Center for Environmental Research, Education and Outreach
John Harrison
Human Perturbation of Nutrient Cycles and Ecosystem Response: Developing Tools to Reconcile Economic Development and Environmental Quality
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Due largely to human activities associated with food and energy production, the world is experiencing an unprecedented mobilization of bioactive nutrients such as nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). A substantial portion of mobilized N and P flows into streams and rivers, and eventually down to coastal waters, where nutrient over-enrichment has been associated with a host of environmental impacts, including increased frequency and severity of low-oxygen events, increased frequency and severity of harmful algal blooms (e.g. red and brown tides), and loss of biodiversity. En route to the ocean, these nutrients can strongly impact ecosystem function and can also affect the balance of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
In his research, Dr Harrison uses experimental, remote sensing, and modeling approaches to elucidate processes governing the mobilization, transport, transformation and ecosystem/biogeochemical impacts of land-based N and P. Current and past projects focus on regional nutrient and greenhouse gas dynamics in Mexico’s Yaqui Valley and in California’s Central Valley. He has also worked at the global scale, developing spatially explicit global models of nutrient and organic matter export as part of a UNESCO-IOC-funded research project called Global Nutrient Export from Watersheds (Global NEWS).
In addition to these projects, Dr. Harrison is currently working to develop a research focus in two additional, related areas: Understanding the impact that dam construc-tion has on nutrient transport; and understanding linkages between nutrient-enrichment and the emergence and prevalence of diseases, particularly in developing regions.
Contact
Information
John Harrison, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Center for Environmental Research, Education and Outreach
Washington State University
Vancouver
14204 NE Salmon Creek Ave.
Vancouver, WA 98686-9600
Telephone: 360-546-9210
E-mail: john_harrison@wsu.edu
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