Farrell, John M.
Senior Research Associate and the Director of the Thousand Islands Biological Station PhD, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, 1998. Fisheries Science and Management, Aquatic Ecology, Wetlands Restoration, Invasive Species.

253 Illick Hall
SUNY-ESF
1 Forestry Drive
Syracuse, NY 13210

Email: jmfarrell@esf.edu Telephone: (315) 470-6990
Fax: (315) 470-6934

• Thousand Islands Biological Station

Teaching

• EFB 797 Aquatic Ecology and Management (1 credit) - A graduate level seminar on various topics designed to enhance students abilities in aquatic ecology and management in their areas of interest. Seminars have been held on to the process of publishing peer-reviewed literature with consideration of approach, experimental and study designs, statistical analyses, and interpretation and presentation of findings. We have also looked at the topic of restoration ecology by examining many approaches for restoration over a variety of aquatic habitats. Students present their reviews to the group in a discussion format.
• EFB 681 Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration and Enhancement (2 credits) - The guiding principles for ecological restoration of freshwater aquatic ecosystems focusing on effects of nutrient loading, sedimentation, flow alteration, and habitat loss. Factors leading to loss of aquatic resources and the effectiveness of techniques to restore habitat and fauna are analyzed. Student presentation of a case study and field excursions to perturbed areas and recent restoration projects are required.
• EFB 488 Ecology of Adirondack Fishes (3 credits) - co-taught with Dr. Neil Ringler - An introduction to field-based fish ecology and management of the Adirondack and St. Lawrence River regions. Extensive field based experience with various sampling procedures and fisheries investigation techniques. Classroom and laboratory experience on introduction to theory, concepts leading to individual projects regarding aspects of local/regional questions. Taught at the Cranberry Lake Biological Station www.esf.edu/clbs with field excursions to the Salmon River and the Thousand Islands Biological Station www.esf.edu/tibs.

Research Interests

My interests revolve around the broad topic of aquatic ecology and management of aquatic resources. I am interested in understanding the structure and function of aquatic systems and applying that information to improve management and stewardship. I have largely dedicated my research effort to investigate problems regarding the St. Lawrence River. This commitment involves important research on the effects of environmental change and management of aquatic resources on a major north-temperate river ecosystem. My work on the St. Lawrence has focused on fish ecology and coastal wetland ecology. I have developed standardized monitoring databases of value in assessing nearshore and pelagic processes and fish population trends useful for assessing research needs and investigating change. My interest and concentration on fish and their habitats has led the program in many directions including early life history, population ecology, disease, species interactions, physiology and energetics, habitat restoration, and management.

Recent Publications

• Farrell, J. M., R. M. Klindt, J. M. Casselman, S. R. LaPan, R. G. Werner, and A. Schiavone. 2007. Development, implementation, and evaluation of an international muskellunge management strategy for the upper St. Lawrence River. Environmental Biology of Fishes 79:111-123.
• Murry, B. A., and J. M. Farrell. 2007. Quantification of native muskellunge nursery: influence of body size, fish community composition, and vegetation structure. Environmental Biology of Fishes 79:37-47.
• Smith, B. V., J. M. Farrell, H. B. Underwood, and S. Smith. 2007. Year class strength of St. Lawrence River northern pike. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 27:481-491.
• Farrell, J. M., J. V. Mead, and B. A. Murry. 2006. Protracted spawning of St. Lawrence River northern pike (Esox lucius): simulated effects on survival, growth, and production. Ecology of Freshwater Fish 15:169-179.
• Bosworth, A., and J. M. Farrell. 2006. Genetic divergence among northern pike from spawning locations in the Upper St. Lawrence River. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 26:676-684.
• Murry, B. A., J. M. Farrell, P. Smyntek, and M. Teece. 2006. Effect of lipid extraction on the interpretation of fish community trophic relationships determined by stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 63:2167-2172.

Recent Graduate Students

• Jarrod Hughes, MS (in progress), Restoration of critical reproductive habitat for three freshwater sportfishes.
• Scott Schluter, MS (in progress), Movements and habitat use of stocked Lake sturgeon in the Oswegatchie River, NY.
• Emily Waldt, MPS (in progress), Professional experience in environmental education and dual program between ESF and Syracuse University leading to NYS Teachers Certification.
• Alison Halpern, PhD (in progress), co-advised with Dr. Donald Leopold. Research project: Effects of hydrologic management and introduced European Frog's-Bit (Hydrocharis morsus ranae) on coastal wetland vegetation communities.
• Geof Eckerlin, MS (in progress), Research project: Effects of viral hemorraghic septicemia (VHS) on smallmouth bass during ontogeny: the role of condition and stress on susceptibility and virulence.
• Brian Kelder, MS (in progress), Research project: Walleye spawning habitat use: development of statistical and spatial models to guide restoration.
• Kevin Kapusinski, PhD (in progress), Population ecology of muskellunge: management and restoration.
• Katie Woodside, MS (in progress), Predictive modeling of muskellunge nursery habitat to guide enhancement.
• Brent Murry, PhD (completed 12/06), Early life history and community structure of large river fishes.
• Jason A. Toner, MS (completed 5/06), Muskrat house abundance and cattail use in the upper St. Lawrence River: modeling the effects of water level regulation.
• Aaron D. Bosworth, MS (completed 8/04), Northern pike spawning strategy in the upper St. Lawrence River: empirical evidence using microsatellite markers.
• Molly Beland (Rippke), MS (completed 12/03), Holocene vegetation dynamics of an upper St. Lawrence River coastal wetland and surrounding uplands: effects of climate change and anthropogenic disturbance.
• Molly A. Connerton, MS (completed 5/03), Double crested cormorant predation on northern pike in the Eastern basin of Lake Ontario and the upper St. Lawrence River.