BUTLER/CUNNINGHAM

This page provides basic information on the current Butler/Cunningham Eminent Scholar in Agriculture and the Environment, Dr. Claude E. Boyd of the Department of Fisheries and Allied Aquacultures of the College of Agriculture of Auburn University. Dr. Boyd is Eminent Scholar from 2001 through 2006.

This site will change from time to time. Basic organization will remain constant.

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polioej@acesag.auburn.edu

LEVEL 1

CLAUDE E. BOYD,

CURRENT SCHOLAR

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To the left are links to Dr. Boyd's curriculum vitae (CV), in a variety of formats to facilitate access. Please use the "Back" option on your browser to return to this page from viewing/printing his CV because other options produce variable results depending on the browser.

Besides the series of conferences on Alabama Aquaculture and Environment, and in cooperation with the Environmental Institute, Dr. Boyd initiated two other major activities. First, he began a monthly seminar series at Auburn on Water Quality for the academic year 2001-2002. Second, he supported a series of forums on environmental topics; the topic for academic year 2001-2002 was Food Safety.

Below is a brief summary of Dr. Boyd's academic orientation and of his mission statement for the Eminent Scholar position.

Summary of Academic Orientation

Dr. Boyd received his B.S. in entomology (1962) and M.S. in insect toxicology from Mississippi State University (1963), and his Ph.D. in water quaity from Auburn University (1966). His research efforts have included ecology and utilization of aquatic weeds, pond liming and fertilization, water quality and aeration, pond bottom soil management, and hydrology of ponds. In recent years, he has done considerable work on the environmental impacts of aquaculture and has been involved in many efforts towards developing better management practices to prevent negative impacts. Both freshwater and brackishwater aquaculture have been included in these efforts. Dr. Boyd's teaching has focused on graduate training in water quality management (two courses per year and major advisor for more than 100 graduate students) and continuing education for professionals. Dr. Boyd's publications have included research, review, and experience papers in scientific journals, six books, experiment station publications, and articles in trade journals (totalling over 300). He has worked on projects of one week to six months duration in many countries including Australia, Belize, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Egypt, France, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mexico, Nicaragua, Oman, Panama,Peru, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Surinam, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Venezuela, and Vietnam. Boyd has worked very closely with th aquaculture industry and served as an advisor to many governmental and non-governmental organizations and private businesses. He has been particularly active in projects related to shrimp farming over the past 15 years.

"My early research focused on biogeochemical cycling of nutrients by aquatic macrophytes in wetlands. After this, I was involved in studies of hydrology and nutrient cycling and management in pond aquaculture in both freshwater and brackishwater systems. I am still conducting research on the chemistry of aquaculture pond soils, but the major focus of my research is now on the environmental effects of pond aquaculture. I have conducted studies of pond effluent quality, the fate of various compounds applied to aquaculture ponds for algal control or disease control, and methods for treating pond effluents. In addition, I have evaluated methods of removing and disposing of pond sediment. I have also conducted studies of the effects of seepage from brackishwater aquaculture ponds on freshwater aquifers. The results of my research are being used to formulate best management practices for preventing negative environmental impacts of aquaculture."

Preliminary Vision Statement for Eminent Scholar Position

Below is Dr. Boyd's original statement for the Eminent Scholar Position. He has modified his plans to best serve the position and to take advantages of opportunities as they arise. For example, he instituted the Conference Series. Updated statements on his position and plans will be offered here as they become available.

"I would rearrange my research program to accommodate an effort on agriculture and water quality. However, I would expand my current effort related to catfish farm effluents, because it is an important environmental project and fits within the objectives of the position. A brief description of my vision of possible activities for the position are provided below:

(1) Development of new programs.
I would cooperate with graduate students and faculty in the School of Agriculture and others to initiate several activities as follows:

* Investigate the possibility within the School of Agriculture for developing a water quality analysis service to provide analyses of common variables at a modest fee. This service would be useful to graduate students, faculty, and it possibly could be extended to the public.

* Work with others in the School of Agriculture to develop an environmental program. This program might include a water quality seminar, possibly quarterly or monthly, to bring together those interested in water quality for the purpose of encouraging greater cooperation. It also would be useful to maintain a list of water quality research in the School of Agriculture. I would be available to assist students, faculty, or others with problems related to water sampling, water analysis, data interpretation, etc. It would be possible to develop a website with information on water quality programs at Auburn University and to provide information on a variety of water quality topics.

* Work with Auburn University faculty, ADEM, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), farmers, and others to better define water quality concerns related to Alabama agriculture. This effort would probably involve water quality studies of selected streams to determine effects of agricultural activities on water quality, and development of better practices for use by farmers and other land owners for improving water quality. It also seems important to include planning for future water use by agriculture in areas where potential water use conflicts may exist. I also would like to consider the possibility of integrating water use in aquaculture and traditional agriculture in areas where this is possible. Water quality education and assistance in compliance with environmental regulations likely would be a part of the effort.

2. Catfish farm effluents

Catfish farming is the most significant agricultural activity in west-central Alabama, and it is a major source of employment there. As such, its future success is critical in this economically-depressed region of the state. It is very important to assist the catfish farmers with impending effluent regulations so that they may comply with regulations and not suffer economically. The final federal rule on aquacultural effluents is due in June 2004, and it will take another 1 or 2 years for ADEM to finalize state regulations and for catfish farmers to implement them. Thus, this task would continue throughout a 5-year appointment to the Chair. The task will have several objectives as follows:

* Identify all activities or conditions on catfish farms that influence concentrations or loads of potential pollutants in catfish pond effluents.

* Evaluate possibilities for reducing volume or improving quality of catfish pond effluents.

* Provide technical leadership on a committee of catfish farmers, Auburn University aquaculture specialists, representatives of ADEM, NRCS, ALFA, and other agencies to design a formal system of BMPs for use to comply with effluent regulations.

* Assist farmers with implementation of BMPs.

* Monitor the effectiveness of BMPs."