My general research interests are community and ecosystems ecology. My research focuses on the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem function, how species modify habitats and influence community structure, and the flow of energy in and between food webs.
Working with Dr. Caryn Vaughn, I am investigating questions in these areas using benthic organisms as models. The focal group of most of my research has been freshwater mussels (Bivalvia: Unionidae), one of the most imperiled faunal groups in the world. Ultimately, I am interested in how anthropogenic change (extinction, habitat alteration, invasive species, and climate change) alters the structure, function, and processes of ecosystems.
Daniel C. Allen
