userpages

Ecology - Aquatic

David Culver

Professor Emeritus

1280 Museum of Biological Diversity

1315 Kinnear Road,Columbus, OH 43212

Phone: 614-292-6995

Fax: 614-292-7774

E-mail: culver.3@osu.edu

Lab Web Page: http://eeob.osu.edu/~eeob/limnologylab/

Education:

Ph. D., M.S. University of Washington, Seattle - Zoology

B. A. Cornell University, Ithaca, NY - Zoology

Brief Description of Research Interests

Aquatic Ecology

Detailed Research Interests

My students and I study the ecology, and trophic dynamics of phytoplankton and zooplankton, including their interactions with larval/juvenile fish and zebra mussels. We have increased fish hatchery pond production five-fold by manipulating N and P loading and increasing stocking density of planktivorous juvenile fish, but are still working to make the production results even more reliable. We have applied the results of these studies to recruitment of walleye, yellow perch, and white bass in Lake Erie (Gopalan et al. 1998, Crane et al. 2008, Culver et al. 2008).

We have completed a project examining the impact of zebra mussels on the plankton of the lake through measurements of mussel distribution, growth, grazing, and interactions with the toxic alga, Microcystis. We studied the effects of turbulent mixing in the lake on the delivery of algae down to zebra mussels, and the nitrogen and phosphorus they excrete back up to the euphotic zone (Edwards et al. 2005, Conroy et al. 2005, Babcock-Jackson et al. 2002, Pontius and Culver 2001).

A major collaborative project seeks to model mathematically the effects of reduced phosphorus loading and zebra mussel introduction on function of Lake Erie's lower trophic levels, including the causes and effects of toxic algal blooms. We are using analyses of plankton and fish samples collected by various state and provincial agencies from as many as 80 Lake Erie stations sampled weekly or monthly from May to October, 1995-2004, to construct computer models of trophic interactions in the lake (Boegman et al. 2001, 2008, Zhang et al. 2008). We have also constructed an Index of Biotic Integrity for Lake Erie based on phytoplankton and zooplankton community dynamics (Kane et al. 2008). In 2002 we went on four 1-week cruises on the US EPA's RV Lake Guardian studying the causes of the low oxygen "Dead Zone" in central Lake Erie and repeated that at the mouth of the Sandusky River in 2005 and 2006.

Our largest project has been our NSF-sponsored Large Lake Biocomplexity Program, which supported 13 graduate students and involved 16 scientists from biology, engineering, economics, geography, and social work, all studying the linkages among physics, chemistry, biology, and humans in the functioning of large lakes.  We used Lake Erie as our example, and constructed a series of mathematical models while studying the dynamics and stability of the system.

CV

DAVID ALAN CULVER
Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology
The Ohio State University
Room 1280
1315 Kinnear Rd.
Columbus, OH 43212
TEL: (614) 292-6995
FAX: (614) 292-7774
E-Mail: culver.3@osu.edu

Education
A.B., Honors in Zoology, Cornell University, Magna Cum Laude, 1967.
M.S., Zoology, University of Washington, Seattle, 1969. Ph.D., Zoology, University of Washington, Seattle, 1973.

Experience
Professor Emeritus, Dept. Evolution, Ecology, & Organismal Biology, The Ohio State Univ., 2008 - present. (Assist. Professor 1975-1981, Assoc. Professor 1981-1995, Professor 1995-2008)
Assistant Professor, Dept. Biology, Queen's Univ., Kingston, Ontario, Canada. 1973-1975.
Visiting Scientist, Zoology Dept., Adelaide Univ., Adelaide, South Australia, 1984-85.
Visiting Professor, Hubei Agricultural College, People’s Republic of China, October 1998.

Professional Recognition

Recipient, 2000 Outstanding Sportfish Restoration Research Project, American Fisheries Society, for "Prevention of the spread of zebra mussels during fish hatchery and aquaculture activities," August 2000.

Recipient, 2003, Dean's Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Research Mentoring.

Recipient, The Cardinal Award for Outstanding Achievement, by the State of Ohio and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, 28 October 2004.  “As a leader in freshwater aquaculture, Dr. David Culver has played a critical role in improving the way Ohio raises saugeye and walleye fingerlings at its state fish hatcheries.”

Recipient, Ohio Sea Grant Superior Leadership Award.  “In recognition of your superior leadership of ecosystem research, teaching, and outreach programs that have led to enhanced aquaculture production and improved management of the Lake Erie Ecosystem.” 30 June 2008.

Recipient, The Friends of Stone Laboratory Board of Directors Award “In recognition of your support of research, education and outreach programs at Stone Lab during an outstanding career spanning more than 30 years.”  6 September 2008.

Selected Publications (of 75)

Wu, L., and D. A. Culver. 1991. Zooplankton grazing and phytoplankton abundance: An assessment before and after invasion of Dreissena polymorpha. J. Great Lakes Res. 17(4): 425-436.

Wu, L., and D. A. Culver. 1992. Ontogenetic diet shift in Lake Erie Age-0 yellow perch (Perca flavescens: A size-related response to zooplankton density. Can. J. Fish. Aq. Sci. 49:1932-1937.

Culver, D. A., S. P. Madon, and J. Qin. 1993. Percid pond production techniques: Timing, enrichment, and stocking density manipulation. J. Applied Aquaculture 2:9-31.

Madon, S. P. and D. A. Culver. 1993. Bioenergetics model for larval and juvenile walleye: an in situ approach using experimental ponds. Trans. Am. Fish. Soc. 122:797-813.

Wu, L. and D. A. Culver. 1994. Daphnia dynamics in western Lake Erie: Regulation by algal limitation and young-of-year fish predation. J. Great Lakes Res.: 20:537-545.

Culver, D. A. 1996. Fertilization procedures for pond culture of walleye and saugeye. Pages 115-122 In R.C. Summerfelt, ed. Walleye Culture Manual. N. Central Regional Aquaculture Center, USDA.

Culver, D. A. and L. Wu. 1997. Relative importance of predation and competition in the seasonal dynamics of zooplankton: results from larval fish rearing ponds. Archiv für Hydrobiologie Spec. Issues Advanc. Limnol. 49:27-35.

Gopalan, G., D. A. Culver, L. Wu, and B. K. Trauben. 1998. The effect of recent ecosystem changes on the recruitment of young-of-year fish in western Lake Erie. Can. J. Fish. Aq. Sci. 55:2572-2579.

Yu, N. and D. A. Culver. 1999. Effective clearance rate and refiltration estimation of zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) in a stratified reservoir. Freshwater Biology 41:481-492.

Yu, N. and D. A. Culver. 1999. In situ survival and growth of zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) under chronic hypoxia in a stratified lake. Hydrobiologia 392:205-215.

Culver, David A. 2000. Ecological modeling of Lake Erie trophic dynamics B 1999, Pages 65-70. In L. A. Tulen and J. V. DePinto, Eds. Great Lakes Modeling Summit: Focus on Lake Erie. Council of Great Lakes Research Managers, International Joint Commission on the Great Lakes, Windsor, Ontario. Invited White Paper.

Edwards, W. J., L. Babcock-Jackson, and D. A. Culver. 2000. Prevention of the spread of zebra mussels during fish hatchery and aquaculture activities. N. Am J. Aquaculture 62:229-236.

Brittain, S. M., J. Wang, L. Babcock-Jackson, W. W. Carmichael, K. L. Rinehart, and D. A. Culver. 2000. Isolation and characterization of microcystins, cyclic heptapeptide hepatotoxins, from a Lake Erie strain of Microcystis aeruginosa. J. Great Lakes Res. 26:241-249.

Yu, N., and D. A. Culver. 2000. Can zebra mussels change stratifications in a small reservoir? Hydrobiologia 431:175-184.

Boegman, L., M. R. Loewen, P. F. Hamblin, and D. A. Culver. 2001. Application of a two-dimensional hydrodynamic reservoir model to Lake Erie. Can. J. Fish. Aq. Sci. 58:858-869.

Frost, P. C . and D. A. Culver. 2001. Spatial and temporal variability of phytoplankton and zooplankton in western Lake Erie. J. Freshwater Ecology 16:435-443.

Pontius, Ruth A., and David A. Culver. 2001.  Estimating zebra mussel impact on pelagic food webs:  The role of size-specific grazing rates.   Verh. Int. Ver. Theor. Angew. Limnol. 27(5):3025-3028.

Budd, J.W., A. M. Beeton, R. P. Stumpf, D. A. Culver, and W. C. Kerfoot.  2000.  Satellite observations of Microcystis blooms in western Lake Erie and Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron.Verh. Int. Ver. Theor. Angew. Limnol. 27: 3787-3793.

Babcock-Jackson, L., W. W. Carmichael, and D. A. Culver.  2002.  Dreissenid mussels increase exposure of benthic and pelagic organisms to toxic microcystins. Verh. Int. Ver. Theor. Angew. Limnol. 27: 1082-1085.

Culver, D. A., W. J. Edwards and L. Babcock-Jackson. 2001. Preventing the introduction of zebra mussels during aquaculture and fish stocking activities. Verh. Int. Ver. Theor. Angew. Limnol. 27:1809-1811.

Edwards, William J., Lisa Babcock-Jackson, David A. Culver. 2002. Field testing of protocols to prevent the spread of zebra mussels Dreissena polymorphaduring fish hatchery and aquaculture activities. N. Am. J. Aquaculture 64(3):220–223.

Babcock-Jackson, L., W. W. Carmichael, and D. A. Culver. 2002. Dreissenid mussels increase exposure of benthic and pelagic organisms to toxic microcystins. 1082-1085. Verh. Int. Ver. Theor. Angew. Limnol.27: 1082-1085.

Kane, D. D., J. E. Gannon, and D. A. Culver. 2004. The status of Limnocalanus macrurus(Copepoda: Calanoida: Centropagidae) in Lake Erie. J. Great Lakes Res. 30: 22-30.

Edwards, W. J., C. R. Rehmann, E. T. McDonald, and D. A. Culver. 2005. The impact of a benthic filter feeder: Limitations imposed by physical transport of algae to the benthos. Can. J. Fish. Aq. Sci. 62(1): 205-214.

Conroy, J.D. and D.A. Culver. 2005. Do dreissenids affect Lake Erie ecosystem stability processes? Am. Midl. Naturalist 153:20-32.

Edwards, W.J., J.D. Conroy, and D.A. Culver. 2005. Hypolimnetic oxygen depletion dynamics in the central basin of Lake Erie. J. Great Lakes Res. 31(supplement 2):262-271.

Conroy, J.D., D.D. Kane, D.M. Dolan, W.J. Edwards, M.N. Charlton, and D.A. Culver. 2005. Temporal trends in Lake Erie plankton biomass: roles of external phosphorus loading and dreissenid mussels. J. Great Lakes Res. 31(supplement 2):89-110.

Conroy, J. D., W. J Edwards, R. A. Pontius, D. D. Kane, H. Zhang, J. F. Shea, J. N. Richey, and D. A. Culver.  2005.  Soluble nitrogen and phosphorus excretion of exotic freshwater mussels (Dreissena spp.):  potential impacts for nutrient remineralisation in western Lake Erie.  Freshwater Biology 50:1146-1162.

Tew, K.S., J.D. Conroy, and D.A. Culver.  2006.  Effect of lowered phosphorus fertilization rates on pond production of percid fingerlings.  Aquaculture 255:436-446. 

Conroy, J.D., E.L. Quinlan, D.D. Kane, and D.A. Culver.  2007.  Cylindrospermopsisin Lake Erie: testing its association with other cyanobacterial genera and major limnological parameters.  J. Great Lakes Res.33: 519-535.

Boegman, L., Loewen, M.R., Hamblin, P.F., Culver, D.A.  2008.  Vertical mixing and weak stratification over zebra mussel colonies in western Lake Erie.  Limnol. Oceanogr. 53(3):1093-1110.

Boegman, L., Loewen, M.R., Culver, D.A., Hamblin, P.F., Charlton, M.N.  2008. Spatial-dynamic modeling of lower trophic levels in Lake Erie: Relative impacts of zebra mussels and nutrient loading. J. Env. Engineering –American Society of Civil Engineers 134(6): 456-468.

Kane, Douglas D., S. I. Gordon, M. Munawar, M. N. Charlton, D. A. Culver.  2008.  A Planktonic Index of Biotic Integrity (P-IBI) for Lake Erie: a new technique for checking the pulse of Lake Erie.  In: M. Munawar, R. Heath (Eds.), Checking the Pulse of Lake Erie.  Ecovision World Monograph Series, Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Management Society, Canada, pp. 347-367.

Conroy, J.D., D.D. Kane, and D.A. Culver.  2008.  Declining Lake Erie ecosystem health – Evidence from a multi-year, lake-wide plankton study. In: M. Munawar, R. Heath (Eds.), Checking the Pulse of Lake Erie.  Ecovision World Monograph Series, Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Management Society, Canada, pp. 369–408.

Zhang, H., D.A. Culver, and L. Boegman.  2008.  A two-dimensional ecological model of Lake Erie: Application to estimate dreissenid impacts on large lake plankton populations.  Ecological Modelling 214:219-241.

Bennice, C.O., J.D. Conroy, and D.A. Culver. 2008. Decreasing trophic efficiency in cool-water aquaculture ponds: size-selective predation removes large prey.  Aquaculture Research40: 582-589.

Crane, V.C., and D.A. Culver. 2008.  Trends in the western Lake Erie zooplankton community: Evidence for top-down control by age-0 percids.  Verh. Int. Ver. Theor. Angew. Limnol.30(1):95-99.

Conroy, J.D., D.A. Culver, and R.T. Heath.  2008.  Gloom and blooms: simulating phytoplankton growth moving out of a tributary into a large lake. Verh. Int. Ver. Theor. Angew. Limnol. 30(4):615–618.

Culver, D.A., J.D. Conroy, J.T. Tyson, V.C. Crane, and H. Zhang.  2008. “Optimal” P loading in large lakes affects fish communities: Do you prefer walleye or yellow perch? Verh. Int. Ver. Theor. Angew. Limnol.30: 1070-1072.

Tew, K. S., J. D. Conroy and D. A. Culver. 2010. The importance of phosphorus and copper carryover in pond sediments for juvenile percid survival, growth, and yield.   N. Am. J. Aquaculture 72:22–33

Selected Research Grants

Spatial dynamic modeling of large lake lower trophic level dynamics: Effects of zebra mussels and nutrient loading. Ohio Sea Grant College Program (NOAA). 1998-2000. $79,325.

Protection of reservoirs from zebra mussel introduction resulting from hatchery activities. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service/Division of Wildlife (ODNR). 1994-1999. $208,104.

Calibration of Lake Erie foodweb models with field data. Ohio Lake Erie Protection Fund. 1998-2001. $99,391.

Lower trophic level impacts on fish recruitment. Ohio Division of Wildlife (ODNR). 1999-2001. $179,204.

BE/CNH: Interactions among human, biological, and physical processes within large lake ecosystems. 2004-2009. NSF DEB-0410336. $1,399,923.

Lower trophic level impacts on fish recruitment. 2002-2010. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service /Ohio Division of Wildlife (ODNR). $768,201.

Watershed effects on Lake Erie water quality: The algal loading hypothesis. 2004-2007. Ohio Lake Erie Protection Fund. $89,965.

Development of a gel coat paint resistant to the attachment of Algae and aquatic animals: testing the effectiveness of candidate chemicals against algal fouling. 2004-2006. Ashland Chemical Company. $155,583.

Improved reliability of percid production in rearing ponds.  2002-2007. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service /Ohio Division of Wildlife (ODNR).  $696,636

Culver, D.A.  Lower trophic level impacts on Lake Erie percid year-class-strength. 2006-2008.  U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service /Ohio Division of Wildlife.  $100,922

Improved reliability of fish production in rearing ponds.  2007-2010.  U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service /Ohio Division of Wildlife (ODNR).  $910,338.

Connecting phosphorus load, transport, and biological use in Lake Erie: how does Microcystis use phosphorus and where is the bloom trigger point? Lake Erie Protection Fund. $167,040.

Consulting Activities

Evaluation of phosphorus fertilization as a method for improving plankton production in Mount Storm Lake, West Virginia. 1991-2010.
Consulting for Virginia (Dominion) Power Co., Richmond, VA.

Review of a US EPA 316(a) demonstration project for a coal-fired power plant with once-through cooling on the James River, Chesterfield Power Station, Chester, Virginia. 1999-2000.
Consulting for Virginia Power Company, Richmond, VA.

Mitigation of alkaline discharges and ash explosions from a fluidized-bed coal-fired power plant, North Branch Power Station, Bayard, West Virginia. 1999-2003.
Consulting for Virginia Power Company, Richmond, VA.

US EPA 316(a) demonstration project for the Stony River Watershed Adjacent to the Mount Storm Power Generating Station. 2001-2004.
Consulting for Dominion Power Co., Richmond, VA.

Integrated fly ash pond water quality management at five coal-fired power plants. 2003-2010.
Consulting for American Electric Power and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI).

Key Citations

Edwards, W. J., C. R. Rehmann, E. T. McDonald, and D. A. Culver. 2005. The impact of a benthic filter feeder: Limitations imposed by physical transport of algae to the benthos. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 62:205-214.

Boegman, L., M. R. Loewen, P. F. Hamblin, and D. A. Culver. 2001. Application of a two-dimensional hydrodynamic reservoir model to Lake Erie. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 58:858-869.

Gopalan, G., D. A. Culver, L. Wu, and B.K. Trauben. 1998. Effects of recent ecosystem changes on the recruitment of young-of-the-year fish in western Lake Erie. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 55:2572-2579.

Conroy, J.D.,D.D. Kane, D.M. Dolan, W.J. Edwards, M.N. Charlton, and D.A. Culver. 2005. Temporal trends in Lake Erie plankton biomass: roles of external phosphorus loading and dreissenid mussels. Journal of Great Lakes Research 31(supplement 2):89-110.

Tew, K.S., J.D. Conroy, and D.A. Culver. 2005. Effect of lowered phosphorus fertilization rates on pond production of percid fingerlings. Aquaculture 255:436-446.

Courses

EEOB 647 Plankton 5 cr hrs. Autumn Quarter, TR 1-5 pm
EEOB 655 Limnology 5 cr hrs. Spring Quarter, MWF 11, Lab W or R 1-5 pm

Lab Group

Graduate Students:

Briland, Ruth; M.S. Program, EEOB.  B. S. The Ohio State University.

My research involves a study of the relative effectiveness of phosphorus and nitrogen fertilization control, fry-stocking and pond-filling schedule manipulation, and fry stocking density on the production of walleye and sauger-walleye hybrid fingerlings for lake stocking.

Brumbaugh, Erica; M.S. Program, Environmental Science Graduate Program. B.S., Heidelberg College, Tiffin, Ohio.

My research involves improving the success of culturing juvenile hybrid striped bass/white bass in aquaculture ponds in conjunction with Ohio Division of Wildlife personnel. 

Filbrun, Jesse:  Ph.D. Program, EEOB.  B. S., Bowling Green State University.

I am testing the relative importance of the nutrient content of lake water used to fill fish rearing ponds and the nutrients introduced with artificial fish diets on algal growth and dissolved oxygen depletion in catfish culture at two Ohio fish hatcheries.

Horn, Jonathan; M.S. Program, Environmental Science Graduate Program.  B.S., Denison University.

I am developing a mathematical model of Lake Erie to test the effects of changing nutrient levels and climate on yellow perch recruitment in the lake.

Laboratory Staff:

Ruth Briland (laboratory manager);  B. S. The Ohio State University.

Cathleen Doyle; B. S. Ohio Dominican University, M.S. University of Louisiana-Lafayette

Mike Kulasa; B. S. The Ohio State University

Weblog