Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences

Education

• Ph.D., Marine Science, College of William and Mary, 1974
• M.S., Zoology, University of Connecticut, 1969
• Oceanography, University of Delaware, 1969
• B.A., Zoology, University of Connecticut, 1967

Research Interests

My major research interest is the ecology of boreal, macrotidal systems, particularly the Gulf of Maine. I approach this broad field from my formal training as an estuarine and coastal benthic ecologist enhanced by the integrated, oceanographic philosophy prevailing at the Bigelow Laboratory. Many of the patterns observed presently in the Gulf of Maine can be explained by understanding past and present, large and mesoscale oceanographic phenomena.

Specific research activities and interests can be described as benthic community structure, geographical ecology, historical ecology, marine biodiversity, distribution and biological impacts of toxic contaminants, and environmental effects of tidal power development. Most recently, I have been involved with a major ecosystem modelling program in Cobscook Bay, Maine and in the classification of intertidal and shallow water habitats using satellite and airborne imagery.

Select Publications

• Larsen, P.F. 2004. Ecosystem modeling in Cobscook Bay, Maine: A boreal, macrotidal estuary. Northeastern Naturalist 11 (Special Issue 2): 1-12.
• Larsen, P.F. 2004. Notes on the environmental setting and biodiversity of Cobscook Bay, Maine: A boreal macrotidal estuary. Northeastern Naturalist 11 (Special Issue 2): 13-22.
• Larsen, P.F., S. Barker, J. Wright and C.B. Erickson. 2004. Use of cost effective remote sensing to map and measure marine intertidal habitats in support of ecosystem modeling efforts: Cobscook Bay, Maine. Northeastern Naturalist 11 (Special Issue 2): 225-242.
• Larsen, P.F. and E.S. Gilfillan. 2004. A preliminary survey of subtidal macrobenthic invertebrates of Cobscook Bay, Maine. Northeastern Naturalist 11 (Special Issue 2): 243-260.
• Larsen, P.F. and D.E. Campbell. 2004. Ecosystem modeling in Cobscook Bay, Maine: A summary, perspective and look forward. Northeastern Naturalist 11 (Special Issue 2): 425-438.
• Garside, C., J.C. Garside and P.F.Larsen. 2005. Nutrient sources and distributions in a macrotidal estuary in the Quoddy region. Pp. 308-321, In J.A. Percy, A.J. Evans, P.G. Wells, and S.J. Rolston (Eds.). The Changing Bay of Fundy: Beyond 400 Years. Proceedings of the 6th Bay of Fundy Workshop. Environment Canada, Dartmouth, NS. 480 pp.
• Larsen, P.F. 2005. Biodiversity and observations on the subtidal macrobenthos of Cobscook Bay, Maine. Pp. 353-373, In J.A. Percy, A.J. Evans, P.G. Wells, and S.J. Rolston (Eds.). The Changing Bay of Fundy: Beyond 400 Years. Proceedings of the 6th Bay of Fundy Workshop. Environment Canada, Dartmouth, NS. 480 pp.

Professional Activities

• Northeastern Naturalist Board of Editors
• Estuarine and Coastal Sciences Association
• Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation
• New England Estuarine Research Society