Dr. David L. Strayer

Freshwater Ecologist | PhD, 1984, Cornell University

Expertise

Hudson River, invasive species, streams

Profile
Past Projects
Publications

Dave Strayer is no longer doing original research, but continues to be active in freshwater ecology, especially in conservation ecology and analyses of the ecology of invasive species and freshwater mollusks (clams, mussels, and snails) and the roles of filter-feeders in freshwater ecosystems.

He just published a book for general audiences on the wonders of inland-water ecosystems and the remarkable life that they support: "Beyond the Sea: The Hidden Life in Lakes, Streams, and Wetlands." (“Not since Luna Leopold's classic A View of the River has a scientist decoded the intricacies and wonder of freshwater systems in such an approachable way”, “…written in an engaging style, fact-filled with fascinating examples, and thought-provoking”, “If you’ve been looking for a book that describes the sex lives of dehydrated invertebrates, look no further.”)

In addition to this book, he continues to write occasional short essays on ecological topics for the general public, several dozen of which are collected in The Lost Snail of the Yangtze and Other Essays.

He has been busy writing synthesis and review papers in academic journals (e.g., Aldridge et al. 2023, Seebens et al. 2023), including a new paper on monitoring freshwater mussel populations and the importance of lagged processes in their ecology (Strayer 2024). Dave was especially pleased to have the chance to work again this year with Professor David Dudgeon of the University of Hong Kong on an extensive review of the pressing problems in freshwater biodiversity conservation: "Bending the curve of global freshwater biodiversity loss: what are the prospects?" He is currently working on a review of suspension-feeders (animals that feed by removing tiny particles from the water, and which can have large, pervasive effects on aquatic ecosystems) and their roles in freshwater ecosystems.

Finally, Dave has been working with academics and agency biologists on the management of Michigan’s freshwater mussels (an imperiled group of animals). He helped to develop and run a test for mussel identification (now required of contractors who work on freshwater mussels in the state). Joe Rathbun (a retired agency biologist) and Dave have been teaching a short class on mussel biology and identification.

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Interactions between alien species and restoration of large-river ecosystems

Strayer, David L., E.A. Blair, Nina F. Caraco, Jonathan J. Cole, Stuart E. G. Findlay, W.C. Nieder, and Michael L. Pace. 2005. “Interactions Between Alien Species and Restoration of Large-River Ecosystems”. Arch. Hydrobiol. Suppl. 155: 133-45.

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Invasion success of vertebrates in Europe and North America

Jeschke, Jonathan M., and David L. Strayer. 2005. “Invasion Success of Vertebrates in Europe and North America”. Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. 102: 7198-7202. http://www.caryinstitute.org/reprints/Jeschke_Strayer_2005_PNAS.pdf.

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Atlantic rivers – Northeastern states

Jackson, J. K., A.D. Huryn, David L. Strayer, D. Courtemanch, and B.W. Sweeney. 2005. “Atlantic Rivers – Northeastern States”. In A. C. Benke and C. E. Cushing (eds.). Rivers of North America, 20-71. Academic Press, Inc.

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Challenges in understanding the functions of ecological heterogeneity.

Strayer, David L. 2005. “Challenges in Understanding the Functions of Ecological Heterogeneity”. In G. M. Lovett, C. G. Jones, M. G. Turner, and K. C. Weathers (eds.). Ecosystem Function in Heterogeneous Landscapes, 411-25. Springer-Verlag New York, Inc. http://www.caryinstitute.org/reprints/strayer_2005_springer.pdf.

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Changes in fish assemblages in the tidal Hudson River, New York

Daniels, R. A., K. E. Limburg, R.E. Schmidt, David L. Strayer, and R.C. Chambers. 2005. “Changes in Fish Assemblages in the Tidal Hudson River, New York”. In J. N. Rinne, R. M. Hughes, and B. Calamusso (eds.). Historical Changes in Large River Fish Assemblages of America, 45:471-503. Am. Fish. Soc. Symposium. http://www.caryinstitute.org/reprints/daniels_et_al_2005.pdf.

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Changing perspectives on pearly mussels, North America’s most imperiled animals

Strayer, David L., J.A. Downing, W.R. Haag, T.L. King, J.B. Layzer, T.J. Newton, and S.J. Nichols. 2004. “Changing Perspectives on Pearly Mussels, North America’s Most Imperiled Animals”. BioScience 54: 429-39.

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The crisis for freshwater invertebrates

Strayer, David L. 2004. “The Crisis for Freshwater Invertebrates”. Wings 27. Wings: 6-11.

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Effects of an invasive bivalve (Dreissena polymorpha) on fish populations in the Hudson River estuary

Strayer, David L., Kathryn A. Hattala, and Andrew Kahnle. 2004. “Effects of an Invasive Bivalve (Dreissena Polymorpha) on Fish Populations in the Hudson River Estuary”. Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 61: 924-41. http://www.caryinstitute.org/reprints/Strayer_invasive_bivalve_effects.pdf.

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Interactions among an invasive crayfish (Orconectes rusticus), a native crayfish (Orconectes limosus) and native bivalves (Sphaeriidae and Unionidae)

Klocker, C. A., and David L. Strayer. 2004. “Interactions Among an Invasive Crayfish (Orconectes rusticus), a Native Crayfish (Orconectes Limosus) and Native Bivalves (Sphaeriidae and Unionidae)”. Northeast. Natural 11: 167-78.

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A classification of ecological boundaries

Strayer, David L., Mary E. Power, W.F. Fagan, Steward T. A. Pickett, and J. Belnap. 2003. “A Classification of Ecological Boundaries”. BioScience 53: 723-29.

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Effects of land-cover change on stream ecosystems: roles of empirical models and scaling issues

Strayer, David L., R.E. Beighley, L.C. Thompson, S. Brooks, C. Nilsson, G. Pinay, and R.J. Naiman. 2003. “Effects of Land-Cover Change on Stream Ecosystems: Roles of Empirical Models and Scaling Issues”. Ecosystems 6: 407-23.

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Invertebrate communities associated with a native (Vallisneria americana) and an alien (Trapa natans) macrophyte in a large river

Strayer, David L., C. Lutz, Heather M. Malcom, K. Munger, and William H. Shaw. 2003. “Invertebrate Communities Associated With a Native (Vallisneria Americana) and an Alien (Trapa Natans) Macrophyte in a Large River”. Freshwater Biol. 48: 1938-49.

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Mollusks as ecosystem engineers: The role of shell production in aquatic habitats

Gutiérrez, Jorge L., Clive G. Jones, David L. Strayer, and O.O. Iribarne. 2003. “Mollusks As Ecosystem Engineers: The Role of Shell Production in Aquatic Habitats”. Oikos 101: 79-90. http://www.caryinstitute.org/reprints/Gutiérrez_et_al_2003_Molluscs_Oikos_101_79-90.pdf.

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What kind of spatial and temporal details are required in models of heterogeneous systems?

Strayer, David L., Holly A. Ewing, and S. W. Bigelow. 2003. “What Kind of Spatial and Temporal Details Are Required in Models of Heterogeneous Systems?”. Oikos 102: 654-62. http://www.caryinstitute.org/reprints/spatial_&_temporal_details.pdf.

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A guide to sampling freshwater mussel populations

Strayer, David L., and D.R. Smith. 2003. A Guide to Sampling Freshwater Mussel Populations. Am. Fish. Soc. Monogr. 8. Am Fish. Soc., Bethesda, Maryland.

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Where rivers are born: The scientific imperative for defending small streams and wetlands

Meyer, J.L., L.A. Kaplan, J.D. Newbold, David L. Strayer, C.J. Woltemade, J.B. Zedler, R. Beilfuss, et al. 2003. “Where Rivers Are Born: The Scientific Imperative for Defending Small Streams and Wetlands”. American Rivers and the Sierra Club, Washington, DC., 23. http://www.americanrivers.org/site/DocServer/SC_CleanWaterFS2007.pdf?docID=5761.

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Increasing modeling savvy: Strategies to advance quantitative modeling skills for professionals within ecology

Cottingham, Kathryn L., Darren L. Bade, Z.G. Cardon, C. M. D’Antonio, C.L. Dent, Stuart E. G. Findlay, W.K. Lauenroth, Kathleen M. LoGiudice, R. S. Stelzer, and David L. Strayer. 2003. “Increasing Modeling Savvy: Strategies to Advance Quantitative Modeling Skills for Professionals Within Ecology”. In C. D. Canham, J. J. Cole, and W. K. Lauenroth (eds.). Models in Ecosystem Science, 428-36. Princeton University Press, Princeton, New Jersey.

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Mapping the Hudson estuary's submerged lands

Ladd, J. W., R.E. Bell, E.A. Blair, H. Bokuniewicz, S.M. Carbotte, R.M. Cerrato, S. Chillrud, et al. 2002. “Mapping the Hudson estuary’s Submerged Lands”. Clearwaters 32: 5-7.

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Freshwater meiofauna and surface water - sediment linkages: a conceptual framework for cross-system comparisons

Boulton, A. J., C.C. Hakenkamp, M. A. Palmer, and David L. Strayer. 2002. “Freshwater Meiofauna and Surface Water - Sediment Linkages: A Conceptual Framework for Cross-System Comparisons”. In S. D. Rundle, A. L. Robertson, and J. M. Schmid-Araya (eds.). Freshwater Meiofauna: Biology and Ecology, 241-59. Backhuys Publishers, Leiden, The Netherlands.

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The functional importance of freshwater meiofauna

Hakenkamp, C.C., A. Morin, and David L. Strayer. 2002. “The Functional Importance of Freshwater Meiofauna”. In S. D. Rundle, A. L. Robertson, and J. M. Schmid-Araya (eds.). Freshwater Meiofauna: Biology and Ecology, 321-35. Backhuys Publishers, Leiden, The Netherlands.