Stephen Thomas

Stephen Thomas is affiliated with ETH Zürich as part of the Professur Globale Ökosystemökolog (Global Ecosystem Ecology Professorship). His research focuses on aquatic ecosystems, particularly subarctic lake communities, fish ecology, and the impacts of climate change on biodiversity. Key areas include trophic dynamics, ecological speciation, and mercury bioaccumulation in fish populations. His work spans freshwater and marine environments, emphasizing physiological adaptations, resource polymorphism, and anthropogenic stressors.

Publications highlight studies on winter ecology of European whitefish, food web structures under ice, and the effects of environmental stability on individual specialization. His interdisciplinary approach integrates stable isotope analysis, fatty acid profiling, and ecological modeling to address global environmental challenges. Collaborations emphasize transparency in environmental data (e.g., Restor initiative) and application of riparian woodland strategies for climate resilience in upland streams.