Our science
Physics of life in the Sea
Hydrodynamics and biomechanics of marine organisms
Our lab group has worked for many years to understand the ways in which fluid flow imposes forces on marine plants and animals, and the consequences these forces have for organism survival and reproduction. For example, we are interested in how mechanically flexible organisms move in response to applied forces, and the implications such movement might have for the degree to which they are bent or pulled. Such issues have important implications for understanding the disturbance ecology of critical habitat-forming species, among others.
Selected publications (go here for pdfs)
Gaylord, B., K.M. Barclay, B.M. Jellison, L.J. Jurgens, A.T. Ninokawa, E.B. Rivest, and L.R. Leighton. 2019. Ocean change within shoreline communities: From biomechanics to behavior and beyond. Conservation Physiology 7: coz077, doi:10.1093/conphys/coz077.
Ninokawa, A.T., Y. Takeshita, B.M. Jellison, L.J. Jurgens, and B. Gaylord. 2020. Biological modification of seawater chemistry by an ecosystem engineer, the California mussel, Mytilus californianus. Limnology & Oceanography 65: 157-172.
Barclay, K.M., B. Gaylord, B.M. Jellison, P. Shukla, E. Sanford, and L.R. Leighton. 2019. Variation in the effects of ocean acidification on shell growth and strength in two intertidal gastropods. Marine Ecology Progress Series 626: 109-121.
Jurgens, L.J., and B. Gaylord. 2018. Physical effects of habitat-forming species override latitudinal trends in temperature. Ecology Letters 21: 190-196.
Jurgens, L.J. and B. Gaylord. 2016. Edge effects reverse facilitation by a widespread foundation species. Scientific Reports 6: 37573, doi:10.1038/srep37573.
Gaylord, B., J. Hodin, and M.C. Ferner. 2013. Turbulent shear spurs settlement in larval sea urchins. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, USA 110: 6901-6906.
Gaylord, B., K.J. Nickols, and L. Jurgens. 2012. Roles of transport and mixing processes in kelp forest ecology. Journal of Experimental Biology 215: 997-1007.
Denny, M.W., and B. Gaylord. 2010. Marine ecomechanics. Annual Review of Marine Science 2: 89-114.
Gaylord, B., M.W. Denny, and M.A.R. Koehl. 2008. Flow forces on seaweeds: Field evidence for roles of wave impingement and organism inertia. Biological Bulletin 215: 295-308.
Ferner, M.C., and B. Gaylord. 2008. Flexibility foils filter function: Structural limitations on suspension feeding. Journal of Experimental Biology 211: 3563-3572.
Gaylord, B. 2008. Hydrodynamic context for considering turbulence impacts on external fertilization. Biological Bulletin 214: 315-318.
Gaylord, B., J. Rosman, D.C. Reed, J.R. Koseff, J. Fram, S. MacIntyre, K. Arkema, C. McDonald, M.A. Brzezinski, J.L. Largier, S.G. Monismith, P.T. Raimondi, and B. Mardian. 2007. Spatial patterns of flow and their modification within and around a giant kelp forest. Limnology and Oceanography 52: 1838-1852.
Gaylord, B., M.W. Denny, and M.A.R. Koehl. 2003. Modulation of wave forces on kelp canopies by alongshore currents. Limnology and Oceanography 48: 860-871.
Denny, M., and B. Gaylord. 2002. The mechanics of wave-swept algae. Journal of Experimental Biology 205: 1355-1362.
Gaylord, B., B.B. Hale, and M.W. Denny. 2001. Consequences of transient fluid forces for compliant benthic organisms. Journal of Experimental Biology 204: 1347-1360.
Gaylord, B. 2000. Biological implications of surf-zone flow complexity. Limnology and Oceanography 45: 174-188.
Gaylord, B. 1999. Detailing agents of physical disturbance: Wave-induced velocities and accelerations on a rocky shore. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 239: 85-124.
Denny, M., B. Gaylord, B. Helmuth, and T. Daniel. 1998. The menace of momentum: Dynamic forces on flexible organisms. Limnology and Oceanography 43: 955-968. (Highlighted in: Koehl, M.A.R. 1998. Biomechanics - The quirks of jerks. Nature 396: 621-623).
Gaylord, B., and M.W. Denny. 1997. Flow and flexibility I: Effects of size, shape, and stiffness in determining wave forces on the stipitate kelps, Pterygophora californica and Eisenia arborea. Journal of Experimental Biology 200: 3141-3164.
Gaylord, B., C.A. Blanchette, and M.W. Denny. 1994. Mechanical consequences of size in wave-swept algae. Ecological Monographs 64: 287-313.