Aerial views of streams on the west side of Cook Inlet, Alaska. This was during surveys for juvenile salmon distribution for the Anadromous Fish Catalog for the State of Alaska.
Christian E Zimmerman, Ph.D.
Actionable science to inform decision makers, managers, and the public
Professional Experience
2017 - Present Center Director, USGS Alaska Science Center, Anchorage, Alaska
2015 - 2017 Chief, Water and Interdisciplinary Studies Office, USGS, Alaska Science Center, Anchorage, Alaska
2002 - Present Chair Scientific and Technical Committee, Arctic-Yukon-Kuskokwim Sustainable Salmon Initiative, Anchorage, Alaska
2001-2015 Research Fish Biologist, Alaska Science Center, Anchorage, AK
2000 - 2001 Scientist, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
1995 - 1997 Fishery Biologist, U.S. Forest Service Pacific Northwest Research Station, Corvallis, Oregon
1993 - 1995 Graduate Research Assistant, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon
1992 Fishery Biologist, Thomas R. Payne and Associates/Pacific Land and Water Resources Consultants, Arcata, California
1991 Teaching Assistant, Humboldt State University, Arcata, California
1990 - 1991 Research Assistant, Institute of Limnology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
1989 - 1990 Biological Technician, Redwood National Park, Arcata, California
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. 2000 Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR Fishery Science
M.S. 1996 Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR Fishery Science
B.S. 1992 Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA Fishery Biology
Science and Products
Effect of Elodea spp. on Fish Performance Mediated Through Food Web Interactions
Sockeye Salmon Migrating at the Northern Edge of Their Distribution
Arctic Coastal Plain Studies
Aerial views of streams on the west side of Cook Inlet, Alaska. This was during surveys for juvenile salmon distribution for the Anadromous Fish Catalog for the State of Alaska.
Aerial views of streams on the west side of Cook Inlet, Alaska. This was during surveys for juvenile salmon distribution for the Anadromous Fish Catalog for the State of Alaska.
Aerial views of streams on the west side of Cook Inlet, Alaska. This was during surveys for juvenile salmon distribution for the Anadromous Fish Catalog for the State of Alaska.
Upper Crescent River on the west side of Cook Inlet, Alaska. Surveys were done after the eruption of the Redoubt volcano to determine the condition of fish streams.
Upper Crescent River on the west side of Cook Inlet, Alaska. Surveys were done after the eruption of the Redoubt volcano to determine the condition of fish streams.
Aerial surveys were done after the eruption of the Redoubt volcano to determine the condition of fish streams.
Aerial surveys were done after the eruption of the Redoubt volcano to determine the condition of fish streams.
Drift River on the west side of Cook Inlet, Alaska. Lahars from the eruption of Redoubt are evident. Aerial surveys were done after the eruption of the Redoubt volcano to determine the condition of fish streams.
Drift River on the west side of Cook Inlet, Alaska. Lahars from the eruption of Redoubt are evident. Aerial surveys were done after the eruption of the Redoubt volcano to determine the condition of fish streams.
Using remote sensing through the ice to determine how much water was in the Nome River in the winter. Some spots were open to the air.
Using remote sensing through the ice to determine how much water was in the Nome River in the winter. Some spots were open to the air.
Using remote sensing through the ice to determine how much water was in the Nome River in the winter.
Using remote sensing through the ice to determine how much water was in the Nome River in the winter.
Using remote sensing through the ice to determine how much water was in the Nome River in the winter.
Using remote sensing through the ice to determine how much water was in the Nome River in the winter.
Water sampling on the Tanana River. Notice the poles of the piezometers installed in the river. This project was to see chum salmon spawning habitat in the winter.
Water sampling on the Tanana River. Notice the poles of the piezometers installed in the river. This project was to see chum salmon spawning habitat in the winter.
Biologist standing in the Tanana River sampling the open water. This project was to see chum salmon spawning habitat in the winter.
Biologist standing in the Tanana River sampling the open water. This project was to see chum salmon spawning habitat in the winter.
Chum salmon eggs in the gravel in the Tanana River. This project was to see chum salmon spawning habitat in the winter.
Chum salmon eggs in the gravel in the Tanana River. This project was to see chum salmon spawning habitat in the winter.
Biologists looking from a bluff over the Tanana River in November 2008. This project was to see chum salmon spawning habitat in the winter.
Biologists looking from a bluff over the Tanana River in November 2008. This project was to see chum salmon spawning habitat in the winter.
Biologist reading water meter in the Tanana River in November, 2008. This project was to see chum salmon spawning habitat in the winter.
Biologist reading water meter in the Tanana River in November, 2008. This project was to see chum salmon spawning habitat in the winter.
Biologist standing next to the shore getting ready to sample water in the Tanana River. This project was to see chum salmon spawning habitat in the winter.
Biologist standing next to the shore getting ready to sample water in the Tanana River. This project was to see chum salmon spawning habitat in the winter.
A helicopter used to transport personnel to the Tanana River to winter sample chum salmon spawning habitat.
A helicopter used to transport personnel to the Tanana River to winter sample chum salmon spawning habitat.
The northern lights over the Selawik River, Alaska
The northern lights over the Selawik River, Alaska
Sheefish eggs in a vial from the Selawik River, Alaska
Sheefish eggs in a vial from the Selawik River, Alaska
A moose on the shore of the Selawik River. This moose was present during the Sheefish sediment impact study field work.
A moose on the shore of the Selawik River. This moose was present during the Sheefish sediment impact study field work.
Biologists clip the tip of one of the ventral fins of a sheefish that is in a cradle in the Selawik River, Alaska. This study was collecting genetic samples to help find impacts of fine sediment on sheefish. The results were no impacts due to low amounts of sediments present.
Biologists clip the tip of one of the ventral fins of a sheefish that is in a cradle in the Selawik River, Alaska. This study was collecting genetic samples to help find impacts of fine sediment on sheefish. The results were no impacts due to low amounts of sediments present.
Scenic of the Selawik River
Caribou crossing the Selawik River, Alaska
Caribou crossing the Selawik River, Alaska
Interaction between watershed features and climate forcing affects habitat profitability for juvenile salmon
A manipulative thermal challenge protocol for adult salmonids in remote field settings
Transcriptomic response to elevated water temperatures in adult migrating Yukon River Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)
Evidence of prevalent heat stress in Yukon River Chinook salmon
Lake trout growth is sensitive to spring temperature in southwest Alaska lakes
Fish growth rates and lake sulphate explain variation in mercury levels in ninespine stickleback (Pungitius pungitius) on the Arctic Coastal Plain of Alaska
Surface water connectivity controls fish food web structure and complexity across local- and meta-food webs in Arctic Coastal Plain lakes
Permafrost hydrology drives the assimilation of old carbon by stream food webs in the Arctic
Energy depletion and stress levels of Sockeye Salmon migrating at the northern edge of their distribution
Energy allocation and feeding ecology of juvenile chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) during transition from freshwater to saltwater
Generalist feeding strategies in Arctic freshwater fish: A mechanism for dealing with extreme environments
Patterns and controls of mercury accumulation in sediments from three thermokarst lakes on the Arctic Coastal Plain of Alaska
Science and Products
- Science
Filter Total Items: 15
Effect of Elodea spp. on Fish Performance Mediated Through Food Web Interactions
The potential for invasive species introductions in Arctic and Subarctic ecosystems is growing as climate change manifests and human activity increases in high latitudes.Sockeye Salmon Migrating at the Northern Edge of Their Distribution
The physiological challenge for anadromous fish to migrate upriver to spawn and complete their life cycle is influenced by river temperature.Arctic Coastal Plain Studies
The Arctic Coastal Plain (ACP) is a large region of low-lying, lake-rich land on the North Slope of Alaska. This region is underlain by thick ground ice, which is susceptible to erosion and thaw. These physical changes are likely to alter ecosystems by changing the availability of habitats and food resources upon which wildlife depends. Our studies on the ACP aim to understand the link between... - Multimedia
Filter Total Items: 65An aerial view of a tributary to Lake Clark, AlaskaAn aerial view of a tributary to Lake Clark, Alaska
Aerial views of streams on the west side of Cook Inlet, Alaska. This was during surveys for juvenile salmon distribution for the Anadromous Fish Catalog for the State of Alaska.
Aerial views of streams on the west side of Cook Inlet, Alaska. This was during surveys for juvenile salmon distribution for the Anadromous Fish Catalog for the State of Alaska.
A tributary of Lake Clark, AlaskaAerial views of streams on the west side of Cook Inlet, Alaska. This was during surveys for juvenile salmon distribution for the Anadromous Fish Catalog for the State of Alaska.
Aerial views of streams on the west side of Cook Inlet, Alaska. This was during surveys for juvenile salmon distribution for the Anadromous Fish Catalog for the State of Alaska.
Upper Crescent River, AlaskaUpper Crescent River on the west side of Cook Inlet, Alaska. Surveys were done after the eruption of the Redoubt volcano to determine the condition of fish streams.
Upper Crescent River on the west side of Cook Inlet, Alaska. Surveys were done after the eruption of the Redoubt volcano to determine the condition of fish streams.
The Drift River near Redoubt Volcano after the 2009 eruptionThe Drift River near Redoubt Volcano after the 2009 eruptionAerial surveys were done after the eruption of the Redoubt volcano to determine the condition of fish streams.
Aerial surveys were done after the eruption of the Redoubt volcano to determine the condition of fish streams.
Drift River lahars after the Redoubt Volcano 2009 eruptionDrift River lahars after the Redoubt Volcano 2009 eruptionDrift River on the west side of Cook Inlet, Alaska. Lahars from the eruption of Redoubt are evident. Aerial surveys were done after the eruption of the Redoubt volcano to determine the condition of fish streams.
Drift River on the west side of Cook Inlet, Alaska. Lahars from the eruption of Redoubt are evident. Aerial surveys were done after the eruption of the Redoubt volcano to determine the condition of fish streams.
A section of open water on the Nome River, AlaskaUsing remote sensing through the ice to determine how much water was in the Nome River in the winter. Some spots were open to the air.
Using remote sensing through the ice to determine how much water was in the Nome River in the winter. Some spots were open to the air.
Ice sampling on the Nome River, AlaskaUsing remote sensing through the ice to determine how much water was in the Nome River in the winter.
Using remote sensing through the ice to determine how much water was in the Nome River in the winter.
Drilling a hole in the ice on the Nome River, AlaskaDrilling a hole in the ice on the Nome River, AlaskaUsing remote sensing through the ice to determine how much water was in the Nome River in the winter.
Using remote sensing through the ice to determine how much water was in the Nome River in the winter.
Tanana River winter water samplingWater sampling on the Tanana River. Notice the poles of the piezometers installed in the river. This project was to see chum salmon spawning habitat in the winter.
Water sampling on the Tanana River. Notice the poles of the piezometers installed in the river. This project was to see chum salmon spawning habitat in the winter.
Tanana River winter water samplingBiologist standing in the Tanana River sampling the open water. This project was to see chum salmon spawning habitat in the winter.
Biologist standing in the Tanana River sampling the open water. This project was to see chum salmon spawning habitat in the winter.
Tanana River salmon eggs in the gravel in November 2008Tanana River salmon eggs in the gravel in November 2008Chum salmon eggs in the gravel in the Tanana River. This project was to see chum salmon spawning habitat in the winter.
Chum salmon eggs in the gravel in the Tanana River. This project was to see chum salmon spawning habitat in the winter.
Biologists looking over the Tanana River in November, 2008Biologists looking over the Tanana River in November, 2008Biologists looking from a bluff over the Tanana River in November 2008. This project was to see chum salmon spawning habitat in the winter.
Biologists looking from a bluff over the Tanana River in November 2008. This project was to see chum salmon spawning habitat in the winter.
Biologist reading water sampling meter during winter Tanana River workBiologist reading water sampling meter during winter Tanana River workBiologist reading water meter in the Tanana River in November, 2008. This project was to see chum salmon spawning habitat in the winter.
Biologist reading water meter in the Tanana River in November, 2008. This project was to see chum salmon spawning habitat in the winter.
Biologist getting ready for Tanana River sampling in November, 2008Biologist getting ready for Tanana River sampling in November, 2008Biologist standing next to the shore getting ready to sample water in the Tanana River. This project was to see chum salmon spawning habitat in the winter.
Biologist standing next to the shore getting ready to sample water in the Tanana River. This project was to see chum salmon spawning habitat in the winter.
Helicopter used for transportation on Tanana River winter samplingHelicopter used for transportation on Tanana River winter samplingA helicopter used to transport personnel to the Tanana River to winter sample chum salmon spawning habitat.
A helicopter used to transport personnel to the Tanana River to winter sample chum salmon spawning habitat.
The northern lights over the Selawik River, AlaskaThe northern lights over the Selawik River, AlaskaThe northern lights over the Selawik River, Alaska
The northern lights over the Selawik River, Alaska
Sheefish eggs from the Selawik River, AlaskaSheefish eggs in a vial from the Selawik River, Alaska
Sheefish eggs in a vial from the Selawik River, Alaska
A close up of a moose on the Selawik River, AlaskaA close up of a moose on the Selawik River, AlaskaA moose on the shore of the Selawik River. This moose was present during the Sheefish sediment impact study field work.
A moose on the shore of the Selawik River. This moose was present during the Sheefish sediment impact study field work.
Clipping a sheefish fin in the Selawik RiverBiologists clip the tip of one of the ventral fins of a sheefish that is in a cradle in the Selawik River, Alaska. This study was collecting genetic samples to help find impacts of fine sediment on sheefish. The results were no impacts due to low amounts of sediments present.
Biologists clip the tip of one of the ventral fins of a sheefish that is in a cradle in the Selawik River, Alaska. This study was collecting genetic samples to help find impacts of fine sediment on sheefish. The results were no impacts due to low amounts of sediments present.
The Selawik River, AlaskaScenic of the Selawik River
Caribou crossing the Selawik River, AlaskaCaribou crossing the Selawik River, Alaska
Caribou crossing the Selawik River, Alaska
- Publications
Filter Total Items: 70
Interaction between watershed features and climate forcing affects habitat profitability for juvenile salmon
Opportunities for growth and survival of aquatic organisms are spatially and temporally variable as habitat conditions across watersheds respond to interacting climatic, geomorphic, and hydrologic conditions. As conservation efforts often focus on identifying and protecting critical habitats, it is important to understand how this spatial and temporal variation in habitat quality affects the produAuthorsTimothy E. Walsworth, Jeffrey R Baldock, Christian E. Zimmerman, Daniel E. SchindlerA manipulative thermal challenge protocol for adult salmonids in remote field settings
Manipulative experiments provide stronger evidence for identifying cause-and-effect relationships than correlative studies, but protocols for implementing temperature manipulations are lacking for large species in remote settings. We developed an experimental protocol for holding adult Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and exposing them to elevated temperature treatments. The goal of the eAuthorsDaniel S. Donnelly, Vanessa R. von Biela, Stephen D. McCormick, Sarah M. Laske, Michael P. Carey, Shannon C. Waters, Lizabeth Bowen, Randy J Brown, Sean Larson, Christian E. ZimmermanTranscriptomic response to elevated water temperatures in adult migrating Yukon River Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)
Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) declines are widespread and may be attributed, at least in part, to warming river temperatures. Water temperatures in the Yukon River and tributaries often exceed 18°C, a threshold commonly associated with heat stress and elevated mortality in Pacific salmon. Untangling the complex web of direct and indirect physiological effects of heat stress on salmon iAuthorsLizabeth Bowen, Vanessa R. von Biela, Stephen D. McCormick, Amy M. Regish, Shannon C. Waters, Blythe Durbin-Johnson, Monica Britton, Matt Settles, Daniel S. Donnelly, Sarah M. Laske, Michael P. Carey, Randy J Brown, Christian E. ZimmermanEvidence of prevalent heat stress in Yukon River Chinook salmon
Migrating adult Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.) are sensitive to warm water (>18 °C), with a range of consequences from decreased spawning success to early mortality. We examined the proportion of Yukon River Chinook salmon (O. tshawytscha) exhibiting evidence of heat stress to assess the potential that high temperatures contribute to freshwater adult mortality in a northern Pacific salmon popuAuthorsVanessa R. von Biela, Lizabeth Bowen, Stephen D. McCormick, Michael P. Carey, Daniel S. Donnelly, Shannon C. Waters, Amy M. Regish, Sarah M. Laske, Randy J Brown, Sean Larson, Stan Zuray, Christian E. ZimmermanLake trout growth is sensitive to spring temperature in southwest Alaska lakes
In high‐latitude lakes, air temperature is an important driver of ice cover thickness and duration, which in turn influence water temperature and primary production supporting lake consumers and predators. In lieu of multidecadal observational records necessary to assess the response of lakes to long‐term warming, we used otolith‐based growth records from a long‐lived resident lake fish, lake trouAuthorsVanessa R. von Biela, Bryan A. Black, Daniel B. Young, Peter van der Sleen, Krista K. Bartz, Christian E. ZimmermanFish growth rates and lake sulphate explain variation in mercury levels in ninespine stickleback (Pungitius pungitius) on the Arctic Coastal Plain of Alaska
Mercury concentrations in freshwater food webs are governed by complex biogeochemical and ecological interactions that spatially vary and are often mediated by climate. The Arctic Coastal Plain of Alaska (ACP) is a heterogeneous, lake-rich landscape where variability in mercury accumulation is poorly understood. Earlier research indicated that the level of catchment influence on lakes varied spatiAuthorsSamantha M. Burke, Christian E. Zimmerman, Sarah M. Laske, Joshua C. Koch, Allison M. Derry, Stephanie Guernon, Brian A. Branfireun, Heidi K. SwansonSurface water connectivity controls fish food web structure and complexity across local- and meta-food webs in Arctic Coastal Plain lakes
The need for theories that address food web assembly and complexity over multiple spatial scales are critical to understanding their stability and persistence. In a meta-food web – an integrated network of local food webs – spatial heterogeneity in physical processes may have profound effects on food web function and energy flow. In the Arctic, surface water connectivity plays a vital role in deteAuthorsSarah M. Laske, Amanda E. Rosenberger, Mark S. Wipfli, Christian E. ZimmermanPermafrost hydrology drives the assimilation of old carbon by stream food webs in the Arctic
Permafrost thaw in the Arctic is mobilizing old carbon (C) from soils to aquatic ecosystems and the atmosphere. Little is known, however, about the assimilation of old C by aquatic food webs in Arctic watersheds. Here, we used C isotopes (δ13C, Δ14C) to quantify C assimilation by biota across 12 streams in arctic Alaska. Streams spanned watersheds with varying permafrost hydrology, from ice-poor bAuthorsJonathon A O'Donnell, Michael P. Carey, Joshua C. Koch, Xiaomei Xu, Brett Poulin, Jennifer Walker, Christian E. ZimmermanEnergy depletion and stress levels of Sockeye Salmon migrating at the northern edge of their distribution
The physiological challenge for anadromous fish to migrate upriver is influenced by river temperature, but the impacts of river temperature can be difficult to predict due to an incomplete understanding of how temperature influences migration costs, especially in high‐latitude (>60°N) ecosystems. To assess temperature influences on migrating Pacific salmon Oncorhynchus spp., we measured heat shockAuthorsMichael P. Carey, Kevin D. Keith, Merlyn Schelske, Charlie Lean, Stephen D. McCormick, Amy M. Regish, Christian E. ZimmermanEnergy allocation and feeding ecology of juvenile chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) during transition from freshwater to saltwater
Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.) populations near their northern range extent in the Arctic-Yukon-Kuskokwim region of Alaska have undergone major changes in population trajectory and illuminated the lack of basic information on juvenile ecology. This study fills information gaps on the early life history of chum salmon at northern latitudes. Energy allocation was examined in the context of distrAuthorsSean E. Burril, Vanessa R. von Biela, Nicola Hillbruber, Christian E. ZimmermanGeneralist feeding strategies in Arctic freshwater fish: A mechanism for dealing with extreme environments
Generalist feeding strategies are favoured in stressful or variable environments where flexibility in ecological traits is beneficial. Species that feed across multiple habitat types and trophic levels may impart stability on food webs through the use of readily available, alternative energy pools. In lakes, generalist fish species may take advantage of spatially and temporally variable prey by coAuthorsSarah M. Laske, Amanda E. Rosenberger, Mark S. Wipfli, Christian E. ZimmermanPatterns and controls of mercury accumulation in sediments from three thermokarst lakes on the Arctic Coastal Plain of Alaska
The biogeochemical cycle of mercury will be influenced by climate change, particularly at higher latitudes. Investigations of historical mercury accumulation in lake sediments inform future predictions as to how climate change might affect mercury biogeochemistry; however, in regions with a paucity of data, such as the thermokarst-rich Arctic Coastal Plain of Alaska (ACP), the trajectory of mercurAuthorsSamantha M. Burke, Christian E. Zimmerman, Brian A. Branfireun, Joshua C. Koch, Heidi K. Swanson