Peter C. Schulze, Ph.D.

Professor of Biology & Environmental Science

Director, Center for Environmental Studies

Austin College
Sherman, TX 75090 USA
903/813-2284 (phone)
903/813-2420 (fax)
pschulze@austincollege.edu

I teach courses in introductory biology, ecology and environmental studies. My research students and I study reservoir ecology and prairie restoration. I also direct the college's Environmental Studies Program.

Interests

My primary academic interests are in ecology, ecological restoration, ecological economics, and environmental policy. My Ph.D. and postdoctoral research focused upon zooplankton ecology. Since then I have also worked in ecological economics and edited books designed to foster more productive collaboration between engineers and ecologists. (Engineering Within Ecological Constraints, 1996, Measures of Environmental Performance and Ecosystem Condition, 1999). My current research with students focuses on reservoir ecology and prairie restoration.

Reservoir Ecology Research

My students and I study Lake Texoma, a 36,000 hectare reservoir managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Lake Texoma is interesting from both a fundamental ecological perspective and a management perspective. The lake has unusually productive fish populations and experiences heavy competing demands as a water supply, a source of hydropower, a recreational resource, and a flood control impoundment. Lake Texoma is similar to many other large reservoirs.

My main Lake Texoma project is a study of the effects of suspended sediments on zooplankton, the herbivores of lakes and rivers. The National Research Council (1992)1 has identified suspended sediments as one of the nation's worst water pollution problems, but the effects of suspended materials on aquatic foodwebs are not yet well understood. Initial results of this research are in preparation for publication (Schulze résumé).

My students have also studied the concentrations of Escherichia coli (E. coli) in Lake Texoma. Escherichia coli is an indicator of sewage pollution. The lake has four major potential sources of sewage pollution, boats, septic tanks, wastewater treatement systems, and livestock. Honors student Nichole Knesek identified an area of high E. coli counts that subsequently led to detection of chronic problems at a municipal wastewater treatment plant.

1NRC (National Research Council). 1992. Restoration of aquatic ecosystems: science, technology, and public policy. National Academy Press, Washington, D. C., USA.

Prairie Restoration

I also direct an effort to restore the native tallgrass prairie ecosystem to the college's Sneed Environmental Research Area. More information on this project is located on the Austin College Center for Environmental Studies web page. Hundreds of students have participated in this prairie restoration project.


Courses    see Course Descriptions

  • Evolution, Behavior, and Ecology (Biology 115)
    Syllabus
  • Ecology (Biology 334)
    Syllabus
  • Research and Design of Experiments (Biology 472)
    Syllabus
  • Introduction to Environmental Studies (Environmental Studies 235)
    Syllabus
  • Environmental Policy (Environmental Studies 479)
    Syllabus
  • Hands-on Conservation: Restoration of a Native Prairie (January term)
    Syllabus

pschulze@austincollege.edu

How to request a reference

Schulze résumé

Austin College Biology Department

Austin College Center for Environmental Studies

Austin College home page

Last updated November 5, 2007