Stoll Applied Aquatic Ecology Lab

Understanding freshwater ecosystems to inform conservation and management

Connecting aquatic ecology with freshwater conservation

The Stoll Applied Aquatic Ecology Lab at Grand Valley State University studies how nutrients, physical habitat, and human activities shape freshwater ecosystems. Our research spans lakes and streams, from understanding the ecological drivers of harmful algal blooms to identifying the conditions that support healthy coldwater stream communities.

We combine field experiments, ecological monitoring, laboratory analyses, and quantitative approaches to address fundamental questions in aquatic ecology while producing science that can inform freshwater conservation, restoration, and management.

Research Themes

Our research addresses ecological questions across scales—from the nutrients regulating algal communities to the landscape processes shaping entire stream ecosystems.

NUTRIENT DYNAMICS

Investigating how macro- and micronutrients regulate algal growth, community composition, and ecosystem function.

COLDWATER STREAM ECOLOGY

Understanding the physical, chemical, and biological processes that sustain coldwater ecosystems and applying that knowledge to restoration and management.

ALGAL ECOLOGY & HABS

Understanding how environmental conditions influence algal communities, harmful algal blooms, and cyanotoxin dynamics.

Highlighted Current Projects

Assessing Coldwater Streams in Southwest Michigan

In partnership with Kalamzoo Valley Trout Unlimited and Southwet Michigan Land Conservancy, we are assessing coldwater streams across Southwest Michigan using fish, macroinvertebrate, habitat, and temperature data. This research identifies the environmental characteristics associated with healthy coldwater ecosystems and translates those findings into data-driven recommendations for stream restoration and conservation.

Nutrient Limitation in Leelanau's Marl Lakes

We are investigating how nitrogen, phosphorus, and micronutrients regulate algal growth and community composition across marl lakes in Michigan's Leelanau region. Using in-lake nutrient enrichment experiments, this work examines how the unique chemistry of marl lakes influences nutrient availability and shapes algal communities.

Protecting Remnant Brook Trout Populations

Remnant brook trout populations persist in small, thermally suitable streams throughout Michigan but face increasing pressure from habitat degradation, warming, and changes in groundwater availability. We are investigating the habitat, temperature, hydrologic, and landscape conditions that allow these populations to persist, with the goal of identifying and prioritizing streams where conservation actions can have the greatest impact.

Bioretention Cells & Coldwater Streams

Bioretention cells are designed to capture and treat stormwater runoff, but their influence on the thermal health of receiving streams is poorly understood. We are investigating whether bioretention cells mitigate the delivery of warm stormwater runoff to coldwater streams or instead contribute warm surface-water effluent during storm events. This work will help determine how stormwater infrastructure can be designed and managed to better protect thermally sensitive stream ecosystems.

Student Research in Action

Students are central to research in the Stoll Applied Aquatic Ecology Lab. Undergraduate researchers contribute to every stage of the scientific process—from developing research questions and collecting field and laboratory data to analyzing results and communicating their findings.

Our goal is to provide students with meaningful, hands-on research experiences while helping them develop the scientific, quantitative, and professional skills needed to become independent environmental scientists.

Interested in getting involved?

Research opportunities are available through independent research, capstone projects, summer research programs, and collaborations with conservation and natural resource organizations.

MEET THE LAB

FIELD NOTES

Follow along with research, fieldwork, student accomplishments, outreach, and other happenings from the Stoll Applied Aquatic Ecology Lab. Field Notes provides a glimpse into the science—and the people behind it—as our research program grows.

Summer 2026 | The Stoll Lab's Inaugural Field Season

The Stoll Applied Aquatic Ecology Lab hit the ground running during our inaugural summer, with four active research projects underway—and more already in development! Our field season took us across North and Southwest Michigan as we explored questions ranging from nutrient limitation in lakes to the conservation of coldwater stream ecosystems.

This summer, our team assessed 15–20 streams across Southwest Michigan, collecting data on stream habitat, water temperature, macroinvertebrate communities, and other indicators of coldwater ecosystem health. Farther north, we deployed nutrient-diffusing substrates (NDS) in seven marl lakes in the Leelanau region to investigate how macro- and micronutrients influence algal growth and community composition in these unique freshwater ecosystems.

Research was only part of our summer. We volunteered with the Michigan Trout Unlimited Youth Camp, sharing aquatic ecology and stream science with the next generation of anglers and conservationists. Our students also shared their own work at the Student Scholars Showcase, highlighting the research skills and scientific questions they developed throughout the summer.

From long days in waders to experiments deployed beneath the surface of Michigan's lakes, our first summer established an exciting foundation for the lab. We're looking forward to building on these projects, developing new collaborations, and continuing to involve students in applied research that helps us better understand and protect Michigan's freshwater ecosystems.