All about algae

Representatives of the Harmful Algal Bloom Research Initiative gathered at Heidelberg Friday to present research results to the group. The National Center for Water Quality Research hosted the meeting that brought together members of a multi-university team of modeling experts to evaluate how changes in agriculture and other land management practices are likely to affect water quality. The researchers are also using the models to see which of these changes -- timing and amount of fertilizer application, growing cover crops and restoring wetlands -- are likely to lead to the 40 percent reduction in phosphorus runoff targeted by a number of policy initiatives.

Among the advisory group members are two 'Berg alums, Kristy Meyer, '99, who is with the Ohio Environmental Council, and Elizabeth Toot-Levy, '01, and who attended Friday's meeting.

The initiative is funded by the Ohio Department of Higher Education and managed by the Ohio Sea Grant.