The Semester’s Last Biocolloquium

BY ZACHARY GOTTHARDT

SC Staff Writer

 

The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States. As such, it has become a highly populated area and major tourist attraction over several centuries. The Chesapeake Bay is also an incredibly diverse ecosystem, and large human population can lead to many ecological problems.

Matthew R. Semcheski of Old Dominion University wishes to monitor these changes as they occur over long periods of time. Semcheski is an ESU alumnus and an ecology graduate student at Old Dominion University. Old Dominion University sits on the coast of the Chesapeake Bay.

Matthew Semcheski will be presenting his discoveries at the final Biocolloquium of the semester. This Biocolloquium is unique, as a professor or a professional with a doctorate is not presenting it.

Matthew Semcheski is currently a Ph.D candidate for his work. He is a member of the Biology Graduate Student Organization at Old Dominion University and has helped that organization receive the “Rivers and Watershed Protection Award of Merit.”

The Chesapeake Bay is a huge area, covering nearly 4,500 sq. miles. Over 150 rivers drain into its waters, including the Delaware River. With such a large drainage basin, the Chesapeake Bay is incredibly susceptible to human impacts.

There have been many initiatives to monitor the long-term patterns of the Chesapeake Bay, including Semcheski’s. Some of the larger projects include monitoring the water-quality, plankton species, and benthic species of the Chesapeake. The Chesapeake Bay and its watershed are considered areas of high ecological importance.

This Biocolloquium will be at 3:00PM on Friday, November 1. The location is the same as previous presentations: Kurtz Lecture Hall in Moore Biology Building.

As always, the Biocolloquium is open to all ages and majors, and refreshments will be provided. Following the presentation, there will be a meeting with Semcheski where he will be able to answer any questions on an individual basis.

 

Email Zachary at:

zgotthar@live.esu.edu