Contact Information
Fisheries Division11120 Glacier Highway
UAF Fisheries Division
Juneau, AK 99801
Phone: (907) 796-6279
m.stekoll@uaf.edu
Michael Stekoll Professor
Affiliations
- University of Alaska SE
Specialties
- Pollution biology and ecology
- Algal aquaculture
- Algal ecology
- Algal physiology
Education
- Ph.D. 1976 University of California Los Angeles (Biochemistry)
Research Overview
The biological communities along most of the rocky shores of Alaska are defined by the marine plant associations. A major portion of the primary production throughout the year is provided by the benthic plants in the nearshore. These communities are often disturbed not only by natural phenomena, such as winter storms and ice, but also by anthropogenic disturbances such as harvesting and pollution. My research has concentrated in both basic and applied aspects of the biology and ecology of marine benthic plants and on the effects of disturbances on this community. My associates and I have investigated the effects of harvest and pollution on the intertidal and subtidal seaweeds. A large part of our work in recent years has investigated the effects of the Exxon Valdez oil spill on the benthic plants (especially the rockweed Fucus) in areas of the spill. We have determined the limiting factors in the recovery of the intertidal plants from the effects of the spill and cleanup and have investigated methods of restoring Fucus populations.
We have also conducted applied research on the commercial exploitation of seaweeds. In addition to performing seaweed resource assessments for potential commercial harvest, we have been investigating the potential of mariculture as a means to enhance exploited algal resources. There are many organisms that can be cultured which have potential to be developed as a high value product. Among these are seaweeds such as Macrocystis (giant kelp), Nereocystis (bull kelp) and Porphyra (nori). My lab has worked out the procedures for the successful mariculture of Macrocystis which has economic implications for the Alaska roe-on-kelp fishery. We have also researched the methodology for the successful mariculture of Porphyra. This plant can be marketed both as nori for the sushi and health food market and as black seaweed for the Native community. Currently we are working on a project to use remote sensing techniques to map floating kelp beds in SE Alaska.
Other "non seaweed" projects have involved the effects of pollution on salmon and herring. We have recently completed research on the potential impacts of mining activities on the nearshore benthos, and are currently investigating the effects of common ions (hard water) from mine wastewater on the growth and development of coho salmon. A new project was initiated to develop a model for investigating generational effects of pollutants on aquatic organisms.
Current Research Projects
- Physiologial ecology of Palmaria species in SE Alaska
- Generational effects of petroleum on a model fish species
- Floating kelps as essential fish habitat
- Mapping floating kelps using remote sensing