Welcome to the HydroEcology Lab at Auburn University!
Understanding How Water Movement Shapes Environmental Conditions
Water movement controls water quality, flooding, habitat conditions, and environmental risk. Rivers, lakes, and coastal waters respond to storms, seasonal changes, and human activities in ways that are often not visible from the shoreline.
The Hydro-Ecology Lab studies how flow, mixing, and transport influence problems such as harmful algal blooms, low-oxygen events, erosion, and contaminant spread. We use field measurements and numerical models to identify the physical conditions that produce these outcomes and how they may change over time.
Why This Matters
Environmental problems are not determined only by local pollution or biology. They are often governed by how water moves through a system.
Understanding these physical drivers improves prediction, supports restoration planning, and helps agencies evaluate management options before actions are taken.
What We Study
Our work informs decisions related to:
- Flood risk and coastal hazards
- Water quality and harmful algal blooms
- Habitat protection and restoration
- Climate and extreme weather impacts
- Infrastructure planning and operation
We collaborate with federal, state, and local agencies as well as other research groups working on aquatic systems.
Approach
We combine:
- Field measurements and long-term monitoring
- Sensors and remote observations
- Hydrodynamic and water quality models
- Data analysis across space and time
The objective is to understand how these systems behave and provide information that can be used in practice.
About the Lab
The Hydro-Ecology Lab is directed by Dr. Anna Linhoss, Associate Professor of Biosystems Engineering at Auburn University. Students in the lab work on applied problems at the interface of engineering, ecology, and environmental management.
Work With Us
Students — Undergraduate and graduate research opportunities
Collaborators and Agencies — Partnerships on research and technical studies
Media and Public — Contact for information on water, coastal hazards, and environmental change
- Anna Linhoss
- Associate Professor Biosystems Engineering Auburn University
- alinhoss@auburn.edu
- 334-844-7426
HydroEcology Lab 