Lamb Marine Lab research in the Gulf of Maine focuses on the ecology of kelp forest ecosystems and the associated fish communities, particularly in the context of a warming ocean. His work compares these communities in different locations to understand the effects of local stressors versus climate change impacts.

• Offshore vs. Coastal Communities: Dr. Lamb and his collaborators have demonstrated persistent differences between kelp communities in remote, offshore locations (like the Cashes Ledge seamount) and those in coastal areas, suggesting that local stressors can exacerbate the effects of regional warming.
• Climate Refuges: His work suggests that these offshore areas, characterized by cool, nutrient-rich waters, may act as “abundance hotspots” or climate refuges for species vulnerable to warming coastal waters, such as Atlantic Cod.
• Biodiversity and Function: He studies the functional significance of these ecosystems, examining how the rich kelp and fish populations contribute to the overall biological productivity of the region.
• Field Expeditions: Research involves challenging field expeditions, requiring scientists to live offshore for weeks and use specialized SCUBA equipment (like drysuits) in the cold water to conduct surveys, collect specimens, and census fish populations.