Primary emphasis is on marine and coastal ecology, with a strong emphasis on ecological processes and conservation policy. Global coastal-marine processes and distributions of the biota (especially vertebrates) are of special interest. Past research and teaching have centered on the roles of marine mammals in the ecosystems of the polar regions. Present research emphasizes the ecology of temperate fishes in coastal zones and relationships between biological diversity and ecosystem function. In addition, with colleagues in this department and elsewhere, Ray is developing approaches to coastal-marine classification, principally for the purposes of conservation, research and monitoring. This work has been supported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Man and The Biosphere Program, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, private foundations, and others. Ray and colleagues are involved in conservation and development strategies for Caribbean island nations, the Bahamas in particular.

Ray has authored or co-authored more than 150 scientific papers, reports, books, atlases, and films on science and conservation.

Selected Recent Publications

Ray, G.C. 2000. Estuarine ecosystems. Pages 579-591 in S.A. Levin, Ed.-in-Chief, Encyclopedia of Biodiversity, Vol 2. Academic Press, San Diego, CA, USA and London, UK.

Ray, G.C. 1999. Coastal-marine protected areas: agonies of choice. Aquatic Conservation 9:607-614.

Grossman, D.H., P. Bourgeron, W.N. Busch, D. Cleland, W. Platts, G.C. Ray, C.R. Robins, and G. Roloff. 1999. Ecological Classification. Pages 353-393 In: Ecological Stewardship: A Common Reference for Ecosystem Management, N.C. Johnson, A.J. Malk, W.T. Sexton, and R. Szaro, eds. Elsevier Science Ltd., Oxford, U.K.

Ray, G.C. 1996. Conservation of coastal-marine biological diversity. In Biodiversity: Science and Development: Towards a New Partnership, F. di Castri, ed. CAB International, Wallingford, U.K. Pages 224-245.

Ray, G.C. 1996. Biodiversity is biogeography: implications for conservation. Oceanography 9(1):50-59.

Ray, G.C. 1996. Coastal-marine discontinuities and synergisms. Biodiversity and Conservation 5:1095-1108.

Ray, G.C., B.P. Hayden, M..G. McCormick-Ray, and T.M. Smith. Land-seascape diversity of the U.S. Eastcoast coastal zone with the particular reference to estuaries. In Marine Biodiversity, Causes and Consequences (R.F.G. Chmond, J.D. Gage and M.V. Angel, eds) Cambridge Univ. Press, UK.