The overarching goal of this graduate student scholars project is to better evaluate the effects of small dams and reservoirs on changing the flow of nutrients to downstream water bodies and water quality across Lake Michigan Watersheds. There are two primary objectives associated with this goal: (1). Small reservoir identification through a combination of remote-sensing and deep-learning approaches and reservoir dataset development with associated information (reservoir location, surface area, storage volume, catchment drainage area, and residence time). 2). Using hydrologic modelling and USGS water quality data collected above and below reservoirs to quantify the spatially and temporally varying effects of small reservoirs on water quality (nutrient runoff and retention). This proposed research is of pressing concern due to increased release of legacy contaminants to surface and groundwater around Lake Michigan.

• In what parts of the Columbia and Colorado river and reservoir systems are zebra mussels likely to thrive if they are introduced from infested eastern waters?
• For those parts of the target river systems that meet the ecological requirements of zebra mussel, what a) environmental goods and services, and b) financial and commercial goods and services are at risk?
• What are the costs and how effective are different prevention strategies? For the 100th Meridian Initiative, what is the most cost-effective level of investment in prevention and control?

• Evaluate the effectiveness of electric barriers in restricting the movement of bighead and/or silver carp
• Evaluate the effectiveness of acoustic/bubble barriers in restricting the movement of bighead and/or silver carp
• Evaluate the effectiveness of combined barrier types (i.e. electric / acoustic / bubble) in restricting the movements of bighead and/or silver carp

• Identify consumer preferences and demand for fish products
• Estimate consumers’ willingness-to-pay for important food safety and quality informational attributes embedded in aquaculture products
• Assess the competitiveness of aquaculture products with regards to food safety versus imported aquaculture products

• Investigate how ecosystem-wide changes to Lake Michigan affect prey utilization by top predators, using stomach content, fatty acid profiles, and stable isotope ratios

In North America, there are two subspecies of Banded Killifish (Fundulus diaphanus): the Eastern Banded Killifish (F. d. diaphanus) and the Western Banded Killifish (F. d. menona). While Banded Killifish are considered secure across their range, some populations of Western Banded Killifish are considered Vulnerable or Threatened and populations of Eastern Banded Killifish are expanding rapidly into new regions. Subtle differences in the ecology between subspecies has been found to have strong effects on community composition and energy pathways in freshwater ecosystems. Potential ecological differences between Eastern and Western Banded Killifish are unstudied, therefore through this graduate student scholars project we seek to investigate the trophic ecology of Banded Killifish populations from Illinois and Indiana. Using stable isotope analysis, we can determine whether there is an ecological difference in trophic position and dietary niche width between the two subspecies, as well as how the invasion of the Eastern subspecies could impact the Western subspecies and freshwater communities or ecosystems more generally.