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Scott Knight
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Research:

As an Ecologist in the Water Quality and Ecology Processes Research Unit. I serve as a member of a team which (1) determines and evaluates the effects of agricultural practices and channel modifications on stream and lake environments and (2) develops fundamental concepts relating biological productivity and water quality in streams and impoundments to the physical and chemical properties of sediments. This research is needed to solve agriculturally related water quality/aquatic ecosystem problems that are of immediate concern nationwide and is a component of ARS National Program 201-Water Quality and Management. Many of these problems are addressed by the incumbent's participation in the Mississippi Delta MSEA (Management Systems Evaluation Area) project and the Demonstration Erosion Control (DEC) Project in the Yazoo Basin, which are joint federal interagency projects.

Research objectives:

  1. To use water quality parameters, measures of habitat quality, fish species diversity and community structure, and invertebrate indices to define the environmental impact or response to channel stability measures and engineering practices modified to produce enhanced habitat in the Demonstration Erosion Control Project in the Yazoo Basin.
  2. To evaluate the effects of riparian zones, forested wetlands, and cropping systems using within field and edge of field best management practices in the Mississippi Delta Management Systems Evaluation Area (MSEA) project on physical/chemical stresses imposed by agricultural pollution particularly sediment, nutrients and agrichemicals on oxbow lakes in agricultural watersheds.
  3. To examine and document the relationships between movement/deposition of sediment and associated contaminants (nutrients and pesticides) and aquatic resources/biological productivity.
  4. To evaluate agricultural conservation management practices for water quality improvement.

Degrees:

  • B.A. University of Mississippi, Zoology (1979)
  • M.S. Mississippi State University, Wildlife Management (1981)
  • Ph.D. Auburn University, Fisheries Management (1984)