Dr. Peggy Fong

Biography

Peggy Fong is a professor at the Institute of the Environment and Sustainability at the University of California, Los Angeles. Her research focuses on community ecology and ecosystem dynamics, with a strong emphasis on the effects of climate change and human activities on natural habitats. Over the past 30 years, she has actively engaged in debates and inquiries related to ecological frameworks and the critical role of top-down and bottom-up forces in shaping community structures. Her ongoing research seeks to deepen the understanding of the interactions between consumers and resources, particularly in coastal marine communities. Fong collaborates with students and peers to investigate the fundamental processes that drive ecological changes in response to external pressures, such as biogeochemical cycling and the accelerated use of natural resources. Recent studies led by her team have tackled issues regarding the recovery of coral reefs influenced by marine herbivores and the declining fish populations exacerbated by algal overgrowth. Her work is pivotal in informing conservation strategies in a rapidly changing world.

Research Interests