Emeritus Professor Carolyn Burns, Our People, Department of Zoology, University of Otago, New Zealand

Email carolyn.burns@otago.ac.nz

Phone 64-3-479-7971

Professor Carolyn Burns

Teaching
Research Interests
Current Projects
Current Postgraduate Students
Recent Research Students
Publications

Teaching

ZOOL 416 Freshwater Ecology

Research Interests

Effects of climate change and human impacts on the biodiversity, processes, conservation and management of lakes and wetlands.
Biological processes in lakes, particularly trophic interactions
Plankton ecology
Microbial food webs

Mountain and Lake environment Please contact me if you are interested in research projects in any of these areas.

Structure and function of microbial food webs in lakes and wetlands, particularly their role:
a) in carbon transfer up the food chain
b) as early warning indicators of eutrophication and pollution
c) nutrient recycling
Biological interactions in lakes with particular reference to:
a) population dynamics and production of zooplankton
b) zooplankton distribution (patchiness)
c) the role of competition, predation and parasitism in structuring zooplankton communities in New Zealand ecosystems
Size-selective processes in aquatic ecosystems, particularly the effects of particle size and concentration on:
a) selection and retention efficiency by grazers
b) capture by predators.
The development and testing of models related to these processes.
Physiological ecology, behaviour and life history strategies of zooplankton, primarily:
a) the effects of food, temperature and salinity on growth and reproduction
b) resistance to starvation
c) the role of chemical inhibitors from cyanobacteria, predators and competitors (allelopathy) in depressing feeding and reproduction.

Current Projects

Pelagic processes in lakes, particularly effects on water quality
Biodiversity and population dynamics of picocyanobacteria in lakes
Behaviour and life history strategies of freshwater crustaceans
Fatty acid trophic markers in planktonic food webs
Cyanobacteria-zooplankton interactions
Effects of invasive species on lake ecosystem dynamics

Current Postgraduate Students

Lena Schallenberg - (MSc) "Effects of nutrients, light and temperature on picocyanobacterial diversity in lakes of different trophic status"
Helen Trotter - (MSc) "Daphnia-phytoplankton interactions in Lakes Hayes and Johnson: potential for biomanipulation to improve water quality"
Samiullah Khan - (PhD) "Food web biomanipulation techniques to enhance ecological processes and water quality of New Zealand Lakes"

Recent Research students

Beate Bierschenk - (PhD) "Life history and distribution of mysid species in a large open estuary"
Tina Bayer - (PhD) "Effects of climate change on two large, deep oligotrophic lakes in New Zealand"
Amy Weaver - (PhD) "Low-intensity land use in grassland catchments: effects on a large oligotrophic lake"
Theresa Downs - (MSc) "Phytoplankton response to trace elements and nutrients in a shallow lake"
Lisa Galbraith - (MSc) "Effects of land use on pelagic food webs in a range of Otago wetlands"
Carolyn Faithfull - (BSc Hons) " The effects of salinity and source of inocula on germination of Anabaena flos-aquae akinetes from a New Zealand lake"
Catherine Hall - (PhD) "Effects of tidal intrusions of seawater on the crustacean zooplankton community of a tidal coastal lake"
Graeme Haywood - (PhD) "Feeding, growth and population dynamics of the euphausiid, Nyctiphanes australis, in coastal Otago waters"

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Publications

Schallenberg, L. A., Wood, S. A., Puddick, J., Cabello-Yeves, P. J., & Burns, C. W. (2022). Isolation and characterisation of monoclonal picocyanobacterial strains from contrasting New Zealand lakes. Inland Waters. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1080/20442041.2022.2053455

Schallenberg, L. A., Pearman, J. K., Burns, C. W., & Wood, S. A. (2021). Metabarcoding reveals lacustrine picocyanobacteria respond to environmental change through adaptive community structuring. Frontiers in Microbiology, 12, 757929. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.757929

Schallenberg, L. A., Pearman, J. K., Burns, C. W., & Wood, S. A. (2021). Spatial abundance and distribution of picocyanobacterial communities in two contrasting lakes revealed using environmental DNA metabarcoding. FEMS Microbiology Ecology, 97(7), fiab075. doi: 10.1093/femsec/fiab075

Ye, Z., Williams, E., Zhao, C., Burns, C. W., & Lynch, M. (2021). The rapid, mass invasion of New Zealand by North American Daphnia “pulex”. Limnology & Oceanography, 66, 2672-2683. doi: 10.1002/lno.11780

Bierschenk, B. M., Burns, C. W., Schallenberg, M., & Closs, G. P. (2021). Life histories of two hyperbenthic mysids (Mysidacea: Mysidae) in an open estuary. New Zealand Journal of Marine & Freshwater Research, 55(3), 466-485. doi: 10.1080/00288330.2020.1840403

Huryn, A. D., Burns, C. W., Allibone, R., Patrick, B. H., & Scott, D. (2003). Inland waters and wetlands. In J. T. Darby, R. E. Fordyce, A. F. Mark, P. K. Probert & C. R. Townsend (Eds.), The natural history of Southern New Zealand. (pp. 237-265). Dunedin: University of Otago Press.

Chapter in Book - Research

Journal - Research Article

Burns, C. W., Duggan, I. C., Banks, J. C., & Hogg, I. D. (2017). A new, subalpine species of Daphnia (Cladocera, Anomopode) in the D. carinata species complex, in the South Island, New Zealand. Hydrobiologia, 798(1), 151-169. doi: 10.1007/s10750-016-2702-1

Journal - Research Article

Weaver, A. K., Schallenberg, M., & Burns, C. W. (2017). Land use, soil properties and weather conditions influence nutrient fluxes into a deep oligotrophic lake. Marine & Freshwater Research, 68(10), 1830-1844. doi: 10.1071/MF16042

Journal - Research Article

Bayer, T. K., Schallenberg, M., & Burns, C. W. (2016). Contrasting controls on phytoplankton dynamics in two large, pre-alpine lakes imply differential responses to climate change. Hydrobiologia, 771(1), 131-150. doi: 10.1007/s10750-015-2625-2

Journal - Research Article

Valois, A. E., & Burns, C. W. (2016). Parasites as prey: Daphnia reduce transmission success of an oomycete brood parasite in the calanoid copepod Boeckella. Journal of Plankton Research, 38(5), 1281-1288. doi: 10.1093/plankt/fbw055

Journal - Research Article

Galloway, A. W. E., Brett, M. T., Holtgrieve, G. W., Ward, E. J., Ballantyne, A. P., Burns, C. W., … Alhgren, G. (2015). A fatty acid based Bayesian approach for inferring diet in aquatic consumers. PLoS ONE, 10(6), e0129723. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0129723

Journal - Research Article

Zehrer, R. F., Burns, C. W., & Flöder, S. (2015). Sediment resuspension, salinity and temperature affect the plankton community of a shallow coastal lake. Marine & Freshwater Research, 66(4), 317-328. doi: 10.1071/MF13221

Journal - Research Article

Burns, C. W., Schallenberg, M., & Verburg, P. (2014). Potential use of classical biomanipulation to improve water quality in New Zealand lakes: A re-evaluation. New Zealand Journal of Marine & Freshwater Research, 48(1), 127-138. doi: 10.1080/00288330.2013.838589

Journal - Research Article

Bayer, T. K., Burns, C. W., & Schallenberg, M. (2013). Application of a numerical model to predict impacts of climate change on water temperatures in two deep, oligotrophic lakes in New Zealand. Hydrobiologia, 713(1), 53-71. doi: 10.1007/s10750-013-1492-y

Journal - Research Article

Burns, C. W. (2013). Predictors of invasion success by Daphnia species: Influence of food, temperature and species identity. Biological Invasions, 15(4), 859-869. doi: 10.1007/s10530-012-0335-5

Journal - Research Article

Duggan, I. C., Robinson, K. V., Burns, C. W., Banks, J. C., & Hogg, I. D. (2012). Identifying invertebrate invasions using morphological and molecular analyses: North American Daphnia 'pulex' in New Zealand fresh waters. Aquatic Invasions, 7(4), 585-590. doi: 10.3391/ai.2012.7.4.015

Journal - Research Article

Burns, C. W., Brett, M. T., & Schallenberg, M. (2011). A comparison of the trophic transfer of fatty acids in freshwater plankton by cladocerans and calanoid copepods. Freshwater Biology, 56(5), 889-903. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2427.2010.02534.x

Journal - Research Article

Flöder, S., Jaschinski, S., Wells, G., & Burns, C. W. (2010). Dominance and compensatory growth in phytoplankton communities under salinity stress. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology & Ecology, 395(1-2), 223-231. doi: 10.1016/j.jembe.2010.09.006

Journal - Research Article

Galbraith, L. M., & Burns, C. W. (2010). Drivers of ciliate and phytoplankton community structure across a range of water bodies in southern New Zealand. Journal of Plankton Research, 32(3), 327-339. doi: 10.1093/plankt/fbp134

Journal - Research Article

Downs, T. M., Schallenberg, M., & Burns, C. W. (2008). Responses of lake phytoplankton to micronutrient enrichment: A study in two New Zealand lakes and an analysis of published data. Aquatic Sciences, 70(4), 347-360. doi: 10.1007/s00027-008-8065-6

Journal - Research Article

Burns, C. W., & Galbraith, L. M. (2007). Relating planktonic microbial food web structure in lentic freshwater ecosystems to water quality and land use. Journal of Plankton Research, 29(2), 127-139.

Journal - Research Article

Dufour, C. M., Engels, N. M., & Burns, C. W. (2007). Distribution, substrate preference and habitat enhancement of the isopod Austridotea lacustris in Tomahawk Lagoon, Otago, New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Marine & Freshwater Research, 41(3), 299-307. doi: 10.1080/00288330709509917

Journal - Research Article

Galbraith, L. M., & Burns, C. W. (2007). Linking land-use, water body type and water quality in southern New Zealand. Landscape Ecology, 22, 231-241.

Journal - Research Article

Persaud, A. D., Moeller, R. E., Williamson, C. E., & Burns, C. W. (2007). Photoprotective compounds in weakly and strongly pigmented copepods and co-occurring cladocerans. Freshwater Biology, 52, 2121-2133.

Journal - Research Article

Wilhelm, F. M., Closs, G. P., & Burns, C. W. (2007). Seasonal diet and amphipod size selection of juvenile common bully, Gobiomorphus cotidianus, in a coastal New Zealand lake. Hydrobiologia, 586, 303-312. doi: 10.1007/s10750-007-0703-9

Journal - Research Article

Faithfull, C. L., & Burns, C. W. (2006). Effects of salinity and source of inocula on germination of Anabaena akinetes from a tidally influenced lake. Freshwater Biology, 51, 705-716.

Journal - Research Article

Flöder, S., & Burns, C. W. (2005). The influence of fluctuating light on diversity and species number of nutrient-limited phytoplankton. Journal of Phycology, 41, 950-956.

Journal - Research Article

Levine, S. N., Zehrer, R. F., & Burns, C. W. (2005). Impact of resuspended sediment on zooplankton feeding in Lake Waihola, New Zealand. Freshwater Biology, 50, 1515-1536.

Journal - Research Article

Schallenberg, M., Bremer, P. J., Henkel, S., Launhardt, A., & Burns, C. W. (2005). Survival of Campylobacter jejuni in water: Effect of grazing by the freshwater crustacean Daphnia carinata (Cladocera). Applied & Environmental Microbiology, 71(9), 5085-5088.

Journal - Research Article

Flöder, S., & Burns, C. W. (2004). Phytoplankton diversity of shallow tidal lakes: Influence of periodic salinity changes on diversity and species number of a natural assemblage. Journal of Phycology, 40, 54-61.

Journal - Research Article

Schallenberg, M., & Burns, C. W. (2004). Effects of sediment resuspension on phytoplankton production: Teasing apart the influences of light, nutrients and algal entrainment. Freshwater Biology, 49, 143-159.

Journal - Research Article

Hall, C. J., & Burns, C. W. (2003). Responses of crustacean zooplankton to seasonal and tidal salinity changes in the coastal Lake Waihola, New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Marine & Freshwater Research, 37, 31-43.

Journal - Research Article

Haywood, G. J., & Burns, C. W. (2003). Feeding response of Nyctiphanes australis (Euphausiacea) to various nanoplankton sizes and taxa. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 253, 209-216.

Journal - Research Article

Haywood, G. J., & Burns, C. W. (2003). Growth of Nyctiphanes (Euphausiacea) on different diets. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology & Ecology, 289, 139-151.

Journal - Research Article

Schallenberg, M., & Burns, C. W. (2003). A temperate, tidal lake-wetland complex: 2. Water quality and implications for zooplankton community structure. New Zealand Journal of Marine & Freshwater Research, 37, 429-447.

Journal - Research Article

Schallenberg, M., Burns, C. W., & Peake, B. M. (2003). A temperate, tidal lake-wetland complex: 1. Water balance and ecological implications. New Zealand Journal of Marine & Freshwater Research, 37, 415-428.

Journal - Research Article

Schallenberg, M., Hall, C. J., & Burns, C. W. (2003). Consequences of climate-induced salinity increases on zooplankton abundance and diversity in coastal lakes. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 251, 181-189.

Journal - Research Article

Stoffels, R. J., Closs, G. P., & Burns, C. W. (2003). Multiple scales and the relationship between density and spatial aggregation in littoral zone communities. Oikos, 103, 81-92.

Journal - Research Article

Hall, C. J., & Burns, C. W. (2002). Mortality and growth responses of Daphnia carinata to increases in temperature and salinity. Freshwater Biology, 47, 451-458.

Journal - Research Article

Hall, C., & Burns, C. W. (2002). Effects of temperature and salinity on the survival and egg production of Gladioferens pectinatus Brady (Copepodas: Calanoida). Estuarine, Coastal & Shelf Science, 55, 557-564.

Journal - Research Article

Hall, C., & Burns, C. W. (2002). Environmental gradients and zooplankton distribution in a shallow, tidal lake. Archiv für Hydrobiologie, 154, 485-497.

Journal - Research Article

Wilhelm, F. M., Hamann, J., & Burns, C. W. (2002). Mysid predation on amphipods and Daphnia in a shallow coastal lake: Prey selection and effects of macrophytes. Canadian Journal of Fisheries & Aquatic Sciences, 59, 1901-1907. doi: 10.1139/F02-161

Journal - Research Article

Burns, C. W., & Schallenberg, M. (2001). Calanoid copepods versus cladocerans: Consumer effects on protozoa in lakes of different trophic status. Limnology & Oceanography, 46(6), 1558-1565.

Journal - Research Article

Burns, C. W., & Schallenberg, M. (2001). Short-term impacts of nutrients, Daphnia, and copepods on microbial food-webs of an oligotrophic and eutrophic lake. New Zealand Journal of Marine & Freshwater Research, 35, 695-710.

Journal - Research Article

Couch, K. M., Downes, M., & Burns, C. W. (2001). Morphological differences between subitaneous and diapause eggs of Boeckella triarticulata (Copepoda: Calanoida). Freshwater Biology, 46, 925-933.

Journal - Research Article

Hall, C. J., & Burns, C. W. (2001). Effects of salinity and temperature on survival and reproduction of Boeckella hamata (Copepoda: Calanoida) from a periodically brackish lake. Journal of Plankton Research, 23, 97-103.

Journal - Research Article

Hall, C. J., & Burns, C. W. (2001). Hatching of Boeckella hamata (Copepoda: Calanoida) resting eggs from sediments of a tidally influenced lake. New Zealand Journal of Marine & Freshwater Research, 35, 235-238.

Journal - Research Article

Hendry, A. C., & Burns, C. W. (2001). Do potential predators induce an avoidance response in Daphnia carinata? New Zealand Journal of Marine & Freshwater Research, 35, 155-164.

Journal - Research Article

Schallenberg, M., & Burns, C. W. (2001). Tests of autotrophic picoplankton as early indicators of nutrient enrichment in an ultra-oligotrophic lake. Freshwater Biology, 46, 27-37.

Journal - Research Article

Schallenberg, M., Friedrich, U., & Burns, C. W. (2001). Postulated responses of phytoplankton and bacteria to predicted increases of inorganic suspended sediments in oligotrophic lakes. New Zealand Journal of Marine & Freshwater Research, 35, 763-779.

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