Positions	Associate Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee. 1996-present Director, UWM Interdisciplinary Major in Conservation and Environmental Science. 1999- 2004. Assistant Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee. 1990-95 National Science Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship in Environmental Biology. Queen’s University Biological Station and University of Toronto. 1989-90 Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Kellogg Biological Station, Michigan State University. 1987-89 Visiting Assistant Professor, Biology Department. Kalamazoo College, Kalamazoo, Michigan. 1986
Education	Ph.D. - Zoology, Michigan State University Kellogg Biological Station - 1986 M.S. - Ecology, Northwestern University – 1980 B.A. - Biology, Northwestern University – 1979
Summary	The work I conduct together with my students at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is focused on the habitat requirements, ecology and reproduction of fishes and aquatic macroinvertebrates of north temperate lakes and streams. My laboratory is equipped for fish and invertebrate population assessments, physical and hydrological habitat analyses, and water nutrient chemistry. We are actively involved in the conservation and reestablishment of native fishes in Wisconsin. Projects include the design and implementation of stream restoration and rehabilitation plans, the ecology of rare and threatened species, genetic differentiation of exploited fishes, and the effects of exotic species invasions on native fauna. I have over 20 years of experience in the field of aquatic ecology and have spent 18 years working with fishes in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Ontario. My research examines the habitat, physiological, feeding, and reproductive factors necessary for self-sustaining fish populations, and I have special expertise with sunfishes, darters, and salmonids. Since arriving at UW-Milwaukee in 1990, I have collaborated extensively with the Department of Natural Resources and frequently work closely with the DNR, Department of Transportation, and local governments on the design, implementation and monitoring of stream restoration projects.
Recent Restoration Projects		Development of Risk Propagation Classification System for Diagnosis of Biological Impairment in Upper Midwest Watersheds EPA/NSF STAR Program 2002-2006 This project is in collaboration with Vladimir Novotny, Northeastern University, Boston Mass. The goal of the proposed project is to develop a regionalized watershed classification system to determine ecosystem vulnerability to watershed changes, assist in designing of monitoring systems to access potential watershed impacts, and identify watershed restoration opportunities. The classification system will act as; (1) a basis for stratification in monitoring strategies to detect responses to nonpoint pollution, (2) a tool to assess watershed vulnerability and diagnose potential causes of biological impairment, (3) a method to prioritize watersheds for restoration activities, and (4) a tool used to extrapolate results of empirical or mechanistic models of watershed response to other similar watersheds, potentially across entire regions. Northeast Wisconsin Cooperative Watershed Monitoring and Assessment Team Arjo Wiggins – Appleton 2003-2007 The Northeast Wisconsin Cooperative Watershed Monitoring and Assessment Team (NEW Team) project will use trained student volunteer monitors, community partners, and university students and researchers to monitor surface waters and streamside habitat in the Fox-Wolf watershed. Public schools, the University of Wisconsin campuses at Green Bay and Milwaukee, and the U.S. Geological Survey will partner to provide quality assured data that can be used by municipal and state agencies to make resource management and land use decisions. The Green Bay Metropolitan Sewerage District will analyze water samples. The Land Conservation Departments of Brown, Outagamie, and Winnebago counties will provide support through their GIS referenced databases and maps. Project data will also be available to the public through the program’s website. Initially, the program will establish a habitat and water quality monitoring network within four key watersheds in the Fox-Wolf Basin that have been identified as significant contributors of excess nutrients and suspended solids to the Lower Fox River and Green Bay, and where habitat loss and fragmentation are major concerns. A community-based collaborative monitoring effort among high school science students and teachers, university faculty and students, practicing scientists and government agencies will be established. Land use in the watershed is changing. Some of these changes such as increased urbanization have the potential to reduce water quality, some such as riparian buffer installation to improve water quality. Having a monitoring network in place will be invaluable to track water quality and habitat changes and inform the public. A community oversight committee will be formed to assure that the program is addressing local needs. Pike River Storm Water and Stream / Prairie Restoration Project Town of Mt. Pleasant Storm Water Drainage District Crispell-Snyder, Inc. 1997-2008 As part of a formal facilitation between the Department of Natural Resources and the Mount Pleasant Storm Water Drainage District, my laboratory has become engaged in this large-scale restoration project. Our involvement includes: § Review and analysis of the Environmental Assessment (EA) for a previously declined flood-control proposal for a 5 mile stretch of the Pike River. § Collect and interpret additional fish, invertebrate, habitat, and water quality data necessary for revising the plan. § Assist the consulting engineer (Crispel-Snyder, Inc) in the formulation of a new flood control and stream restoration plan. § Present the new plan to the Wisconsin DNR and assist in the resubmittal of the Chapter 30 application. § Design structural features of the new channel to enhance fish and invertebrate populations. § Implement design features, assist in the development of funding proposals and adaptive management. A Study of Factors Affecting the Longear Sunfish in the Mukwonago River Watershed The Nature Conservancy / USFW CARA Project 2002-2004 This is a project investigate the factors influencing the distribution, abundance, and reproductive success of the longear sunfish (Lepomis megalotis) in the Mukwonago River watershed. The objectives of this study are: (1) to assess the current population status of longear sunfish in the Mukwonago River, and (2) to identify and assess the threats to both short and long-term sustainability of longear populations in the Mukwonago Watershed, and (3) to develop a watershed plan for endangered and threatened fishes for the Mukwonago River watershed and establish a framework for a monitoring program for water quality. Floodplain Restoration and Recoupling Stream Structure and Function Great Lakes Protection Fund 1999-2003 This project will take advantage of two large-scale manipulations of stream flow regime in southeastern Wisconsin (Lincoln Creek and the Pike River) in an attempt to identify the critical factors required for the restoration of ecological functions in damaged streams. We will conduct an intensive examination of the hydrological, limnological, and biological consequences of each project, then employ a comparative approach among projects with non-manipulated streams to discern the mechanisms responsible for observed responses. Basically, by knowing these linkages we can ask whether it is possible (1) to restore biological integrity in damaged urban watersheds, and (2) take measures to prevent further damage and degradation in developing watersheds. Our work includes: Hydrological Flow Regimes – Seasonal and Episodic: Examination of the roles of summer and winter base-flow and the effects of stormwater and riparian wetlands on ecological integrity. Nutrient Dynamics and Water Quality – Stream Flow and Stormwater Flow: Examination of the effects of restored floodplain sections on nutrient concentrations (e.g. phosphorus and nitrogen). Instream Habitat – Invertebrates and Fish: Studies of how changes in hydrology, stream bottom substrate, bank stabilization, sediment processing by meandering, and establishment of wetland vegetation influence fish and invertebrate habitat. Proximity Effects: Will the positive influence of restoration sections on hydrology, water quality and stream habitat be better by incorporating multiple smaller restoration sites versus fewer larger sections enhance positive changes? Pike River Storm Water and Stream / Prairie Restoration Project Town of Mt. Pleasant Storm Water Drainage District Crispell-Snyder, Inc. 1997-2000 As part of a formal facilitation between the Department of Natural Resources and the Mount Pleasant Storm Water Drainage District, my laboratory has become engaged in this large-scale restoration project. Our involvement includes: Review and analysis of the Environmental Assessment (EA) for a previously declined flood-control proposal for a 5 mile stretch of the Pike River. Collect and interpret additional fish, invertebrate, habitat, and water quality data necessary for revising the plan. Assist the consulting engineer (Crispel-Snyder, Inc) in the formulation of a new flood control and stream restoration plan. Present the new plan to the Wisconsin DNR and assist in the resubmittal of the Chapter 30 application. Design structural features of the new channel to enhance fish and invertebrate populations. Implement design features, assist in the development of funding proposals and adaptive management.
		Allenton Creek Stream and Wetland Restoration Project Wisconsin Department of Transportation Alfred Benesch and Associates 1993-1998 The reconstruction of State Highway 41 in Washington Co. Wisconsin required that approximately 500 meters of Allenton Creek be relocated. This stream has several key features that make it unique including diverse wetland of tamarack conifer swamp vegetation types, high water quality; and high diversity of fish and invertebrates. The objectives of this project were to: (1) relocate the headwater stream channel further to the east of Highway 41, (2) protect the existing biodiversity of the stream community, (3) minimize the destructive effects of stream relocation on the existing wetlands, (4) enhance and restore habitat for fish and invertebrates, (5) provide wetland mitigation acreage and wetland enhancement. Our research included: Fish, Invertebrate and Habitat Assessments Identification of Mitigation and Restoration Objectives Stream Design and Staging with Highway Construction Instream Habitat Construction and Quality Oversight 5 Year Biological and Habitat Monitoring and Adaptive Management This project resulted in a highly successful stream restoration and enhancement of a native strain brook trout population. It has been showcased within the DNR and DOT as an example of successful partnering between ecological and transportation objectives.
Ongoing Biodiversity Research		Sunfish Growth and Reproductive Ecology National Science Foundation, Wisconsin DNR, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Ongoing research since 1981 examines the factors that influence growth, survival and reproduction in bluegill sunfish. This species serves as a easily studied model for other fish species in freshwater systems. A current project is looking at differences among 16 lakes in southeastern Wisconsin and exploring how habitat and human influences contribute to stunting and population structure. Fish Species Assemblages in Cold-Water Steams This research explores the underlying factors within streams and surrounding landscape that determine the distribution and abundance of fish and aquatic invertebrates in small streams. This research was funded as part of a large-scale stream restoration undertaken in collaboration with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and Department of Natural Resources. Metabolic Constraints and Habitat Selection in Stream Fishes. These studies seek to understand how physiological constraints on fish metabolism influence their habitat utilization. Two projects (one with cold-water streams and the other with warm-water rivers) examined the influence of temperature and velocity on habitat choice.
Recent Publications		Novotny, V., O’Reilly, N., Ehlinger, T., Frevert, T. Twait, S. (2006) A river is reborn – the use attainability analysis of the Lower DesPlaines River, Illinois. Water Environment Research (in press) Fayram AH, Hansen MJ, Ehlinger TJ 2006. Characterizing changes in maturity of lakes resulting from supplementation of walleye populations . Ecological Modeling 197 (1-2): 103-115. Fayram AH, Hansen MJ, Ehlinger T.J. 2005. Interactions between walleyes and four fish species with implications for walleye stocking . North American Journal Of Fisheries Management 25 (4): 1321-1330 . Fayram, A, Hansen, M, and Ehlinger, T. (2006) Influence of walleye stocking on angler effort in Wisconsin. Human Dimensions of Wildlife 11(2) Novotny, V., Bartošová, O’Reilly, N. and Ehlinger, T. 2005. Unlocking the Relationship of Biotic Integrity of Impaired Waters to Anthropogenic Stresses. Journal of Water Research. 34: 189-198. Fayram, A., M. Hansen, and T. Ehlinger. 2005. Interactions between Walleye and Four Fish Species with Implications for Walleye Stocking. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 25:1321–1330, 2005 O’Grady, E., C. Wimpee, and T. Ehlinger. 2006. Individual-based Physiological Indicators of Anthropogenic Stressors in Creek Chub. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences (Accepted) Pauers, M.J., McKinnon J.S. and Ehlinger T.J. 2004. Directional sexual selection on chroma and within-pattern colour contrast in Labeotropheus fuelleborni. Proc. R. Soc. Lond. B (Suppl.). vol. 271, Supplement 6 to Issue 1, pp. S444-S447
Recent Research Funding		2006-2008 The Development of Biological Indicators of Environmental Stress and Sustainable Development in the Danube Delta, Romania. Collaborators: Tracey Heatherington, Christina Buffington, Robert Burlage, Lucica Tofan. 2002-2007 Development of Risk Propagation Classification System for Diagnosis of Biological Impairment in Upper Midwest Watersheds. EPA/NSF STAR Program. Collaborators: Vladimir Novotny, Northeastern University. 2003-2008 Northeast Wisconsin Cooperative Watershed Monitoring and Assessment Team. Arjo Wiggins – Appleton. Collaborator: Kevin Fermanich, UW-Green Bay. USGS, Middleton, WI. 2002-2004 MHC Diversity in Lake Trout at the Mid-Reef Complex and Northern Refuge, Lake Michigan University of Wisconsin – Seagrant. Collaborator: Ruth Phillips, University of Washington. 1998-2006 Formulation and Implementation of a Restoration Plan for the Pike River. Town of Mt. Pleasant, WI. 2004-2006 Fox Lake Nutrient Loading and Trophic Status Assessment. Fox Lake Inland Lake Management and Rehabilitation District 1999-2003 Great Lakes Protection Fund. Degradation and Recovery in Urban Watersheds: Recoupling Stream Function and Structure. Collaborator: Craig Sandgren, UW-Milwaukee.