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Kumud Acharya
( Desert Research Institute )
- Institution:Desert Research Institute
- Departments: Hydrologic Sciences
- Research Fields: Ecological Engineering, Water Quality, Environmental Restoration, Invasive Species, Hydrology, Eco-hydrology, Limnology, Aquatic Biology, Aquatic Food Web, Ecological Stoichiometry, Nutrient Cycling, Watershed Processes, Climate Change And Biodiversity, Ecological Modeling, Aquatic Restoration
- Disciplines: Hydrology and Water Resources Science, Physical Sciences
- Location:Clark County
- Funding:DoE - Department of Energy, EPSCoR - Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research, NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Space Grant - National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program
Biography
Dr. Acharya’s research involves aquatic and biological stoichiometry, the study of balance of energy and multiple chemical elements. He is particularly interested in how human management of watersheds affects aquatic invertebrate community structure in aquatic environments. Aquatic invertebrates face special evolutionary challenges in these systems due to factors such as hydroperiod, flow or anthropogenic effects. My specific studies involve observational and experimental studies at various scales, including laboratory cultures (zooplankton, algal chemostats), short-term field experiments and sustained whole-ecosystem manipulations. His other research interests are nutrient cycling, wastewater treatment systems, groundwater management, and ecological modeling. Recently completed studies include role of zooplankton populations in large river (Ohio River) food webs, impact of changes in hydrological conditions (e.g., excessive rainfall or drought conditions) in riverine biota via changes in nutrient and food conditions.