An important aspect of aquatic invasive species (AIS) management is the role humans play in their dispersal. For the spread of AIS among inland lakes, the typical pathway for dispersal is boaters moving from lake to lake. We aim to develop a spatial dynamic model of species invasions within a freshwater lake system in which a set of managing agents is concerned with the inter-seasonal spread of invasive species across lakes (where a season is defined in this case as the annual boating season), and recreational boaters/anglers make a series of intra-seasonal trip decisions to maximize random utility during the course of the season, subject to the actions taken by the manager.

Invasive species are often a major threat to native species and biodiversity, and consequently to the social value of ecosystems.

This research investigates the sensitivity of phytoplankton communities to historical droughts and terrestrial disturbances in northern Wisconsin. Questions that motivate me include: To what extent have disturbances, namely clear-cut logging and forest fire, interacted with droughts over time to influence phytoplankton communities in northern Wisconsin lakes? Did phytoplankton dynamics depend upon site-specific characteristics of the lake, namely the lake's landscape position?  To answer these questions, I have collected sediment cores from six lakes situated along a gradient of landscape position...

Emerging research shows that hot spots for biological processing of elements such as nitrogen and phosphorus can be important in water bodies. We are exploring the importance of potential hot spots as well as cold spots for biological processing of these nutrients. The north temperate lakes (NTL) LTER has immediate access to diverse water bodies, including not only lakes but also abundant streams, rivers, and wetlands of various sizes and shapes. We are studying these habitats to answer questions related to ecosystem structure, functioning, hydrology, and biogeochemistry, with an emphasis on habitats ...