Dr. Bobbi Peckarsky

Biography

Bobbi Peckarsky is a Professor in the Department of Integrative Biology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her research focuses on the behavior, life histories, and biological interactions of stream-dwelling invertebrates. Her work involves field studies that investigate predator-prey dynamics, consumer-resource interactions, and the consequences of environmental disturbances, including climate change. Among her significant contributions are studies addressing the existence of alternative community states in stream grazer communities and the impact of disturbances on these dynamics. Peckarsky is particularly interested in how changing environmental conditions, such as warming temperatures and increased hydrological variation, affect the interactions among stream organisms, including mayflies and their predators. She integrates her research with education and outreach initiatives aimed at understanding stream habitat quality and the effects of human activities on aquatic ecosystems. Her fieldwork spans several beautiful high-elevation stream ecosystems in the Rocky Mountain region, where she studies the intricate dynamics of aquatic food webs.

Research Interests

Experience