The University of Toledo

Professor and Associate Chair
Editor-in-Chief, Wetlands Ecology and Management

Research and Teaching Interests:

• Pulse Stability in Wetlands
• Human Impacts on Rivers and Streams
• Paleolimnological Approaches to Restoration

(419) 530-8451 | johan.gottgens@utoledo.edu

Pulse Stability in Wetlands

Succession in aquatic systems is often controlled by periodic perturbations, such as fluctuating water levels, drought, fire, grazing or tides. These perturbations remove organic matter and liberate nutrients. As such, they help maintain these ecosystems at an intermediate stage in their successional development. Water managers, however, generally aim to eliminate these disturbances, because they interfere with the use of aquatic habitat for water supply, navigation, recreation and aquaculture. Students test hypotheses relative to the long-term impact of eliminating or altering such a pattern of pulsed stability in lakes and wetlands.

Human Impacts on Rivers and Streams

Rivers and streams are among the most impacted ecosystems. They are used as conveyors of pollutants and have been dredged, dammed, ditched or diked. The majority of 1st and 2nd order streams, making up a stunning 75% of the total length of U.S. streams and rivers, have communities that no longer resemble their natural condition. Moreover, they have lost their ability to provide us with 'free' ecosystem services such as water quality protection and flood control. Students research stream management methods that incorporate environmental considerations, including dam removal to restore fish migration and ditch maintenance to promote conservation.

Paleolimnological Approaches to Restoration

To understand the response of lakes, rivers and wetlands to anthropogenic actions requires long-term records of environmental data. Because such historical data are usually absent, stratigraphic analysis of sedimentary records and the mechanisms that can modify those records (i.e., paleolimnology) may be used. The lab has published paleolimnological research on lake and wetland responses to water-level manipulations, development in the watershed, loading of agricultural non-point pollution, dam failures, and long-term contamination with toxics.

• EEES 2150 BIODIVERSITY [4 hours]
  This course serves as an introduction to the basic principles of biological evolution, diversity, and ecology. It begins with a discussion of the characteristics of living organisms, the hierarchical structure of biology and its major organizing concepts. It briefly examines chromosomes, cell division, and the concept of heredity in order to understand the mechanisms of evolution and speciation. Biological diversity is emphasized in the context of evolution, rather than as a 'parade of kingdoms.' Throughout the course, the structure of ecosystems, and concepts of population and community ecology are examined.
   
• EEES 4730/5730/7730 AQUATIC ECOLOGY [3 hours]
  The structure and functioning of freshwater ecosystems with an emphasis on ecological concepts needed to understand and solve practical management problems involving water pollution, wetlands, dams and reservoirs, the Great Lakes, habitat restoration, invasive species, and tropical management of water resources.  
   
• EEES 4740/5740/7740 AQUATIC ECOLOGY LAB [1 hour]
  Laboratory exercises on the biology of aquatic populations, communities and ecosystems with a special emphasis on the Lake Erie basin. Students will participate in field investigations (in open lake, stream, marsh, and floodplain environments). For each of these, they will conduct a series of supervised laboratory exercises to analyze samples and to reinforce the techniques used during field trips. Several visits to regional aquatic systems of interest are planned to illustrate practical aspects of aquatic ecology. This course is appropriate for undergraduate students who have completed or are taking EEES 4730 (Aquatic Ecology), or for graduate students with a general background in physics, math, and chemistry and an interest in aquatic systems.  
   
• EEES 4750/5750/7750 CONSERVATION BIOLOGY  [4 hours]
  This course presents cross-disciplinary concepts in the application of principles and theory to the study and maintenance of diversity in temperate and tropical systems. The course will include lectures, classroom discussions, readings, video, and field excursions.  
   
• EEES 4980/6980 AQUATIC ECOLOGY OF THE TROPICS  [3 hours]
  Structure, functioning, and management of freshwater ecosystems in the tropics in contrast with temperate zone systems. The course focuses on ecological concepts needed to understand and solve practical management problems involving water pollution, wetlands, dams and reservoirs, habitat restoration, watershed management, and conservation of biodiversity. Professional applications for careers in third world environmental management and conservation of aquatic resources (e.g., Peace Corps, United Nations, Rockefeller Foundation, World Bank, World Wildlife Fund, The Nature Conservancy, etc.) will be emphasized.