Managing Coastal and Urban Environments
Weather & Environmental Hazards –
The Challenges of Awareness, Research, and Education in NJ
Friday, November 14, 2008
Daniela Shebitz is an Assistant Professor in the Biology Department where she teaches courses such as Ecology, Applied Ecology, and Urban Ecology. She is also the co-Chair of the Institute of Urban Ecosystem Studies (IUES) and of the Sustainability Task Force at Kean University. Daniela’s research focuses on the interactions between people and their environment, ranging from Native American uses of plants to the spread and control of invasive species in urban ecosystems. In particular, current research being conducted with students concentrates on monitoring the effects of invasive plants on water quality and evaluating the effectiveness of various restoration methods for controlling garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) along the Elizabeth River
IUES Activities
Faculty involved with the Institute of Urban Ecosystem Studies will lead an interactive classroom session and outdoor activity to discuss how to monitor a river ecosystem for potential hazards such as poor water quality and invasive species. Activities will include Stream monitoring, using probes and other tests to record values of water quality and also invasive species identification. Participants will review invasive plants from a demonstration inside and then visit the stream to witness their distribution in the real world!