Freshwater Ecology Lab
Carri LeRoy has been a member of the faculty at The Evergreen State College since 2006. She completed a Ph.D. in Biology (Freshwater Ecology) in 2005 at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, AZ and a Masters in Liberal Studies (Environmental Education) in 2001.
Dr. LeRoy is a freshwater ecologist and her research focuses on how riparian forests interact with streams and provide energy through leaf litterfall. Her research has shown that species diversity, genetic diversity, phylogeny, and plant sex can all influence litter inputs and affect in-stream leaf litter decomposition rates, aquatic fungi, bacteria, and aquatic macroinvertebrates.
Dr. LeRoy is an award-winning mentor of undergraduate research students, receiving the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM) in 2021 from President Biden.
Dr. LeRoy’s current research focuses on how leaf litter decomposition is influenced by terrestrial factors like land use, herbivory, nutrient deposition, and plant sex. She has also studied how leaf litter and salmon carcass inputs interact, what drives global patterns of leaf litter decomposition, how streams have developed since the eruption of Mount St Helens, and how endophyte infections can alter phytochemistry and leaf litter dynamics. Other topics she is interested in include: ecological genetics, sustainable practices, science-art linkages, and science outreach.
Dr. LeRoy’s research is highlighted in a new short film that will be shown every 30 minutes at the newly renovated Mount St. Helens Visitor Center outside of Castle Rock, WA. Also, hear Dr. LeRoy talk about her research on this podcast episode of Conservation Starters by the Thurston Conservation District!
Wundergrad Blog site!
Check out our undergraduate student-centered Blog posts from 2019-2022! – LeRoy Leaf Litter (L3) Lab