Jim is a fisheries ecologist and conducts a mix of modeling and field or laboratory-based research. Ecological modeling studies often use long-term survey data to examine trends in species distribution and abundance. Such models can be used to determine key environmental factors that impact species. In the field, the Morley-lab often combines traditional net and trap sampling approaches with modern technology, including sonar and acoustic tags.

The scope of Jim’s work ranges from local studies that are focused on North Carolina’s resources to studies that encompass the entire North American coast. A central theme is determining how climate variability and long-term change impact marine species and habitats. In addition to climate change, many other human-based stressors impact marine ecosystems and it is important to quantify these impacts so that policy makers have the right tools for decision making.

2020 to Present: Assistant Professor, East Carolina University

2018 to 2019: Postdoctoral Researcher, University of North Carolina

2015 to 2018: Postdoctoral Researcher, Rutgers University

Flanagan PH, Jensen OP, Morley JW, Pinsky ML (2019) Response of marine communities to local temperature changes. Ecography 42:214-224

Morley JW, Selden RL, Latour RJ, Frolicher TL, Seagraves RJ, Pinsky ML (2018) Projecting shifts in thermal habitat for 686 species on the North American continental shelf. PLoS ONE, 13(5):1-28

Batt RD, Morley JW, Selden RL, Tingley MW, Pinsky ML (2017) Gradual changes in range size accompany long-term trends in species richness. Ecology Letters 20:1148-1157

Morley JW, Batt RD, Pinsky ML (2017) Marine assemblages respond rapidly to winter climate variability. Global Change Biology 23:2590-2601

Morley JW, Buckel JA (2014) Effects of temperature and prey size on predator-prey interactions between bluefish and bay anchovy. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 461:449-457

Morley JW, Buckel JA, Lankford TE (2013) Relative contribution of spring- and summer-spawned bluefish cohorts to the adult population: effects of size-selective winter mortality, overwinter growth, and sampling bias. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 70:233-244