Food Web Ecology in Wyoming Lakes and Reservoirs
My lab is working with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department to better understand food web dynamics in Wyoming lakes and reservoirs. In Flaming Gorge Reservoir, we are looking at developing a clearer understanding of factors driving lake trout population structure, lake trout consumption of stocked salmonids, and competition between lake trout and recently introduced burbot. In the the Upper North Platte Reservoirs (Pathfinder and Alcova), we are evaluating novel stable isotope techniques to quantify walleye consumption of stocked salmonids. We also started a project on New Fork Lakes, Wyoming to look at consumption of stocked Kokanee salmon by Lake Trout. All of these projects rely heavily on diet analyses, stable isotopes analyses, and quantifying age and growth of sport-fish populations.
My lab is working with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department to better understand food web dynamics in Wyoming lakes and reservoirs. In Flaming Gorge Reservoir, we are looking at developing a clearer understanding of factors driving lake trout population structure, lake trout consumption of stocked salmonids, and competition between lake trout and recently introduced burbot. In the the Upper North Platte Reservoirs (Pathfinder and Alcova), we are evaluating novel stable isotope techniques to quantify walleye consumption of stocked salmonids. We also started a project on New Fork Lakes, Wyoming to look at consumption of stocked Kokanee salmon by Lake Trout. All of these projects rely heavily on diet analyses, stable isotopes analyses, and quantifying age and growth of sport-fish populations.
Fish Community Dynamics in the Great Lakes
My lab is collaborating on several projects looking at relationships between environmental drivers and food web dynamics and fish biomass across the Great Lakes basin. Partners from all five Great Lakes have contributed fish community data sets collected by state and federal agencies. We are currently processing these data for analysis and are excited about their potential to provide a clearer picture of broad scale fish community dynamics across space and time. In 2021, we started a project looking at energy flow through prey fish in Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. Through a collaboration between state, federal, and tribal biologistS, we will develop geospatial models to quantify the reliance of prey fish on multiple energy pathways. This project is funded by the Great Lakes Fishery Trust.
My lab is collaborating on several projects looking at relationships between environmental drivers and food web dynamics and fish biomass across the Great Lakes basin. Partners from all five Great Lakes have contributed fish community data sets collected by state and federal agencies. We are currently processing these data for analysis and are excited about their potential to provide a clearer picture of broad scale fish community dynamics across space and time. In 2021, we started a project looking at energy flow through prey fish in Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. Through a collaboration between state, federal, and tribal biologistS, we will develop geospatial models to quantify the reliance of prey fish on multiple energy pathways. This project is funded by the Great Lakes Fishery Trust.
Age and Growth Analysis of Wyoming Fish Populations
I am collaborating with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department to complement existing WGFD surveys with additional analysis of fish age and growth. This project will provide valuable information to inform management of important sport fish populations, including recruitment dynamics, age structure, growth rates, and mortality. Additionally, this partnership provides valuable experience for undergraduates interested in pursuing careers in fisheries science.
I am collaborating with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department to complement existing WGFD surveys with additional analysis of fish age and growth. This project will provide valuable information to inform management of important sport fish populations, including recruitment dynamics, age structure, growth rates, and mortality. Additionally, this partnership provides valuable experience for undergraduates interested in pursuing careers in fisheries science.
