Personal profile
Research Interests
- Human impacts to aquatic ecosystems are widespread and varied
- from direct (e.g. point-source pollution, hydrologic disturbance) to indirect impacts (e.g. increased atmospheric CO2 concentrations). Throughout my career, I have explored a range of human impacts to aquatic ecosystem structure and function, spanning from investigating the impact of introduced exotic zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) on Great Lakes ecosystems, the effects of elevated CO2-altered leaf litter on stream ecosystem food-webs, to the effects of emerging contaminants such as plasticizers (Bisphenol-A), and pharmaceuticals (e.g. antibiotics and endocrine disruptors) on streams and lakes. Presently, my lab is focused on exploring ecological impacts of invasive plant species on Great Lakes coastal wetland ecosystems.
- Great Lakes coastal wetlands are experiencing widespread increases in the spread and dominance of the aggressive invasive plants Typha x glauca (hybrid cattail) and Phragmites australis (common reed), resulting in reduced species diversity and altered ecological functioning. Since 2002, we have explored the community and ecosystem impacts of Typha on Great Lakes coastal wetland ecosystems, mechanisms of Typha dominance at community and regional scales, and the long-term impacts of Typha on nitrogen cycling and ecosystem functioning. Since 2010, we have begun exploring and developing environmentally and economically sustainable restoration options for controlling Typha. Specifically, we are examining the effects of experimental Typha removal as an alternative to burning or herbiciding, on plant and invertebrate communities and wetland biogeochemistry
- the potential to utilize harvested invasive species biomass for renewable energy production
- and the economics of ecological restoration linked with renewable energy production.
Disciplines
- Life Sciences
-
SUSTAINABILITY EDUCATION THROUGH AN INTERDISCIPLINARY AND SERVICE-LEARNING APPROACH
Varty, A. K., Lishawa, S. C. & Tuchman, N. C., Jan 1 2023, Social Responsibility and Sustainability: Multidisciplinary Perspectives Through Service Learning. Taylor and Francis, p. 35-58 24 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter
-
Effects of experimental harvesting of an invasive hybrid cattail on wetland structure and function
Keyport, S., Carson, B. D., Johnson, O., Johnson, O., Lawrence, B. A., Lawrence, B. A., Lishawa, S. C., Tuchman, N. C. & Kelly, J. J., Mar 1 2019, In: Restoration Ecology. 27, 2Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
-
Invasive species removal increases species and phylogenetic diversity of wetland plant communities
Lishawa, S. C., Lawrence, B. A., Albert, D. A., Larkin, D. J. & Tuchman, N. C., Apr 23 2019, In: Ecology and Evolution. 9, 11Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
-
Typha (Cattail) Invasion in North American Wetlands: Biology, Regional Problems, Impacts, Ecosystem Services, and Management
Bansal, S., Lishawa, S. C., Newman, S., Tangen, B. A., Wilcox, D., Albert, D., Anteau, M. J., Chimney, M. J., Cressey, R. L., DeKeyser, E., Elgersma, K. J., Finkelstein, S. A., Freeland, J., Grosshans, R., Klug, P. E., Larkin, D. J., Lawrence, B. A., Linz, G., Marburger, J. & Noe, G. & 10 others, , Aug 1 2019, In: Wetlands. 39, 4, p. 645-684 40 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
-
Typha (Cattail) Invasion in North American Wetlands: Biology, Regional Problems, Impacts, Ecosystem Services, and Management
Bansal, S., Lishawa, S. C., Newman, S., Tangen, B. A., Wilcox, D., Albert, D., Anteau, M. J., Chimney, M. J., Cressey, R. L., DeKeyser, E., Elgersma, K. J., Finkelstein, S. A., Freeland, J., Grosshans, R., Klug, P. E., Larkin, D. J., Lawrence, B. A., Linz, G., Marburger, J. & Noe, G. & 10 others, , Jun 21 2019, In: United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile