Linton Munyai

My research interest is in freshwater ecology, in particular, plankton and trophic ecology, environmental monitoring and assessment, biodiversity and conservation in rivers, reservoirs, lakes, dams, ponds, floodplain pans and wetlands. I am particularly interested in how ecological systems respond to an environmental disturbance caused by anthropogenic impacts, hydroperiod and invasive species. Working with fellow ecologists, resource managers and policy makers often stimulates new directions for my research. Most of my projects use field observations, and experiments, to better understand the effects of natural and anthropogenic factors on flora and fauna and their role in aquatic ecosystems. I use field studies to identify interesting patterns in nature that may indicate ecological and environmental problems or an interesting natural phenomenon. Manipulative experiments in artificial microcosms and mesocosms are used to confirm cause-effect relationships.