Spatial Dynamics

We use spatial modeling and data science to understand how marine species and ecosystems change across space and time.

Ocean conditions, species distributions, and fisheries are shifting rapidly in response to climate change. Our lab develops models and decision-support tools that help scientists, managers, and fishing communities understand where species are, how they are moving, and what those changes mean for sustainable fisheries and ocean planning. By combining ecological data, fisheries observations, and advanced spatial modeling approaches, the lab translates complex dynamics into insights that support management, conservation, and working waterfronts in the Gulf of Maine and beyond.

We aim to:

  • Understand how marine species distributions and ecosystems change across space and time.

  • Develop spatial models that inform sustainable fisheries management and ecosystem-based decision-making.

  • Translate complex ecological and fisheries data into accessible tools and insights for managers and industry.

  • Support climate-ready fisheries by identifying shifts in species, habitats, and fishing opportunities.

  • Collaborate across disciplines to connect ecological modeling with real-world management and community needs.

Lab Team

Our Methods

Using spatial data and modeling to understand dynamic ocean systems.

The Spatial Dynamics Lab combines ecological theory, fisheries science, and advanced statistical modeling to understand how species and ecosystems change across space and time. The lab develops spatially explicit models that integrate survey data, fisheries observations, environmental conditions, and emerging data streams. These approaches allow researchers and partners to explore how climate change, fishing activity, and management decisions influence marine ecosystems and the communities that depend on them.

  • Spatial Statistical Modeling
  • Species Distribution and Habitat Modeling
  • Data Integration
  • Geospatial Analysis

Research Lab Projects