My Research

My research focuses on the transition zone between land and sea examining how coastal and subtidal habitats interact in terms of biotic and abiotic processes. These studies specifically focused on organism movement and nutrient/energy flow between terrestrial-coastal-subtidal systems. In light of this interest, much of my research examines the effects of human disturbance to one system (e.g. mangroves forests, terrestrial watersheds) on functioning and community composition of nearby downstream ecosystems (e.g. coral reefs, subtidal rocky habitat). As we design reserves to protect specific habitat types, to what extent do we need to incorporate adjacent systems and habitat features?

In general, my research addresses scientific questions relevant to the effective design and implementation of protected areas and policy to conserve marine community and ecosystem processes and marine biodiversity. From 2007-2008, I will be participating in an NCEAS (National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis) working group: “Measuring ecological, economic and social values of coastal habitats to inform ecosystem-based management of land-sea” with a team of ecologists, environmental economists, social scientists and managers.

Selected Publications

1. Rodriguez del Rey, Z, E Granek, B Buckley. 2011. Expression of HSP70 in Mytilus californianus following exposure to caffeine. Ecotoxicology 20: 855-861.


2. Ruttenberg, BI and EF Granek. Forthcoming. Bridging the marine-terrestrial disconnect in coastal zone science and management Marine Ecology Progress Series.


3. Granek, E.F., S. Polasky, C. V. Kappel, D. M. Stoms, D. J. Reed, J. Primavera, E. W. Koch, C. Kennedy, L. A. Cramer, S. D. Hacker, G. M. E. Perillo, S. Aswani, B. Silliman, D. Bael, N. Muthiga, E. B. Barbier, E. Wolanski. 2010. Ecosystem services as a common language for coastal ecosystem-based management. Conservation Biology, 24: 207-216.


4. Granek, E.F., J.E. Compton, and D. Phillips. 2009. Mangrove-exported nutrient incorporation by sessile invertebrates on adjacent coral reefs. Ecosystems, 12: 462-472.


5. Koch, E.W., E.D. Barbier, B.R. Silliman, D.J. Reed, G.M.E. Perillo, S.D. Hacker, E.F. Granek, J.H. Primavera, N. Muthiga, S. Polasky, B.S. Halpern, C.J. Kennedy, E. Wolanski, C.V. Kappel. 2009. Non-linearity in ecosystem services: temporal and spatial variability in coastal protection. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 7: 29-37.


6. Granek, E.F. and B.I. Ruttenberg. 2008. Changes in biotic and abiotic processes following mangrove removal. Estuarine, Coastal & Shelf Science 80: 555-562.


7. Granek, E.F., E.M.P. Madin, M.A. Brown, W. Figueira, D.S. Cameron, Z. Hogan, G. Kristianson, P. de Villiers, J. E. Williams, J. Post, S. Zahn and R. Arlinghaus. 2008. Engaging recreational fishers in management and conservation: global case studies. Conservation Biology, 22(5): 1125-1134.


8. Barbier, E.B., E.W. Koch, B.R. Silliman, S.D. Hacker, E. Wolanski, J. Primavera, E.F. Granek, S. Polasky, S. Aswani, L.A. Cramer, D.M. Stoms, C.J. Kennedy, D. Bael, C.V. Kappel, G.M.E. Perillo, D.J. Reed. 2008. Coastal ecosystem-based management with non-linear ecological functions and values. Science 319: 321-323.


9. Granek, E.F. and B.I. Ruttenberg. 2007. Protective capacity of mangroves during tropical storms: a case study from 'Wilma' and 'Gamma' in Belize. Marine Ecology Progress Series 343: 101-105.


10. Granek, E.F. and K. Frasier. 2007. The impacts of red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) deforestation on zooplankton communities in Bocas del Toro, Panama. Bulletin of Marine Science 80(3): 905-914.


11. Lundquist, Carolyn J. and Elise F. Granek. 2005. Strategies for successful marine conservation: integrating socio-economic, political, and scientific factors. Conservation Biology 19(6): 1771-1778.


12. Granek, E.F. and M.A. Brown. 2005. Co-management approach to marine conservation in Moheli, Comoros Islands. Conservation Biology 19(6): 1724-1736.


13. Granek, Elise F., Daniel R. Brumbaugh, Scott A. Heppell, Selina S. Heppell, and David Secord. 2005. A blueprint for the oceans: implications of two national commission reports for conservation practitioners. Conservation Biology 19(4): 1008-1018.


14. Trewhella, W.J., K.M. Rodriguez-Clark, N. Corp, A. Entwistle, S.R.T. Garrett, E. Granek, K.L. Lengel, M.J. Raboude, P.F. Reason, & B.J. Sewall 2005. Environmental education as a component of multidisciplinary conservation programs: lessons from conservation initiatives for Critically Endangered fruit bats in the Western Indian Ocean. Conservation Biology 19(1): 75-85.


15. Granek, E.F. 2002. Conservation of Pteropus livingstonii based on Habitat Characteristics on Anjouan and Moheli, Comoros. Biological Conservation 108(1): 93-100.