Kevin Rose
Frederic R. Kolleck ’52 Career Development Chair in Freshwater Ecology | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Troy, NY, NY, UNITED STATES
Computational modeling of links between freshwater ecology and carbon cycling
Areas of Expertise (6)
Climate Change
Aquatic Ecology
Carbon Cycling
Freshwater Ecosystems
Biogeochemistry
Computational Modeling
Biography
Dr. Rose’s research spans aquatic ecology and biogeochemistry to understand how human and natural processes affect aquatic ecosystems in complex and often unpredicted ways. A goal of his lab group is to understand water bodies in a regional to global context, with an emphasis on understanding how freshwater ecosystems are responding to environmental changes such as land use and climate change. This interdisciplinary research draws on skills in biology, ecology, biogeochemistry, hydrology, advanced environmental sensors, and computational modeling.
Education (3)
Miami University: Doctorate, Evolution and Environmental Biology
Lehigh University: Bachelors of Science, International Relations
Lehigh University: Bachelors of Science, Materials Science and Engineering
Media Appearances (3)
CORONAVIRUS IS HAVING A MAJOR IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT, WITH REDUCED CO2, BETTER AIR QUALITY AND ANIMALS ROAMING CITY STREETS
Newsweek online
2020-03-24
The COVID-19 pandemic is also likely to have a significant impact on other environmental factors, including the emission of greenhouse gases as the global economy heads into recession, according to Kevin Rose, Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences and Kolleck Career Development Chair in Freshwater Ecology at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. "Economic recessions and resulting declines in energy use and population shifts can drive dramatic reductions in environmental impacts," he told Newsweek. "For example, the consumption of fertilizers, which harms freshwater quality, declined for many years in eastern Europe following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Greenhouses gases, such as carbon dioxide, have declined during many past recessions as energy-intensive economic activities slow. Quarantine protocols may also have a deep, but short-term, impact on greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants, as fewer people are traveling and fewer businesses are operating."
Lake Science: Water Clarity As Important As Air Temperatures in Response to Climate Change
Water Canada
2016-11-01
In a letter published in Limnology and Oceanography Letters, a team of U.S. researchers, through modelling and empirical observations, have determined that water clarity trends of about one per cent per year in either direction can amplify or suppresses warming at rates comparable to climate-induced warming.
Lakes & Climate Change Greenhouse Gases
Lake Scientist print
2020-03-31
Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere are known as greenhouse gases. The major greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O)1. At present, atmospheric CO2 is nearly 35% higher than preindustrial levels and is increasing1. Although these gases are released from natural activity, human activity is responsible for the increase of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
Articles (3)
Prevalence of phytoplankton limitation by both nitrogen and phosphorus related to nutrient stoichiometry, land use, and primary producer biomass across the northeastern United States
Inland WatersLewis, A., B.S. Kim, H.L. Edwards, H. Wander, C.M. Garfield, H. Murphy, N.D. Poulin, S.D. Princiotta, K.C. Rose, A.E. Taylor, K. Weathers, C. Wigdahl-Perry, K. Yokota, D. Richardson, and D.A. Bruesewitz
2020-01-14
The limiting nutrient for freshwater phytoplankton productivity can vary within and between geographic regions. Understanding how local (i.e., lake and catchment) and regional (i.e., multiple catchment) factors shift the relative importance of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) limitation presents a key research challenge for freshwater ecosystems and may enhance our understanding of how lakes could be managed to control eutrophication. Here, we used in situ microcosm incubations with factorial N and P amendments to determine the type of limitation in 16 lakes across the northeastern United States. Study lakes had similar climate but varied in geography, trophic status, and chemistry. Limitation by both N and P was most common (colimitation n = 5 and serial limitation n = 3); however, we also observed single nutrient N (n = 3) and P limitation (n = 4). The type of limitation was related to background phytoplankton biomass, longitude, and land use. The magnitude of response to combined nutrient enrichment was negatively related to background P concentrations. This multi-lake experiment suggests that both N and P often play a role in regulating productivity and that local and regional characteristics affect nutrient limitation patterns.
Ozone depletion, ultraviolet radiation, climate change and prospects for a sustainable future.
Nature SustainabilityBarnes, P.W., C.E. Williamson, R.M. Lucas, S.A. Robinson, S. Madronich, N.D. Paul, J.F. Bornman, A.F. Bais, B. Sulzberger, S.R. Wilson, A.L. Andrady, R.L. McKenzie, P.J. Neale, A.T. Austin, G.H. Bernhard, K.R. Solomon, R.E. Neale, P.J. Young, M. Norval, L.E. Rhodes, S. Hylander, K.C. Rose, J. Longstreth, P.J. Aucamp, C.L. Ballaré, R.M. Cory, S.D. Flint, F.R. de Gruijl, D.-P. Häder, A.M. Heikkilä, M.A.K. Jansen, K.K. Pandey, T.M. Robson, CA. Sinclair, SÅ Wängberg, R.C. Worrest, S. Yazar, A.R. Young, and R.G. Zepp
2019-06-24
Changes in stratospheric ozone and climate over the past 40-plus years have altered the solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation conditions at the Earth’s surface. Ozone depletion has also contributed to climate change across the Southern Hemisphere. These changes are interacting in complex ways to affect human health, food and water security, and ecosystem services. Many adverse effects of high UV exposure have been avoided thanks to the Montreal Protocol with its Amendments and Adjustments, which have effectively controlled the production and use of ozone-depleting substances. This international treaty has also played an important role in mitigating climate change. Climate change is modifying UV exposure and affecting how people and ecosystems respond to UV; these effects will become more pronounced in the future. The interactions between stratospheric ozone, climate and UV radiation will therefore shift over time; however, the Montreal Protocol will continue to have far-reaching benefits for human well-being and environmental sustainability.
Environmental effects of ozone depletion, UV radiation and interac-tions with climate change: UNEP Environmental Effects Assessment Panel, Update 2017
Photochemical and Photobiological SciencesUNEP Environmental Effects Assessment Panel
The Environmental Effects Assessment Panel (EEAP) is one of three Panels of experts that inform the Parties to the Montreal Protocol. The EEAP focuses on the effects of UV radiation on human health, terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, air quality, and materials, as well as on the interactive effects of UV radiation and global climate change. When considering the effects of climate change, it has become clear that processes resulting in changes in stratospheric ozone are more complex than previously held. Because of the Montreal Protocol, there are now indications of the beginnings of a recovery of stratospheric ozone, although the time required to reach levels like those before the 1960s is still uncertain, particularly as the effects of stratospheric ozone on climate change and vice versa, are not yet fully understood. Some regions will likely receive enhanced levels of UV radiation, while other areas will likely experience a reduction in UV radiation as ozone- and climate-driven changes affect the amounts of UV radiation reaching the Earth's surface. Like the other Panels, the EEAP produces detailed Quadrennial Reports every four years; the most recent was published as a series of seven papers in 2015 (Photochem. Photobiol. Sci., 2015, 14, 1–184). In the years in between, the EEAP produces less detailed and shorter Update Reports of recent and relevant scientific findings. The most recent of these was for 2016 (Photochem. Photobiol. Sci., 2017, 16, 107–145). The present 2017 Update Report assesses some of the highlights and new insights about the interactive nature of the direct and indirect effects of UV radiation, atmospheric processes, and climate change. A full 2018 Quadrennial Assessment, will be made available in 2018/2019.
