Stephen Walsh is a retired Research Fish Biologist with USGS-WARC in Gainesville, Florida.
Stephen's primary expertise is in the general fields of ichthyology and fish biology, with secondary expertise in aquatic ecology and ecophysiology. Most of his research has been focused in lotic and estuarine systems throughout the Southeast. Additionally, he has conducted research in the Neotropics, Africa, and Micronesia. His research interests include conservation biology and biodiversity of aquatic organisms; ecology and environmental physiology of fishes and aquatic invertebrates; evolution, systematics, and zoogeography of temperate and tropical freshwater, estuarine, and inshore marine fishes; reproductive biology and physiology of lower vertebrates; life-history strategies.
Education
Ph.D., University of Florida
M.A., Southern Illinois University
B.A., Saint Louis University
Professional Experience
1991-2021, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, U.S. Geological Survey
1986-1990, Florida Museum of Natural History
Affiliations
School of Forest Resources and Conservation, Program in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, University of Florida (Courtesy Assistant Professor, 2005-present); Florida Museum of Natural History (Courtesy Associate Curator in Ichthyology, 1992-present); Department of Biology, University of Florida (Courtesy Assistant Professor, 1996-present). Served on 13 graduate student committees (University of Florida; University of Southern Mississippi; Southern Illinois University, Valdosta State University).
Science and Products
Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Preferences of Fishes in Lake Apopka, Florida
Risk Analysis of Invasive Freshwater Fishes in Hawaii and Micronesia
WaterSMART: Apalachicola/Chattahoochee/ Flint River (ACF) Basin
Mekong River Fish Ecology: Information Gap Assessment and Capacity Building in Southeast Asia
Developing a Largemouth Bass Hybrid Strain for Mapping Genome Linkage
WaterSMART: Improving Tools for Assessing and Forecasting Ecological Responses to Hydrologic Alteration
Integrative Studies of Florida Spring Ecosystems
Science and Products
- Publications
- Science
Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Preferences of Fishes in Lake Apopka, Florida
To achieve the adaptive restoration objective of maximizing fish habitat, researchers will sample fish communities in Florida's Lake Apopka to compare between natural submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV), restored SAV, and bare bottom habitat. To undertand SAV preference of juvenile largemouth bass, researchers will conduct controlled experiments. These experiments will help managers select which...Risk Analysis of Invasive Freshwater Fishes in Hawaii and Micronesia
Invasive species threaten biodiversity around the world, especially on islands. USGS scientists are helping to identify fish species that have the greatest potential to invade the fresh waters of Microneisa.WaterSMART: Apalachicola/Chattahoochee/ Flint River (ACF) Basin
The Challenge: The DOI WaterSMART (Sustain and Manage America’s Resources for Tomorrow) initiative is developing data and tools to help water managers identify current and future water shortages, for humans and for freshwater ecosystems. Fishes, for example, can decline in diversity and abundance when streamflow becomes too low, for too long. However, ecologists find that effects of declining...Mekong River Fish Ecology: Information Gap Assessment and Capacity Building in Southeast Asia
The Mekong River is one of the great rivers of the world, recognized as having a freshwater fish diversity second or third to only the Amazon and Congo basins, rivers of much larger drainage area.Developing a Largemouth Bass Hybrid Strain for Mapping Genome Linkage
The largemouth bass is a highly managed sport fish. Detailed genetic information on the fish at the gene level can provide researchers insight into genomic control of phenotypic expression of life-history traits, core physiological functions, and other aspects of biology.WaterSMART: Improving Tools for Assessing and Forecasting Ecological Responses to Hydrologic Alteration
WaterSMART (Sustain and Manage America’s Resources for Tomorrow) is a program of the Department of the Interior that focuses on improving water conservation and helping water-resource managers make sound decisions about water use.Integrative Studies of Florida Spring Ecosystems
Florida's springs are a source of cultural, recreational, and ecological importance. But land-use changes and increased demands for groundwater due to the state's growing population have led to widespread impairment of these unique ecosystems. - Data
- News
- Multimedia