This project has been supported
by funds from NSF , MDNR, and the University of Michigan. . It is focused
on understanding the basic community ecology of cold-water stream systems,
by utilizing microsporidian epidemics as an ecological probe into the structure
and function of trout stream food webs. This basic research program has
provided the first detailed information on the role of microsporidian disease
in stream insect communities, and has demonstrated that these communities
are unexpectedly dynamic due to widespread effects of pathogens, and competition
for limited algal resources. Trout streams in Upper and Lower Michigan,
as well as in Western Maine are being studied intensively and used
to test basic scientific hypotheses about the operation of trout stream
food webs.
Public benefits:
This study provides new, basic information on the nature and dynamics of
trout stream food webs. Besides being directly relevant to trout stream
fishery management, the results of this research will have important implications
for stream quality assessment protocols.
Collaborators: Dr. Steven
Kohler (Univ. of Illinois/ INHS; Western Michigan University); Dr. Chuck
Elzinga (Michigan State University); Dr. Leon Hinz (University of Michigan)
Related Publications:
Kohler, S.L. and M.J. Wiley. 1997. Pathogen Outbreaks reveal large-scale effects of competition in stream communities. Ecology 87(7): 2164-2176
Wiley. M.J., S.L. Kohler and P.W. Seelbach. 1997. Reconciling landscape and site based views of aquatic stream communities. Freshwater Biology 37:133-148.
Haro, R.J., K. Edly, and M.J. Wiley. 1994. Body Size and sex ratio in emergent stonefly nymphs (Isogenoides olivaceus : Perlodidae): Variation between cohorts and populations. Canadian Journal of Zoology 72:1371-1375.
Haro, R.J. and M.J. Wiley. 1992. Secondary consumers and thermal equilibrium hypothesis: insights from Michigan Spring Brooks. Proceedings of the First International Conference on Ground Water Ecology, Tampa FL. USEPA. pp 179-188.
Kohler, S.L. and M. J. Wiley. 1992. Epizootic collapse of a dominant Trichopteran grazer in Michigan trout streams. Oikos 65:443-449