Professor Heather Bouman

I am a lecturer in Earth Sciences and an expert in marine phytoplankton.

My research group investigates the diversity and physiology of marine phytoplankton single-celled organisms over a range of marine ecosystems, from the poles to the tropics. Due to their planktonic mode of life, the marine microflora can be considered a sentinel of environmental change. It is anticipated that a warming of the surface waters of the ocean will lead to shifts in both the taxonomic structure and biogeochemical function of pelagic communities. My research uses data collected from both ships and satellites to understand the main environmental factors controlling phytoplankton biogeography and marine photosynthesis on regional to global scales.