Stream
Ecology and Plant-Animal Interactions
| Gary
A. Lamberti
Professor
and Chair
Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley
Postdoctoral,
Oregon State University |
|
Streams
and rivers constitute some of the most physically and
biologically dynamic portions of the landscape. These
ecosystems harbor some of the most essential elements
for human existence, including water for consumption and
industry, food in fisheries, avenues for transportation,
and recreational opportunities. Many activities that occur
on land, both natural and human-related, eventually are
manifest in stream ecosystems. For example, organic matter
such as leaves and wood debris enters streams from a band
of vegetation close to the stream (the riparian zone)
and contributes essential energy for stream biota. Light
energy penetrates the riparian canopy to allow growth
of benthic algae, a rich food resource for aquatic invertebrates.
Fish and wildlife use rivers as corridors for migration,
feeding, and reproduction. However, human disturbances
such as chemical and biological pollution, channelization,
damming, and forest clearing disrupt streams and separate
them from their integral watersheds. Introductions of
exotic species in rivers and lakes, including fish, plants,
and invertebrates, have had major impacts on native organisms
and natural food webs.
The
goal of my research program is to understand the structure
and function of stream ecosystems in a changing landscape.
Major research projects in my laboratory address: 1) the
complex interactions between benthic plants and herbivores
(especially algae and invertebrates) in streams, 2) factors
that regulate nutrient cycling in streams, such as the
decomposition of salmon in nutrient-poor streams of Alaska
and the processing of organic carbon, 3) the ecology and
impacts of invasive species, including zebra mussels,
round gobies, and Eurasian ruffe, in the Great Lakes watershed,
and 4) the role of ecosystem restoration in modifying
the impacts of human disturbance on streams and rivers.
My research approach combines laboratory and field studies
to investigate important stream processes. Field observations
serve to stimulate ecological questions, which are then
explored with field experiments or in stream mesocosms.
I and my students conduct research in streams, rivers,
and lakes of three major biomes -- the hardwood forests
of the lower Great Lakes region, the boreal forests of
northern Michigan, and the coniferous forests of the Pacific
Northwest. These systems provide important contrasts with
respect to geology, hydrology, chemistry, biota, and other
watershed conditions that make them suitable for studying
ecological relationships.
 |
Small stream
that is highly influenced by riparian forest, as a
target for restoration of degraded streams |
 |
Conceptual model of
autotrophy in stream ecosystems, highlighting the
principal fates of primary production in benthic habitats
|
 |
Spawning run of Pacific
salmon in an Alaskan stream, illustrating the massive
amount of marine-derived nutrients that can be transported
to freshwater |
Selected Publications:
Book
Hauer, F.R., and G.A. Lamberti (editors). 2006. Methods in Stream Ecology, Second Edition. Elsevier, Amsterdam.
Journal Papers
2008
Kulacki, K.J., and G.A. Lamberti. 2008. Toxicity of imidazolium ionic liquids to freshwater algae. Green Chemistry 10:104-110.
Tiegs, S.D., D.T. Chaloner, P. Levi, J. Rueegg, J.L. Tank and G.A. Lamberti. 2008. Timber harvest transforms ecological roles of salmon in Southeast Alaska rainforest streams. Ecological Applications 18:4-11.
Bernot, R.J., and G.A. Lamberti. 2008. Indirect effects of a parasite on a benthic community: An experiment with trematodes, snails, and periphyton. Freshwater Biology 53:322-329.
Larson, J.H., P.C. Frost, and G.A. Lamberti. 2008. Variable toxicity of ionic liquids to Lemna minor and the influence of dissolved organic matter. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 8:xxx-xxx.
2007
Bauer, C.R., A.M. Bobeldyk, and G.A. Lamberti. 2007. Predicting habitat use and trophic interactions of Eurasian ruffe, round gobies, and zebra mussels in nearshore areas of the Great Lakes. Biological Invasions 9:667-678.
Larson, J.H., P.C. Frost, D.M. Lodge, and G.A. Lamberti. 2007. Photodegradation of dissolved organic matter in forested streams of the northern Great Lakes region. Journal of the North American Benthological Society 26:416-425.
Kulacki, K.J., D.T. Chaloner, D.M.Costello, K.M. Docherty, J.H. Larson, R.J. Bernot, M.A. Brueseke, C.F. Kulpa Jr., and G.A. Lamberti. 2007. Aquatic toxicity and biodegradation of ionic liquids: A synthesis. Chemistry Today 25(6 suppl.):32-36.
Entrekin , S.A. , E.J. Rosi-Marshall, J.L. Tank, Hoellein, T., and G.A. Lamberti. 2007. Macroinvertebrate secondary production in 3 forested streams of the upper Midwest, USA . Journal of the North American Benthological Society 26 (3):472-490.
Hoellein, T.J., J.L. Tank, E.J. Rosi-Marshall, S.A. Entrekin, and G.A. Lamberti. 2007. Controls on spatial and temporal variation of nutrient uptake in three Michigan headwater streams. Limnology & Oceanography 52(5): 1964-1977.
Yamamuro, A.M., and G.A. Lamberti. 2007. Influence of organic matter on invertebrate colonization of sand substrate in a northern Michigan stream. Journal of the North American Benthological Society 26:244-252.
Chaloner D.T., G.A. Lamberti, A.D. Cak, N.L. Blair, and R.T. Edwards. 2007. Inter-annual variation in responses of water chemistry and epilithon to Pacific salmon spawners in an Alaskan stream. Freshwater Biology 52(3):478-490.
Larson, J.H., P.C. Frost, Z. Zheng, C.A. Johnston, S.D. Bridgham, D.M. Lodge, and G.A. Lamberti. 2007. Effects of upstream lakes on dissolved organic matter in streams. Limnology and Oceanography 52(1):60-69.
Frost, P.C. , J.H. Larson, C.T. Cherrier, S.D. Bridgham, and G.A. Lamberti. 2007. Effects of dissolved organic matter and ultraviolet radiation on the accrual, stoichiometry, and algal taxonomy of stream periphyton. Freshwater Biology 52:319-330.
Cordova, J.M., E.J. Rosi-Marshall, A.M. Yamamuro, and G.A. Lamberti. 2007. Quantity, controls, and functions of large woody debris in Midwestern U.S.A. streams. River Research and Applications 23:21-33.
2006
Fullerton , A.H., and G.A. Lamberti. 2006. A comparison of habitat use and habitat-specific feeding efficiency by Eurasian ruffe ( Gymnocephalus cernuus ) and yellow perch ( Perca flavescens ). Ecology of Freshwater Fish 15:1-9.
Frost, P.C., J.H. Larson, C.A. Johnston, K.C. Young, P.A. Maurice, G.A. Lamberti, D.M. Lodge, and S.E. Bridgham. 2006. Landscape predictors of stream dissolved organic matter concentration and physiochemistry in a Lake Superior river watershed. Aquatic Sciences 68:40-51.
Rosi-Marshall, E. J., A. H. Moerke, and G.A. Lamberti. 2006. Ecological responses to trout habitat rehabilitation in a northern Michigan stream. Environmental Management 38:99-107.
Moerke, A.H. and G.A. Lamberti. 2006. Scale-dependent influences on water quality, habitat, and fish communities in streams of the Kalamazoon River Basin, Michigan ( USA ). Aquatic Sciences 68:193-205.
Frost P.C., A. Mack, J.H. Larson , S.D. Bridgham, and G.A. Lamberti. 2006. Environmental controls of UV-B radiation in forested streams of northern Michigan . Photochemistry and Photobiology 82:781-786.
Evans-White, M.A., and G.A. Lamberti. 2006. Stoichiometry of consumer-driven nutrient recycling across nutrient regimes in streams. Ecology Letters 9: 1186-1197.
2005
Mitchell, N.L., and G.A. Lamberti. 2005. Responses in dissolved nutrients and epilithon abundance to spawning salmon in southeast Alaska streams. Limnol. Oceanogr. 50: 217-227
Bernot, R.J., M.A. Brueseke, M.A. Evans-White, and G.A. Lamberti. 2005. Acute and chronic toxicity of imidazolium-based ionic liquids on Daphnia magna . Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 24:87-92.
Bernot, R.J., E.E. Kennedy, and G.A. Lamberti. 2005. Effects of ionic liquids on the survival, movement, and feeding behavior of the freshwater snail, Physa acuta . Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 24:1759-1765.
Evans-White, M.A., and G.A. Lamberti. 2005. Grazer species effects on epilithon nutrient composition. Freshwat. Biol. 50:1853-1863.
Evans-White, M.A., R.S Stelzer and G.A. Lamberti. 2005. Taxonomic and regional patterns in benthic macroinvertebrate elemental composition in streams. Freshwat. Biol. 50:1786-1799.
Frost, P.C. J.H. Larson, L.E. Kinsman, G.A. Lamberti, and S.D. Bridgham. 2005. Attenuation of ultraviolet radiation in streams of northern Michigan . J. N. Am. Benthol. Soc. 24: 246-255.
Bobeldyk, A.M., J.M. Bossenbroek, M.A. Evans-White, D.M. Lodge, and G.A. Lamberti. 2005. Secondary spread of zebra mussels ( Dreissena polymorpha ) in coupled lake-stream systems. Ecoscience 12:339-346.
2004
Moerke, A.H., and G.A. Lamberti. 2004. Restoring stream ecosystems: Lessons from a Midwestern state. Restoration Ecology 12: 327-334.
Chaloner, D.T., G.A. Lamberti , R.W. Merritt, N.L. Mitchell, P.H. Ostrom, and M.S. Wipfli. 2004. Variation in responses to spawning Pacific salmon among three southeastern Alaska streams. Freshwater Biology 49: 587-599.
Moerke, A.H., K.J. Gerard, J.A. Latimore, R.A. Hellenthal, and G.A. Lamberti. 2004. Restoration of an Indiana , USA , stream: Bridging the gap between basic and applied lotic ecology. J. No. Am. Benthol. Soc. 23: 647-660.
2003
Tillman , D.C. , A.H. Moerke, C.L. Ziehl and G.A. Lamberti. 2003. Subsurface hydrology and degree of burial affect mass loss and invertebrate colonization of leaves in a woodland stream. Freshwat. Biol. 48: 98-107 ( Note: Featured in cover photograph for journal issue).
Moerke, A.H., and G.A. Lamberti. 2003. Responses in fish community structure to restoration of two Indiana streams. No. Am. J. Fish. Manage. 23: 748-759.
Bauer, C.R., C.H. Kellogg , S.D. Bridgham, and G.A. Lamberti. 2003. Mycorrhizal colonization across hydrologic gradients in restored and reference freshwater wetlands. Wetlands 23: 961-968.
2002
Strauss, E.A., and G.A. Lamberti. 2002. Effect of dissolved organic carbon quality on microbial decomposition and nitrification rates in stream sediments. Freshwat. Biol. 47: 65-74.
Stelzer, R.S., and G.A. Lamberti. 2002. Ecological stoichiometry in running waters: periphyton chemical composition and snail growth. Ecology 83: 1039-1051.
Strauss, E.A., N. L. Mitchell, and G.A. Lamberti. 2002. Factors regulating nitrification in aquatic sediments: effects of organic carbon, nitrogen availability, and pH. Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 59:554-563.
Chaloner, D.T., K.M. Martin, M.S. Wipfli, P.H. Ostrom, and G.A. Lamberti. 2002. Marine carbon and nitrogen isotopes in southeastern Alaska stream food webs: evidence from artificial and natural streams. Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 59:1257-1265.
Frost, P.C., R.S. Stelzer, G.A. Lamberti, and J.J. Elser. 2002. Ecological stoichiometry of trophic interactions in the benthos: Understanding the role of C:N:P ratios in littoral and lotic habitats. J. N. Am. Benthol. Soc. 21:515-528.
Kolar, C.S., A.H. Fullerton, K.M. Martin, and G.A. Lamberti. 2002. Interactions among zebra mussel shells, invertebrate prey, and eurasian ruffe or yellow perch. J. Great Lakes Res. 28: 664-673
Leung, B., D.M. Lodge, D. Finnoff, J.F. Shogren, M.A. Lewis, and G.A. Lamberti. 2002. An ounce of prevention or a pound of cure: b ioeconomic risk analysis of invasive species. Proc. Roy. Soc. Lond. Ser. B. 269: 2407-2413.
2001
Stelzer, R.S., and G.A. Lamberti . 2001. Effects of N:P ratio and total nutrient concentration on stream periphyton community structure, biomass, and elemental composition. Limnol. Oceanogr. 46: 356-367.
2000
Lewis, K.M., J.L. Feder, and G.A. Lamberti. 2000. Population genetics of the zebra mussel, Dreissena polymorpha (Pallas): Local allozyme differentiation within Midwestern lakes and streams. Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 57: 637-643.
Fullerton , A.H., G.A. Lamberti , D.M. Lodge, and F.W. Goetz. 2000. Potential for resource competition between Eurasian ruffe and yellow perch: growth and RNA responses in laboratory experiments. Trans. Am. Fish. Soc. 129: 1331-1339.
Strauss, E.A., and G.A. Lamberti. 2000. Regulation of nitrification in aquatic sediments by organic carbon. Limnol. Oceanogr. 45:1854-1859.
Lewis, K.M., J.L. Feder, T.G. Horvath, and G.A. Lamberti. 2000. Heterozygosity and fitness: no strong association in Great Lakes populations of the zebra mussel, Dreissena polymorpha (Pallas). Malacologica 42: 113-122.
Perry, W.L., D.M. Lodge, and G.A. Lamberti. 2000. Crayfish ( Orconectes rusticus ) impacts on zebra mussel ( Dreissena polymorpha ) recruitment, other macroinvertebrates and algal biomass in a lake-outlet stream. Am. Midl. Nat. 144: 308-316.
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