Miniature Ecosystems - Freshwater Rock Pools and Climate Change

Chris Nadeau is a climate change biologist who studies puddles. Puddles of freshwater, known as freshwater rock pools, are an amazing scientific tool. Much like mice are used as a model to understand human medicine, the fascinating diversity of life in freshwater rock pools can serve as a model to understand how biodiversity will be affected by climate change. Chris started studying the freshwater rock pools on Schoodic Point in Acadia National Park in 2016, in partnership with the Schoodic Institute. In subsequent years, as a Second Century Stewardship Fellow, Chris spent countless summer days on his hands and knees staring into puddles and talking to park visitors about climate change. His research continues to inform what managers of protected areas like Acadia can do to conserve species under climate change, proving that tiny critters can be invaluable for solving big problems. Learn more about freshwater rock pools and their value as a scientific tool in this short video.