News Release

Nature Matters: Drivers of Change in Rocky Intertidal Communities

Zechariah Meunier

News Release Date: March 17, 2022

The rocky coasts of the Pacific Northwest are home to an amazing array of animals and algae. However, changing oceanographic conditions threaten these iconic ecosystems and there is growing evidence that rocky intertidal communities are becoming more unstable, and some are even experiencing regime shifts from one type of community to another. Recent research points to marine heatwaves, El Niño, sea star wasting disease, and the intensification of upwelling as leading factors causing these changes. In this seminar, Zechariah Meunier will describe research that he and other ecologists from Oregon State University are conducting on the resilience of rocky intertidal ecosystems in the Pacific Northwest.  

The 7 p.m. presentation takes place March 24 at the Fort George Lovell Showroom. The free event is open to the public. Doors open at 6 p.m. to purchase dinner or beverages at the Fort George before the event. The Lovell Showroom is at limited capacity of 50 people. 

Zechariah Meunier is a fifth year PhD student in the Department of Integrative Biology at Oregon State University, where he is co-advised by Bruce Menge and Sally Hacker. With fellowship support from OSU and the National Science Foundation, Meunier studies rocky intertidal ecosystems of Oregon, California, and Nova Scotia. He is interested in how climate change, disturbance events, diseases, and other species interactions influence the dynamics of community succession. Following his passion for conservation, Meunier has also published research on marine protected area commitments and the unintended consequences of biocontrol insects for threatened wildflowers. Prior to his doctoral studies, Meunier completed his B.A. in biology and environmental studies at Lawrence University, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa and graduated summa cum laude in 2015. While at Lawrence, Zechariah was awarded the Gilman Scholarship to study abroad in Madagascar and the Udall Scholarship in recognition of his commitment to environmental issues. He enjoys birding, distance running, backpacking, and playing with his cat, Kamala. 
 

Nature Matters, a lively conversation about the intersection of nature and culture, takes place on the fourth Thursday of each month from October through May. Nature Matters is hosted by Lewis and Clark National Historical Park in partnership with the North Coast Watershed Association, the Lewis & Clark National Park Association, and the Fort George Brewery + Public House. 
 

For more information, call the park at [phone] or check out Lewis and Clark National Historical Park on Facebook. 

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