https://oceanexpert.org/expert/rcowen

Ph.D. 1985

Research

Biological Oceanography
Marine Ecology

My research centers on the ecology and life history of fishes, particularly the early life history of fishes. I have worked extensively on the biological and physical oceanographic processes affecting the retention and transport of larval fishes, both in terms of examining larval dynamics and population replenishment and population connectivity. My research also includes specific aspects of the ecology of larval fishes including vertical migration, growth, survival, and feeding. Besides larval ecology, I have worked on the reproductive and population biology of hermaphroditic (sex-changing) fishes, as well as community ecology of kelp bed systems. I have also been studying the role of juvenile habitat in the recruitment of fishes. My research has been conducted on both reef-related and pelagic species throughout the Caribbean, along the East Coast of the US, California and Mexico.

Caribbean Sea

Larval fish, plankton ecology, population connectivity, bio-physical interactions

English