Professor
Fields of Interest
Education
PhD, Zoology, University of Washington 1996
MPhil, Botany, Cambridge University 1990
B.A., Ecology and Systematics, Cornell University 1989
Biography
The lab emphasizes field experimental approaches to test responses and feedbacks between organisms and their environment, primarily in estuarine soft sediment systems. Current areas of research include controls of life history and morphological traits in eelgrass, community structure in oyster and eelgrass habitats, restoration strategies for native oysters, environmental impacts of shellfish aquaculture, and recruitment variability and phenology under climate warming.
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Selected Research
- Rafiq, K., Jordan, N. R., McNutt, J. W., Neelo, J., Attias, N., Boersma, D., Palmer, M. S., Ruesink, J., & Abrahms, B. (2024). Removing institutional barriers to long-term fieldwork is critical for advancing ecology. Trends in Ecology & Evolution, 39(12), 1059–1062. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tree.2024.10.003
- Resolutions of Respect: Robert Treat Paine III, 1933–2016, Ruesink Jennifer L, Pfister Catherine A, Dethier Megan N, Dayton Paul K, Duggins David, Karieva Peter, Koehl Mimi A R, Menge Bruce A, Sebens Kenneth P, Silliman P R, and T Wootton J, The Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America, Volume October, p.359-363 (2016)
- Variability in Carbon Availability and Eelgrass (Zostera marina) Biometrics Along an Estuarine Gradient in Willapa Bay, WA, USA, Yang Sylvia, Ruesink Jennifer L, and Trimble Alan C, Estuaries and Coasts (2015)
- Influence of substratum on non-native clam recruitment in Willapa Bay, Washington, USA, Ruesink J L, Trimble A C, Herrold S, Freshley N, and Patten K, Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 10/2014, Volume 459, p.23 - 30 (2014)
- Spatio-temporal recruitment variability of naturalized Manila clams (Ruditapes philippinarum) in Willapa Bay, Washington, USA, Ruesink J L, Trimble A C, van Raay K, Witt A, Herrold S, Freshley N, and Sarich A, Fisheries Research, 03/2014, Volume 151, p.204 (2014)
- Environmental Correlates of Growth and Stable Isotopes in Intertidal Species Along an Estuarine Fjord, Dethier Megan N, Berry Helen, Sprenger Amy G, Ruesink Jennifer L, and Trimble Alan C, Estuaries and Coasts, 01/2014, Volume 37, Issue 1, p.159 (2014)
- Environmental correlates of growth and stable isotopes in intertidal species along an estuarine fjord. , Dethier M N, Ruesink J L, Berry H, Sprenger A G, and A.C Trimble, Estuaries and Coasts, Volume 37 (2014)
- Relative Impacts of Natural Stressors on Life History Traits Underlying Resilience of Intertidal Eelgrass (Zostera marina L.), Yang Sylvia, Ruesink Jennifer L, Wheat Elizabeth E, and Horwith Micah J, Estuaries and Coasts, 09/2013, Volume 36, Issue 5, p.1013 (2013)
- Commercially-cultured oysters (Crassostrea gigas) exert top-down control on intertidal pelagic resources in Willapa Bay, Washington, USA, Wheat Elizabeth and Ruesink Jennifer L, Journal of Sea Research, 08/2013, Volume 81, p.39 (2013)
- Decoupling of recruitment from adult clam assemblages along an estuarine shoreline, Dethier Megan N, Ruesink Jennifer, Berry Helen, and Sprenger Amy G, Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 7/2012, Volume 422-423, p.48 - 54 (2012)
- Seasonal effects of clams (Panopea generosa) on eelgrass (Zostera marina) density but not recovery dynamics at an intertidal site, Ruesink J L and Rowell KR, Aquatic Conservation (2012)
- Life history and morphological shifts in an intertidal seagrass following multiple disturbances., Wisehart L M, Dumbauld B R, Ruesink J L, Hacker S D, Trimble A C, Fitzpatrick JP, and Wagner EL, Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, Volume 424-425, p.25-31 (2012)
- Restricted ranges in physical factors may constitute subtle stressors for estuarine biota. , Dethier M N, Ruesink J, Berry H, Sprenger A G, and Reeves B, Marine Environmental Research, Volume 69 (2010)
- Restricted ranges in physical factors may constitute subtle stressors for estuarine biota, Dethier M N, Ruesink J, Berry H, Sprenger A G, and Reeves B, Marine Environmental Research, 2010, Volume 69, Issue 4, p.240-247 (2010)
- Congener comparison of native (Zostera marina) and introduced (Z. japonica) eelgrass at multiple scales within a Pacific Northwest estuary, Hessing-Lewis M, Dumbauld B R, Ruesink J L, Hacker S D, Trimble A C, Hong J S, and Wisehart L, Biological Invasions, 2010, Volume 12, Issue 6, p.1773-1789 (2010)
- First report of Phoronis ovalis from Africa and its effect on mussel hosts, Ruesink J L and Trimble A C, African Journal of Marine Science, 2010, Volume 32, Issue 1, p.109-114 (2010)
- Interactions between two introduced species: Zostera japonica (dwarf eelgrass) facilitates itself and reduces condition of Ruditapes philippinarum (Manila clam) on intertidal flats, Ruesink J L, Trimble A C, Tsai C C, and Yang S, Marine Biology, 2010, Volume 157, Issue 9, p.1929-1936 (2010)
- IMPACTS OF INVASIVE OYSTER DRILLS ON OLYMPIA OYSTER (OSTREA LURIDA CARPENTER 1864) RECOVERY IN WILLAPA BAY, WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES, Ruesink J L and Buhle E R, Journal of Shellfish Research, 2009, Volume 28, Issue 1, p.87-96 (2009)
- The ecological role of bivalve shellfish aquaculture in the estuarine environment: A review with application to oyster and clam culture in West Coast (USA) estuaries, Dumbauld B R, Ruesink J L, and Rumrill S S, Aquaculture, 2009, Volume 290, Issue 3-4, p.196-223 (2009)
- EVALUATION OF OLYMPIA OYSTER (OSTREA LURIDA CARPENTER 1864) STATUS AND RESTORATION TECHNIQUES IN PUGET SOUND, WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES, Ruesink J L, White J M, Buhle E R, and Trimble A C, Journal of Shellfish Research, 2009, Volume 28, Issue 1, p.107-112 (2009)
- THE NEARLY FORGOTTEN OYSTER: OSTREA LURIDA CARPENTER 1864 (OLYMPIA OYSTER) HISTORY AND MANAGEMENT IN WASHINGTON STATE, Ruesink J L, Trimble A C, and White J, Journal of Shellfish Research, 2009, Volume 28, Issue 1, p.43-49 (2009)
- FACTORS PREVENTING THE RECOVERY OF A HISTORICALLY OVEREXPLOITED SHELLFISH SPECIES, OSTREA LURIDA CARPENTER 1864, Dumbauld B R, Ruesink J L, and Trimble A C, Journal of Shellfish Research, 2009, Volume 28, Issue 1, p.97-106 (2009)
- OYSTERS AND AQUACULTURE PRACTICES AFFECT EELGRASS DENSITY AND PRODUCTIVITY IN A PACIFIC NORTHWEST ESTUARY, Wisehart L M, Ruesink J L, Tallis H M, Dumbauld B, and Hacker S, Journal of Shellfish Research, 2009, Volume 28, Issue 2, p.251-261 (2009)
- Bacterial abundance and aerobic microbial activity across natural and oyster aquaculture habitats during summer conditions in a northeastern Pacific estuary, Wisehart L M, Dumbauld B R, Ruesink J L, Hacker S D, Tallis H M, Richardson N F, and Naeem S, Hydrobiologia, 2008, Volume 596, p.269-278 (2008)
- Tidal exchange, bivalve grazing, and patterns of primary production in Willapa Bay, Washington, USA, Ruesink J L, Newton J A, Banas N S, and Hickey B M, Marine Ecology-Progress Series, 2007, Volume 341, p.123-139 (2007)
- Biotic resistance and facilitation of a non-native oyster on rocky shores, Ruesink J L, Marine Ecology-Progress Series, 2007, Volume 331, p.1-9 (2007)
- Importance of eelgrass early life history stages in response to oyster aquaculture disturbance, Wisehart L M, Dumbauld B R, Ruesink J L, and Hacker S D, Marine Ecology-Progress Series, 2007, Volume 344, p.71-80 (2007)
- Habitat associations of estuarine species: Comparisons of intertidal mudflat, seagrass (Zostera marina), and oyster (Crassostrea gigas) habitats, Dumbauld B R, Ruesink J L, Armstrong D A, and Hosack G R, Estuaries and Coasts, 2006, Volume 29, Issue 6B, p.1150-1160 (2006)
- Biodiversity & ecosystem functioning: Exploring principles of ecology with agricultural plants, Ruesink J, O'Connor E, and Sparks G, American Biology Teacher, 2006, Volume 68, Issue 5, p.285-292 (2006)
- Changes in productivity associated with four introduced species: ecosystem transformation of a 'pristine' estuary, Wisehart L M, Ruesink J L, Trimble A C, Hong J S, Feist B E, and Harvey C J, Marine Ecology-Progress Series, 2006, Volume 311, p.203-215 (2006)
- Modeling the increase and control of Caulerpa taxifolia, an invasive marine macroalga, Ruesink J L and Collado-Vides L, Biological Invasions, 2006, Volume 8, Issue 2, p.309-325 (2006)
- Population viability, ecological processes and biodiversity: Valuing sites for reserve selection, Ruesink J L, Salomon A K, and DeWreede R E, Biological Conservation, 2006, Volume 128, Issue 1, p.79-92 (2006)
- Bang for buck: cost-effective control of invasive species with different life histories, Ruesink J L, Buhle E R, and Margolis M, Ecological Economics, 2005, Volume 52, Issue 3, p.355-366 (2005)
- Reinventing the wheel in ecology research? Response, Ruesink J L, Solan M, Cardinale B J, Downing A L, Engelhardt K A M, Srivastava D S, and Raffaelli D, Science, 2005, Volume 307, Issue 5717, p.1875-1876 (2005)
- Global analysis of factors affecting the outcome of freshwater fish introductions, Ruesink J L, Conservation Biology, 2005, Volume 19, Issue 6, p.1883-1893 (2005)
- Introduction of non-native oysters: Ecosystem effects and restoration implications, Ruesink J L, Trimble A C, Lenihan H S, Heiman K W, Micheli F, Byers J E, and Kay M C, Annual Review of Ecology Evolution and Systematics, 2005, Volume 36, p.643-689 (2005)
- Impact of supply-side ecology on consumer-mediated coexistence: Evidence from a meta-analysis, Ruesink J L, Moore J W, and McDonald K A, American Naturalist, 2004, Volume 163, Issue 3, p.480-487 (2004)
- Extinction and ecosystem function in the marine benthos, Ruesink J L, Solan M, Cardinale B J, Downing A L, Engelhardt K A M, and Srivastava D S, Science, 2004, Volume 306, Issue 5699, p.1177-1180 (2004)
- The necessity for intertidal foraging by estuarine populations of subadult Dungeness crab, Cancer magister: Evidence from a bioenergetics model, Ruesink J L, Armstrong D A, Holsman K K, and Beauchamp D A, Estuaries, 2003, Volume 26, Issue 4B, p.1155-1173 (2003)
- Contributions of coastal and watershed energy sources to secondary production in a Northeastern Pacific estuary, Dumbauld B R, Ruesink J L, Roegner G C, Newton J A, and Armstrong D A, Estuaries, 2003, Volume 26, Issue 4B, p.1079-1093 (2003)
- Impacts of trampling on a rocky shoreline of San Juan Island, Washington, USA, Ruesink J L, Jenkins C, Haas M E, and Olson A, Natural Areas Journal, 2002, Volume 22, Issue 4, p.260-269 (2002)
- Mass-balance analyses of boreal forest population cycles: Merging demographic and ecosystem approaches, Ruesink J L, Hodges K E, and Krebs C J, Ecosystems, 2002, Volume 5, Issue 2, p.138-158 (2002)
- Long-term signal of disturbance: Fucus gardneri after the Exxon Valdez oil spill, Ruesink J L, Driskell W B, Lees D C, Houghton J P, and Lindstrom S C, Ecological Applications, 2001, Volume 11, Issue 3, p.815-827 (2001)
- Numerical and per capita responses to species loss: mechanisms maintaining ecosystem function in a community of stream insect detritivores, Ruesink J L and Srivastava D S, Oikos, 2001, Volume 93, Issue 2, p.221-234 (2001)
- Incorporating human and ecological communities in marine conservation: An alternative to Zacharias and Roff, Ruesink J L, Salomon A K, Semmens B X, and Paine R T, Conservation Biology, 2001, Volume 15, Issue 5, p.1452-1455 (2001)
- Intertidal mesograzers in field microcosms: linking laboratory feeding rates to community dynamics, Ruesink J L, Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 2000, Volume 248, Issue 2, p.163-176 (2000)
- Assessing density dependence using intra-annual counts, Ruesink J L, Ecology, 2000, Volume 81, Issue 12, p.3377-3390 (2000)
- Diatom epiphytes on Odonthalia floccosa: The importance of extent and timing, Ruesink J L, Journal of Phycology, 1998, Volume 34, Issue 1, p.29-38 (1998)
- Variation in per capita interaction strength: Thresholds due to nonlinear dynamics and nonequilibrium conditions, Ruesink J L, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 1998, Volume 95, Issue 12, p.6843-6847 (1998)
- Coral injury and recovery: Matrix models link process to pattern, Ruesink J L, Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 1997, Volume 210, Issue 2, p.187-208 (1997)
- Trouble on oiled waters: Lessons from the Exxon Valdez oil spill, Ruesink J L, Paine R T, Sun A, Soulanille E L, Wonham M J, Harley C D G, Brumbaugh D R, and Secord D L, Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics, 1996, Volume 27, p.197-235 (1996)
- SNAIL FAUNAS ON CHALK GRASSLAND - SITE COMPARISONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR MANAGEMENT, Ruesink J L, Journal of Molluscan Studies, 1995, Volume 61, p.9-20 (1995)
- REDUCING THE RISKS OF NONINDIGENOUS SPECIES INTRODUCTIONS - GUILTY UNTIL PROVEN INNOCENT, Ruesink J L, Parker I M, Groom M J, and Kareiva P M, Bioscience, 1995, Volume 45, Issue 7, p.465-477 (1995)
- LOCAL AND GEOGRAPHIC-VARIATION IN THE DEFENSIVE CHEMISTRY OF A WEST-INDIAN GORGONIAN CORAL (BRIAREUM-ASBESTINUM), Ruesink J L, Harvell C D, Fenical W, Roussis V, Griggs C C, and Greene C H, Marine Ecology-Progress Series, 1993, Volume 93, Issue 1-2, p.165-173 (1993)
- THE CONTRIBUTION OF EPIPHYTES TO ALGAL BIODIVERSITY IN THE NORTHEAST PACIFIC, Ruesink J, Northwest Environmental Journal, 1992, Volume 8, Issue 1, p.140-142 (1992)
- SPECIALIST PREDATION ON THE CARIBBEAN GORGONIAN PLEXAURELLA SPP BY CYPHOMA-SIGNATUM (GASTROPODA), Ruesink J L and Harvell C D, Marine Ecology-Progress Series, 1990, Volume 65, Issue 3, p.265-272 (1990)
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Autumn 2025
Spring 2025
Winter 2025
Autumn 2024
Spring 2024
Winter 2024
Autumn 2023
Spring 2023
Winter 2023
Additional CoursesAutumn: Biology 220 Introductory Biology (animal and plant physiology)
Winter: Biology 356 Foundations in Ecology
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Professional AffiliationsNational Shellfisheries Association, Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation, Ecological Society of America