Staff Member
Richard Walker
Biography
Richard is a doctoral student in the Program in Ecology at the University of Wyoming. His research interests cover a broad spectrum within the field of aquatic ecology, ranging from population and community ecology, conservation biology to ecosystem processes. His current research focuses on understanding the individual and interactive effects of multiple stressors on ecological responses in headwater streams. In particular, he is trying to better understand the effects of stressors associated with oil and natural gas development, livestock grazing, and natural variability in hydrology on fish physiology and immunology, as well as the quality and quantity of fish food resources, and the implications for freshwater fish populations.. Richard began working with the Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit in 2014. Prior to his attendance at the University of Wyoming, he received a bachelor's and master's degree in Environmental Science (2008) and Biology (2011) from the University of Central Arkansas. Between degrees, Richard worked as a fisheries technician with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources in St. George, Utah sampling and monitoring fishes in the Virgin River. Following graduate school, he spent some time working as an Environmental Scientist in Arkansas consulting with clients on several aquatic issues, mostly natural gas development best management practices and rapid bioassessments of aquatic organisms. After consulting, he traveled around the west...
Research Publications | Publication Date |
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Walters, A.W., C.E. Girard, R.H. Walker, A.M. Farag, and D.A. Alvarez. 2019. Multiple approaches to surface water quality assessment provide insight for small streams experiencing oil and natural gas development. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management 9999:1-13. doi.org/10.1002/ieam.4118. | January 2019 |
Walker, R.H., C.E. Girard, S.L. Alford, and A.W. Walters. 2020. Individual and interactive effects of hydrology and surface disturbance on fish populations. Journal of Applied Ecology 57: 149-159. doi:10.1111/1365-2664.13517 | January 2020 |
Walker, R.H.* and A.W. Walters. 2019. A mechanistic understanding of ecological responses to anthropogenic surface disturbance in headwater streams. Ecosphere 10(10):e02907. 10.1002/ecs2.2907. | October 2019 |
Project | Completion Date |
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Wyoming Range Native Fish and Energy Development | June 2021 |
Drought, water availability, and the implications for fish | December 2028 |
Presentations | Presentation Date |
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Walters, A., R. Walker, and S. Alford. 2018. Evaluating the resiliency of fish populations to stochastic disturbances. WY-TWS and WLCI Joint Meeting, Laramie, WY. | November 2018 |
Walker, R.H., C.E. Girard, S.A. Alford, and A.W. Walters. 2019. Surface disturbance intensifies the effect of low flows on stream fishes. Society for Freshwater Science annual meeting. | May 2019 |
Walker, R.H. and Walters, A.W. 2018. It takes two to tango: interactive effects of hydrology and energy development on fish abundance. Colorado-Wyoming American Fisheries Society, Laramie, Wyoming. | February 2018 |
Walker, R., and A. Walters. 2018. Mechanisms Underlying Ecological Responses to Surface Disturbance in Headwater Streams. WY-TWS and WLCI Joint Meeting, Laramie, WY. | November 2018 |
Walker, R., C. Girard, and A. Walters. 2016. Does oil and natural gas development and hydrology interact to affect fish populations. SFS meeting, Sacramento, CA. | May 2016 |
Walker, R., C. Girard, and A. Walters. 2016. Does oil and natural gas development and hydrology interact to affect fish populations. CO/WY AFS meeting, Laramie, WY. | March 2016 |
Walker, R., C. Girard, and A. Walters. 2015. Does oil and natural gas development and hydrology interact to affect fish population dynamics? Wyoming Landscape Conservation Initiative/ The Wildlife Society Meeting, Lander WY. | December 2015 |
Walker, R. and A. Walters. 2015. Population dynamics of three fishes in relation to energy development in headwater streams of the Wyoming Range. Society for Freshwater Science annual meeting, Milwaukee, WI. | May 2015 |
Richard Walker, Geoff D. Smith and Annika Walters. 2017. Physiological responses of fishes to stressors associated with oil and natural gas development. Western Division American Fisheries Society | May 2017 |
Richard Walker, Geoff D. Smith and Annika Walters. 2017. Physiological responses of fishes to stressors associated with oil and natural gas development. CO/WY AFS meeting. | June 2017 |
Richard Walker, Geoff D. Smith and Annika Walters. 2017. Physiological responses of fishes to stressors associated with oil and natural gas development. CO/WY AFS meeting. | February 2017 |
R. Walker and A.W. Walters. 2015. Population dynamics of three fishes in relation to energy development in headwater streams of the Wyoming Range. CO/WY American Fisheries Society Meeting. Fort Collins, CO. | February 2015 |
A. Walters and R. Walker. 2017. Context dependent effects of flow on fish. Society for Freshwater Science annual meeting. | June 2017 |