Patricia Sanford

PhD, Anthropology, 1983
University of Oregon

Associate Scientist

Center for Climatic Research
1113 Atmospheric, Oceanic & Space Science Bldg.
1225 W. Dayton St.
Madison, Wisconsin 53706-1695

Phone: (608) 262-0775
Fax: (608) 263-4190
Email: psanford@wisc.edu


Research Interests

Lake sediments record the history of a lake’s development, the history of the landscape surrounding the lake (its catchment), and the history of climate in the general area of the lake. I am interested in teasing out the data preserved in lake sediments that contribute to understanding these various histories. My special area of interest is cladocera (water fleas), which are well preserved in lake sediments. A cladoceran assemblage for any given period of time integrates lake morphometry, lake chemistry, and lake nutrient status. Superimposed on these constraints are predatory effects impinging on cladocera from higher trophic levels, therefore presence/absence of planktivorous invertebrates or planktivorous or piscivorous fish can be inferred from changes in cladoceran assemblages and changes in morphology of certain cladoceran species.

Selected Publications

Winker, M.G., P.R. Sanford, and S.W. Kaplan, (2001). Hydrology, vegetation, and climate change in the southern Everglades during the Holocene. pp. 57-99 in B.R. Wardlaw, ed. Paleoecological Studies of Southern Florida. Bulletin of American Paleontology Number 361.

Portnoy, J. W., M. G. Winkler, P. R. Sanford, and C. N. Farris. Kettle Pond Data Atlas: (2001). Paleoecology and Modern Water Quality. Cape Cod National Seashore, National Park Service, U. S. Department of Interior. 119 p.

Winkler, M.G. and P.R. Sanford (1998). Final Report: Western Great Lakes paleoecology study, global climate change initiative in Holocene Paleoenvironments in Western Great Lakes Parks. Final Report to the National Park Service.

Sanford, P.R. (1997). Cladocera Analysis in Winkler, M.G., The development of Ryder Pond in the Cape Cod National Seashore and Determination of the causes of recent Ryder pondwater chemistry changes. Technical Report NPS/NESO-RNR/NRTR/97-01. National Park Service, New England System Support Office, Natural Resources Management, 15 State St., Boston, MA 02109-3572.

Winkler, M.G. and P.R. Sanford (1995). Coastal Massachusetts pond development: edaphic, climatic, and sea level impacts since deglaciation. Journal of Paleolimnology 14: 311-336.
Leavitt, P.R., P.R. Sanford, S.R. Carpenter, & J.F. Kitchell (1994). An annual fossil record of production, planktivory and piscivory during whole-lake manipulations. Journal of Paleolimnology 11: 133-149.

Sanford, P.R. (1993). Bosmina longirostris antennule morphology as an indicator of planktivory by fishes. Bulletin of Marine Science 53(1): 216-227