Peter C Esselman, PhD
Peter Esselman, PhD, is a Research Fishery Biologist based in Ann Arbor, MI.
My research extends the theory and approaches of landscape ecology into large lake and river contexts to support natural resource decision making from local to continental scales. Since joining USGS in 2014, I have worked to apply emerging technologies and analytical approaches to the description of large-scale spatiotemporal variation in forage fish abundances and habitats that underpin Great Lakes commercial and recreational fisheries. I am also actively engaged in the detection, measurement and modeling of invasive and nuisance species distributions and abundances to support the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. I am a strong advocate for modernization of data collection methods, aquatic remote sensing, and improving bathymetric and habitat maps for the Great Lakes. Prior to joining USGS I worked extensively in Central America where I studied tropical river ecosystems and supported global and local conservation organizations. I have specialties in fish community ecology, landscape ecology, biological assessment, applications of machine learning models to ecological problems, field methods, and spatial planning.
Professional Experience
Research Fish Biologist, US Geological Survey Great Lakes Science Center (2014-present)
Assistant Professor, Michigan State University Dept of Zoology (2011-2014)
Consultant to the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) (2012-2015)
Research Associate, Michigan State University Dept. of Fisheries and Wildlife and Center for Systems Integration and Sustainability (CSIS) (2009-2011)
Consultant, The World Bank (2008-2009)
Consultant, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) Global Freshwater Team (2006-2009)
Consultant, City of Knowledge Foundation (2006-2007)
Consultant to TNC Belize Country Program (2001-2002; 2003; 2008)
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. (Aquatic Resource Ecology and Management) University of Michigan, School of Natural Resources & Environment, 2009
M.Sc. (Conservation Ecology and Sustainable Development) University of Georgia, Institute of Ecology, 2001
B.A. (Environmental Studies/Anthropology minor) Connecticut College, 1994
Science and Products
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Publications by this scientist
Outsized nutrient contributions from small tributaries to a Great Lake
Status and trends of pelagic prey fish in Lake Huron, 2018
A conceptual framework for the identification and characterization of lacustrine spawning habitats for native lake charr Salvelinus namaycush
A comparison of chlorophyll a values obtained from an autonomous underwater vehicle to satellite-based measures for Lake Michigan
Seasonal fluxes of dissolved nutrients in streams of catchments dominated by swidden agriculture in the Maya Forest of Belize, Central America
Evidence for interactions among environmental stressors in the Laurentian Great Lakes
Status and trends of pelagic prey fish in Lake Huron, 2017
Landscape drivers and social dynamics shaping microbial contamination risk in three Maya communities in southern Belize, Central America
Hierarchical modeling assessment of the influence of watershed stressors on fish and invertebrate species in Gulf of Mexico estuaries
Islands in the ice stream: were spawning habitats for native salmonids in the Great Lakes created by paleo-ice streams?
Landscape prediction and mapping of game fish biomass, an ecosystem service of Michigan rivers
News about this scientist
Science and Products
Science pages by this scientist
Data releases by this scientist
Multimedia related to this scientist
Publications by this scientist
Outsized nutrient contributions from small tributaries to a Great Lake
Status and trends of pelagic prey fish in Lake Huron, 2018
A conceptual framework for the identification and characterization of lacustrine spawning habitats for native lake charr Salvelinus namaycush
A comparison of chlorophyll a values obtained from an autonomous underwater vehicle to satellite-based measures for Lake Michigan
Seasonal fluxes of dissolved nutrients in streams of catchments dominated by swidden agriculture in the Maya Forest of Belize, Central America
Evidence for interactions among environmental stressors in the Laurentian Great Lakes
Status and trends of pelagic prey fish in Lake Huron, 2017
Landscape drivers and social dynamics shaping microbial contamination risk in three Maya communities in southern Belize, Central America
Hierarchical modeling assessment of the influence of watershed stressors on fish and invertebrate species in Gulf of Mexico estuaries
Islands in the ice stream: were spawning habitats for native salmonids in the Great Lakes created by paleo-ice streams?
Landscape prediction and mapping of game fish biomass, an ecosystem service of Michigan rivers
News about this scientist