Alison Purcell

Background

I received my Bachelors degree in environmental science (biology minor and watershed science concentration) from the University of Oregon, Eugene in 2000. I worked in environmental consulting (mainly river restoration projects) for three years before returning to graduate school.

Research Interests

My research interests include:

• urban watershed assessment and management;
• aquatic ecology of benthic macroinvertebrates; and
• restoration and rehabilitation of urban and natural streams.

Doctoral Research

My doctoral research is focused on three main projects:

1. Examining how biological communities (primarily benthic macroinvertebrates) respond to increased urbanization of a watershed.

This project compares urban gradients and biological indicators of urbanization in three climatic regions of the United States: San Jose, CA (west coast); Baltimore, MD (Mid-Atlantic); and Cleveland, OH (Midwest). The biological indicators of urbanization developed for these three regions are intended to help water agencies prioritize restoration and conservation efforts in urban watersheds.

2. The life history of an undescribed dipteran predator (Scathophagidae: Acanthocnema n. sp.) of aquatic macroinvertebrate egg masses in two Northern California streams

This project explores the fascinating life history of an undescribed Scathophagid fly that is a larval predator of aquatic egg masses. I am examining this predator-prey interaction in Redwood Creek (near Muir Woods National Monument) and Webb Creek (south of Stinson Beach) in Marin County. I am recording the abundance and distribution of the predator and its prey items by visiting these study sites at regular intervals throughout the year. I am also examining several attributes of this predator through laboratory experiments to determine the duration of each life stage (egg, larva, pupa, and adult), consumption rate, and adult emergence patterns.

3. Post-project assessments of urban stream restoration projects in the East San Francisco Bay Area

I have conducted biological, habitat, and sociological assessments of several urban stream restoration projects in the East Bay to determine the condition of each site over time. Specifically, I have conducted post-projects assessments of the following restorations:

• Poinsett Park daylighting project (completed 1997), Baxter Creek, El Cerrito, CA
• Gateway Project (completed 2005), Baxter Creek, El Cerrito/Richmond, CA
• Strawberry Creek revegetation project (ongoing), Berkeley, CA
• Banducci Restoration (completed in 2003), Redwood Creek, Marin Co., CA

Publications

Purcell, A. H., C. Friedrich, and V. H. Resh. 2002. An assessment of a small, urban stream restoration project in northern California. Restoration Ecology 10:685-694.

Contact Information

Alison Purcell
University of California, Berkeley
Environmental Science, Policy, and Management
Division of Insect Biology
201 Wellman Hall
Berkeley, CA 94720-3112
Phone: 510.642.6315
Fax: 510.642.7428
alisonp@nature.berkeley.edu