Dr. David L. Strayer

Freshwater Ecologist | PhD, 1984, Cornell University

Expertise
Hudson River, invasive species, streams

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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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Gastrotricha (1991)
Strayer, David L., and W.D. Hummon. 1991. “Gastrotricha (1991)”. In J. H. Thorp and A. P. Covich (eds.). Ecology and Classification of North American Freshwater Invertebrates, 177-89. Academic Press, Inc., Orlando, Florida.
Projected distribution of the zebra mussel, Dreissena polymorpha, in North America
Strayer, David L. 1991. “Projected Distribution of the Zebra Mussel, Dreissena Polymorpha, in North America”. Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 48: 1389-95.
Recent collections of freshwater mussels (Bivalvia: Unionidae) from western New York
Strayer, David L., K.J. Jirka, and K.J. Schneider. 1991. “Recent Collections of Freshwater Mussels (Bivalvia: Unionidae) from Western New York”. Walkerana 5: 63-72.
The freshwater mussels (Bivalvia: Unionoidea) of the upper Delaware River drainage
Strayer, David L., and J. Ralley. 1991. “The Freshwater Mussels (Bivalvia: Unionoidea) of the Upper Delaware River Drainage”. Am. Malacol. Bull. 9: 21-25.
Aquatic Oligochaeta
Strayer, David L. 1990. “Aquatic Oligochaeta”. In B. L. Peckarsky, P. R. Fraissinet, M. A. Penton, and D. J. Conklin. Freshwater Macroinvertebrates of Northeastern North America, 373-97. Cornell University Press, Ithaca, New York.
Freshwater Mollusca
Strayer, David L. 1990. “Freshwater Mollusca”. In B. L. Peckarsky, P. R. Fraissinet, M. A. Penton, and D. J. Conklin. Freshwater Macroinvertebrates of Northeastern North America, 335-72. Cornell University Press, Ithaca, New York.
Minor taxa (1989)
Strayer, David L. 1989. “Minor Taxa (1989)”. D. W. Webb (ed.). Annual and Selected Bibliography of Benthic Biology for 1988. North American Benthological Society, Champaign, Illinois.
A detailed carbon budget as an ecosystem-level calibration of bacterial respiration in an oligotrophic lake during mid-summer
Cole, Jonathan J., Nina F. Caraco, David L. Strayer, C. A. Ochs, and S.S. Nolan. 1989. “A Detailed Carbon Budget As an Ecosystem-Level Calibration of Bacterial Respiration in an Oligotrophic Lake During Mid-Summer”. Limnol. Oceanogr. 34: 286-96.
What are the tradeoffs between the immediacy of management needs and the longer process of scientific discovery?
McAninch, J. B., and David L. Strayer. 1989. “What Are the Tradeoffs Between the Immediacy of Management Needs and the Longer Process of Scientific Discovery?”. In G. E. Likens (ed.). Long-Term Studies in Ecology: Approaches and Alternatives, 203-5. Springer-Verlag New York, Inc.
Minor taxa (1987)
Strayer, David L. 1988. “Minor Taxa (1987)”. Annual and Selected Bibliography of Benthic Biology for 1987. North American Benthological Society, Champaign, Illinois.
Modelling carbon flow in Tivoli South Bay, Hudson River, NY
Findlay, Stuart E. G., K. E. Limburg, and David L. Strayer. 1988. “Modelling Carbon Flow in Tivoli South Bay, Hudson River, NY”. J. R. Waldman and E. A. Blair (eds.). Polgar Fellowship Reports of the Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve Program, 1987. Hudson River Foundation, New York, New York.
Aquatic microannelids (Oligochaeta and Aphanoneura) of underground waters of southeastern New York
Strayer, David L., and E. Bannon-O’Donnell. 1988. “Aquatic Microannelids (Oligochaeta and Aphanoneura) of Underground Waters of Southeastern New York”. Am. Midl. Nat. 119: 327-35.
Studies of young-of-the-year river herring and American shad in the Tivoli Bays, Hudson River, New York
Limburg, K. E., and David L. Strayer. 1988. “Studies of Young-of-the-Year River Herring and American Shad in the Tivoli Bays, Hudson River, New York”. J. R. Waldman and E. A. Blair (eds.). Polgar Fellowship Reports of the Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve Program, 1987. Hudson River Foundation, New York, New York.
Spatial heterogeneity and habitat interactions in lake communities
Lodge, D.M., J.W. Barko, David L. Strayer, J.M. Melack, G.G. Mittelbach, Robert W. Howarth, B. Menge, and J.E. Titus. 1988. “Spatial Heterogeneity and Habitat Interactions in Lake Communities”. In S. R. Carpenter (ed.). Complex Interactions in Lake Communities, 181-208. Springer-Verlag New York, Inc.
Crustaceans and mites (Acari) from hyporheic and other underground waters in southeastern New York
Strayer, David L. 1988. “Crustaceans and Mites (Acari) from Hyporheic and Other Underground Waters in Southeastern New York”. Stygologia 4: 192-207.
Life history of a lacustrine ostracod
Strayer, David L. 1988. “Life History of a Lacustrine Ostracod”. Hydrobiologia 160: 189-91.
On the limits to secondary production
Strayer, David L. 1988. “On the Limits to Secondary Production”. Limnol. Oceanogr. 33: 1217-20.
New and rare copepods (Cyclopoida and Harpacticoida) from freshwater interstitial habitats in southeastern New York
Strayer, David L. 1988. “New and Rare Copepods (Cyclopoida and Harpacticoida) from Freshwater Interstitial Habitats in Southeastern New York”. Stygologia 4: 280-91.
Patterns of the abundance of species: a comparison of two hierarchical models
Kolasa, J., and David L. Strayer. 1988. “Patterns of the Abundance of Species: A Comparison of Two Hierarchical Models”. Oikos 53: 235-41.
Ecology and zoogeography of the freshwater mollusks of the Hudson River basin
Strayer, David L. 1987. “Ecology and Zoogeography of the Freshwater Mollusks of the Hudson River Basin”. Malacol. Rev. 20: 1-68.

Articles by David Strayer

Books

beyond the sea

Beyond the Sea: The Hidden Life in Lakes, Streams, and Wetlands
Johns Hopkins University Press, 2024 

fundamentals of ecosystem science

Fundamentals of Ecosystem Science
2nd ed. Elsevier, 2021

Hudson River Primer

The Hudson Primer: The Ecology of an Iconic River
University of California Press, 2012

mussel ecology

Freshwater Mussel Ecology: A Multifactor Approach to Distribution and Abundance
University of California Press, 2008