Summary of Qualifications

Trained as an ecosystem ecologist and biogeochemist, I have a wide range of interests focused on understanding and protecting the natural environment. Currently I am a AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellow at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and I am learning about the intersection of science and policy. Specifically I am exploring the role of ecosystem service valuation and environmental markets in conservation efforts. I am examining nutrient trading as a strategy for cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay and the use of coastal carbon services (the “blue carbon” stored in coastal ecosystems) to further habitat protection and restoration efforts.

I also continue to have a strong interest in undergraduate education and mentoring and how to increase the participation of underrepresented groups in science. I find balancing all of these interests immensely fun and rewarding.

Experience

AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellow, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Office of Habitat Conservation, 2010-present
Adjunct Faculty, Goucher College, Towson, MD, teaching "BIO 240: Ecology and Evolution," Fall 2009
Smithsonian Fellow, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, 2008-2010

Education

Ph.D., Ecology. Duke University, 2008.
B.S., Environmental Science. Oregon State University, 2000.
B.A., International Studies. Oregon State University, 2000.

Research Interests

Ecosystem ecology and restoration, ecosystem services and environmental markets, biogeochemistry, biodiversity and ecosystem function, climate change, wetland restoration

Publications

* Denotes undergraduate or post-baccalaureate mentee

Sutton-Grier, A.E., J. Wright, and C. Richardson.  In Press.  Different plant traits affect two pathways of riparian nitrogen removal in a restored freshwater wetland. Plant and Soil.

Keller, J., A.E. Sutton-Grier, A. Bullock*, and J.P. Megonigal.  In Press.  Anaerobic metabolism in tidal freshwater wetlands: I. Plant removal effects on iron reduction and methanogenesis.  Estuaries and Coasts.

Emerson, D., W. Bellows, J. Keller, C. Moyer, A.E. Sutton-Grier, and J.P. Megonigal.  In Press.  Anaerobic metabolism in tidal freshwater wetlands: III. Effects of plant removal on Archaeal microbial communities.  Estuaries and Coasts.

Sutton-Grier, A.E., J. Keller, R. Koch*, C. Gilmour, and J.P. Megonigal.  2011.  Electron donors and acceptors influence anaerobic soil organic matter mineralization in tidal marshes.  Soil Biology and Biochemistry.  43: 1576-1583.

Sutton-Grier, A.E. and J.P. Megonigal.  2011.  Plant species traits regulate methane production in freshwater wetland soils.  Soil Biology and Biochemistry 43:412-420.

Sutton-Grier, A.E., J. Wright, B. McGill*, and C. Richardson.  2011. Environmental conditions influence the plant functional diversity effect on denitrification potential.  PLoS ONE 6(2): e16584. DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0016584.

Unghire, J.M.*, A.E. Sutton-Grier, N. Flanagan, and C. Richardson.  2011.  Spatial Impacts of Stream and Wetland Restoration on Riparian Soil Properties in the North Carolina Piedmont.  Restoration Ecology (In Press). DOI: 10.1111/j.1526-100X.2010.00726.x

Brantley, S.L., J.P. Megonigal, F.N. Scatena, Z. Balogh-Brunstad, R.T. Barnes, M.A. Bruns, P. van Cappellen, K. Dontsova, H. Harntnett, T. Hartshorn, A. Heimsath, E. Herndon, L. Jin, C. K. Keller, J.R. Leake, W.H. McDowell, F.C. Meinzer, T.J. Mozdzer, S.Petsch, J. Pett-Ridge, K.S. Pregitzer, P. Raymond, C.S. Riebe, K. Shumaker, A. Sutton-Grier, R. Walter, and K. Yoo.  2011.  Twelve Testable Hypotheses on the Geobiology of Weathering.  Geobiology. DOI: 10.1111/j.1472-4669.2010.00264.x.

Sutton-Grier, A.E., M. Kenney, and C.J. Richardson. 2010. Examining the relationship between ecosystem structure and function using structural equation modeling: A case study examining denitrification potential in restored wetlands. Ecological Modelling. 221:761-768.

McGill, B.M.*, A.E. Sutton-Grier, and J. P. Wright.  2010. Plant trait diversity buffers variability in denitrification potential over changes in season and soil conditions.  PLoS One 5(7): e11618. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0011618.

Smith, Z. and A.E. Sutton-Grier. 2010. Making the Most of Your Postdoc. The Chronicle of Higher Education. Published online July 16, 2010.

Sutton-Grier, A.E., M. Ho, and C.J. Richardson. 2009. Organic amendments improve soil conditions and denitrification in a restored riparian wetland. Wetlands. 29:343-352.

Kenney, M.A., A.E. Sutton-Grier, R. Smith, and S. Gresens. 2009. Benthic macroinvertebrates as indicators of water quality: the intersection of science and policy. Terrestrial Arthopod Review. 2(2): 99-128.

Freidenburg, T.L., B.A. Menge, P.M. Halpin, M. Webster, and A.E. Sutton-Grier. (2007). Cross-scale variation in top-down and bottom-up control of algal abundance. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology(2). 347:8-29.

Sutton-Grier, A.E. & M.A. Kenney. (2005). Recruiters and Academia: A Class Act. Nature. 436: 886.

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Activities

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(Last updated December 29, 2011)

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Curriculum Vitae

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