Jeff Wesner

Dr. Jeff Wesner serves as Professor and Faculty Associate Chair of Biology in the Department of Biology at the University of South Dakota. His research program focuses on the ecology and conservation of stream and terrestrial ecosystems, with particular expertise in freshwater ecology, fish ecology, and stream ecology. Dr. Wesner holds a PhD in Zoology from the University of Oklahoma (2010), an MS in Biology from Western Carolina University (2005), and a BS in Zoology from the University of Oklahoma (2002).

Dr. Wesner's research examines how species loss, species introductions, and pollution affect food webs within and across ecological boundaries. His work integrates population, community, behavioral, and food web ecology approaches to guide conservation of freshwater species. Key research themes include stream community size structure, invasive species impacts on freshwater ecosystems, aquatic-terrestrial linkages, and contaminant bioaccumulation. His lab employs field studies, laboratory experiments, and statistical modeling to address these questions across spatial scales from local streams to continental patterns.

Analysis of Dr. Wesner's recent publications (2022-2025) reveals a strong focus on size-structured ecology in freshwater systems, with particular attention to how temperature gradients influence community dynamics. His work demonstrates growing interest in invasive species impacts, particularly on bigheaded carp in Missouri River tributaries, and the development of novel methods for studying stream ecosystems. His publications appear in high-impact journals across ecology, fisheries science, and environmental toxicology.

• Richard and Sharon Cutler Faculty Award, 2023
• Belbas Larson Award - Nominated, USD, 2016

Dr. Wesner maintains an active grant portfolio including multiple NSF-funded projects examining continental scaling of size spectra in freshwater streams and the influence of temperature on community dynamics. His lab has received funding from USFWS for invasive carp research and from South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks for Blue Sucker conservation. He has previously directed an NSF-funded REU Site: Sustainable RIVER (Remediating InVasives to Encourage Resilience), demonstrating commitment to undergraduate research training. The Wesner Lab provides students with opportunities to engage in field, laboratory, and modeling research on pressing freshwater conservation issues.

The Wesner Lab, accessible at thewesnerlab.com, conducts integrated research examining freshwater ecosystem dynamics across multiple scales. The lab maintains strong connections with state and federal agencies, providing applied research that informs conservation and management decisions. Current projects focus on invasive species monitoring, stream community structure, and the effects of environmental stressors on freshwater food webs, with particular emphasis on size-structured ecological processes.