Ecological Risk Assessment

Research centered on this theme focuses on identifying the ecological significance of various stressors in the Great Lakes (i.e., hypoxia, harmful algal blooms, climate, contaminants, point and nonpoint source inputs, disease, etc.) and their relative impact on ecosystem services, thus providing critical information for effective restoration and decision-making. This research focus ultimately facilitates the application of existing, and the adoption of new, empirical and modeling methods to other chemicals, stressors, and species in the Great Lakes.

Outputs from this theme are used to inform projects in the Protection and Restoration of Ecosystem Services research theme, allowing for more effective management and meaningful restoration that benefits multiple ecosystem services.