Marine Ecology Laboratory

Dr Bob Kennedy

Room 225, Martin Ryan Institute, NUI, Galway
Phone: 353 91 493215
Fax: 353 91 525005
Email: Bob Kennedy

Research Interests

I work on benthic ecology with particular reference to linking macrofaunal community structure and behaviour to bioturbation and ecosystem process in soft sediments. My current research project Benthic Habitat Quality in Kinsale Harbour has been running since 1978, I became project manager in 2005. The project is funded by Eli Lilly SA (Irish Branch), and is being carried out by the Zoology Dept. in conjunction with The Martin Ryan Institute . In the present term the project consists of five main work tasks.

1. Continuing the benthic survey in Kinsale Harbour and approaches (ongoing since 1978)
2. Consolidation and interrogation of the extensive time series, including GIS development
3. Investigation of species roles in ecosystem process (biogeochemistry) in soft sediments
4. Water quality model development for nutrients and hydrography
5. Monitoring of intertidal communities, particularly mussel settlement dynamics

I am interested in the application of in situ technologies to studies of organism sediment interactions, particularly sediment profile imagery (SPI).

Selected Publications

Solan, M., R. Kennedy, M.S. Cure & B.F. Keegan, 1999. A magnetic sensor for predicting seafloor oxygen depletion. J. Mar. Env. Eng. 5: 239-255.

Keegan, B.F., Rhoads, D.C., Germano, J.D., Solan, M., Kennedy,R., O'Connor, I., O'Connor, B., McGrath, D., Dinneen, P., Acevedo, S., Young, S., Grehan, A., and Costelloe, J, 2001. 'Sediment profile imagery (SPI) as a benthic monitoring tool - Introduction to a long term case history evaluation (Galway Bay, west coast of Ireland)'. In Organism-sediment interactions. Aller, J.Y., Woodin, S.A., and Aller, R.C. (Eds.) Belle Baruch Library in Marine Science, University of South Carolina Press.

Solan, M. & R. Kennedy, 2002. Observations and quantification of in situ animal sediment relations using time lapse sediment profile imagery (tSPI). Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 228: 179-191.

Kennedy R & M Solan 2002. Are there alternatives to traditional labour intensive surveys in monitoring macrobenthic diversity? IN:  Marine Biodiversity In Ireland And Adjacent Waters. Estaurine & Coastal Sciences Association Local Meeting 26-27 April, 2001. Ulster Museum,Belfast

Solan, M., Germano, J.D., Rhoads, D.C., Smith, C., Michaud, E.,Parry, D., Wenzhöfer, F., Kennedy, R., Henriques, C., Battle, E., Carey, D., Iocco, L., Valente, R.M., Watson, J., Rosenberg, R., 2002. Towards a greater understanding of pattern, scale and process in marine benthic systems: a picture is worth a thousand words.  J. exp. mar. Biol. Ecol. 285-286:313-338.

Ghita, O., Whelan, P. F. & Kennedy, R. 2003. A practical approach for analysing SPI images. In 7th World Multiconference on Systemics, Cybernetics and Informatics, Vol Xv, Proceedings - Communication, Control, Signal and Optics, Technologies and Applications, pp. 141-146.

Solan M, Wigham BD, Hudson IR, Kennedy R, Coulon CH, Norling K, Nilsson HC, Rosenberg R 2004. In situ quantification of bioturbation using time-lapse fluorescent sediment profile imaging (f-SPI), luminophore tracers and model simulation . Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 271:1-12

Patterson A, Kennedy R., O’Reilly R. & B.F. Keegan 2006. A Field Test Of A Low Cost Novel Scanner Based Sediment Profile Imaging Camera Limnol. Oceanogr. Meth.4:30-37

O’Reilly R. Kennedy R. & Patterson A. 2006. Destruction of conspecific bioturbation structures by Amphiura filiformis (Ophiuroida): evidence from luminophore tracers and in situ timelapse sediment profile imagery. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 315:99-111

Kennedy, R. 2006. Introduction: Sediment Profile Imagery Colloquium of Experts (SPICE). J Mar Sys 62:121-3.

Mulsow, S., Krieger, Y. & Kennedy, R. 2006. Sediment profile imaging (SPI) and micro-electrode technologies in impact assessment studies: Example from two fjords in Southern Chile used for fish farming. J Mar Sys 62:152-63.

O'Reilly, R., Kennedy, R., Patterson, A. & Keegan, B. F. 2006. Ground truthing sediment profile imagery with traditional benthic survey data along an established disturbance gradient. J Mar Sys  62:189-203.

Henry L.M., Kennedy R. and Keegan B.F. 2008. An investigation of periodic hypoxia at Ardbear Salt Lake. J. Mar. Biol. Assoc. UK, 88(7), 1297–1307.

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