Overview
Emily Bernhardt is an ecosystem ecologist and biogeochemist whose research is principally concerned with tracking the movement of elements through ecological systems. Dr. Bernhardt's research aims to document the extent to which the structure and function of aquatic ecosystems is being altered by land use change (urbanization, agriculture, mining) global change (rising CO2, rising sea levels) and chemical pollution. Ultimately this information is necessary to determine whether and how ecosystem change can be mitigated or prevented through active ecosystem management.
Current Appointments & Affiliations
James B. Duke Distinguished Professor of Biology
·
2019 - Present
Biology,
Trinity College of Arts & Sciences
Professor of Biology
·
2016 - Present
Biology,
Trinity College of Arts & Sciences
Chair of the Department of Biology
·
2020 - Present
Biology,
Trinity College of Arts & Sciences
Director of Trinity Climate and Sustainability Engagement
·
2024 - Present
Biology,
Trinity College of Arts & Sciences
Professor
·
2021 - Present
Marine Science and Conservation,
Nicholas School of the Environment
Associate of the Duke Initiative for Science & Society
·
2017 - Present
Duke Science & Society,
University Initiatives & Academic Support Units
Recent Publications
Connecting the past with restoration futures: integrating legacy thinking into environmental decision making
Journal Article Environmental Research Letters · March 1, 2025 Full text CiteTracing Atmospheric Mercury from Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining.
Journal Article Environmental science & technology · March 2025 Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) is one of the largest primary sources of mercury (Hg) pollution in the atmosphere globally; however, there is a paucity of atmospheric Hg data in ASGM areas. We measured atmospheric gaseous elemental mercury (GE ... Full text CiteEcosystem metabolism estimates from the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) stream and river sites.
Journal Article Scientific data · March 2025 Expanded availability of estimates of ecosystem metabolism and gas exchange from the worlds streams and rivers is rapidly revising estimates of river contributions to global carbon budgets. Here, we present estimates of gross primary production, ecosystem ... Full text CiteRecent Grants
LTREB: Streams to Screens: Bringing the Hubbard Brook Watershed Ecosystem Record (HB-WatER) into the 21st Century
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies · 2019 - 2029Duke University Program in Environmental Health
Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2019 - 2029LTER: Long Term Ecological Research at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest.
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies · 2023 - 2029View All Grants
Education, Training & Certifications
Cornell University ·
2001
Ph.D.
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill ·
1996
B.S.