Alice Besterman, Ph.D.

Biography

I am an ecologist generally interested in the role of landscape-scale, physical drivers (e.g., tidal flooding dynamics) on habitat formation in ecosystems, and the resulting organization of biological communities and ecosystem functions. I use diverse methods integrating theory and techniques from many fields including ecosystem ecology, geomorphology, hydrology and population/community ecology.  

I am interested in socially relevant research and global changes provide the context for much of my work. In both my research and teaching I emphasize diverse perspectives. My collaborations include applied scientists, land trusts, and natural resource managers. In order to better understand local ecology and the problems that human communities face I work closely with community organizations.

Selected Publications

• Besterman, A.F., Jakuba, R.W., Ferguson, W. et al. Buying Time with Runnels: a Climate Adaptation Tool for Salt Marshes. Estuaries and Coasts 45, 1491–1501 (2022). 
• Tassone, S.J., Besterman, A.F., Buelo, C.D., Ha, D.T., Walter, J.A. and Pace, M.L. (2023), Increasing heatwave frequency in streams and rivers of the United States. Limnol. Oceanogr. Lett. 
• Besterman, A. F., and Pace, M. L.. 2021. Mudflat geomorphology determines invasive macroalgal effect on invertebrate prey and shorebird predators. Ecology 102( 12):e03540. 
• Besterman AF, Karpanty SM, Pace ML (2020) Impact of exotic macroalga on shorebirds varies with foraging specialization and spatial scale. PLoS ONE 15(4): e0231337.

Teaching

• BIOL 402/502: General Ecology