Joel Trexler

Dr. Joel Trexler is a Professor of Biological Science and Director of Florida State University’s Coastal and Marine Laboratory. He specializes in population and community ecology, with a focus on aquatic ecosystems and wetland restoration. His research emphasizes the Everglades, examining fish and invertebrate responses to environmental changes, invasive species impacts, and hydrological management. Trexler collaborates closely with government agencies to support the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) and evaluates restoration scenarios through modeling. He holds a Ph.D. from Florida State University (1986) and has over three decades of experience in ecological monitoring, life history evolution, and spatial ecology. His work integrates field studies, experimental manipulations, and simulation models to inform conservation strategies.

• Affiliations: Florida State University, Coastal and Marine Laboratory
• Educations: Ph.D. (Florida State University, 1986), MSc (Florida State University, 1983), BSc (University of South Carolina, 1979)

Research interests include the interplay between biotic communities and abiotic environments, with recent focus on invasive species like Mayan cichlids and their effects on native fauna. Trexler’s grants and projects address ecosystem function in stormwater treatment areas, fish population dynamics, and restoration success metrics. His lab employs electrofishing, throw-trap sampling, and field experiments to assess ecological processes. Notable contributions include modeling fish migration patterns and quantifying nutrient cycling influenced by faunal activity.