Astrid Schwalb

Courses

Aquatic Biology (BIO 3460)
Stream Ecology (BIO 7419)
Ecology of Temporary Waters (BIO 4351D, 7361B)

Research Interests

I am interested in both basic and applied research in stream ecology. My lab seeks to understand how ecological processes like dispersal function and how they affect the structure and health of populations and communities in rivers. I am also interested in the impact of invasive species and human activities on stream ecosystems. In my lab, we use a variety of methods ranging from experiments in the lab and the field to modeling and statistical analysis. Much of my research has focused on freshwater mussels, many of which are endangered. Research on their dispersal and  distribution will help to inform species conservation and management.

Selected Publications

Seagroves, L.A., Barnhart, M.C., Hardy, T., Schwalb, A.N. 2019. Reproductive ecology of the threatened and endemic freshwater mussel Lampsilis bracteata. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, 29,1216-1226.

Zawalski, R., Nowlin W.H., Cottenie, K., Grubh, A., Schwalb, A. N. 2019. Distinctive macroinvertebrate communities in a subtropical river network. Freshwater Ecology, 34, 135-150.

Mitchell, Z. A., McGuire, J., Abel, J., Hernandez, B. A., Schwalb, A. N. 2018. Move on or take the heat: Can life history strategies of freshwater mussels predict their physiological and behavioural responses to drought and dewatering? Freshwater Biology 63, 1579-1591.

Olson, J., Robertson, J., Swannack, T. M., McMahon, R. F., Nowlin, W. H., Schwalb, A. N. 2018. Dispersal of zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) downstream of an invaded reservoir. Aquatic Invasions, 13, 199-209.

Schwalb, A. N., T.J. Morris, and K. Cottenie. 2015. Dispersal abilities of riverine freshwater mussels influence metacommunity structure. Freshwater Biology 60: 911-921.

Schwalb, A.N., A.C. Alexander, A.J. Paul, K. Cottenie, and J.B. Rasmussen 2015. Changes in migratory fish communities and their health, hydrology, and water chemistry in rivers of the Athabasca oil sands region: A review of historical and current data. Environmental Reviews 23:1-18.

Schwalb, A.N., D. Bouffard, L. Boegman, L. Leon, J. G. Winter, L. Molot, and R.E.H. 2015. 3D modeling of dreissenid mussel impacts on phytoplankton in a large lake supports the nearshore shunt hypothesis and the importance of wind-driven hydrodynamics. Aquatic Sciences 77:95-114.

Schwalb, A.N., T.J. Morris, N.E. Mandrak, and K. Cottenie. 2013. Distribution of unionid freshwater mussels depends on the distribution of host fish on a regional scale. Diversity and Distributions 19: 446-454.

Schwalb, A.N., M.S. Poos, K. Cottenie, and J.D. Ackerman. 2011. Dispersal limitation of unionid mussels and implications for their conservation. Freshwater Biology 56:1509-1518.

Schwalb, A.N., M. Garvie, and J.D. Ackerman. 2010. Dispersion of freshwater mussel larvae in a lowland river. Limnology and Oceanography 55:628-638.

Please see faculty member’s CV or website for a complete list of publications and additional information.