelli, and R. A. Luettich, Jr. (in press)  Ecological response to hurricane events in the Pamlico Sound System, NC and implications for assessment and management in a regime of increased frequency.  Estuaries



Book Chapters
Christian, R. R. and J. R. Hall.  1977.  Experimental trends in sediment microbial heterotrophy: Radioisotopic techniques and analysis. pp. 67-88.  In B. Coull (ed.), Ecology of Marine Benthos. Belle W. Baruch Library in Marine Science, No. 6. University of South Carolina Press, Columbia.

Pomeroy, L. R., K. Bancroft, J. Breed, R. R. Christian, D. Frankenberg, J. R. Hall, L. G. Maurer, W. J. Wiebe, R. G. Wiegert and R. L. Wetzel.  1977.  Flux of organic matter through a salt marsh.  pp. 270-279.  In M. Wiley (ed.), Estuarine Processes, Vol. 2.  Academic Press.

Christian, R. R., R. B. Hanson, J. R. Hall and W. J. Wiebe.  1981.  Aerobic microbes and meiofauna.  Chapter 6 p. 113-136.  In L. R. Pomeroy and R. G. Wiegert (eds.).  The Ecology of a Salt Marsh.  Springer-Verlag, New York.

Wiebe, W. J., R. R. Christian, J. A. Hansen, G. M. King, R. L. Oshrain, B. F. Sherr and G. W. Skyring.  1981.  Anaerobic respiration and fermentation.  Chapter 7 pp. 137-160.  In L. R. Pomeroy and R. G. Wiegert (eds.).  The Ecology of a Salt Marsh.  Springer-Verlag, New York.


Christian, R. R., D. W. Stanley and D. A. Daniel.  1984.  Microbiological changes occurring at the freshwater-seawater interface of the Neuse River Estuary, North Carolina.  pp. 349-365.  In V. S. Kennedy (ed.), The Estuary as a Filter.  Academic Press.  New York, N.Y.

Stanley, D. W. and R. R. Christian.  1984.  Nutrients in estuaries: research needs and priorities.  pp. 203-217.  In B. J. Copeland, K. Hart, N. Davis, and S. Friday (eds.).  Research for managing the Nation's Estuaries. UNC Sea Grant Publication 84-08. Raleigh, NC

Christian, R. R., L. Stasavich, C. Thomas, and M. M. Brinson.  2000.  Reference is a moving target in sea-level controlled wetlands.  p. 805-825.  In M. P. Weinstein and D. A. Kreeger (eds.). Concepts and Controversies in Tidal Marsh Ecology.  Kluwer Press.  The Netherlands.

Keusenkothen, M. A., and R. R. Christian.  2004.  Responses of salt marshes to disturbance in an ecomorphological context, with a case study of trampling by deer.  p. 203-230.  In S. Fagherazzi, M. Marani, and L. K. Blum (eds.). Ecomorphology of Tidal Marshes. American Geophysical Union, Coastal and Estuarine Monograph Series Vol. 59.

Blum, L. K. and R. R. Christian.  2004.  Belowground production and decomposition along a tidal gradient in a Virginia salt marsh. p. 47-74.  In S. Fagherazzi, M. Marani, and L. K. Blum (eds.). Ecomorphology of Tidal Marshes. American Geophysical Union, Coastal and Estuarine Monograph Series Vol. 59.


Reports and Other Non-refereed Publications
Christian, R. R. W. L. Bryant, Jr., and D. W. Stanley.  1986.  The relationship between river flow and Microcystis aeruginosa blooms in the Neuse River, North Carolina.  UNC Water Resources Research Institute Report No. 223. Raleigh, NC. 100 pp.

Christian, R. R., D. W. Stanley, and D. A. Daniel.  1988.  Characteristics of a blue- green algal bloom in the Neuse River, North Carolina.  UNC Sea Grant College Program.  Raleigh, NC. Working Paper 87-2. pp.71.

Boyer, J. N., D. W. Stanley, R. R. Christian, and W. M. Rizzo.  1988.  Modulation of nitrogen loading impacts within an estuary.  Proceedings of Coastal Waters Resources Symposium, AWRA, Wilmington, N.C.  

Christian, R. R. , W. M. Rizzo, and D. W. Stanley.  1989.  Influence of nutrient loading on the Neuse River Estuary, North Carolina.  p. 19-40.  In R. Y. George and A. W. Hulbert (eds.).  North Carolina Coastal Oceanography Symposium.  National Undersea Research Program Research Report 89-2. Rockville, MD.

Christian, R. R., ,W. L. Bryant, Jr., and M. M. Brinson.  1991.  Section 7. Juncus roemerianus production and decomposition and their relation to nutrient cycling.  p. 187-214.  In M. M. Brinson (ed.).  Ecology of a nontidal brackish marsh in coastal North Carolina.  Open File Report 91-03, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Slidell, Louisiana.

Wetzel, R. L., S. K. Dailey, G. J. Lackey, B. E. Berry, and R. R. Christian.  1995.  Sediment-water nutrient exchange in estuarine sediments of differing trophic status.  A Final Report for NOAA NERRS.  Special Report No. 328 in Applied Marine Science and Ocean Engineering, College of William & Mary, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, Gloucester Point, VA.

Christian, R. R., J. E. O’Neal, B. Peierls, L. Valdes, and H. W. Paerl.  2004. Episodic nutrient loading impacts on eutrophication of the southern Pamlico Sound: the effects of the 1999 hurricanes. UNC-WRRI Report No. 349.  Raleigh, NC.  57 pp.  

Rheinhardt, R.D., K.H. Miller, R.R. Christian, G.F.R. Meyer, C.W. Bason, E.C. Hardison, and M.M. Brinson.  2005. Applying Ecological Assessments to Planning Stream Restorations in Coastal Plain North Carolina. Report to the Ecosystem Enhancement Program, North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Raleigh, NC. 101 pp.

Systems Ecology including Network Ecology

Refereed Journal Publications
Wetzel, R. L. and R. R. Christian.  1984.  Simulation model studies on the interactions between carbon substrates, bacteria, and consumers in a salt marsh estuary: Duplin River, Sapelo Island, Georgia, U.S.A.  Bull. Mar. Science 35:601-614.

Christian, R. R. and R. L. Wetzel.  1991.  Synergism between research and simulation models of estuarine microbial food webs.  Microb. Ecol. 22:111-125.

Forès, E. and R. R. Christian.  1993.  Network analysis of nitrogen cycling in temperate, wetland ricefields.  Oikos 67:299-308.

Forès, E., R. R. Christian and F. A. Comín.  1994.  Network analysis on nitrogen cycling in a coastal lagoon.  Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 106:283-290.

Christian, R. R.  1994.  Aggregation and disaggregation of microbial food webs.  Microb. Ecol. 28:327-329.

Christian, R. R., E. Forès, F. Comín, P. Viaroli, M. Naldi, and I. Ferrari.  1996.  Nitrogen cycling networks of coastal ecosystems: influence of trophic status and primary producer form.  Ecol. Model. 87:111-129.

Bondavalli, C., M. Naldi, and R. R. Christian.  1997.  Cs-137 circulation in a eutrophic lagoon: a modelling approach.  Verh. Internat. Verein. Limnol. 26: 1422-1425.

Baird, D., J. Luczkovich, and R. R. Christian.  1998.  Assessment of spatial and temporal variability in ecosystem attributes of St Marks National Wildlife Refuge, Apalachee Bay, Florida.  Estuar. Coastal Shelf Sci. 47: 329-249.

Christian, R. R., and J. J. Luczkovich.  1999.  Organizing and understanding a winter’s seagrass foodweb network through effective trophic levels.  Ecological Modelling 117: 99-124.

Thomas, C. R., and R. R. Christian.  2001.  Comparison of nitrogen cycling in salt marsh zones related to sea-level rise.  Marine Ecology Progress Series 221: 1-16.

Luczkovich, J. J., G. P. Ward, J. C. Johnson, R. R. Christian, D. Baird, H. Neckles, and W. M. Rizzo.  2002.  Determining the trophic guilds of fish and macroinvertebrates in a seagrass food web.  Estuaries 25: 1143-1163.

Christian, R. R., and C. R. Thomas.  2003.  Network analysis of nitrogen inputs and cycling in the Neuse River Estuary, North Carolina, USA.  Estuaries 26:815-828.

Baird, D., R. R. Christian, C. H. Peterson, and G. Johnson.  2004.  Consequences of hypoxia on estuarine ecosystem function: energy diversion from consumers to microbes.  Ecological Applications 14: 805-822.

Borrett, S. R., S. J. Whipple, B. C. Patten, and R. R. Christian.  2006.  Indirect effects and distributed control in ecosystems: Temporal variation of indirect effects in a seven-compartment model of nitrogen flow in the Neuse River Estuary, USA—Time series analysis.  Ecological Modelling 194:178-188.

Dame, J. K., and R. R. Christian. 2006.  Uncertainty and the use of network analysis for ecosystem-based fishery management.  Fisheries (In press)


Book Chapters and web publications
Wiegert, R. G., R. R. Christian, J. L. Gallagher, J. R. Hall, R. D. H. Jones and R. L. Wetzel.  1975.  A preliminary ecosystem model of coastal Georgia Spartina marsh. pp. 583-601. In L. E. Cronin (ed.), Estuarine Research, Vol. 1. Academic Press.

Christian, R. R. and R. L. Wetzel.  1978.  Interaction between substrate, microbes, and consumers of Spartina "detritus" in estuaries.  pp. 93-114.  In M. Wiley (ed.), Estuarine Interactions.  Academic Press.

Wiegert, R. G., R. R. Christian and R. L. Wetzel.  1981.  A model view of the marsh.  Chapter 9 pp. 183-218.  In L. R. Pomeroy and R. G. Wiegert (eds.).  The Ecology of A Salt Marsh.  Springer-Verlag, New York.

Christian, R. R., R. L. Wetzel, S. M. Harlan, and D. W. Stanley.  1986.  Growth and decomposition in aquatic microbial systems: alternate approaches in simple models.  p. 38-45.  In F. Megusar and M. Gantar (eds.).  Perspectives in Microbial Ecology.  Slovene Society for Microbiology, Ljubljana, Yugoslavia.

Christian, R. R.  1987.  Systems ecology, operations research, and gerontology: the making of strange bedfellows.   p. 219-233.  In A. D. Woodhead and K. H. Thompson (eds.), Evolution of Longevity in Animals: A Comparative Approach.  Plenum Press, N.Y., New York.

Christian, R. R., J. N. Boyer, D. W. Stanley, and W. M. Rizzo.  1992.  Network analysis of nitrogen cycling in an estuary.  p. 217-247.  In C. Hurst (ed.).  Modeling the metabolic and physiologic activities of microorganisms.  Wiley, New York.

Christian, R. R., E. Fores, F. Comin, P. Viaroli and I. Ferrari.  1993.  Comparative network analysis of nitrogen cycling in several eutrophic coastal ecosystems.  p. 449-452.  In R. Guerrero and C. Pedros-Alio (eds.).  Trends in microbial ecology.  Spanish Soc. for Microbiology. Spain.

Christian, R. R., M. Naldi, and P. Viaroli.  1998.  Chapter 8. Construction and analysis of static, structured models of nitrogen cycling in coastal ecosystems.  p. 162-195.  In A. L. Koch, J. A. Robinson, and G. A. Milliken (eds.).  Mathematical Modeling in Microbial Ecology.  Chapman and Hall, NY, NY.

Christian, R. R., and R. E. Ulanowicz.  2001.  Network Ecology.  p. 1393-1399.  In A. El-Shaarawi and W. W. Pierogorsch (eds.).  Encyclopedia of Environmetrics, vol. 3.  John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Buzzelli, C. P., and R. R. Christian.  2003.  Dissolved inorganic phosphorus and nitrogen budgets for the Neuse River Estuary, North Carolina, USA using Cabaret.  http://data.ecology.su.se/MNODE/North%20America/NeuseRiver/NeuseRiverbud.htm

Christian, R. R., D. Baird, J. Luczkovich, J. C. Johnson, U. Scharler, and R. E. Ulanowicz.  2005.   Role of network analysis in comparative ecosystem ecology of estuaries.  p. 25-40.  In A. Belgrano, U. M. Scharler, J. Dunne, and R. E. Ulanowicz (eds).  Complexity in Aquatic Food Webs: an Ecosystem Approach.  Oxford University Press. Oxford, UK.

Morris, J. T., R. R. Christian, and R. E. Ulanowicz.  2005. Analysis of Size and Complexity of Randomly Constructed Food Webs by Information Theoretic Metrics. p. 73-85.  In A. Belgrano, U. M. Scharler, J. Dunne, and R. E. Ulanowicz (eds).  Complexity in Aquatic Food Webs: an Ecosystem Approach.  Oxford University Press.  Oxford, UK.



Reports and Other Non-refereed Publications
Christian, R. R.  1992.  Summary of initial network analysis of St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge. Submitted to the U.S.F.W.S. National Wetlands Research Laboratory, Lafayette, LA.

Christian, R. R., and C. R. Thomas.  1997.  Use of network analysis within the long-term modeling tier for the Neuse River and its estuary. Report to UNC WRRI for the Neuse River Modeling and Monitoring program. 23 pp.

Christian, R. R., and C. Thomas. 2000.  Neuse River Modeling and Monitoring Project stage I: Network analysis for evaluating the consequences of nitrogen.  UNC-WRRI Report No. 325F.  Raleigh, NC.  44 pp.

Christian, R. R. 2003.  E6-70-05-01 Concepts of ecosystem, level, and scale.  In the Ecology theme edited by A. Bodini, in Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems (EOLSS), Developed under the auspices of the UNESCO, Eolss Publishers, Oxford, UK,   [http://www.eolss.net]

Christian, R. R., J. K. Dame, G. Johnson, C. H. Peterson, and D. Baird.  2004.  Monitoring and Modeling of the Neuse River Estuary, Phase 2: Functional assessment of environmental phenomena through network analysis. UNC-WRRI Report No. 343-E.  Raleigh, NC.  93 pp.


Microbial Ecology and Environmental Microbiology

Refereed Journal Publications
Payne, W. J., W. J. Wiebe and R. R. Christian.  1970.  Assays of biodegradability essential to unrestriced usage of organic compounds.  Bioscience 20:862-865.

Christian, R. R. and W.J . Wiebe.  1974.  The effects of temperature upon the reproduction and respiration of a marine obligate psychrophile.  Can. J. Microbiol. 20:1341-1345.

Newell, S. Y. and R. R. Christian.  1981.  Frequency of dividing cells as an estimator of bacterial productivity.  Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 42:23-31.

Christian, R. R., R. B. Hanson and S. Y. Newell.  1982.  Comparison of methods for measurements of bacterial growth rates in mixed batch culture.  Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 43:1160-1165.

Christian, R. R. and W. O. Pipes  1983.  Frequency distributions of coliforms in water distribution systems.  Appl. Environ. Microbiol.45:603-609.

Christian, R. R., J. T. Manchester and M. T. Mellor.  1983.  Bacteriological quality of fabrics washed at lower-than-standard temperatures in hospital laundry facility.  Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 45:591-597.

Goshko, M. A., W. O. Pipes and R. R. Christian.  1983.  Coliform occurrence and chlorine residual in small water distribution systems.  J. Amer. Water Works Assoc. 75:371-374.

Goshko, M. A., H. A. Minnigh, W. O. Pipes and R. R. Christian.  1983.  Relationships between standard plate counts and other parameters in water distribution systems.  J. Amer. Water Works Assoc. 75:568-571.

Goshko, M. A., W. O. Pipes and R. R. Christian.  1983.  Possible confusion between Enterobacter agglomerans and Escherichia coli.  Pharmaceutical Technology. 8:32-39.

Pipes, W. O. and R. R. Christian.  1984.  Estimating mean coliform densities of water distribution systems.  J. Amer. Water Works Assoc. 65:60-64.

Book Chapters
Christian, R. R. and W. J. Wiebe.  1979.  Three experimental regimes in the study of sediment microbial ecology.  pp. 148-155.  In C. D. Litchfield and P. L. Seyfried (eds.). Methodology for Biomass Determinations and Microbial Activities in Sediments.  American Society for Testing and Materials.  Philadelphia, PA. ASTM STP 673.

Christian, R. R. and J. W. Day, Jr.  1989.  Chapter 7: Microbial ecology and organic detritus in estuaries.  p. 257-308.  In J. W. Day, Jr., C. A. S. Hall, W. M Kemp and A. Yanez-Arancibia (eds.).  Estuarine Ecology.  John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York.

Christian, R. R., and D. G. Capone.  1997.  Overview of issues in aquatic microbial ecology.  Chapter 25.  p. 245-251.  In C. J. Hurst, G. R. Knudsen, M. J. McInerney, L. D. Stetzenbach, and M. V. Walter (eds.).  Manual of Environmental Microbiology, ASM Press, Washington, DC.

Christian, R. R., and D. G. Capone.  2001.  Chapter 28: Overview of issues in aquatic microbial ecology.  p. 323-328.  In C. J. Hurst, R. L. Crawford, M. J. McInerney, L. D. Stetzenbach, and M. V. Walter (eds.).  Manual of Environmental Microbiology, 2nd edition, ASM Press, Washington, DC.

Reports and Other Non-refereed Publications
Pipes, W. O. and R. R. Christian.  1978.  A sampling model for coliforms in water distribution systems.  Annual Conference Proceedings of AWWA. Part 2. Session 33-5.

Christian, R. R. and W. O. Pipes.  1979.  Recognition of subsequent contamination of samples from distribution systems with coliforms.  Annual Conference Proceedings of AWWA. Part 2:645-659.

Goshko, M. A., W. O. Pipes and R. R. Christian.  1980.  Correlations between coliform species occurrence and chlorine residual in various water distribution systems.  Annual Conference Proceedings of AWWA. Part 2:959-971.

Goshko, M. A. H. A. Minnigh, W. O. Pipes and R. R. Christian.  1981.  Relationships between standard plate counts and other parameters in water distribution systems. Annual Conference Proceedings of AWWA. Part 2:545-552.

Pipes, W. O. and R. R. Christian.  1982.  Mean coliform density of a water distribution system. Annual Conference Proceedings of AWWA, pp. 887-900.

Pipes, W. O. and R. R. Christian.  1982.  Sampling Frequency - Microbiological Drinking Water Regulations.  Final Report for USEPA, Office of Water Supply, 159 pp.

Pipes, W. O. (Chairman), R. Bordner, R. R. Christian, A. H. El Shaarawl, G. W. Fuhs, H. Kennedy, E. Means, R. Moser, H. Victoreen.  1983.  Monitoring of microbial water quality.  45 pp.  In Assessment of Microbiology and Turbidity Standards for Drinking Water: Proceedings of a Workshop. USEPA 570-9-83-001.

AWWA Committee on Bacteriological Sampling Frequency in Distribution Systems.  1985. Committee report: current practice in bacteriological sampling.  J. Amer. Water Works Assoc. Sept.:75-81.


International and Global Ecological Issues

Refereed Journal Publications
Christian, Robert R., and Bruce P. Hayden.  1995.  Long-term ecological research in the United States, an international initiative and implications for Italy.  Bolletino della Società Italiana di Ecologia 16: 60-63. (published in September 1996)

Christian, R. R.  2003.  Coastal initiative of the Global Terrestrial Observing System. Ocean & Coastal Management 46: 313-321.

Christian, R. R. 2005.  Beyond the Mediterranean to global observations of coastal lagoons.  Hydrobiologia 550:1-8.

Mazzilli, S., and R. R. Christian (submitted).  Defining the coast and sentinel ecosystems for coastal observations of global change.  Hydrobiologia


Book Chapters and Proceedings
Christian, R. R., C. French, J. Gosz, and R. Waide.  1999.  Perspectives on international long term ecological research.  p. 99-106.  In A. Farina (ed.).  Perspectives in ecology: a glance from the VII International Congress of Ecology (Florence 19-25 July 1998).  Backhuys Publishers, Leiden, NL.

Christian, R. R., and J. Gosz.  2001.  Long-term ecological research in concepts and practice. Congresso Nazionale della Società Italiana di Ecologia ATTI 25: 25-31.

Christian R.R., and de Mora S.J. 2005. Sentinel systems for coastal observations of global change. Pp. 189-195.  In P. Lasserre, P. Viaroli, and P. Campostrini (eds.). Lagoons and Coastal Wetlands in the Global Change Context: Impacts and Management Issues. Proceedings of the International Conference, Venice, 26-28 April 2004.  UNESCO 2005

Christian, R. R., and S. Mazzilli.  2005.  Coastal GTOS and its remote sensing needs for initial products.  Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Remote Sensing for Marine and Coastal Environments, Halifax, Canada.  May.


Reports and Other Non-refereed Publications
Christian, R. R.  2002.  Coastal resources.  p. 18-19.  In Global Terrestrial Observing System Biennial Report 2000-2001.  FAO, Rome, Italy.

Christian, R. R.  2004.  GTOS coastal programme.  p. 12-13.  In Global Terrestrial Observing System Biennial Report 2002-2003.  FAO, Rome, Italy.

FAO, 2005. Coastal GTOS Draft Strategic design and phase 1 implementation plan. By Christian, R., Baird, D., Bowen, R., Clark, D., di Giacomo, P., Jiménez, J., Kineman, J., Mazzilli, S., de Mora, S.,  Servin G., Talaue-McManus, L., Viaroli, P., Yap, H. GTOS Report No. 36, FAO, Rome, 2004. 93 pp.  



Educational Publications

Christian, R. R.  1984.  Exercise 1: The Scientific Method.  p. 1-10.  In P. P. Sehgal and P. A.  Daugherty (eds.).  Experimental Aspects of Biology.  East Carolina University, Greenville, NC.  

Christian, R. R. and M. M. Brinson.  1984.  Exercise 10: Ecological succession.  p. 140-154.  In P. P. Sehgal and P. A. Daugherty (eds.).  Experimental Aspects of Biology.  East Carolina University, Greenville, NC.

Christian, R. R.  1985.  Bacteria.  p. 60-66.  In P. P. Sehgal (ed.).  Humanistic Aspects of Biology.  East Carolina University, Greenville, NC.

Christian, R. R. and P. Viaroli.  1991.  Preliminary network analysis of N-cycling in the Sacca di Goro.  Prepared for nationwide class of Ph.D. students in ecology through University of Ferrara, Italy.

 
Editorial and Reviewing Duties

1996. Co-editor with S. Y. Newell of Aquatic Environments section (Section IV) of Manual of
Environmental Microbiology, 1st edition, C. J. Hurst (editor in chief). ASM Press, Washington, DC
 
1999 Co-editor with S. Y. Newell of Aquatic Environments section (Section IV) of Manual of
Environmental Microbiology, 2nd edition, C. J. Hurst (editor in chief). ASM Press, Washington, DC
 
Reviewer for articles for a variety journals and proposals for a variety of funding agencies (State, National and International).


Over 125 Presentations as Author or Co-author at Professional Meetings


Invited Presentations at Universities and Other Organizations. (Recent only)
July 2000.  Virginia Institute of Marine Science – Eastern Shore Laboratory, Wachepreague, VA.  How and why salt marshes move and change.

Dec. 2000.  University of South Carolina, Marine Sciences Program, Columbia, SC.  Functional assessment of a eutrophic estuary through ecological network analysis.

Jan. 2001.  East Carolina University, Geology Department, Greenville, NC.  You say coastal processes; I say ecosystem ecology.  Ten years in a salt marsh.  

July 2001.  Dauphin Island Sea Lab, Dauphin Island, AL.  Moving salt marshes, sea-level rise , and ecosystem state change.

Oct. 2001.  University of Georgia, Institute of Ecology, Athens, GA.  Nitrogen cycling in salt marshes: a network analysis approach.

Nov. 2001.  East Carolina University, Biology Department.  What’s a tree?

Apr. 2002.  Louisiana State University.  Linking salt marshes, nitrogen cycling, network analysis and sea-level rise in less than an hour.

Apr. 2002.  University of Louisiana at Lafayette.  Linking salt marshes, nitrogen cycling, network analysis and sea-level rise in less than an hour.

Nov. 2002.  Texas A&M University.  Assessing ecosystem function of an estuary.

Jan. 2003.  University of South Florida.  Assessing ecosystem function of an estuary.

Sep. 2004.  East Carolina University.  Climate change and global impact.

Jan. 2005.  Old Dominion University.  Linking estuarine nutrient cycling and trophic dynamics.

Mar. 2005.  US EPA, workshop (Response of Aquatic Food Webs to Nutrient Enrichment: Assessing the State of the Science). Pensacola, FL.  Overview of interactions between nutrient enrichment and coastal food webs.

May 2005.  Pamlico Tar River Foundation.  Nitrogen for dummies: the nitrogen cycle and role of microbes in an estuarine system.

Oct. 2005.  University of North Carolina –Chapel Hill, Institute of Marine Science, Morehead City.  Observing the other side of the coast.

Jan. 2006.  University of Ferrara.  Linking estuarine nutrient cycling and trophic dynamics.

Mar. 2006.  Old Dominion University.  Observing the other side of the coast: the Coastal Global Terrestrial Observing System.

Apr. 2006.  Chesapeake Biological Laboratory.  Pushing and Pulling Networks into Reality.

July 2006.  Newcastle University, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.  Linking estuarine nutrient cycling and trophic dynamics, & an update of global coastal observing systems.

Organizer and/or chair of sessions and workshops at meetings

Sep. 2003.  ERF, Seattle, WA.  Estuarine ecosystem properties through a network approach. (with J. Wilson)

Sep. 2003. LTER all-scientists meeting, Seattle, WA.  Network ecology, its applications to LTER, and the search for universal rules.



Teaching Experience

Master's Theses Directed

Drexel University

1978. Janice W. Lariviere. Survival of Echerichia coli in four diluents.

1979. Susan R. Spreat. A quantititive extraction and assay procedure for detection of gentamicin in soils.

1980. Marc A. Goshko. Correlations between the occurrence of coliform bacteria and residual chorine in water distribution systems.

East Carolina University

1988. Wade. L. Bryant, Jr.: Relationship between river flow and blue-green algae blooms on the Neuse River.

1989. Scott. J. Fin. An examination of seminal fluid zinc transfer from male to female rats through copulation. (Co-director with E. McNiel).

1989. Judy. K. Heath. The decompositon of Microsystis aeruginosa in estuarine microcosms.

1992. Gregory J. Lackey. The effects of light and nutrient availability on primary productivity across the freshwater-saltwater interface of the Neuse River Estuary, North Carolina.

1995. Susan K. Dailey. Interactions of benthic communities and material fluxes across the sediment-water interface in North carolina and Virginia estuaries.

1995. James H. Taylor III. The effects of altered inundation and wrack deposition on nitrification, denitrification, and the standing stocks of NO3- and NO2-.

1996. Patricia M. Tolley. Effects of increased inundation and wrack deposition on a saltmarsh plant community.

1997. Rebecca M. Tarnowski. Effects of dissolved oxygen concentrations on nitrification in coastal waters.

1998. Cassondra Thomas. The use of network analysis to compare the nitrogen cycle of three salt marsh zones experiencing relative sea-level rise.

2000. Stephen W. Roberts.  Primary production of Distichlis spicata and Spartina patens and effects of increased inundation in a salt marsh.

2001. Tracy L. Buck.  High marsh plant community response to sea-level induced high marsh subsidence and ecosystem state change.
 
2002. Mark Keusenkothen.  The effects of deer trampling in a salt marsh.

2004. Jessi E. O’Neal.  The importance of organic matter to nutrient processing in headwater stream bottoms of the coastal plain.

2005.  James K. Dame.  (Ph.D. in Coastal Resources Management)  Evaluation of ecological network analysis for ecosystem-based management.


Current Graduate Students


Amanda Marsh (MS, Biology)
Christine M. Voss (PhD, Coastal Resources Management)


Service on Committees at Other Institutions

Rutgers University (W. MacDonald, PhD; K. J. Smith PhD)

Univeristy of Delaware (H. Dickerson, PhD)

Virginia Institute of Marine Science/ College of William & Mary (W. Rizzo, PhD; R. van Tyne,
PhD; B. Berry-Neikirk, MS)

Univ. of Virginia (B. Tirrell, MS) (C. Thomas, PhD)
 
University of Port Elizabeth (now Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University)(Ursula Scharler, PhD)(B. C. Goeck, PhD) served as external examiner.


Courses Taught

Drexel University

General Microbiology
Advanced Microbiology
Community Health
General Ecology
Life Sciences I
Microbial Physiology (graduate)
Aquatic Ecology (graduate)
Ecology (graduate)
Sanitary Microbiology (graduate)
 

East Carolina University

Principles of Biology (non-majors)
Principles of Biology I (majors)
Principles of Microbiology (for allied health)
Microbial Ecology (graduate/senior)
Introduction to Research (graduate)
Systems Ecology (graduate)
Population Ecology (graduate)
Marine Community Ecology (graduate/senior)
Biosphere Ecology (graduate)
Microbiology (majors)
Advances in Ecology (graduate) (topics have included global ecology, global issues in coastal ecology, the ecosystem concept, and network complexity)

Other institutions and programs

University of Parma, Italy. 1994-98. Presented lectures to European Masters in Environmental
Management program (sponsored by European Community).

InterAmerican University, Puerto Rico. 1994-98. Presented workshops on nutrient cycling,
wetlands and coastal ecology.  

May 1998.  Academia Sinica, Taipei, ROC.  Workshop on the construction and analysis of ecosystem models.  (with Mark Brinson)

Hosted PhD students from University of Barcelona (E. Novella), University of Parma (M.
Naldi; C. Bondavalli) and University of Ferrara (G. Castadelli).
 
US Long-term Ecological Research Program. 2000-2002.  Series of workshops on network analysis.
 
July 2004.  Universidad Autonoma de Baja California, Ensenada, Mexico.  Network analysis: construction and analysis of static, structured models of nitrogen cycling in coastal ecosystems.

 

Selected Activites in Service

Committee Assignments (Representative)

Departmental

Computer (1982-84)
Executive (1986-96, 2002-2003)
Personnel (1992-96, Chair for most; 2002-2003)
Search for Population Ecologist (1990)
Search for Molecular Biologist (1992)
Search for Biochemist (1994)
Search for Chair of Biology (1996-1998)
Search for Ecologist (1997, 2003)
Space (2001- ,Chair 2001-2004)
Search for Lab Manager for Central Environmental Lab (Chair 2005)
Code (1998, 2004-)
Strategic Planning (2004-2005)
Search for Microbiologist (Chair, 2005-2006)

University

General College (1987-89)
Natural Areas (1990-93)
Masters of Arts in International Studies (1993-1998)
Rivers Foundation Scholarship (1995-1996, 2003-2004)
Coastal Resources Management Ph.D. program (advisory 1998-, director search, chair 1998)
Academic Standards (2001-2002, Representative of the Chair of the faculty)
Vice Chancellor for Research Search Committee (2004-2005)
Nominating Committee for Harriot College of Arts and Sciences Distinguished Professor (2004, chair 2005, chair 2006)

Societies

Atlantic Estuarine Research Society
Constitution (1978-80)
Program (1980-81)
Endowment (1991-92)
American Academy of Microbiology
Election (1992-99, Chair from 1993)
Carski Foundation Distinguished Teaching Award Nominating Committee (2002- )
International Association for Ecology.
Co-convener of symposium at VII Congress, Florence, Italy
Estuarine Research Federation
Co-convener of session at 1999 conference
Co-chair of program committee for 2005 conference at Norfolk, VA.
President (2005-2007)
Sigma Xi (ECU Chapter)
Membership Committee (chair 2004-2005)


Other

National Research Council Panelist for Ford Foundation Predoctoral Fellowship Program
(1997)
 
Water Resources Research Institute of the UNC.  
Technical Committee.  (1986-87, 1998-99, 2002-2003).
Search Committee for Director (2004-2005)

Research Development trips for International LTER program:
    Portugal and Spain. (1997)
    Italy, Slovenia, and Croatia. (1999)

Global Terrestrial Observing System (GTOS)
representative with Coastal-Global Oceanographic Observing System panel (1999-2002)
chair of the coastal module panel

City of Greenville
Environmental Advisory Commission (Chair 2001-2004 )
Horizons Strategic Plan Committee (2002-2003)

University of North Carolina –Wilmington
    Review panel for Master’s of Science program in Marine Science (2004)

Albemarle-Pamlico National Estuary Program
Science and Technical Advisory Committee (2004-, Executive Committee 2004-)