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Emeritus Professor Colin Townsend

Email colin.townsend@otago.ac.nz

Colin Townsend

Research Interests

  • The ecosystem impact of multiple stressors
  • The ecology of invaders
  • The influence of land use on river ecosystems
  • The impact of flow disturbances on stream communities

River Ecology

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Publications

Grigoropoulou, A., Ab Hamid, S., Acosta, R., Olusegun Akindele, E., Al-Shami, S. A., Altermatt, F., … Townsend, C., … Domisch, S. (2023). The global EPTO database: Worldwide occurrences of aquatic insects [Data article]. Global Ecology & Biogeography. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1111/geb.13648

Albariño, R. J., Closs, G. P., Matthaei, C. D., Townsend, C. R., & Zamorano, D. (2022). Substrate size modifies stream grazer-biofilm interactions in the presence of invertivorous fish. Ecology. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1002/ecy.3828

Lange, K., Townsend, C. R., & Matthaei, C. D. (2019). Inconsistent relationships of primary consumer N stable isotope values to gradients of sheep/beef farming intensity and flow reduction in streams. Water, 11(11), 2239. doi: 10.3390/w11112239

Schneck, F., Lange, K., Melo, A. S., Townsend, C. R., & Matthaei, C. D. (2017). Effects of a natural flood disturbance on species richness and beta diversity of stream benthic diatom communities. Aquatic Ecology, 51(4), 557-569. doi: 10.1007/s10452-017-9636-1

Magbanua, F. S., Townsend, C. R., Hageman, K. J., Piggott, J. J., & Matthaei, C. D. (2016). Individual and combined effects of fine sediment and glyphosate herbicide on invertebrate drift and insect emergence: A stream mesocosm experiment. Freshwater Science, 35(1), 139-151. doi: 10.1086/684363

Begon, M., Townsend, C. R., & Harper, J. L. (2007). Ecologia de indivíduos a ecossistemas (4th ed.). Porto Alegre, Brazil: Artmed, 740p.

Authored Book - Research

Begon, M., Townsend, C. R., & Harper, J. L. (2006). Ecology: From individuals to ecosystems (4th ed.). Malden, MA: Blackwell Publishing, 738p.

Authored Book - Research

Begon, M., Harper, J. L., & Townsend, C. R. (1999). Ecologia (Spanish translation). Barcelona: Ediciones Omega, 900p.

Authored Book - Research

Begon, M., Harper, J. L., & Townsend, C. R. (1998). Okologie (German Translation). Heidelberg: Spectrum Akademischer Verlag GmBH, 750p.

Authored Book - Research

Begon, M., Harper, J. L., & Townsend, C. R. (1997). Ekologie: Jedinci, Populace a Spolecenstva (Czech translation). Palackeho Olomouc: Vydavatelstvi Univerzity, 949p.

Authored Book - Research

Begon, M., Harper, J. L., & Townsend, C. R. (1996). Ecology: Individuals, Populations and Communities (3rd ed.). Oxford: Blackwell.

Authored Book - Research

Townsend, C. R., Begon, M., & Harper, J. L. (2010). Fundamentos em ecologia [Translation of Essentials of ecology, 3rd ed.] (3rd ed.). Porto Alegre, Brazil: Artmed, 576p.

Authored Book - Other

Townsend, C. R., Begon, M., & Harper, J. L. (2010). Základy ekologie [Translation of Essentials of ecology, 3rd ed.]. Olomouc, Czech Republic: Vydala Univerzita Palackého v Olomouci, 505p.

Authored Book - Other

Townsend, C. R., Begon, M., & Harper, J. L. (2009). Ökologie [Translation of Essentials of ecology, 3rd ed.] (2nd ed.). Berlin, Germany: Springer, 622p.

Authored Book - Other

Townsend, C. R. (2008). Ecological applications: Toward a sustainable world. Malden, USA: Blackwell, 346p.

Authored Book - Other

Townsend, C. R., Begon, M., & Harper, J. L. (2008). Essentials of ecology (3rd ed.). Malden, MA: Blackwell, 510p.

Authored Book - Other

Townsend, C. R., Begon, M., & Harper, J. L. (2006). Fundamentos em ecologia [Translation of Essentials of ecology, 2nd ed.] (2nd ed.). Porto Alegre, Brazil: Artmed, 592p.

Authored Book - Other

Begon, M., Harper, J. L., & Townsend, C. R. (2003). Japanese translation of 'Ecology: Individuals, populations and Communities, 1999' (3rd ed.). Tokyo: Blackwell Science, 1304p.

Authored Book - Other

Townsend, C. R., Begon, M., & Harper, J. L. (2003). Essentials of ecology (2nd ed.). Oxford: Blackwell, 530p.

Authored Book - Other

Townsend, C. R., Harper, J. L., & Begon, M. (2003). Ökologie. German translation of 'Essentials of Ecology, 2002' (2nd ed.). Berlin: Springer, 647p.

Authored Book - Other

Townsend, C. R., Harper, J. L., & Begon, M. (2001). L'Essenziale di Ecologia (Italian translation). Bologna: Zanichelli editore, S.p.A., 500p.

Authored Book - Other

Townsend, C. R., Harper, J. L., & Begon, M. (2000). Essentials of Ecology. Malden, USA: Blackwell Science, 552p.

Authored Book - Other

Darby, J., Fordyce, R. E., Mark, A. F., Probert, K., & Townsend, C. (Eds.). (2003). The natural history of Southern New Zealand. Dunedin, New Zealand: University of Otago Press, 370p.

Edited Book - Research

Darby, J., Fordyce, R. E., Mark, A., Probert, K., & Townsend, C. (Eds.). (2006). The natural history of southern New Zealand [Reprint]. Dunedin, New Zealand: University of Otago Press, 400p.

Edited Book - Other

Malmqvist, B., Rundle, S. D., Covich, A. P., Hildrew, A. G., Robinson, C. T., & Townsend, C. R. (2008). Prospects for streams and rivers: An ecological perspective. In N. V. C. Polunin (Ed.), Aquatic ecosystems: Trends and global prospects. (pp. 19-29). Cambridge University Press.

Chapter in Book - Research

Townsend, C. R., & Thompson, R. M. (2007). Body size in streams: Macroinvertebrate community size composition along natural and human-induced environmental gradients. In A. G. Hildrew, D. G. Raffaelli & R. Edmonds-Brown (Eds.), Body size: The structure and function of aquatic ecosystems. (pp. 77-97). Cambridge University Press.

Chapter in Book - Research

Townsend, C. R., & Simon, K. S. (2006). Consequences of brown trout invasion for stream ecosystems. In R. B. Allen & W. G. Lee (Eds.), Biological invasions in New Zealand: Ecological studies 186. (pp. 213-225). Berlin, Germany: Springer.

Chapter in Book - Research

Woodward, G., Thompson, R., Townsend, C. R., & Hildrew, A. G. (2005). Pattern and process in food webs: Evidence from running waters. In A. Belgrano, U. M. Scharler, J. Dunne & R. E. Ulanowicz (Eds.), Aquatic food webs: An ecosystem approach. (pp. 51-66). Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Chapter in Book - Research

Matthaei, C. D., Townsend, C. R., Arbuckle, C. J., Peacock, K. A., Guggelberger, C., Küster, C. E., & Huber, H. (2004). Disturbance, assembly rules, and benthic communities in running waters: A review and some implicatioins for restoration projects. In V. M. Temperton, R. J. Hobbs, T. Nuttle & S. Halle (Eds.), Assembly rules and restoration ecology: Bridging the gap between theory and practice. (pp. 367-388). Washington, DC: Island Press.

Chapter in Book - Research

Riley, R. H., Townsend, C. R., Raffaelli, D. A., & Flecker, A. S. (2004). Sources and effects of subsidies along the Stream-Estuary Continuum. In G. A. Polis, M. E. Power & G. R. Huxel (Eds.), Food webs: At the ladscape level. (pp. 241-260). Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press.

Chapter in Book - Research

Thompson, R. M., & Townsend, C. R. (2000). New Zealand's stream invertebrate communities: An international perspective. In K. Collier & M. Winterbourn (Eds.), New Zealand Stream Invertebrates: Ecology and Implications for Management. (pp. 53-74). Christchurch: New Zealand Limnological Society, The Caxton Press.

Chapter in Book - Research

Flecker, A. S., & Townsend, C. R. (1996). Community-wide consequences of trout introduction in New Zealand streams. In F. B. Samson & F. L. Knopf (Eds.), Ecosystem Management: Selected Readings. (pp. 203-215). New York: Springer.

Chapter in Book - Research

Albariño, R. J., Closs, G. P., Matthaei, C. D., Townsend, C. R., & Zamorano, D. (2022). Substrate size modifies stream grazer-biofilm interactions in the presence of invertivorous fish. Ecology. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1002/ecy.3828

Journal - Research Article

Lange, K., Townsend, C. R., & Matthaei, C. D. (2019). Inconsistent relationships of primary consumer N stable isotope values to gradients of sheep/beef farming intensity and flow reduction in streams. Water, 11(11), 2239. doi: 10.3390/w11112239

Journal - Research Article

Schneck, F., Lange, K., Melo, A. S., Townsend, C. R., & Matthaei, C. D. (2017). Effects of a natural flood disturbance on species richness and beta diversity of stream benthic diatom communities. Aquatic Ecology, 51(4), 557-569. doi: 10.1007/s10452-017-9636-1

Journal - Research Article

Lange, K., Townsend, C. R., & Matthaei, C. D. (2016). A trait-based framework for stream algal communities. Ecology & Evolution, 6(1), 23-36. doi: 10.1002/ece3.1822

Journal - Research Article

Magbanua, F. S., Townsend, C. R., Hageman, K. J., Piggott, J. J., & Matthaei, C. D. (2016). Individual and combined effects of fine sediment and glyphosate herbicide on invertebrate drift and insect emergence: A stream mesocosm experiment. Freshwater Science, 35(1), 139-151. doi: 10.1086/684363

Journal - Research Article

Heino, J., Melo, A. S., Bini, L. M., Altermatt, F., Al-Shami, S. A., Angeler, D. G., … Townsend, C. R. (2015). A comparative analysis reveals weak relationships between ecological factors and beta diversity of stream insect metacommunities at two spatial levels. Ecology & Evolution, 5(6), 1235-1248. doi: 10.1002/ece3.1439

Journal - Research Article

Piggott, J. J., Niyogi, D. K., Townsend, C. R., & Matthaei, C. D. (2015). Multiple stressors and stream ecosystem functioning: Climate warming and agricultural stressors interact to affect processing of organic matter. Journal of Applied Ecology, (52), 5, 1126-1134. doi: 10.1111/1365-2664.12480

Journal - Research Article

Piggott, J. J., Salis, R. K., Lear, G., Townsend, C. R., & Matthaei, C. D. (2015). Climate warming and agricultural stressors interact to determine stream periphyton community composition. Global Change Biology, 21(1), 206-222. doi: 10.1111/gcb.12661

Journal - Research Article

Piggott, J. J., Townsend, C. R., & Matthaei, C. D. (2015). Climate warming and agricultural stressors interact to determine stream macroinvertebrate community dynamics. Global Change Biology, 21(5), 1887-1906. doi: 10.1111/gcb.12861

Journal - Research Article

Piggott, J. J., Townsend, C. R., & Matthaei, C. D. (2015). Reconceptualizing synergism and antagonism among multiple stressors. Ecology & Evolution, 5(7), 1538-1547. doi: 10.1002/ece3.1465

Journal - Research Article

Lange, K., Townsend, C. R., & Matthaei, C. D. (2014). Can biological traits of stream invertebrates help disentangle the effects of multiple stressors in an agricultural catchment? Freshwater Biology, 59(12), 2431-2446. doi: 10.1111/fwb.12437

Journal - Research Article

Lange, K., Townsend, C. R., Gabrielsson, R., Chanut, P. C. M., & Matthaei, C. D. (2014). Responses of stream fish populations to farming intensity and water abstraction in an agricultural catchment. Freshwater Biology, 59(2), 286-299. doi: 10.1111/fwb.12264

Journal - Research Article

Magbanua, F. S., Townsend, C. R., Hageman, K. J., & Matthaei, C. D. (2013). Individual and combined effects of fine sediment and the herbicide glyphosate on benthic macroinvertebrates and stream ecosystem function. Freshwater Biology, 58(8), 1729-1744. doi: 10.1111/fwb.12163

Journal - Research Article

Magbanua, F. S., Townsend, C. R., Hageman, K. J., Lange, K., Lear, G., Lewis, G. D., & Matthaei, C. D. (2013). Understanding the combined influence of fine sediment and glyphosate herbicide on stream periphyton communities. Water Research, 47(14), 5110-5120. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2013.05.046

Journal - Research Article

Paterson, R. A., Lal, A., Dale, M., Townsend, C. R., Poulin, R., & Tompkins, D. M. (2013). Relative competence of native and exotic fish hosts for two generalist native trematodes. International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites & Wildlife, 2, 136-143. doi: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2013.03.004

Journal - Research Article

Paterson, R. A., Rauque, C. A., Fernandez, M. V., Townsend, C. R., Poulin, R., & Tompkins, D. M. (2013). Native fish avoid parasite spillback from multiple exotic hosts: Consequences of host density and parasite competency. Biological Invasions, 15(10), 2205-2218. doi: 10.1007/s10530-013-0445-8

Journal - Research Article

Wagenhoff, A., Lange, K., Townsend, C. R., & Matthaei, C. D. (2013). Patterns of benthic algae and cyanobacteria along twin-stressor gradients of nutrients and fine sediment: A stream mesocosm experiment. Freshwater Biology, 58(9), 1849-1863. doi: 10.1111/fwb.12174

Journal - Research Article

Bierschenk, A. M., Savage, C., Townsend, C. R., & Matthaei, C. D. (2012). Intensity of land use in the catchment influences ecosystem functioning along a freshwater-marine continuum. Ecosystems, 15(4), 637-651. doi: 10.1007/s10021-012-9536-0

Journal - Research Article

Herrmann, P. B., Townsend, C. R., & Matthaei, C. D. (2012). Individual and combined effects of fish predation and bed disturbance on stream benthic communities: A streamside channel experiment. Freshwater Biology, 57(12), 2487-2503. doi: 10.1111/fwb.12019

Journal - Research Article

Liess, A., Le Gros, A., Wagenhoff, A., Townsend, C. R., & Matthaei, C. D. (2012). Landuse intensity in stream catchments affects the benthic food web: Consequences for nutrient supply, periphyton C:nutrient ratios, and invertebrate richness and abundance. Freshwater Science, 31(3), 813-824. doi: 10.1899/11-019.1

Journal - Research Article

Paterson, R. A., Townsend, C. R., Tompkins, D. M., & Poulin, R. (2012). Ecological determinants of parasite acquisition by exotic fish species. Oikos, 121, 1889-1895. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0706.2012.20143.x

Journal - Research Article

Piggott, J. J., Lange, K., Townsend, C. R., & Matthaei, C. D. (2012). Multiple stressors in agricultural streams: A mesocosm study of interactions among raised water temperature, sediment addition and nutrient enrichment. PLoS ONE, 7(11), e49873. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0049873

Journal - Research Article

Wagenhoff, A., Townsend, C. R., & Matthaei, C. D. (2012). Macroinvertebrate responses along broad stressor gradients of deposited fine sediment and dissolved nutrients: A stream mesocosm experiment. Journal of Applied Ecology, 49(4), 892-902. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2664.2012.02162.x

Journal - Research Article

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