Graduate Students
Tamara A. Contador
- B.S. Biology, Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, University of North Texas (2006)
- Ph.D. student, Biology, Advisor: Dr. J. H. Kennedy
I am interested in studying the phenology, ecology, and biodiversity of benthic macroinvertebrates (freshwater insects) associated to sub-Antarctic streams, in the Cape Horn Biosphere Reserve, Chile. My dissertation research focuses on the aquatic insects that inhabit the altitudinal gradient of the Róbalo River, which provides drinking water to the city of Puerto Williams (Navarino Island, Chile). The purpose of my dissertation is to describe community dynamics of benthic macroinvertebrate fauna associated to streams of the Cape Horn region of southern Chile. The first part focuses on the evaluation of the phenology (life cycles) of selected freshwater insects along the altitudinal gradient of the Róbalo River watershed, Navarino Island. The second part focuses on the evaluation of the fauna associated to the different altitudinal locations and seasons. The third part will focus on the translation of the information obtained from the study into ecotourism and conservation activities in the region. Finally, I seek to provide a concise taxonomic list for the watershed, which will provide a baseline for future research, as well as a representative list of the fauna associated to Chile's sub-Antarctic freshwater ecosystems.
Research: Freshwater Insects of the Cape Horn Biosphere Reserve, Chile
