Paul W. Seelbach

October 2003

Institute for Fisheries Research
Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and
University of Michigan
212 Museums Annex, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109
Telephone:(734) 663-3554 x108
Emails: seelbach@umich.edu and seelbacp@michigan.gov
Education
1986. Ph.D., Fisheries Biology, University of Michigan
1980. M.S., Aquatic Biology, Bucknell University
1979. B.S., Biology, Bucknell University
Positions held
2002- .

Adjunct Full Professor, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Duties include supervising graduate student research.
2002-2003.

Associate Editor, Transactions of the American Fisheries Society.
2000- .

Research Program Manager, Fisheries Division, Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Duties include: leadership and administration of $4 M statewide research program consisting of 6 Research Stations, 4 large Survey Vessels, ~20 Research Scientists and ~40 support personnel, and ; leadership and administration of Division (~$22 M budget and ~250 employees) through service on Division Management Team; special Division assignments. Manage Sportfish Restoration and State Wildlife Grants federal aid programs, and contract research to universities. Serve as Division liason to major universities, including shared oversight of the PERM (partnership) fisheries faculty program.
1988- . Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Duties include supervising graduate student research and team-teaching of Ecology of Fishes, 2 semesters.
1988- . Adjunct Assistant Professor, Michigan State University, East Lansing. Duties include supervising graduate student research.
1989-1999. Research Specialist, Institute for Fisheries Research. Duties include: development and coordination of research on the ecology and management of warmwater river fishes and habitats; technical assistance to Division fishery management programs; serving on various Division and Department committees; editing Division Research and Technical reports; supervising university graduate students.
1994-1995. Inland Research Coordinator, Institute for Fisheries Research. Duties included: planning and coordination of Division research on inland waters; coordination of cooperative research with universities; assisting Research Program Manager with administration of statewide research program; overseeing production of Division Research Reports.
1986-1989. Research Biologist, Institute for Fisheries Research. Focus on ecology and management of warmwater river fishes and habitats, and on ecology and life history of migratory salmonids.
1980-1986. Doctoral Fellow, Institute for Fisheries Research. Graduate studies involved population dynamics of wild and hatchery steelhead.
1980(8 months). Intern Benthic Ecologist, Chesapeake Bay Center for Environmental Studies, Smithsonian Institution, Edgewater, Maryland.
Division and Department committee appointments
2003-2006. State Groundwater Conservation Advisory Council, Department representative.
2002-2003. Department forest biodiversity and old growth planning team
1998-1999. Department team for designing ECO-TEAMS approach to ecosystem management
1998-2002. Department GIS planning team, ViGIL
1997. Division team for designing watershed approach to fisheries management, WART
1995-1997. Division committee on inventory of inland waters
1995-1996. Department working group on coldwater stream designation.
1995. Department working group on watershed management.
1993. Chair, Division Inland Fisheries Strategic Program Review Committee.
Selected current/recent research projects
2003-2007. Development of a comprehensive GIS base for the Great Lakes Basin. Full proposal requested by Great Lakes Fishery Commission, re. the Great Lakes Restoration Act Fund, $550,000. Co-PIs are Dr. Ed Rutherford, University of Michigan; Mark Macky, Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
2003-2006. Developing relations among human activities, stressors, and stream ecosystem responses and linkage in integrated regional, multi-stressor models. Funded by USEPA STAR Program, $748,527. Co-PIs: Dr. Michael Wiley, University of Michigan; and Dr. R. Jan Stevenson, Dr. David Hyndman, and Dr. Brian Pijanowski, Michigan State University.
2003-2007. Fish recruitment at the interface of the Great Lakes and their watersheds (an addendum to enhance current projects of the Muskegon River ecosystem). Funded by Great Lakes Fishery Trust, $1,600,000. PIs are Dr. Michael Wiley, University of Michigan and Dr. R. Jan Stevenson, Michigan State University. [I am one of many cooperating scientists from within Michigan].
2002-2009. Proposed implementation plan for an aquatic GAP analysis project in the Great Lakes Region, 2002-05. Funded by US Geological Survey, $560,000. PI is Dr. Donna Meyers, USGS, Columbus, Ohio [I am one of many Cooperating Scientists across Great Lakes Basin]. Funding includes $60,000 for a UM graduate student.
2002-2004. Ecological classification of rivers for environmental assessment: demonstration, validation, and application to regional risk assessment across Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Funded by USEPA STAR Program, $842,000. Co-PIs: Dr. Michael Wiley and Dr. David Allan, University of Michigan; Dr. Brian Piganowski and Dr. Jan Stevenson, Michigan State University; Dr. John Lyons and Dr. Li Wang, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources; Dr. Douglas Austen, Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
2001-2004. A Collaborative Approach to Understanding the Dynamics of the Muskegon Watershed: A Comprehensive Model, Risk Assessment and Tools for Use in Management. Funded by Great Lakes Fishery Trust, $1,200,000. Co-PIs: John Koches, Grand Valley State University; Dr. Brian Pijanowski, Michigan State University; Dr. Michael Wiley, University of Michigan.
2000-2003. Development of the high-resolution, National Hydrography Dataset for selected subwatershed in Michigan. Funded by USDA Forest Service, $140,000. CO-PIs: Dr. Steven Miller, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality; Robert Surber, Michigan Department of Management and Budget.
1999-2002. Flow alterations in Great Lakes Basin rivers: extent and effects. Funded by Great Lakes Protection Fund, Chicago, $300,000. Co-Pis: Dr. David Allan, Dr. James Diana, Dr. Edward Rutherford, Dr. Michael Wiley, and Dr. Paul Webb, University of Michigan; Dr. N. Leroy Poff, Colorado State University.
1999-2001. Development of landscape-level assessment methods for depressional wetlands in southern Michigan. Funded by USEPA, Chicago, $66,000.
1998-2002. Ecosystem structure and function at the land/water interface. Funded by MDNR, $160,000. Co-principal investigator: Dr. Michael Wiley, University of Michigan.
Graduate student theses

  • Chadwick, D., M. Hearne, M. Schuller, and J. Short. 2003. Shiatown Dam assessment: guiding a community decision for action. M.S. Project, University of Michigan.

  • Zorn, T.G. 2002. Factors affecting patterns in the distribution and abundance of stream fishes in lower Michigan. Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Michigan.

  • Creque, S.M. 2002. Using landscape-scale habitat models to predict potential abundance of potamodromous fishes above dams on Great Lakes Tributaries. M.S. Thesis, University of Michigan.

  • Baker, M.E. 2002. Ecosystem structure and function at the land-water interface on Michigan rivers. Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Michigan.

  • Infante, D. 2001. Effects of channel morphology on fish community attributes in southern Michigan streams. M.S. Thesis, University of Michigan.

  • Bowler, S.P. 1999. Influences of habitat and channel shape on stream insect diversity in a watershed context. M.S. Thesis, University of Michigan.

  • Wehrly, K. E. 1999. Influence of thermal regime on the distribution and abundance of stream fishes in Michigan. Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Michigan.

  • Aponte-Clarke, G.P., J.R. Batres-Marroquin, B.L. Braden, H. Kato, and A.M. Perot, Jr. 1998. Feasibility assessment for rehabilitating the Dowagiac River system in southwestern Michigan; a watershed analysis of potential changes to the ecology and community. M.S. Project, University of Michigan.

  • Abel, R. 1996. Landscape and streamside effects on summer water temperatures in the River Raisin. M.S. Thesis, University of Michigan.

  • Kleiman, R. 1995. Modeling water quality in Michigan rivers from landscape variables. M.S. Thesis, University of Michigan.

  • Prasad, S. 1994. GIS-based watershed integrated water quality modeling. Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Michigan.

  • Roth, N.E. 1994. Land use, riparian vegetation, and stream ecosystem integrity in an agricultural watershed. M.S. Thesis, University of Michigan.

  • Mendelson, M.A., and P. Monks. 1994. Modeling stormwater flows for Honey Creek, Michigan. M.S. Thesis, University of Michigan.

  • Majewski, D.M., L.J. Manor, C.W. Radcliffe, T.M. Tompkins, and W.W. Whipps. 1993. The upper Tittabawassee River wetlands: impacts on regional hydrology, water quality and avian biodiversity. M.S. Thesis, U. of Michigan.

  • Berry, T. 1992. Land use and stream discharge in Michigan's cold water streams. M.S. Thesis, University of Michigan.

  • Cornejo, C.R.T. 1992. Regional characteristics of longitudinal patterns in stream fish biodiversity. M.S. Thesis, University of Michigan.

  • Zafft, D.J. 1992. Migration of wild chinook and coho smolts from the Pere Marquette River, Michigan. M.S. Thesis, Michigan State University.

  • Flaherty, M.J. 1990. Diet, habitat use, and growth of smallmouth bass and catostomid fishes in two warmwater rivers. M.S. Thesis, Michigan State University.

  • Fielder, D.G. 1987. An assessment of the introduction of summer steelhead into Michigan. M.S. Thesis, University of Michigan.

    • Publications

  • Hughes, R., L. Wang, and P.W. Seelbach, Editors. 2005. Landscape influences on stream habitats and biological communities. American Fisheries Society, Special Publication. Proposed.

  • Wiley, M.J., and P.W. Seelbach. 2004. Understanding and modeling the hydrology of Michigan rivers. In preparation for Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Fisheries Research Report, Ann Arbor.

  • Wang, L., J. Lyons, P. Rasmussen, P. Seelbach, T. Simon, M. Wiley, P. Kanehl, E. Baker, S. Niemela, and P.M. Stewart. 2003. Watershed, riparian, and reach influences on stream fish assemblages in the Northern Lakes and Forests Ecoregion, USA. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 60:491-505.

  • Seelbach, P. W., and M. J. Wiley. 2003. Landscape-based modeling as the basis for a prototype information system for ecological assessment of Lake Michigan tributaries. In T. Edsal and M. Munowar, Editors. State of Lake Michigan Ecosystem. In press.

  • M.E. Baker, M.J. Wiley, and P.W. Seelbach. 2003. Spatially-explicit models of groundwater loading in glaciated landscapes: considerations and development in Lower Michigan. Environmental Management, In Press.

  • Wehrly, K. E., M. J. Wiley, and P. W. Seelbach. 2003. Classifying regional variation in thermal regime based on stream fish community patterns. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 132:18-38.

  • E.A. Baker, K.E. Wehrly, P.W. Seelbach, M.J. Wiley, L. Wang, and T. Simon. 2002. Regional modeling and normalization of ecological reference conditions for individual sites on streams in the Northern Lakes and Forests Ecoregion. Final Report to USEPA, Duluth, MN.

  • Wiley, M.J., P.W. Seelbach, and K.E. Wehrly. 2002. Regional ecological normalization using linear models: a meta-method for scaling stream assessment indicators. Pages 201-223 In T. Simon, Editor. Biological Response Signatures: Patterns in biological integrity for assessment of freshwater aquatic assemblages. CRC Press.

  • Zorn, T. G., P. W. Seelbach and M. J. Wiley. 2002. Patterns in the Distributions of Stream Fishes in Michigan's Lower Peninsula. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 131:70-85. Nominated for Best Paper of 2002 (N=6).

  • M.E. Baker, M.J. Wiley, and P.W. Seelbach. 2001. GIS-based hydrologic modeling of riparian areas: implications for stream water quality. Journal of the American Water Resources Association 37:1615-1628.

  • Seelbach, P.W., M.J. Wiley, P. Soranno, and M. Bremigan. 2001. Aquatic conservation planning: predicting ecological reference ranges for specific waters across a region from landscape maps. Chapter 26 in K. Gutzwiller, Editor. Concepts and applications of landscape ecology in biological conservation. Springer-Verlag, New York, NY.

  • Seelbach, P.W., and M.J. Wiley. 1997. The Michigan Rivers Inventory: Project Description. Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Fisheries Technical Report 97-3, Ann Arbor.

  • Seelbach, P. W., M. J. Wiley, J. C. Kotanchik and M. E. Baker. 1997. A landscape-based ecological classification system for river valley segments in lower Michigan (MI-VSEC version 1.0). Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Fisheries Research Report 2036, Ann Arbor.

  • Wiley, M.J., and P.W. Seelbach. 1997. An introduction to rivers. Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Fisheries Special Report 20, Ann Arbor.

  • Wiley, M.J., and P.W. Seelbach. 1997. Ecological targets for rehabilitation of the Rouge River. Wayne County, Rouge Program Office Report RPO-PI-SR21.00.

  • Wiley, M.J., S. L. Kohler, P.W. Seelbach, and R.D. Clark. 1996. Reconciling landscape and local views of aquatic communities: lessons from Michigan trout streams. Freshwater Biology 36 (In press).

  • Zorn, T.G., and P.W. Seelbach. 1995. The relation between habitat availability and the short-term carrying capacity of a stream reach for smallmouth bass. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 15:773-783.

  • Hay-Chmielewski, P.W. Seelbach, G.E. Whelan, and D.B. Jester. 1995. Huron River Assessment. Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Fisheries Special Report 16, Ann Arbor.

  • Seelbach, P.W., J. Dexter, and N.D. Ledet. 1994. Performance of steelhead smolts stocked in southern Michigan warmwater rivers. Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Fisheries Research Report 2003, Ann Arbor.

  • Seelbach, P.W., R.N. Lockwood, and J.R. Ryckman. 1994. Efficiency of sampling river fishes with rotenone. Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Fisheries Research Report 2009, Ann Arbor. (In review, North American Journal of Fisheries Management)

  • Seelbach, P.W., and B.R. Miller. 1993. Dynamics in Lake Superior of hatchery and wild steelhead emigrating from the Huron River, Michigan. Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Fisheries Research Report 1993, Ann Arbor.

  • Rand, P.S., D.J. Stewart, P.W. Seelbach, M.L. Jones, and L.R. Wedge. 1993. Modeling steelhead population energetics in Lakes Michigan and Ontario. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 122:977-1001.

  • Seelbach, P.W. 1993. Population biology of steelhead in a stable-flow, low-gradient tributary of Lake Michigan. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 122:179-198.

  • Zorn, T.G., and P.W. Seelbach. 1992. A historical perspective of the Clinton River watershed and its fish communities. Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Fisheries Technical Report 92-10, Ann Arbor.

  • Seelbach, P.W. 1989. Characteristics of adult steelhead populations, including returns of hatchery yearlings, in the St. Joseph and Grand rivers, Michigan, 1979-85. Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Fisheries Technical Report 89-3, Ann Arbor.

  • Seelbach, P.W. 1988. Considerations regarding the introduction of muskellunge into southern Michigan Rivers. Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Fisheries Technical Report 88-5, Ann Arbor.

  • Seelbach, P.W., and G.E. Whelan. 1988. Identification and contribution of wild and hatchery steelhead stocks in Lake Michigan tributaries. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 117:444-451.

  • Seelbach, P.W. 1987. Effect of winter severity on steelhead smolt yield in Michigan: an example of the importance of environmental factors in determining smolt yield. American Fisheries Society Symposium 1:441-450.

  • Seelbach, P.W. 1987. Smolting success of hatchery-raised steelhead planted in a Michigan tributary of Lake Michigan. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 7:223-231.

  • Seelbach, P.W., R.N. Lockwood, and G.R. Alexander. 1985. A modified inclined-screen trap for catching salmonid smolts in large rivers. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 5:494-498.

  • Seelbach, P.W. 1985. Smolt migration of wild and hatchery-raised coho and chinook salmon in a tributary of northern Lake Michigan. Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Fisheries Research Report 1935, Ann Arbor.

  • Seelbach, P.W., and W.F. McDiffett. 1983. Distribution and abundance of zooplankton in an alkaline freshwater marsh in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania. International Revue gesampten Hydrobiologie 68:379-395.

    		•
    Presentations to:

  • Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, Surface Water Quality Division

  • American Fisheries Society-- Parent Society, North-Central Division, State Chapter

  • American Water Resources Association, Michigan State Section

  • International Association of Landscape Ecologists; International Association of Great Lakes Research

  • USDA Forest Service, Regional workshop stream classification; USGS Lake Erie NAQUA Annual review

  • USEPA Mid-Continent Ecology Lab- Duluth; The Nature Conservancy, Great Lakes Program flow modeling workshop

  • USGS Great Lakes Aquatic GAP Analysis workshop

  • Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Riverine Research Program workshop

  • Huron, Clinton, Rouge, Pere Marquette, Dowagiac river watershed councils

  • Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, Water Quality Board; Michigan Association of Drain Commissioners

  • Albion College; Au Sable Institute; Calvin College; Eastern Michigan University; Michigan State University; Oakland University; University of Michigan

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