His research focuses on nekton (fish and decapods)resource ecology with particular emphasis on factors affecting recruitmentsuccess in estuarine-dependent fishes and the tradeoffs made by nektonwhen living in different habitats. Specific research projects includeecology and impact of non-native fishes in coastal marsh ecosystems;delineation and mapping of essential fish habitat of ecologicallyand economically important nekton; and comparison of habitat usealong natural and anthropogenically-altered marsh landscapes. Dr.Peterson received his B.S. in marine science from Coastal CarolinaUniversity, his M.S. in bio-environmental oceanography from the FloridaInstitute of Technology, and his Ph.D. in biological sciences fromthe University of Southern Mississippi.