Charles Amsler

In general, my lab studies mechanisms by which marine organisms perceive, respond to, manipulate, or otherwise interact with their chemical environment and the impacts of these interactions on community structure. Studies of the chemical ecology of marine macroalgae and invertebrates focus on chemical defenses against predators, and, secondarily, other aspects of their chemical ecology. Relatively new focus areas are the impacts of ocean acidification and sea ice retreat on Antarctic marine organisms. Geographically, I have worked in both warm and cool temperate regions but the vast majority of my group’s activities over the past 25 years have focused on Antarctic organisms, particularly but not exclusively along the western Antarctic Peninsula (WAP). A new project is examining benthic community structure in the southern WAP and the importance of macroalgal-derived carbon to the structure of those communities.