Richard L Kiesling

Hydrologist
U.S. Geological Survey, Central Region, North Central area, Water Resources discipline

Short Biography

Dr. Richard L. Kiesling is an aquatic ecologist and limnologist with USGS. He holds a B.S. in Biology from the University of Minnesota (1980) and a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from the University of Michigan (1990) with specialization in limnology and community ecology. He is currently a Hydrologist and Water Quality Specialist with the Minnesota Water Science Center and a Research Fellow in Environmental Science at the University of Texas.  Dr. Kiesling’s current research includes studies of the effects of land use and hydrologic modifications on nutrient fate and transport in aquatic ecosystems.

Publications

Refereed Publications -

Baker, J.W., J.P. Grover, B.W. Brooks, F. Ureña-Boeck, D.L. Roelke, R.M. Errera, R. Kiesling.  2007.  Growth and toxicity of Prymnesium parvum (Haptophyta) as a function of salinity, light and temperature.  Journal of Phycology.  43:219-227.

Grover, J.P., J.W. Baker, F. Ureña-Boeck, B.W. Brooks, R. Errera, D.L. Roelke, R.L. Kiesling.  2007. Laboratory tests of ammonium and barley straw extract as agents to suppress abundance of the harmful alga Prymnesium parvum and its toxicity to fish. Water Research.  41: 2503-2512.

Roelke D.L., R. Errera, R. Kiesling, B.W. Brooks, J.P. Grover, L. Schwierzke, F. Ureña-Boeck, J. Baker, J.L. Pinckney.  2007. Effects of nutrient enrichment on Prymnesium parvum population dynamics and toxicity: Results from field experiments, Lake Possum Kingdom, USA.  Aquatic Microbial Ecology.  46:125-140.

McNaught, A. S., R. L. Kiesling, and A. Ghadouani. 2004. Changes to zooplankton community structure following colonization of a small lake by Leptodora kindti.  Limnology and Oceanography 49: 1239-1249.

Kiesling, R.L. 2003. Applying Indicators of Hydrologic Alteration to Texas Streams- overview of methods with examples from the Trinity River basin.  U.S. Geological Survey Publication FS 128-03.

Kiesling, R. L, A. M. S. McFarland, and L. M. Hauck. 2001. Stream community responses to eutrophication from nonpoint source nutrient loading. In J.J. Warkick, ed., AWRA Spring Specialty Conference Proceedings. "Water Quality Monitoring and Modeling". American Water Resources Association, Middleburg, Virginia, TPS-01-1, 284 pp.

Garono, R. J., R. L. Kiesling, E.Wold, S. Schooler, and D. Bradsby. 2001.  Adult Insect Assemblages as a Conservation Planning Tool. .  Verh. Internat. Verein. Limnol. 27: 4032-4041

Kiesling, R.L. and L. M. Hauck. 1999.  The use of nutrient bioassays in TMDL target development. In R. Sakrison and P. Strurtevant, eds., Watershed Management to Protect Declining Species.  American Water Resources Association, Middleburg, Virginia, TPS-99-4, 561 pp.

Kilham, S. S., and R. L. Kiesling. 1991.  Algal‑consumer interactions in two‑stage continuous culture:  the role of species‑specific algal mortality rates during competition.  Verh. Internat. Verein. Limnol. 24: 1277-1280.

Tilman, D., R.L. Kiesling, R. Sterner, S.S. Kilham, and F. A. Johnson. 1986.  Green, bluegreen and diatom algae:  Taxonomic differences in competitive ability for phosphorus, silicon and nitrogen.  Arch. Hydrobiol. 106:  473‑485.

Tilman, D. and R.L. Kiesling. 1984.  Freshwater algal ecology: taxonomic tradeoffs in the temperature dependence of nutrient competitive abilities.  In:  M.J. Klug and C.A. Reddy, eds., Current Perspectives in Microbial Ecology.  Amer. Soc. Microbiology, Washington, D.C.

Research Reports –

Kiesling, R. L. and J. D. Flowers. 2002. Trinity River In-Stream Flow Study Phase I Final Project Report. Report to the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission, Contract Number 582-0-34033

Kiesling, R. L. A. M. S. McFarland, and L. M. Hauck. 2001. Analysis of PL-566 reservoir production responses along a nutrient loading gradient. Texas Institute for Applied Environmental Research, Tarleton State University, Stephenville, Texas, TR108.

Kiesling, R. L., L. M. Hauck, and A.M. S. McFarland,. 2001. Nutrient targets in the Bosque River watershed:  developing ecosystem restoration criteria for a eutrophic watershed. Texas Institute for Applied Environmental Research, Tarleton State University, Stephenville, Texas, TR107.

Kiesling, R. L. with A.M. S. McFarland, and C Pearson. 2001. Lake Waco – Characterization of a central Texas reservoir with emphasis on factors influencing algal growth. Texas Institute for Applied Environmental Research, Tarleton State University, Stephenville, Texas, TR104 .

Kiesling, R. L. with A.M. S. McFarland, and L. Hauck. 2001. Fate and transport of soluble reactive phosphorus in the North Bosque River of central Texas. Texas Institute for Applied Environmental Research, Tarleton State University, Stephenville, Texas, TR0101.

Kiesling, R. L.  with J. F. Flowers, and L. M. Hauck. 2001. Water Quality Modeling of Lake Waco Using CE-QUAL-W2 for Assessment of Phophorus Control Strategies. Texas Institute for Applied Environmental Research, Tarleton State University, Stephenville, Texas, TR0114.

Kiesling, R.L. 1997.  Comparative Ecological Risk Assessment of Water Availability; In Ecological Workgroup report, State of Texas Environmental Priorities Project. Publication CTF-04 Volume 2, Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission Publication, Austin, TX, 78711-3087.

Kiesling, R.L. and P. Samuels. 1997.  Comparative Ecological Risk Assessment of Habitat Alteration; In Ecological Workgroup report, State of Texas Environmental Priorities Project.  Publication CTF-04 Volume 2, Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission, Austin, TX, 78711-3087.

Kiesling, R.L. 1995. An investigation of receiving water toxicity in San Jacinto Bay, Texas; final report to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 6.

Kiesling, R.L. 1994.  Risk analysis of nonpoint source pollution in the Nueces coastal basin; In 1994 Regional Assessment of Water Quality in the Nueces Coastal Basin.  Publication AS-35, Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission, Austin, TX, 78711-3087

Dissertation –

Kiesling, R.L. 1990.  The role of consumer‑resource interactions in structuring a small‑bodied cladoceran community:  differential reproduction and survival of Bosmina, Ceriodaphnia, and Daphnia on individual species of phytoplankton.  Ph. D. dissertation, University of Michigan.

Abstracts of papers presented at professional meetings:

Brooks, B.W., F. Ureña-Boeck, D.L. Roelke, R. Errera, R.L. Kiesling, J.P. Grover.  2006.  Prymnesium parvum impacts on freshwater zooplankton: Laboratory and field studies. Aquatic Sciences Meeting, ASLO.  Victoria, Canada.   June 4-9.

Errera, R.M., D.L. Roelke, R.L. Kiesling, B.W. Brooks, J.P. Grover, F. Ureña-Boeck, J. Pinckney.  2006.  The role of inorganic nutrients and barley straw extract in the invasion and inhibition of Prymnesium parvum.  Aquatic Sciences Meeting, ASLO.  Victoria, Canada.   June 4-9.

Brooks, B., F. Boeck, J. Baker, R. Errerra, J. Grover, R. Kiesling, D. Roelke.  2005.  Prymnesium parvum impacts to freshwater organisms: Developing a predictive understanding of toxicity using a weight-of-evidence approach in laboratory and field investigations. Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry.  Baltimore, USA.  November 13-17.Kiesling, Richard L. 2005. Assessing algal growth and production as a function of instream nutrient chemistry: developing mechanistic biocriteria for nutrient-enriched streams. Aquatic Science Meeting 2005, American Society of Limnology and Oceanography (ASLO), Salt Lake City, Utah

Kiesling, R.L., J.A. Abraham, J.A. and S. Dworkin.  Eutrophication history of Lake Waco, Texas, from sediment geochemistry and paleobiology.  International Association of Theoretical and Applied Limnology XXVIII Congress, Lahti, Finland.

Kiesling, R. L. and J. Back. 2004. Periphyton biocriteria for nutrient-enriched streams: predictive measures of algal growth and production.  2004 Annual Meeting of the North American Benthological Society Meeting

Back, J. and R. L. Kiesling.  2004. The ability of a B-IBI to discriminate among sites along a nutrient enrichment gradient in the North Bosque River, Texas. 2004 Annual Meeting of the North American Benthological Society Meeting

Kiesling, R. L. 2003.  Watershed linkages between upstream water development, hydrologic alteration, and water quality on the tidal reach of the lower Rio Grande.  17^th Biennial Conference of the Estuarine Research Federation, Seattle, Washington,

Kiesling, R.L. 2003. 

Kiesling, R. L., A. M. McFarland, and L. M. Hauck. 2003. The role of land use and agricultural practices on the trophic status and structure of stream communities. American Geophysical Union Chapman Conference on Ecosystem Interactions with Land Use Change, Santa Fe, New Mexico, 8 June 2003

Kiesling, R. L. and  J. D. Flowers. 2002.  Linkages between water quality and water quantity in the lower Rio Grande. Annual Meeting of Texas Academy of Sciences, Laredo, Texas.

Kiesling, R.L., A. M. McFarland, and L. M. Hauck. 2001. Watershed restoration criteria:  the use of nutrient bioassays in watershed eutrophication research.  Aquatic Science Meeting 2001, American Society of Limnology and Oceanography (ASLO), Albuquerque, New Mexico

Kiesling, R.L., and A. M. McFarland. 2000.  Reservoir trophic status and phytoplankton community structure response to watershed eutrophication. Ocean Sciences Meeting 2000, American Society of Limnology and Oceanography (ASLO), San Antonio, Texas.

Kiesling, R.L., and A. M. McFarland. 1999. Trophic status and phytoplankton community structure of small reservoirs as a function of landuse and nutrient loading..  Texas River and Reservoir Management Society, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas

Kiesling, R. L., and D. D. Bradsby. 1999. An assessment of the water rights regulatory program and environmental flows. Annual Meeting of Texas Academy of Sciences, Seguin, Texas.

Kiesling, R. L. 1998.  Analysis of wetland insect community diversity at local, landscape, and regional scales.  International Association of Theoretical and Applied Limnology XXVII Congress, Dublin, Ireland.

Kiesling, R. L. 1998.  Comparative ecological risk assessment of the coastal zone. Abstracts of the 62^nd Annual Meeting of the American Society of Limnology and Oceanography (ASLO), St. Louis, MO.

Kiesling, R. L. , R. J. Garono, and G. M. Staff.  1996. Local and regional patterns in wetland insect diversity: using aquatic insect communities as integrative biological indicators of community and ecosystem integrity in Texas wetland nature preserves.  Abstracts of the 81st meeting of the Ecological Society of America (ESA), Providence, RI. Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America Volume 77, No. 2.

Kiesling, R.L., J-A. Bond, J.T. McCoy, and J. Wilder. 1996.  Methods and General Findings of a Comparative Ecological Risk Assessment: The State of Texas Environmental Priorities Project. Abstracts of the 17th meeting of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC), Washington, DC.

 Kiesling, R.L. and J-A. Bond. 1996. Comparative Ecological Risk Analysis of Habitat Alteration: The State of Texas Environmental Priorities Project.  Abstracts of the 17th meeting of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC), Washington, DC

Kiesling, R. L., L. Farmer, and R. J. Garono. 1995.  Development of a nonpoint source pollution potential index for the San Antonio-Nueces and Nueces-Rio Grande Coastal Basins.    Abstracts of the 13th biennial meeting of the Estuarine Research Foundation, Corpus Christi, TX.

Kiesling, R. L. 1995. The importance of species-area relationships in assessing the impact of estuarine sediment contamination.  Abstracts of the 13th biennial meeting of the Estuarine Research Foundation, Corpus Christi, TX.

Garono, R. J., R. L. Kiesling, and G. M. Staff. 1994. Landscape analysis of Texas aquatic invertebrate communities:  a prerequisite for biodiversity conservation.  Abstracts of the 79th meeting of the Ecological Society of America (ESA), Knoxville, TN. Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America Volume 75, No. 2.

Kiesling, R. L. and L. Broach. 1993. Benthic community assessment of reported receiving water ambient toxicity in Upper San Jacinto Bay, Texas. Abstracts of the 14th meeting of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC), Houston, TX.

Kiesling, R. L. and A. Scott McNaught. 1992.  Cladoceran community responses to an invertebrate predator introduction:  the effects of Leptodora kindtii colonization on the herbivore community of Third Sister Lake, Michigan.  Abstracts of the 56th meeting of the American Society of Limnology and Oceanography (ASLO), Santa Fe, NM.

Kiesling, R. L. 1990.  A mechanistic understanding of resource‑based zooplankton species succession:  the role of individual phytoplankton species as cladoceran food resources.  Abstracts of the 54th meeting of the American Society of Limnology and Oceanography (ASLO), Williamsburg, VA.

Kiesling, R. L. 1989.  Species‑specific resource utilization in a small‑bodied zooplankton community:  consequences for community structure.  Abstracts of the 74th annual meeting of the Ecological Society of America (ESA).  Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America Volume 70, No. 2.

Kiesling, R. L. 1988.  The role of preferred resources in food‑limited populations of Bosmina and Ceriodaphnia.  Abstracts of the 52nd meeting of the ASLO, Boulder, CO.

Kiesling, R. L. 1987.  Determinants of species dominance in dependent food chains:  small‑bodied cladocerans.  Abstracts of the 51st meeting of the ASLO, Madison, WI.

Kiesling, R. L. 1986.  Zooplankton and phytoplankton population dynamics in a two‑stage continuous culture:  Daphnia pulex and its effect on phytoplankton resource competition. Abstracts of the 50th meeting of the ASLO, Kingston, RI.

Kiesling, R. L. 1985.  Lake superior phytoplankton community responses to changes in resource supply:  bluegreen algae responses to a nitrogen:phosphorus supply gradient. Abstracts of the 49th meeting of the ASLO and the ESA, Minneapolis, MN.

Kiesling, R. L. and D. Tilman. 1982. Resources and Lake Superior phytoplankton community structure. Abstracts of the 45th meeting of the ASLO, Raleigh, NC.

My Science Topics

Science Center Affiliation

Current research and interests include: modeling the effect of landuse and hydrologic modifications on nutrient fate and transport in watershed-lake systems; linking spatial analysis of watersheds with mechanistic, biological response models; developing nutrient criteria through the use of predictive biological models, developing and testing indicators of stream trophic status in response to watershed eutrophication; documenting the fate and transport of endocrine disruptors and other emerging contaminates in lakes under the influence of nonpoint and shallow groundwater sources