Dr. Melissa Wuellner's headshot

Dr. Melissa Wuellner

Associate Professor
wuellnermr@unk.edu
(308) 865-8006
BHS 345
Department of Biology
Research focus areas: Fisheries ecology and management; Systems Thinking applications in agriculture and natural resources

Areas of Expertise

  • Biology
  • Ecology
  • Pedagogy
  • Wildlife Biology

Areas of Interest

  • Fisheries ecology and management
  • Human dimensions of wildlife and fisheries
  • Systems thinking and systems dynamics
  • Scholarship of teaching and learning

Degrees

Professional Affiliations

Dissertation and Thesis

Publications

  • Zebro, L.R., Sass, G.G., Wuellner, M.R., and Koupal, K.D.  2025.  Evaluating the contributions and economic costs for Walleye fry and fingerling stocking in a large midwestern reservoir.  Fisheries Research https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fishres.2024.107207
  • Schoenebeck, C.W., Koupal, K.D., Peterson, B.C., Uphoff, C.S., Woiak, Z., Miller, B.T., Wuellner, M.R. and Kreitman, J.W.  2024.  Seasonal prey taxa and size selection and drivers of age-0 walleye ontogenetic diet shifts.  Journal of Freshwater Ecology, 39(1).
  • Farrier, S.M., Koupal, K.D., Burger, P.R., and Wuellner, M.R.  2024.  Application of a conceptual stocking model for two recreationally important species.  Aquaculture Fish and Fisheries.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/aff2.70006
  • Zebro, L.R., Kreitman, J.W., Jonas, J.L., Sass, G.G., Wuellner, M.R., and Koupal, K.D.  2024.  Unraveling the ecological impacts of alewife in a large Midwest reservoir decades after introduction.  Journal of Freshwater Ecology 39(1):2355917. DOI: 10.1080/02705060.2024.2355917
  • Gravenhof, D.A., Wuellner, M.R., Renner, E.A., and Fincel, M.J.  2024.  Estimating predation rates of stocked juvenile Chinook Salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha using novel acoustic predation transmitters.  North American Journal of Fisheries Management 44:438 – 448.
  • Gravenhof, D.A., Wuellner, M.R., Fincel, M.J., and Goble, C.W.  2023.  Evaluation of two surgery techniques for surgical implantation of acoustic transmitters in juvenile Chinook Salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha.  The Prairie Naturalist  55:77 – 84.
  • Koupal, K.D., Miller, M., and Wuellner, M.R.  2023.  Examination of Muskellunge (Esox masquinongy) overwinter survival and growth in an earthen extensive culture pond.  North American Journal of Aquaculture  doi.org/10.1002/naaq.10311
  • Mason, B.E., Koupal, K.D., Wuellner, M.R. and Kreitman, J.W.  2023.  Behind the berms: A comparison of water quality parameters and zooplankton communities between coves of varying connection to Harlan County Reservoir, Nebraska.  Lake and Reservoir Management  doi.org/10.1080/10402381.2023.2270933
  • Wallick, S., Wuellner, M., and Koupal, K.  2023.  Spatial and temporal differences in fish communities  following dewatering of an irrigation canal.  The Prairie Naturalist  55:23-33.
  • Kessler, A., Dietrich, L., Wuellner, M., and Koupal, K.  2023.  Fish use of artificial and natural habitats in a borrow pit.  The Prairie Naturalist  55:34-42.
  • Ruoss, J., Mason, B., Wuellner, M., and Koupal, K.  2022.  Resetting the clock: how a reconnection event re- shaped cove fish assemblages in a Nebraska reservoir.  North American Journal of Fisheries Management  https://doi.org/10.1002/nafm.10797
  • Vanderbush, B., Wuellner, M.R., and Brown, M.L.  2022.  Potential vulnerability of black bullheads to multiple predators in small impoundments: implications for biological control.  Journal of Freshwater Ecology  37:373– 385.  https://doi.org/10.1080/02705060.2022.2095448
  • Dembkowski, D.J., Nelson, D.T., Wuellner, M.R., Blackwell, B.G., Lucchesi, D.O., and Willis, D.W.  2022.  Limited utility of early life-history indices for predicting yellow perch-class strength in eastern Souch Dakota glacial lakes.  North American Journal of Fisheries Management 42(2):343-351.  doi.org/10.1002/nafm.10746
  • Bowne, M., Wuellner, M., Hendricks, J.H., and Howard, J.  2022.  Student and instructor perceptions of online teaching related to COVID-19:  The need for reflective practices.  Journal on Empowering Teaching Excellence 5(3):27-41.
  • Rowles, G., Wuellner, M.R., and Koupal, K.D.  2022.  Spatial distinction and temporal stability of water microelements in the North Platte River and Lake McConaughy, Nebraska.  River Research and Application 38(1):36-43.  doi.org/10.1002/rra.3873
  • Rowles, G.W., Koupal, K.D., Roberg, B.A., and Wuellner, M.R.  2021.  Examination of non-game fish use of a Denil fishway on the Ceder River, Nebraska.  The Prairie Naturalist 53:N1-N8
  • Carlson, A.K., Taylor, W.W.,...Wuellner, M.R.,...and Zydlewski, G.B.  2021.  Stepping up: a U.S. perspective on the ten steps to responsible inland fisheries.  Fisheries Magazine   doi.org/10.1002/fsh.10695
  • Turner, B.L., Wuellner, M., Cortus, E., and Chumbley, S.B.  2021.  A multi-university cohort model for teaching complex and interdisciplinary problem-solving using system dynamics.  Systems Research and Behavioral Science  doi.org/10.1002/sres.2778   
  • Menendez, H.M., Wuellner, M.R., Turner, B.L., Gates, R.N., Dunn, B.H., and Tedeschi, L.O.  2020.  A spatial landscape scale approach for estimating erosion, water quantity, and quality in response to South Dakota grassland conversion.  Natural Resource Modeling 33(1) e12243.   doi.org/10.1111/nrm.12243
  • Carlson, A.K, Taylor, W.W.,...Wuellner, M.R.,...and Harrell, R.M.  2019.  Threats to freshwater fisheries in the United States:  perspectives and investments of state fisheries administrators and agricultural experiment station directors.  Fisheries Magazine 44(6):276-287.  doi.org/10.1002/fsh.10238
  • Turner, B.L, Wuellner, M.R., Malo, D.D., Herrick, J.E., Dunn, B.H, Gates, R.  2018.  Ecosystem functions in mixed cropland-grassland systems influenced by soil legacies of past crop cultivation decisions.  Ecosphere 9(12) e02521.  doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.2521
  • Grote, J.D., Wuellner, M.R., Blackwell, B.G. and Lucchesi, D.O.  2018.  Evaluation of potential overwinter mortality of age-0 walleye and appropriate age-1 sampling gear.  Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management 9(1):65-74.  doi.org/10.3996/082017-JFWM-062
  • Turner, B.L., Fuhrer, J., Wuellner, M., Menendez, H.M., Dunn, B.H. and Gates, R.  2018.  Scientific case studies in land-use driven soil erosion in the central United States:  why soil potential and rish concepts should be included in the principles of soil health.  International Soil and Water Conservation Research 6(1):63-78.  doi.org/10.1016/j.iswcr.2017.12.004
  • Wuellner, M.R., Gates, R., Turner, B. and Menendez, H.M.  2018.  Shaping soil watershed stewardship through combined producer and influencer education: a pilot program.  Journal of Extension 56(6).  
  • Dembkowski, D. J., Weber, M. J., and Wuellner, M. R.  2017.  Factors influencing recruitment and growth of age-0 yellow perch in eastern South Dakota glacial lakes.  Fisheries Management and Ecology  doi: 10.1111/fme.12240.
  • Turner, B.L., Wuellner, M., Nichols, T., Gates, R., Tedeschi, L.O., and Dunn, B.H.  2017.  A systems approach to forecast agricultural land transformation from economic, policy, and cultural scenarios in the north central United States (2012 – 2062).  International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability 15(2):102-123.  doi: 10.1080/14735903.2017.1288029
  • Wuellner, M.R., Vincent, L., and Felts, B.  2017.  Environmental mental models of college students.  International Journal of Environmental and Science Education 12:105-115.
  • Smith, B.J., Blackwell, B.G., Wuellner, M.R., Graeb, B.D.S., and Willis, D.W.  2017.  Contact selectivity for four fish species sampled with North American standard gill nets.  North American Journal of Fisheries Management 37:149-161.
  • Wuellner, M.R., Grote, J.D., and Fincel, M.J.  2016.  Spatial and temporal distinction of microelemental signatures of Missouri River tributaries.  River Research and Applications  doi: 10.1002/rra.3115. 
  • Bogner, D.M., Kaemingk, M.A., and Wuellner, M.R.  2016.  Consequences of hatch phenology on stages of fish recruitment.  PLoS ONE 11(10): e0164980. 
  • Dembkowski, D.J., Wuellner, M.R., and Willis, D.W.  2016.  Synchrony in larval yellow perch production: the influence of the Moran Effect during early life history.  Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 73(10):1567-1574.
  • Turner, B.L., Wuellner, M., Nichols,T., Gates,R., Tedeschi, L.O., and Dunn, B.H.  2016.  Development and evaluation of a system dynamics model for investigating agriculturally driven land transformation in the north central United States.  Natural Resource Modeling 29(2):179-228. 
  • Smith, B.J., Dembkowski, D.J., James, D.A., and Wuellner, M.R.  2016.  A simple method to increase precision, reduce error, and facilitate the aging of otoliths: the otolith illumination device.  The Open Fish Science Journal 9:1-7.
  • Smith, B.J., Blackwell, B.G., Wuellner, M.R., Graeb, B.D.S., and Willis, D.W.  2016.  Escapement of fishes from modified fyke nets with varying throat configurations.  North American Journal of Fisheries Management 36(1):96-103.

Biology Faculty Research Directory