David C. Richardson

David C. Richardson is a Professor in the Biology Department at State University of New York at New Paltz, where he conducts research on aquatic ecosystems with a focus on lake and pond ecology. His work spans multiple dimensions of freshwater science including biogeochemistry, climate change impacts, ice phenology, and ecosystem metabolism. Richardson leads research projects examining how climate change affects winter conditions in lakes and the subsequent implications for ecosystem functioning.

His research interests center on aquatic ecosystem ecology, with specific expertise in lake biogeochemistry, climate change impacts on freshwater systems, invasive species, ice phenology, and the distinction between ponds and lakes. Richardson has developed a functional definition to distinguish ponds from lakes, addressing a long-standing question in limnology. His work often examines how shorter winters and changing ice cover affect lake metabolism, greenhouse gas emissions, and phytoplankton dynamics.

• Climate change impacts on lake ice phenology and duration
• Biogeochemical functioning of shallow waterbodies as freshwater hotspots
• Under-ice ecosystem processes during winter
• Classification systems for ponds and lakes based on functional characteristics
• Nutrient dynamics and phytoplankton responses in freshwater ecosystems

Richardson's recent publications show a strong focus on winter limnology, with multiple studies examining how changing ice cover affects lake thermal dynamics and ecosystem metabolism. His research demonstrates that ice cover variability does not significantly affect annual metabolism estimates in reservoirs, while shorter ice seasons fundamentally alter under-ice thermal dynamics. He has also documented how shallow waterbodies function as biogeochemical hotspots with high primary production.

• 5-year $2.5 million National Science Foundation research grant for 'On thin ice- implications of shorter winters for the future of freshwater phytoplankton phenology and function' (Thin Ice Project)
• Collaborative research with institutions including Cornell University, University of Colorado Boulder, University of Missouri, and University of Vermont

Richardson actively mentors undergraduate students in research, with documented success stories like Heather Wander who presented at national meetings. His lab has produced educational materials including a documentary on algal growth in freshwater lakes. He collaborates extensively through networks like the Global Lake Ecological Observatory Network (GLEON) and leads multi-institutional research projects examining climate change impacts on freshwater systems across North America and globally.