Michael J. Kennish is a Professor Emeritus in the Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences at Rutgers University, where he has conducted innovative studies of coastal, estuarine, and marine environments for more than 30 years. The primary focus of his research has been investigations of anthropogenic effects on these environments. He is serving as an expert reviewer of the IPCC 6th Assessment Report.
Much of his current research involves the study of coastal ecosystem responses to climate change, most notably the investigation of climate change effects on biotic communities and habitats in estuarine and coastal marine environments, as well as coastal watersheds. This work includes assessment of the sustainability of coastal habitats to sea-level rise, storms, and other drivers of change. As a multidisciplinary ecosystem scientist, he conducts research on the structure and function of coastal environments, concentrating on the development and application of innovative methods to assess ecosystem condition and to mitigate the impacts of natural and anthropogenic stressors.
Dr. Kennish is the author or editor of 15 scholarly books and the author or co-author of more than 175 articles in science journals and books. In addition, he has edited 9 compendium science journal special issues on various topics in coastal, estuarine, and marine sciences. Among his many awards are the 2009 NOAA/NERRS Estuarine Research Reserve National Award, 2010 Graham Macmillan Award, and 2017 Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award.
Journals Special Issues:
Kennish, M. J. and E. J. Buskey. 2018. The National Estuarine Research Reserve: An Integrated Network of Research and Monitoring Sites Supporting Coastal Zone Management. Estuaries and Coasts, Special Thematic Issue, Volume 41(1): 25-113. ISSN:1559-2723.
Book Chapters:
Kennish, M. J. 2017. Environmental quality, In Finkl, C. W. and C. Makowski, eds., Encyclopedia of Coastal Sciences, 2nd edn. Springer, Dordrecht, The Netherlands. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-48657-4_135-2.
Kennish, M. J. 2017. Anthropogenic impacts on estuaries, In Finkl, C. W. and C. Makowski, eds., Encyclopedia of Coastal Sciences, 2nd edn. Springer, Dordrecht, The Netherlands. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-48657-4_140-2.
Journals
Kennish, M. J. 2021. Drivers of Change in Estuarine and Coastal Marine Environments: An Overview. Open Journal of Ecology, 11:224-239. https://doi.org/10.4236/oje.2021.113017
Kennish, M. J. 2019. The National Estuarine Research Reserve System: A Review of Research and Monitoring Initiatives. Open Journal of Ecology, 9(3):50-65. https://doi.org/10.4236/oje.2019.930006.
Meixler, M. S., M. J. Kennish, and G. P. Sakowicz. 2018. Long-term epifaunal community assessment in estuarine waters of New Jersey. Bulletin of the New Jersey Academy of Science, 63:9-17.
Meixler, M. S., M. J. Kennish, and K. F. Crowley. 2018. Assessment of plant community characteristics in natural and human-altered coastal marsh ecosystems. Estuaries and Coasts, 41:52-64. DOI 10.1007/s12237-017-0296-0.
Kennish, M. J. and E. J. Buskey. 2018. The National Estuarine Research Reserve: An Integrated Network of Research and Monitoring Sites Supporting Coastal Zone Management. Estuaries and Coasts, Special Thematic Issue, Volume 41(1): 25-113. ISSN:1559-2723
