David Schindler
Encyclopedia
David William Schindler OC, D.Phil., FRSC
, FRS (born August 3, 1940) is an American/Canadian limnologist. He holds the Killam Memorial Chair and is Professor of Ecology in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Alberta
in Edmonton
, Canada
. He is notable for research which led to the banning of harmful phosphates in detergent
s, and for activism to curb acid rain
..
in 1962 he studied aquatic ecology at Oxford University as a Rhodes scholar. He worked first under Nikolaas Tinbergen
. But it was while working under Charles Sutherland Elton
, one of the founders of ecology, who also established and led Oxford University's Bureau of Animal Population, that he began formulating an interdisciplinary ecosystem approach to study water and ecology. He received his Ph.D in ecology in 1966 from Oxford University. For two years he was an assistant professor in the Biology Department at Trent University
. From 1968 to 1989, he directed the newly created Experimental Lakes Area
of the Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans near Kenora, Ontario. This long-term study of freshwater is part of Schindler's large body of scientific work which has influenced freshwater management policies including the regulation of toxins and the limitation of eutrophication
(excessive algal blooms) and acid rain in Canada, the USA and Europe.
As Killam Memorial Chair Dr. Schindler has continued his research. In 2010 he co-authored a report on contaminants in fresh water systems in the area affected by the oil sands development entitled "Oil sands development contributes elements toxic at low concentrations to the Athabasca River and its tributaries."
Royal Society of Canada
The Royal Society of Canada , may also operate under the more descriptive name RSC: The Academies of Arts, Humanities and Sciences of Canada , is the oldest association of scientists and scholars in Canada...
, FRS (born August 3, 1940) is an American/Canadian limnologist. He holds the Killam Memorial Chair and is Professor of Ecology in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Alberta
University of Alberta
The University of Alberta is a public research university located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Founded in 1908 by Alexander Cameron Rutherford, the first premier of Alberta and Henry Marshall Tory, its first president, it is widely recognized as one of the best universities in Canada...
in Edmonton
Edmonton
Edmonton is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta and is the province's second-largest city. Edmonton is located on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Capital Region, which is surrounded by the central region of the province.The city and its census...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. He is notable for research which led to the banning of harmful phosphates in detergent
Detergent
A detergent is a surfactant or a mixture of surfactants with "cleaning properties in dilute solutions." In common usage, "detergent" refers to alkylbenzenesulfonates, a family of compounds that are similar to soap but are less affected by hard water...
s, and for activism to curb acid rain
Acid rain
Acid rain is a rain or any other form of precipitation that is unusually acidic, meaning that it possesses elevated levels of hydrogen ions . It can have harmful effects on plants, aquatic animals, and infrastructure. Acid rain is caused by emissions of carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen...
..
Early life
Schindler was born August 3, 1940 in Fargo, North Dakota and grew up in Minnesota lake country. He holds dual citizenship in Canada and the USA.Career
After completing his bachelor's degree in zoology from North Dakota State UniversityNorth Dakota State University
North Dakota State University of Agriculture and Applied Sciences, more commonly known as North Dakota State University , is a public university in Fargo, North Dakota. NDSU has about 14,000 students and it is the largest university in North Dakota based on full time students and land size...
in 1962 he studied aquatic ecology at Oxford University as a Rhodes scholar. He worked first under Nikolaas Tinbergen
Nikolaas Tinbergen
Nikolaas "Niko" Tinbergen was a Dutch ethologist and ornithologist who shared the 1973 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with Karl von Frisch and Konrad Lorenz for their discoveries concerning organization and elicitation of individual and social behaviour patterns in animals.In the 1960s he...
. But it was while working under Charles Sutherland Elton
Charles Sutherland Elton
Charles Sutherland Elton FRS was an English zoologist and animal ecologist. His name is associated with the establishment of modern population and community ecology, including studies of invasive organisms.-Personal life:...
, one of the founders of ecology, who also established and led Oxford University's Bureau of Animal Population, that he began formulating an interdisciplinary ecosystem approach to study water and ecology. He received his Ph.D in ecology in 1966 from Oxford University. For two years he was an assistant professor in the Biology Department at Trent University
Trent University
Trent University is a liberal arts and science-oriented institution located along the Otonabee River in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada.The enabling legislation is the Trent University Act, 1962-63. The University was founded through the efforts of a citizens' committee interested in creating a...
. From 1968 to 1989, he directed the newly created Experimental Lakes Area
Experimental Lakes Area
The Experimental Lakes Area is a fully equipped, year-round, permanent field station that uses the whole ecosystem approach and long-term, whole-lake investigations of freshwater focusing on cultural eutrophication...
of the Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans near Kenora, Ontario. This long-term study of freshwater is part of Schindler's large body of scientific work which has influenced freshwater management policies including the regulation of toxins and the limitation of eutrophication
Eutrophication
Eutrophication or more precisely hypertrophication, is the movement of a body of water′s trophic status in the direction of increasing plant biomass, by the addition of artificial or natural substances, such as nitrates and phosphates, through fertilizers or sewage, to an aquatic system...
(excessive algal blooms) and acid rain in Canada, the USA and Europe.
As Killam Memorial Chair Dr. Schindler has continued his research. In 2010 he co-authored a report on contaminants in fresh water systems in the area affected by the oil sands development entitled "Oil sands development contributes elements toxic at low concentrations to the Athabasca River and its tributaries."
Selected Publications
- Kelly, Erin N.; Schindler, David W.; Hodson, Peter V.; Short, Jeffrey W.; Radmanovich, Roseanna; Nielsen, Charlene C. 2010-08-24. "Oil sands development contributes elements toxic at low concentrations to the Athabasca River and its tributaries.". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
- Schindler, David W. Donahue, W. F. 2006-05-09. "An impending water crisis in Canada's western prairie provinces." 103:19:7210–7216. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (USA).
- Tilman, D.J. Farglione, B. Wolff, C. D'Antonio, A. Dobson, R. Howarth, D. Schindler, W. Schlesinger, D. Simberloff, and D. Swackhamer. 2001. "Forecasting agriculturally-driven global environmental change." Science 292: 281-284.
- Schindler, D.W. 2001. The cumulative effects of climate warming and other human stresses on Canadian freshwaters in the new millennium. Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 58: 18-29.
- Schindler, D.W. 2000. "Aquatic problems caused by human activities in Banff National Park." Ambio 29: 401-407.
- Wilhelm, F.M. and Schindler, David W. 2000. "Reproductive strategies of Gammarus lacustris (Crustacea: Amphipoda) along an elevation gradient." Functional Ecology. 14: 413-422.
- Hudson, J.J., W.D. Taylor and David W.Schindler. 2000. "Phosphate concentration in lakes." Nature 406: 54-56.
- Wilhelm, F.M., B.R. Parker, D.W. Schindler and D.B. Donald. 2000. Seasonal food habits of bull trout from a small alpine lake in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Trans. Amer. Fish. Soc. 128: 1176-1192.
- Campbell, L.M., D.W. Schindler, D.B. Donald and D.C.G. Muir. 2000. Organochlorine transfer in the food web of subalpine Bow Lake, Banff National Park. Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 57: 1-12.
- Hudson, J.J., W.D. Taylor, and David W. Schindler. 1999. Planktonic nutrient regeneration and cycling efficiency along a trophic gradient of temperate lakes. Nature 400: 659-661.
- Schindler, David W. 1999. From acid rain to toxic snow (Volvo Environmental Prize Lecture). Ambio 28: 350-355.
- Donald, D.B., J. Syrgiannia, R.W. Crosley, G. Holdsworth, D.C.G. Muir, B. Rosenberg, A. Sole, and D.W. Schindler. 1999. Delayed deposition of organochlorine pesticides at a temperate glacier. Environ. Sci. Technol. 33: 1794-1798.
- McNaught, A.S., David W. Schindler, B.R. Parker, A.J. Paul, R.S. Anderson, D.B. Donald and M. Agbeti. 1999 Restoration of the food web of an alpine lake following fish stocking. Limnol. Oceanogr. 44: 127-136.
- Wilhelm, F.M. and D.W. Schindler. 1999. Effects of Gammarus lacustris (Crustacea: Amphipoda) on plankton community structure in an alpine lake. Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 56: 1401-1408.
- Blais, J.M., David W. Schindler, D.C.G. Muir, D.B. Donald and B. Rosenberg. 1998. Accumulation of persistent organochlorine compounds in mountains of western Canada. Nature 395: 585-588.
- Schindler, David W. 1998. Replication versus realism: the need for ecosystem-scale experiments. Ecosystems 1: 323-334.
- Schindler, David W. 1998. A dim future for boreal waters and landscapes. BioScience 48: 157-164.
- Schindler, David W. 1997. Widespread effects of climatic warming on freshwater ecosystems. Hydrologic Processes. 11: 1043-1067.
- Leavitt, P., R.D. Vinebrooke, D.B. Donald, J.P. Smol, and David W. Schindler. 1997. Past ultraviolet radiation environments in lakes derived from fossil pigments. Nature 388: 457-459.
- Schindler, David W. and P.J. Curtis. 1997. The role of DOC in protecting freshwaters subjected to climatic warming and acidification from UV exposure. Biogeochemistry 36: 1-8.
- Schindler, David W., P.J. Curtis, S.E. Bayley, B.R. Parker, K.G. Beaty and M.P. Stainton. 1997. Climate-induced changes in the dissolved organic carbon budgets of boreal lakes. Biogeochemistry 36: 9-28.
- Schindler, David W., S.E. Bayley, B.R. Parker, K.G. Beaty, D.R. Cruikshank, E.J. Fee, E.U. Schindler and M.P. Stainton. 1996. The effects of climatic warming on the properties of boreal lakes and streams at the Experimental Lakes Area, Northwestern Ontario. Limnol. Oceanogr. 41: 1004-1017.
- Schindler, David W., P.J. Curtis, B. Parker, and M.P. Stainton. 1996. Consequences of climate warming and lake acidification for UV-b penetration in North American boreal lakes. Nature 379: 705-708.
- Kidd, K.A., David W. Schindler, D.C.G. Muir, W.L. Lockhart, and R.H. Hesslein. 1995. High toxaphene concentrations in fish from a subarctic lake. Science 269: 240-242.
- Carpenter, S.R., S.W. Chisholm, C.J. Krebs, David W. Schindler, R.F. Wright. 1995. "Ecosystem experiments." Science. 269: 324-327.
- Schindler, David W., K.A. Kidd, D. Muir, and L. Lockhart. 1995. "The effects of ecosystem characteristics on contaminant distribution in northern freshwater lakes." Sci. Tot. Environ. 160/161: 1-17.
- Kidd, K.A., David W. Schindler, R.H. Hesslein and D.C.G. Muir. 1995. "Correlation between stable nitrogen isotope ratios and concentrations of organochlorines in biota from a freshwater food web." Sci. Tot. Environ. 160/161: 381-390.
- Schindler, David W., K.H. Mills, D.F. Malley, D.L. Findlay, J.A. Shearer, I.J. Davies, M.A. Turner, G.A. Linsey and D.R. Cruikshank. 1985. "Long-term ecosystem stress: The effects of years of experimental acidification on a small lake." Science. 28: 1395-1401.
- Schindler, David W., K.G. Beaty, E.J. Fee, D.R. Cruikshank, E.D. DeBruyn, D.L. Findlay, G.A. Linsey, J.A. Shearer, M.P. Stainton and M.A. Turner. 1990. "Effects of climatic warming on lakes of the central boreal forest." Science. 250: 967-970.
- Schindler, David W. 1977. "Evolution of phosphorus limitation in lakes: Natural mechanisms compensate for deficiencies of nitrogen and carbon in eutrophied lakes." Science. 195: 260-262.
- Schindler, David W. 1974. "Eutrophication and recovery in experimental lakes: Implications for lake management." Science. 184: 897-899.
Selected Awards and Honours
- Royal Canadian Institute’s Sandford Fleming Medal for Public Communication of Science (2009)
- Alberta Order of ExcellenceAlberta Order of ExcellenceThe Alberta Order of Excellence is a civilian honour for merit in the Canadian province of Alberta. Instituted in 1979 when Lieutenant Governor Frank C...
(2008)AB. Members Profile David W. Schindler. Alberta Order of Excellence. - Co-recipient, Tyler Prize for Environmental AchievementTyler Prize for Environmental AchievementThe Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement is an award for environmental science, environmental health and energy. Tyler Laureates receive a $200,000 annual prize and a gold medallion...
(2006) - American Society of Limnology and Oceanography Ruth Patrick Award (2006)
- Alberta Centennial Medal (2005)
- Officer of the Order of CanadaOrder of CanadaThe Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
(2004) - Lifetime Achievement Award, Canadian Institute for Environmental Law and Policy (2004)
- Killam Prize, Canada Council for the Arts (2003)
- Elected Foreign Member, Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering SciencesRoyal Swedish Academy of Engineering SciencesThe Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences or Kungl. Ingenjörsvetenskapsakademien , founded in 1919 by King Gustaf V, is one of the Royal Academies in Sweden...
(2003) - Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal, Office of the Governor General of CanadaGovernor General of CanadaThe Governor General of Canada is the federal viceregal representative of the Canadian monarch, Queen Elizabeth II...
(2002) - City of EdmontonEdmontonEdmonton is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta and is the province's second-largest city. Edmonton is located on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Capital Region, which is surrounded by the central region of the province.The city and its census...
, Award of Distinction (2002) - Elected Member, National Academy of SciencesUnited States National Academy of SciencesThe National Academy of Sciences is a corporation in the United States whose members serve pro bono as "advisers to the nation on science, engineering, and medicine." As a national academy, new members of the organization are elected annually by current members, based on their distinguished and...
(USA) (2002) - Environment CanadaEnvironment CanadaEnvironment Canada , legally incorporated as the Department of the Environment under the Department of the Environment Act Environment Canada (EC) (French: Environnement Canada), legally incorporated as the Department of the Environment under the Department of the Environment Act Environment...
, EcoLogo/Natural Marine Environmental Award (2002) - R.A. Vollenweider Lectureship, National Water Research InstituteNational Water Research InstituteThe National Water Research Institute is a 501 nonprofit organization, located in California, was founded in 1991. It is devoted to promoting the protection, maintenance, and restoration of water supplies through collaborative research and outreach activities...
(2001) - Gerhard Herzberg Canada Gold Medal for Science and Engineering, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research CouncilNatural Sciences and Engineering Research CouncilThe Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada is a Canadian government agency that provides grants for research in the natural sciences and in engineering. Its mandate is to promote and assist research....
(Canada) (2001) - Canadian Nature Federation’s Douglas Pimlott Award for Conservation (2001)
- Award of Excellence, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research CouncilNatural Sciences and Engineering Research CouncilThe Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada is a Canadian government agency that provides grants for research in the natural sciences and in engineering. Its mandate is to promote and assist research....
(Canada) (2001) - Fellow of the Royal SocietyRoyal SocietyThe Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge, known simply as the Royal Society, is a learned society for science, and is possibly the oldest such society in existence. Founded in November 1660, it was granted a Royal Charter by King Charles II as the "Royal Society of London"...
(2001) - NSERC Award of Excellence (2000)
- Co-recipient, VolvoVolvoAB Volvo is a Swedish builder of commercial vehicles, including trucks, buses and construction equipment. Volvo also supplies marine and industrial drive systems, aerospace components and financial services...
Environment Prize (1998) - First Romanowski Medal, Royal Society of CanadaRoyal Society of CanadaThe Royal Society of Canada , may also operate under the more descriptive name RSC: The Academies of Arts, Humanities and Sciences of Canada , is the oldest association of scientists and scholars in Canada...
(1994) - Manning Award of Distinction for Innovation in Science (1993)
- First Stockholm Water PrizeStockholm Water PrizePresented annually since 1991, the Stockholm Water Prize is a prestigious award that recognises outstanding achievements in water related activities...
, Stockholm Water Foundation (1991) - Hutchinson MedalG. Evelyn Hutchinson AwardThe G. Evelyn Hutchinson Award is an award granted annually by the American Society of Limnology and Oceanography to a mid-career scientist within the society's field for outstanding scientific contributions. The award is named for the limologist G. Evelyn Hutchinson.- Awardees :* 1982 Gene E....
, American Society of Limnology and OceanographyAmerican Society of Limnology and OceanographyInitiated in 1947, the American Society of Limnology and Oceanography is a scientific society with the goal of Advancing the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography. With approximately 4000 members in nearly 60 different countries, ASLO is the largest scientific society, worldwide, devoted to...
(1985) - Naumann-Thienemann Medal of the International Limnological Society (1988)
- Frank Rigler Award of the Canadian Limnological Society (1984)
- Outstanding Achievement Award of the American Institute of Fisheries Biologists (1984)
- Fellow of the Royal Society of CanadaRoyal Society of CanadaThe Royal Society of Canada , may also operate under the more descriptive name RSC: The Academies of Arts, Humanities and Sciences of Canada , is the oldest association of scientists and scholars in Canada...
(1983) - Rhodes ScholarshipRhodes ScholarshipThe Rhodes Scholarship, named after Cecil Rhodes, is an international postgraduate award for study at the University of Oxford. It was the first large-scale programme of international scholarships, and is widely considered the "world's most prestigious scholarship" by many public sources such as...
, 1962–1966
External links
- Schwartz, Daniel. "Profile: David Schindler: Five decades of doing science, advocating environmental policy." CBC News, last updated Oct. 18, 2010.
- AB. Members Profile David W. Schindler. Alberta Order of Excellence.
- McGill University Water 2010. Profile of David W. Schindler.
- Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI). Profile David W. Schindler.
- Trent University News Release. "Trent University Announces David Schindler Endowed Professorship in Aquatic Science." May 5, 2008.
- University of Alberta Department of Biological Sciences. "Profile of David W. Schindler."