Dr. Aschwin Engelen

Marine Ecology and Evolution (MAREE) Research group
Centre for marine sciences (CCMAR)
University of Algarve
Campus de Gambelas
8005-139 Faro, Portugal
Tel:(351) 289 800 928 (ext 7408)
E-mail: aengelen@ualg.pt
Website: http://ccmar.ualg.pt/maree

Education and Degrees:
1995 M.Sc. (Cum Laude) in Marine Biology, University of Groningen, The Netherlands.
2004 PhD in marine biology, Centre of Ecological and Evolutionary Studies, University of Groningen, Department of Marine Biology, The Netherlands.

Recent publications relevant to Curacao:

• Engelen A.H., A.M. Breeman, J.L. Olsen, W.T. Stam, P. Åberg (2005) Life history flexibility allows Sargassum polyceratium to persist in different environments subjected to stochastic disturbance events. Coral Reefs 24(4): 670-680.
• Engelen AH, Per Åberg, Jeanine L. Olsen, Wytze T. Stam, Anneke M. Breeman (2005) Effects of wave exposure and depth on biomass, density and fertility of the fucoid seaweed Sargassum polyceratium (Phaeophyta, Sargassaceae). European Journal of Phycology 40(2): 149-158.
• Vermeij M.J.A., A.H. Engelen, R.P.M. Bak (2003) Deep formations (50-80 m) of the solitary coral Phacelocyanthus flos on southern Caribbean reefs. Coral Reefs 22: 107-108.
• Engelen A.H., J.L. Olsen, A.M. Breeman & W.T. Stam (2001) Genetic differentiation in Sargassum polyceratium (Fucales, Phaeophyceae) around the island of Curaçao (Netherlands Antilles). Marine Biology 139:267-277.

General research Interests:
Algal proliferation and invasion ecology; population dynamics; life history strategies; molecular ecology.

Research interests on Curacao:
My current research explores impacts of and mechanisms behind algal proliferations on coral reefs and seagrasses. I hope to bring in specific phycological knowledge to coral reef ecology where algal proliferations have been mainly addressed by coral ecologists.
My dissertation research was focused on the flexibility of the life history strategies of Sargassum polyceratium that enables this species to inhabit, persist and colonize strongly contrasting environments around Curaçao.