The ecology of large rivers, including the Upper Mississippi River and its tributaries, has been a focus of Center research for 15 years.

Recent studies have examined management techniques for large rivers; habitat requirements of freshwater fish, including paddlefish and sturgeon; factors influencing the biodiversity and abundances of native pearly mussels and other native biota; ecological interactions among aquatic plants, invertebrates, and fish; and ecological effects of zebra mussels on food webs.

Much of the Center's research in aquatic ecology is at the biological community and ecosystem levels of organization. Population studies are also done to obtain information on species of special emphasis.