World's Best Scientists 2026 revealed!

D-Index & Metrics

Ecology and Evolution

D-Index
74
Citations
32935
World Ranking
1091
National Ranking
407

Overview

Kenneth L. Heck is affiliated with the University of South Alabama in the United States. Their research primarily focuses on environmental science and earth and planetary sciences with a significant emphasis on oceanography and ecology. They have contributed extensively to the understanding of marine and coastal plant biology, coral and marine ecosystems studies, and various aspects of marine biology and ecology research.

Their published works cover a range of topics including coastal wetland ecosystem dynamics, atmospheric and environmental gas dynamics, marine animal studies, and oil spill detection and mitigation. These areas reflect a broad engagement with marine and coastal environments and their complex interactions.

Kenneth L. Heck has authored multiple papers in reputable scientific journals, highlighting recent years of active research:

  • "Herbivory in Seagrass Meadows: an Evolving Paradigm," 2020, Estuaries and Coasts
  • "Seagrass Abundance Predicts Surficial Soil Organic Carbon Stocks Across the Range of Thalassia testudinum in the Western North Atlantic," 2023, Estuaries and Coasts
  • "The Dynamics of Seagrass Ecosystems: History, Past Accomplishments, and Future Prospects," 2023, Estuaries and Coasts
  • "Herbivore effects increase with latitude across the extent of a foundational seagrass," 2024, Nature Ecology & Evolution
  • "Biodiversity influences the effects of oil disturbance on coastal ecosystems," 2022, Ecology and Evolution

Their frequent co-authors include:

  • Justin E. Campbell
  • Laura K. Reynolds
  • O. Kennedy Rhoades
  • Calvin J. Munson
  • Andrew H. Altieri

The venues where Kenneth L. Heck has regularly published feature prominently in marine and environmental sciences:

  • Estuaries and Coasts
  • Frontiers in Marine Science
  • Nature Ecology & Evolution
  • Ecology and Evolution
  • Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

Best Publications

  • Accelerating loss of seagrasses across the globe threatens coastal ecosystems

    Michelle Waycott;Carlos M. Duarte;Tim J. B. Carruthers;Robert J. Orth

  • A Global Crisis for Seagrass Ecosystems

    Robert J. Orth;Tim J. B. Carruthers;William C. Dennison;Carlos M. Duarte

  • The Identification, Conservation, and Management of Estuarine and Marine Nurseries for Fish and Invertebrates

    Michael W. Beck;Kenneth L. Heck;Kenneth W. Able;Daniel L. Childers

  • Faunal communities in seagrass beds: A review of the influence of plant structure and prey characteristics on predator-prey relationships

    Robert J. Orth;Kenneth L. Heck;Jacques van Montfrans

  • Explicit Calculation of the Rarefaction Diversity Measurement and the Determination of Sufficient Sample Size

    Kenneth L. Heck;Gerald van Belle;Daniel Simberloff

  • Critical evaluation of the nursery role hypothesis for seagrass meadows

    K. L. Heck;G. Hays;R. J. Orth

  • The tropicalization of temperate marine ecosystems: climate-mediated changes in herbivory and community phase shifts

    Adriana Vergés;Peter D. Steinberg;Mark E. Hay;Alistair G. B. Poore

  • Experiments on predator-prey interactions in vegetated aquatic habitats

    Kenneth L. Heck;Timothy A. Thoman

  • SEAGRASS HABITATS: THE ROLES OF HABITAT COMPLEXITY, COMPETITION AND PREDATION IN STRUCTURING ASSOCIATED FISH AND MOTILE MACROINVERTEBRATE ASSEMBLAGES

    Kenneth L. Heck;Robert J. Orth

  • Habitat complexity and invertebrate species richness and abundance in tropical seagrass meadows

    Kenneth L. Heck;Gregory S. Wetstone

  • Habitat structure and predator—prey interactions in vegetated aquatic systems

    K. L. Heck;L. B. Crowder

  • Trophic Transfers from Seagrass Meadows Subsidize Diverse Marine and Terrestrial Consumers

    Kenneth L. Heck;Tim J. B. Carruthers;Carlos M. Duarte;A. Randall Hughes

  • Oyster reefs as natural breakwaters mitigate shoreline loss and facilitate fisheries.

    Steven B. Scyphers;Sean P. Powers;Kenneth L. Heck;Dorothy Byron

  • Plant-herbivore interactions in seagrass meadows

    Kenneth L. Heck;John F. Valentine

  • Associations of concern: Declining seagrasses and threatened dependent species

    A Randall Hughes;A Randall Hughes;Susan L Williams;Carlos M Duarte;Kenneth L Heck

  • Experiments on Competition and Predation Among Shrimps of Seagrass Meadows

    Loren D. Coen;Kenneth L. Heck;Lawrence G. Abele

  • Composition, abundance, biomass, and production of macrofauna in a New England estuary: Comparisons among eelgrass meadows and other nursery habitats

    K. L. Heck;Kenneth Able;C. T. Roman;M. P. Fahay

  • The nursery role of seagrass meadows in the upper and lower reaches of the Chesapeake Bay

    Kenneth L. Heck;Timothy A. Thoman

  • Seagrass herbivory: evidence for the continued grazing of marine grasses

    John F. Valentine;K. L. Heck

  • Structural components of eelgrass (Zostera marina) meadows in the lower Chesapeake Bay—Fishes

    Robert J. Orth;Kenneth L. Heck

Frequent Co-Authors

Just Cebrian
Just Cebrian Mississippi State University
Robert J. Orth
Robert J. Orth Virginia Institute of Marine Science
Sean P. Powers
Sean P. Powers University of South Alabama
Bradley J. Peterson
Bradley J. Peterson Stony Brook University
José Luis Sánchez-Lizaso
José Luis Sánchez-Lizaso University of Alicante
Kenneth W. Able
Kenneth W. Able Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Earl D. McCoy
Earl D. McCoy University of South Florida
James W. Fourqurean
James W. Fourqurean Florida International University
Carlos M. Duarte
Carlos M. Duarte King Abdullah University of Science and Technology
F. Joel Fodrie
F. Joel Fodrie University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

If you think any of the details on this page are incorrect, let us know.

Report an issue

We appreciate your kind effort to assist us to improve this page, it would be helpful providing us with as much detail as possible in the text box below:

Related Online Degrees & Career Pathways

Studying Ecology and Evolution can open the door to a variety of rewarding career pathways, many of which intersect with other fields. For example, students interested in sustainable design or environmental planning may benefit from exploring an online architecture school, where they can gain skills in eco-friendly building practices.

Quantitative analysis is crucial in ecological research. Pursuing online mathematics degrees can strengthen a student's ability to model ecological systems and analyze evolutionary patterns. Similarly, effective visual communication is essential for sharing scientific findings, making a graphic design online degree a valuable asset for those interested in science communication or educational outreach.

For students seeking flexibility and the ability to blend various interests, online interdisciplinary studies bachelor programs low cost offer an affordable route to customize coursework and skill sets for unique emerging careers. These diverse online programs help prepare graduates for the evolving challenges and opportunities in ecology, evolution, and beyond.

Best Scientists Citing Kenneth L. Heck

Trending Scientists