Joseph Conroy

Joseph D. Conroy

Post-Doctoral Researcher

Aquatic Ecology Laboratory

Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology

The Ohio State University

Room 200R, Research Center

1314 Kinnear Road

Columbus, Ohio 43212

E-mail: conroy.27@osu.edu

Office (direct): (614) 247-7229

AEL: (614) 292-1613

Fax: (614) 292-0181

Research Interests:

My research interests lie at several interfaces: community and ecosystem ecology, watershed-lake interactions, human-ecosystem feedbacks, and basic and applied science.  To explore these interfaces, I have conducted research on topics ranging from the local (10’s of square meters), daily effects of individual invasive zebra mussels on nutrient cycling to lake-basin-wide (1,000’s of square kilometers), decadal trends in phytoplankton biomass in a large lake.  I work toward better understanding aquatic ecology by studying multiple processes at multiple spatial and temporal scales.  Most of my current efforts focus on understanding how Ohio’s reservoirs operate functionally.  That is, how do management practices (e.g., stocking, creel limits, and/or size limits), angling, watershed processes, basin morphometry, lower trophic levels, climatological effects, and prey fish dynamics affect sport fish production.

Education:

Ph.D.  2007.  The Ohio State University.  Advisor: Dr. David A. Culver.  Title of dissertation: Testing the algal loading hypothesis: the importance of Sandusky River phytoplankton inputs to offshore Lake Erie processes. (Abstract)

M.S.  2005.  The Ohio State University.

B.S. Biochemistry and B.S. Zoology (Dual Degree).  2001.  The Ohio State University.  Graduation with honors in the Liberal Arts, Magna cum laude.

Current and Pending Project Funding:

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.  2009, in review.  ECOHAB: Role of population diversity, growth and transport in the formation of toxic Microcystis blooms in the Lower Great Lakes.  With G. Boyer (PI), S. Wilhelm, J. Atkinson, J. Makarewicz, L. Burlakova, A. Karatayev, D. Culver, R. Becker, T. Bridgeman, G. Bullerjahn, R. McKay, R. Bourbonniere, S. Watson, R. Yerubandi, and R. Smith (Co-PIs).  $4,998,670 (OSU Subaward: $308,093).

In this proposed project, we will serve as one of three Lake Erie field teams continuing our work in the Sandusky system.  Specifically, we will be responsible for quantifying nutrient dynamics and phytoplankton community composition throughout the Sandusky system. Click link for a project statement.

Ohio Lake Erie Protection Fund.  2009.  Connecting Phosphorus load, transport, and biological use in Lake Erie: how does Microcystis use phosphorus and where is the bloom trigger point?  With D. Culver (PI).  $167,040.

This project focuses on low-order, main tributary, bay, and nearshore nutrient and phytoplankton dynamics in the Maumee and Sandusky systems.  Importantly, our approach is to use the biota to tell us where important areas of hydrodynamic coupling and Microcystis bloom initiation points occur.  Collaborators on this project include Dr. Darren Bade, Kent State University, Dr. William Edwards, Niagara University, and Dr. Douglas Kane, Defiance College. Click link for a project statement.

United States Environmental Protection Agency, Great Lakes National Program Office.  2009.  The nearshore and offshore Lake Erie nutrient study (NOLENS).  With C. Pennuto (PI) and A. Karatayev, A. Pérez-Fuentetaja, L. Burlakova, G. Matisoff, D. Bade, and E. Marschall (Co-PIs).  $150,000 (OSU Subaward: $18,749).

In this project, we are examining differences in phosphorus pools in the nearshore and offshore zones of Lake Erie adjacent to three U.S.A. tributaries: the Sandusky and Grand (Ohio) rivers and Cattaraugus Creek.  Specifically, we at the AEL were responsible for sampling the Sandusky subbasin portion of the central basin of Lake Erie and also processing phytoplankton, zooplankton, and chlorophyll samples.Click link for a project statement.

United States Environmental Protection Agency, Great Lakes National Program Office.  2009.  Lake Erie algal source tracking (LEAST).  With T. Bridgeman (PI) and C. Mayer, C. Gruden, E. Marschall, D. Kane, G. Winston, and J. Kramer (Co-PIs).  $101,304 (OSU Subaward: $6,000).

During pre-Microcystis bloom (June), incipient-bloom (August), and late-bloom (September) conditions, we will quantify physical (temperature, photosynthetic photon flux density, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, turbidity), chemical (total and soluble forms of phosphorus and nitrogen), and biological (differential fluorometric determination of taxa, chlorophyll, and phytoplankton biomass) parameters at five sites on the Maumee River and six sites in Maumee Bay and western Lake Erie to determine Microcystis abundance.Click link for a project statement.

Selected Publications:

Conroy, J.D., E.L. Quinlan, D.D. Kane, and D.A. Culver.  2007.  Cylindrospermopsis in Lake Erie: testing its association with other cyanobacterial genera and major limnological parameters.  Journal of Great Lakes Research 33: 519-535. (Abstract)

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(Suppl. 2): 89-110. (Abstract)

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. (Abstract)