Department of Biology

Walter Rast, Ph.D.

Professor, Aquatic Resources;
Professor of International Studies;
Director, International Center for Watershed Studies;
Science Advisor, Texas Stream Team, River Systems Institute

Phone: 512-245-2284
Fax: 512-245-7919
E-mail:wr10@txstate.edu

Freeman Building 112
Department of Biology
Texas State University - San Marcos
601 University Drive
San Marcos, TX 78666

Education

Ph.D. Environmental Science, University of Texas at Dallas, 1978
specialization areas: aquatic chemistry/limnology; water resource management; environmental modeling
M.S. Environmental Science, University of Texas at Dallas, 1976
M.S. Molecular Biology, University of Texas at Dallas, 1974
B.A. Zoology, University of Texas at Austin, 1970

Professional Background

2000-2001 Environmental Scientist & Secretary/Great Lakes Water Quality Board, Great Lakes Regional Office, U.S.-Canada International Joint Commission, Windsor, Ontario, CANADA
1999 Chief, Technical Cooperation Unit, Division of Policy Implementation, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Nairobi, KENYA
1996-1998 Deputy Director, Water Branch, UNEP, Nairobi, KENYA
1993-1995 Chief, Freshwater Unit, UNEP, Nairobi, KENYA
1986-1992 Research Hydrologist, Water Resources Division, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Austin, Texas, USA
1981-1985 Research Hydrologist, Water Resources Division, USGS, Sacramento, California, USA
1979-1981 Senior Environmental Advisor, U.S.-Canada International Joint Commission, Washington, D.C., USA
1977-1981 Limnologist, Great Lakes Regional Office, International Joint Commission, Windsor, Ontario, CANADA

Research Interests

My general research interests focus on the development and application of ecosystem-based integrated water resources management and related environmental and socioeconomic issues, including the assessment, management and sustainable use of aquatic resources for beneficial human needs and for maintaining ecosystem integrity and quality.
Specific research interests include:
(1) Development of practical, scientifically-sound principles and guidelines for integrated management of freshwater systems and downstream coastal waters for sustainable use;
(2) Aquatic resources governance;
(3) Assessment and control of lake and reservoir eutrophication;
(4) International dimensions of sustainable aquatic resources management, with a focus on transboundary water systems;
(5) Environmental linkages between water, land, atmosphere and biodiversity, and their impacts on sustainable aquatic resources;
(6) Assessment and control of nonpoint-source pollution of aquatic ecosystems.

Courses Taught

BIO 3308 -- Global Ecology [ Syllabus ]
BIO 5319 -- Special Topics in Ecology
BIO 7102 -- Seminar in Aquatic Resources
BIO 7302 -- Problems in Aquatic Resources
BIO 7303 -- Research
BIO 7310 -- Global Aquatic Resources [ Syllabus ]
BIO 7312 -- Government Policy Impacts on Aquatic Resources [ Syllabus ]
BIO 7314 -- Integrated Research Experience
BIO 7360 -- Special Topics in Aquatic Resources: Sustainable Use of the Rio Grande
BIO 7366 -- Integrated Management of Aquatic Resources for Sustainable Use
BIO 7399/7699 -- Dissertation

Dissertations & Theses Directed

Dissertations:

(1) Dissertation Supervising Professor:

ALEXANDER, Kathy, 2003-present (Aquatic Resources: "Institutional Effectiveness in Allocating Water Resources in the International Rio Grande Basin."
ARMITANO, Emily, 2004-present (Aquatic Resources): "Development and Application of an Institutional Database for Sustainable Use of the Rio Grande.”
CHANDLER, Brad, 2003-present (Aquatic Resources): "Impacts of Interbasin Water Transfers on Water Quality and Biological Integrity."
MOLTZ, Heidi, 2005-present (Aquatic Resources): "Integrated Assessment of Nonpoint Source Pollution in Large Watersheds."
RAMOS, Humberto, 2005-present (Aquatic Resources): Topic to be determined.
MIX, Ken, 2003-present (Aquatic Resources): "The San Luis Valley: Evolution of an Agro-Social-Ecological System.”
ROBERTS, Susan, 2003-present (Aquatic Resources): "Establishing Influences and Criteria for Conjunctive Management of Rivers and Aquifers."

(2) Dissertation Committee Member:

GOTTSCHALK, Brian, 2005-present (Geography): "Experimental Study of Sediment Deposition and Erosion Rates in Stream Channels with Emerging Vegetation.”
KEEN-ZEBERT, Amanda, 2003-present (Geography; graduated 2008): "Effects of Impoundments on Sediment Supply and Transport in Bedrock Channels with a Series of Small Dams."
WALLACE, Mary Ann, 2003-present (Aquatic Resources): "Ecology of Algal Blooms in Lake Travis, Texas.”
YU, Guang, 2005-present (Geography; graduated 2008): Global Climate Change and Micro-scaling to Texas.”

Theses:

BLOUNT, Meredith, 2008-present (Aquatic Resources): Water Conservation in Central Texas.”
SEAMAN, Amber, 2008-present (Aquatic Resources): Topic to be determined.

LITTRELL, Brad (Aquatic Biology; graduated 2006): "Can Invasiveness of Native Cyprinids Be Predicted from Life History Traits: A Comparison Between a Native Invader and a Regionally Endemic Cyprinid."
MARTIN, Joe (Aquatic Bology; graduated 2003): "Influence of Abiotic Factors on the Growth of a White Bass Population in a Subtropical Texas Reservoir.”

Selected Publications

Rast, W. and G.F. Lee. 1978. Summary analysis of the North American (U.S. portion) OECD Eutrophication Project: Nutrient loading--lake response relationships and trophic state indices. Ecological Research Series, No. EPA-600/3-78-008, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Corvallis, Oregon. 454 p
Loehr, R.C., C. Martin and W. Rast (eds.), Phosphorus Management Strategies for Lakes, Interscience, Ann Arbor, Michigan. 490 p.
Rast, W. and G.F. Lee. 1983. Evaluation of nutrient loading estimates for lakes. Jour. Amer. Society Civil Engr., Environ. Engr. Div. 109: 502-517.
Rast, W., G.F. Lee and R.A. Jones. 1983. Predictive capability of U.S. OECD phosphorus loading - lake response models. Jour. Water Pollut. Cont. Fed. 55: 990-1003.
Rast, W. and M.M. Holland. 1988. Eutrophication of lakes and reservoirs: A framework for making management decisions. Ambio 17:2-12.
Ryding, S.-O and W. Rast. 1989. The Control of Eutrophication of Lakes and Reservoirs. Parthenon Press, Man and the Biosphere Series (MAB), vol. 1, UNESCO, Paris. 311 p.
Rast, W., M.M. Holland and S.-O. Ryding. 1990. Eutrophication of lakes and reservoirs: A management framework. Man and the Biosphere Series (MAB), Digest No. 1, UNESCO, Paris. 84 p.
Thornton, J.A. and W. Rast. 1993. A test of hypotheses relating to the comparative limnology and assessment of eutrophication in semi-arid, man-made lakes. In: Straskraba, M., J. Tundisi and A. Duncan (eds.), Comparative Reservoir Limnology and Water Quality Management, Developments in Hydrobiology, vol. 77, Kluwer, Dordrecht. pp. 1-24.
Rast, W. and J.A. Thornton. 1996. Trends in eutrophication research and control. Hydrological Processes 10:295-313.
Thornton, J.A., W. Rast and W. Steele. 1996. Reservoirs. In: D. Chapman, Water Quality Assessments, E & FN Spon, Routledge Publishers, United Kingdom. pp. 369-412.
Smith, D. and W. Rast. 1998. Environmentally-sustainable management and use of internationally-shared freshwater resources. In: R.J. Reimold, Watershed Management, McGraw-Hill, New York. pp.277-298.
Rast, W. 1999. Overview of the status of implementation of the freshwater objectives of Agenda 21 on a regional basis. Sustainable Development International Journa1 1:53-56.
Rast W. and J.A. Thornton. 1999. Reservoirs: Environmental process, management and policy. In: B.H. Kay (ed.), Water Resources: Health, Environment and Development, E & FN Spon, Routledge Publishers, United Kingdom. pp. 1-12.
Thornton, J.A., W. Rast, M.M. Holland, G. Jolankai and S.-O. Ryding. 1999. Assessment and Control of Nonpoint-Source Pollution of Aquatic Ecosystems. Parthenon Press, Man and the Biosphere Series (MAB), vol. 23, UNESCO, Paris. 455 p.
Rast, W. and M. Straskraba. 2000. Lakes and reservoirs: Similarities, differences, importance. Environmental Library Series, Vol. 1, International Lake Environment Committee (ILEC), Otsu, Shiga, Japan. 24 p.
Moore, J.G., W. Rast and W.M. Pulich. 2002. Proposal for an integrated management plan for the Rio Grande/Rio Bravo. In: Aldama, A., F.J. Aparicio and R. Equihua (eds.), First International Symposium on Transboundary Waters Management, Avances en Hidraulica 10, XVII Mexican Hydraulics Congress, Monterrey, Mexico, Nov. 18-22, 2002. pp. 189-204.
Rast, W. 2003. Sustainable freshwater resources: The promise and the reality: In: Holland, M.M., E. Blood and L.R. Shaffer (eds.), Sustainability of Wetlands and Water Resources, Chpt. 1, Island Press, Covelo, California USA. pp. 11-39.
Rast, W. (lead author). 2003 World Lake Vision: A Call to Action. World Lake Vision Committee,International Lake Environment Committee Foundation, Kusatsu, Japan. 36 p.
Rast, W. and M.M. Holland. 2003. Sustainable freshwater resources: The reality of secure systems. In: Holland, M.M., E. Blood and L.R. Shaffer (eds.), Sustainability of Wetlands and Water Resources, Chpt. 13, Island Press, Covelo, California USA. pp. 283-315.
Rast, W. and J.A. Thornton. 2004. The phosphorus loading concept and OECD Eutrophication Programme: Origin, application and capabilities. In: O'Sullivan, P. and C. Reynolds (eds.), Lakes Handbook, Vol. 2, Chpt. 14, Blackwell Science Publications. pp. 354-385.
Jorgensen, S.E., H. Loffler, W. Rast and M. Straskraba. 2004. Lake and Reservoir Management. Developments in Water Science No. 54, Elsevier Publishers, Amsterdam. 502 p.
Thornton, J.A. and W. Rast. 2006. Implementing the World Lake Vision in Wisconsin (and the world). Lakeline, North American Lake Management Society 26(3):17-20.
Rast, W. (lead author). 2007. Water. Global Environment Outlook-4 (GEO-4), Environment for Development, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Nairobi, Kenya. pp. 115-156.
Rast, W. (lead author). 2007. World Lake Vision Action Report. Implementing the World Lake Vision for the Sustainable Use of Lakes and Reservoirs. World Lake Vision Action Committee, International Lake Environment Committee Foundation, Kusatsu, Japan
Jorgensen, S.E. and W. Rast. 2007. The use of models for synthesizing knowledge for integrated lake basin management, and facilitating implementation of the World Lake Vision. Lakes and Reservoirs: Research and Management 12(1):3-14
Thornton, J.A., T.M. Slawski, S.W. Teske, W. Rast and M.R. Cascio. 2007. The World Lake Vision and Ecohydrology: A Case Study from Wisconsin USA. Ecohydrology and Hydrobiology, 7(2):113-124.

Current Professional Activities/Service

Director, International Center for Watershed Studies, Texas Rivers Systems, Texas State University, 2007-present.
Co-lead author, Water Resources Drivers, Chapters 2-5, World Water Development Report, 3rd Edition, UNESCO, 2007-present.
Science Advisor, Texas Stream Team, River Systems Institute, Texas State University, 2007-present
Vice-Chair, Scientific Committee, International Lake Environment Committee (ILEC), Shiga, Japan, 2005-present.
Lead Author, Water, Chapter 4, Global Environment Outlook-4 (GEO-4), UNEP, Nairobi, Kenya, 2005-2007.
Editor-in-Chief, Lake and Reservoirs. Research and Management, Blackwell Publishing, Victoria, Australia, 2002-present.
Roster of Experts (International Waters), Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel, Global Environment Facility, United Nations Environment Programme, Nairobi, Kenya, 2002-present.
Chair, World Lake Vision Action Report, ILEC, 2005-2007.
Chair, World Lake Vision Drafting Committee, ILEC, 2003-2005.

Curriculum Vitae

Link to Curriculum Vitae [PDF]

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