Dr. Eden L. Effert-Fanta
Assistant Professor Office: 1044 - Life SciencesEmail: eleffert@eiu.edu
Website: /fisheries/
INTRODUCTION
Dr. Effert-Fanta is an aquatic ecologist focused on understanding and mitigating human impacts on freshwater resources. As Co-Director of the Center for Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, she conducts research across lakes, rivers, and streams, studying diverse taxa including algae, zooplankton, macroinvertebrates, and fishes. Her teaching includes introductory biology and environmental science for majors and non-majors, as well as advanced undergraduate and graduate courses in aquatic sciences.
Education & Training
Ph.D. in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. 2015. Dissertation: Influence of riparian forest and agricultural land use on community structure and ecosystem function in headwater streams.
M.S. in Biological Sciences, Eastern Illinois University. 1997. Thesis: Life history characteristics of Daphnia lumholtzi and its susceptibility to an invertebrate predator.
B.S. in Environmental Science with Biology emphasis, Northern Arizona University. 1993.
Publications
Schaick, S.J., C.J. Moody-Carpenter, E.L. Effert-Fanta, K.N. Hanser, D.R. Roth, and R.E. Colombo. 2023. Bigheaded carp spatial reproductive dynamics in Illinois and Wabash River tributaries. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 43: 101-111.
Roth, D.R., J.J. Pesik, E.L. Effert-Fanta, D.H. Wahl, and R.E. Colombo. 2023. Comparison of several larval sampling gears in monitoring invasive bigheaded carp reproduction in large-river tributaries. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 43: 35-45.
Effert-Fanta, E.L., S.L. Chow*, and D.H. Wahl. 2022. Effects of riparian forest and agricultural land use on fish diet and trophic position. Ecology of Freshwater Fishes 00:1-14.
Jones, A.C., S.J. Meiners, E. Effert-Fanta, T. Thomas, S.C.F. Smith, and R.E. Colombo. 2022. Low-head dam removal increases functional diversity of stream fish assemblages. River Research and Applications 39: 3-20.
Effert-Fanta, E.L., R. U. Fischer and D.H. Wahl. 2022. Riparian and watershed land use alters food web structure and shifts basal energy in agricultural streams. Aquatic Sciences 84: 61
Effert-Fanta, E.L., R.U. Fischer, and D.H. Wahl. 2019. Effects of riparian forest buffers and agricultural land use on macroinvertebrate and fish community structure. Hydrobiologia 841:45-64.
Blevins, Z., E. Effert, D. Wahl, and C. Suski. 2013. Land use drives the physiological properties of a stream fish. Ecological Indicators 24: 224-235.
Effert, E.L., and C.L. Pederson. 2006. Failure of cyclomorphic features to deter size-dependent predation by Leptodora kindti on Daphnia lumholtzi. Journal of Freshwater Ecology 21: 457-466.
* Undergraduate student co-author
Frequently Taught Courses
Environmental Life Sciences – BIO 2002G
Environmental Health and Sustainability – BIO 3850
Freshwater Ecology – BIO 3810
Stream Ecology – BIO 5200
Advanced Limnology – BIO 5206
Research & Creative Interests
My research focuses on understanding and mitigating human impacts on freshwater resources. I conducts research across lakes, rivers, and streams, studying diverse taxa including algae, zooplankton, macroinvertebrates, and fishes.