We study...
In the algal community ecology lab we examine how environmental conditions in freshwater ecosystems regulate algal community structure and function. Much of our research focuses on how processes related to ongoing climate change influence algal community composition in wetlands and the potential consequences for food web structure. Our lab also examines associations between environmental conditions and the occurrence of toxin-producing cyanobacteria within agriculturally dominated watersheds.
Algal community structureWe are interested in environmental controls on benthic algal community structure and function in wetland ecosystems.
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Wetland food web dynamics
We are quantifying the contribution of algal material to the wetland food web.
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Toxin release by cyanobacteria
We are evaluating the environmental controls that regulate toxin release from cyanobacteria.
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Who we are...
Current lab members
Allison R. Rober
Principal Investigator
I am interested in the environmental controls on benthic algal communities and their role in ecosystem processes. Lab alumni
Aaron MartiMasters Student
The influence of macrophytes on sediment nutrient dynamics in an urban wetland. |
Rody C. Seballos
Masters Student
Resource controls on bacteria community structure during biofilm development in high alpine lakes. 
Dawn T. DeColibus
Masters Student
The effects of variable hydrology on algal and invertebrate community structure in a boreal peatland. |
Hannah M. Ferguson
Masters Student
The role of macroinvertebrate community structure in peatland food web dynamics. 
Jeremy T. Walls
Masters Student
Temperature controls on cyanotoxin release. |
Publications*student author
Walls*, J.T., K.H. Wyatt, J.C. Doll, E.M. Rubenstein, and A.R. Rober. 2018. Hot and toxic: Temperature regulates microcystin release from cyanobacteria. Science of the Total Environment 610–611: 786–795.
DeColibus*, D.T., A.R. Rober, A.M. Sampson*, A. Shurzinske*, J.T. Walls*, M.R. Turetsky, and K.H. Wyatt. 2017. Legacy effects of drought alters the aquatic food web of a northern boreal peatland. Freshwater Biology 62: 1377–1388.
Rober, A.R., R.J. Stevenson, and K.H. Wyatt. 2015. The role of light availability and herbivory on algal responses to nutrient enrichment in a riparian wetland, Alaska. Journal of Phycology 51: 528–535. (PDF)
Wyatt, K.H., J.S. Bange*, A.S. Fitzgibbon*, M.J. Bernot, and A.R. Rober. 2015. Nutrients and temperature interact to regulate algae and heterotrophic bacteria in an Alaskan poor fen peatland. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 72: 447–453. (PDF)
Rober, A.R., K.H. Wyatt, R.J. Stevenson, and M.R. Turetsky. 2014. Spatial and temporal variability of algal community dynamics and productivity in floodplain wetlands along the Tanana River, Alaska. Freshwater Science 33(3): 765–777. (PDF)
Wyatt, K.H., A.R. Rober, N. Schmidt*, and I.R. Davison. 2014. Effects of desiccation and rewetting on the release and decomposition of dissolved organic carbon from benthic macroalgae. Freshwater Biology 59: 407–416.
Rober, A.R., K.H. Wyatt, M.R. Turetsky, and R.J. Stevenson. 2013. Algal community response to experimental and interannual variation in hydrology in an Alaskan boreal fen. Freshwater Science 32: 1– 11. (PDF)
Wyatt, K.H., M.R. Turetsky, A.R. Rober, D. Giroldo, E.S. Kane, and R.J. Stevenson. 2012. Contributions of algae to GPP and DOC production in an Alaskan fen: effects of historical water table manipulations on ecosystem response to a natural flood. Oecologia 169: 821 –832. (PDF)
Rober, A.R., K.H. Wyatt, and R.J. Stevenson. 2011. Regulation of algal structure and function by nutrients and grazing in a boreal wetland. Journal of the North American Benthological Society 30(3): 787–796. (PDF)
Soranno, P.A., T. Wagner, S.L. Martin, C. McLean, L.N. Novitski, C.D. Provence, and A.R. Rober. 2011. Determining regional reference conditions for freshwater ecosystem management: a comparison of approaches and recommendations. Lake and Resevoir Management 27(2): 138–148. (PDF) *Nominated for the 2011 Jim LaBounty Best Paper Award.
Rober, A.R., C. Phillippo, S.A. Wyse, C. Elzinga, S.M. Lawrence, and T. Long. 2010. Investigating the evolutionary adaptations that have enabled plants to survive in a diversity of habitats. EcoEd Digital Library. (PDF)
Wyatt, K.H., A.R. Rober, and P. de Tezanos Pinto. 2010. Using a cascading food web case study to assess the ecological and economic impacts of management decisions. EcoEd Digital Library (PDF) *Selected as Editor's Choice in EcoEd's Jigsaw Newsletter Volume 1 Issue 3 2011.
Kasischke, E.S., L.L. Bourgeau-Chavez, A.R. Rober, K.H. Wyatt, J.M. Waddington, and M.R. Turetsky. 2009. Effects of soil moisture and water depth on ERS SAR backscatter measurements from an Alaskan wetland complex. Remote Sensing of Environment 113:1868–1873. (PDF)
DeColibus*, D.T., A.R. Rober, A.M. Sampson*, A. Shurzinske*, J.T. Walls*, M.R. Turetsky, and K.H. Wyatt. 2017. Legacy effects of drought alters the aquatic food web of a northern boreal peatland. Freshwater Biology 62: 1377–1388.
Rober, A.R., R.J. Stevenson, and K.H. Wyatt. 2015. The role of light availability and herbivory on algal responses to nutrient enrichment in a riparian wetland, Alaska. Journal of Phycology 51: 528–535. (PDF)
Wyatt, K.H., J.S. Bange*, A.S. Fitzgibbon*, M.J. Bernot, and A.R. Rober. 2015. Nutrients and temperature interact to regulate algae and heterotrophic bacteria in an Alaskan poor fen peatland. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 72: 447–453. (PDF)
Rober, A.R., K.H. Wyatt, R.J. Stevenson, and M.R. Turetsky. 2014. Spatial and temporal variability of algal community dynamics and productivity in floodplain wetlands along the Tanana River, Alaska. Freshwater Science 33(3): 765–777. (PDF)
Wyatt, K.H., A.R. Rober, N. Schmidt*, and I.R. Davison. 2014. Effects of desiccation and rewetting on the release and decomposition of dissolved organic carbon from benthic macroalgae. Freshwater Biology 59: 407–416.
Rober, A.R., K.H. Wyatt, M.R. Turetsky, and R.J. Stevenson. 2013. Algal community response to experimental and interannual variation in hydrology in an Alaskan boreal fen. Freshwater Science 32: 1– 11. (PDF)
Wyatt, K.H., M.R. Turetsky, A.R. Rober, D. Giroldo, E.S. Kane, and R.J. Stevenson. 2012. Contributions of algae to GPP and DOC production in an Alaskan fen: effects of historical water table manipulations on ecosystem response to a natural flood. Oecologia 169: 821 –832. (PDF)
Rober, A.R., K.H. Wyatt, and R.J. Stevenson. 2011. Regulation of algal structure and function by nutrients and grazing in a boreal wetland. Journal of the North American Benthological Society 30(3): 787–796. (PDF)
Soranno, P.A., T. Wagner, S.L. Martin, C. McLean, L.N. Novitski, C.D. Provence, and A.R. Rober. 2011. Determining regional reference conditions for freshwater ecosystem management: a comparison of approaches and recommendations. Lake and Resevoir Management 27(2): 138–148. (PDF) *Nominated for the 2011 Jim LaBounty Best Paper Award.
Rober, A.R., C. Phillippo, S.A. Wyse, C. Elzinga, S.M. Lawrence, and T. Long. 2010. Investigating the evolutionary adaptations that have enabled plants to survive in a diversity of habitats. EcoEd Digital Library. (PDF)
Wyatt, K.H., A.R. Rober, and P. de Tezanos Pinto. 2010. Using a cascading food web case study to assess the ecological and economic impacts of management decisions. EcoEd Digital Library (PDF) *Selected as Editor's Choice in EcoEd's Jigsaw Newsletter Volume 1 Issue 3 2011.
Kasischke, E.S., L.L. Bourgeau-Chavez, A.R. Rober, K.H. Wyatt, J.M. Waddington, and M.R. Turetsky. 2009. Effects of soil moisture and water depth on ERS SAR backscatter measurements from an Alaskan wetland complex. Remote Sensing of Environment 113:1868–1873. (PDF)
Teaching
Scientific inquiry can be exciting and the desire to understand and make sense of the world around us is what drives the advancement of science in research and education. Therefore, I use research based scientific inquiry to encourage and excite students to make connections and draw conclusions about the world around them.
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Courses
Principles of Biology 2
Botany Scientific Teaching Biological Concepts for Teachers Methods in Ecology Microbiology for the Allied Heath Sciences Organisms & Populations Experimental Design & Scientific Writing Seminar Organisms & Populations Laboratory Coordinator Honors Organismal Biology |
Professional development in teaching
Scientific Teaching Program (Director)
Program for BSU graduate students learning to build and implement learner-centered teaching materials for STEM courses.
Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Fellow (Office of Educational Excellence, Ball State University)
Program to promote excellent research-based teaching while helping junior faculty members develop high-quality SoTL materials.
Climate Change Education Symposium Organizer (Michigan State University)
Organized and hosted a diversity of academics and practitioners to facilitate the advancement of climate change education within a variety of educational settings (K-12, college, and informal ed).
Center for the Integration of Research Teaching and Learning (CIRTL)
Representative (CIRTLink) for the CIRTL Network.
Future Academic Scholars in Teaching (FAST) Steering Committee Member
Mentor to 2011-2012 FAST fellows in planning and conducting teaching-as-research projects. Engaged fellows in discussions on the scholarship of teaching and learning.
Future Academic Scholars in Teaching (FAST) program fellow (Michigan State University)
Program designed to meet the national need to prepare future faculty for the changing needs and expectations in higher education through a mentored teaching experience.
Certification in Teaching College Science and Mathematics (Michigan State University)
Comprehensive program to prepare graduate students for careers in post-secondary education by providing background and training in the teaching of science and mathematics.
Teaching of College Science (Michigan State University)
Instruction in creating learner centered classrooms, development of teaching strategies in science, assessment of student learning, and effective use of technology in the classroom.
Pathways to Scientific Teaching in Biology (Michigan State University)
Seminar to develop and implement learner-centered instructional materials and teaching strategies for introductory biology courses.
Program for BSU graduate students learning to build and implement learner-centered teaching materials for STEM courses.
Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Fellow (Office of Educational Excellence, Ball State University)
Program to promote excellent research-based teaching while helping junior faculty members develop high-quality SoTL materials.
Climate Change Education Symposium Organizer (Michigan State University)
Organized and hosted a diversity of academics and practitioners to facilitate the advancement of climate change education within a variety of educational settings (K-12, college, and informal ed).
Center for the Integration of Research Teaching and Learning (CIRTL)
Representative (CIRTLink) for the CIRTL Network.
Future Academic Scholars in Teaching (FAST) Steering Committee Member
Mentor to 2011-2012 FAST fellows in planning and conducting teaching-as-research projects. Engaged fellows in discussions on the scholarship of teaching and learning.
Future Academic Scholars in Teaching (FAST) program fellow (Michigan State University)
Program designed to meet the national need to prepare future faculty for the changing needs and expectations in higher education through a mentored teaching experience.
Certification in Teaching College Science and Mathematics (Michigan State University)
Comprehensive program to prepare graduate students for careers in post-secondary education by providing background and training in the teaching of science and mathematics.
Teaching of College Science (Michigan State University)
Instruction in creating learner centered classrooms, development of teaching strategies in science, assessment of student learning, and effective use of technology in the classroom.
Pathways to Scientific Teaching in Biology (Michigan State University)
Seminar to develop and implement learner-centered instructional materials and teaching strategies for introductory biology courses.
Contact
Allison R. Rober
Assistant Professor
Department of Biology, Ball State University
Cooper Science Building 229A
Muncie, IN. 47306
Office phone: 765-285-6955
Fax: 765-285-8804
Email: arrober@bsu.edu
Allison R. Rober
Assistant Professor
Department of Biology, Ball State University
Cooper Science Building 229A
Muncie, IN. 47306
Office phone: 765-285-6955
Fax: 765-285-8804
Email: arrober@bsu.edu
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