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Michael Fraker

Assistant Research Scientist
Ecosystem Science and Management
Water
Conservation + Restoration
CIGLR
mfraker@umich.edu
(734) 741-2290
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Michigan Sea Grant

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About

My research broadly focuses on understanding how aquatic ecosystems respond to co-occurring anthropogenic stressors and natural drivers, and how to optimize management and conservation efforts in response to this complexity. In brief, my research interests include multivariate analyses of ecosystem change and its drivers using long-term monitoring data and more focused projects on specific issues within this broader scope, such as harmful algal blooms. My overarching goal is to help develop the foundation needed to increase implementation of ecosystem-based management (EBM; management that considers the holistic ecosystem, including its biological, physical, chemical, social, and economic components) in the Great Lakes. This is a long-standing goal, but progress has been slow. I have taken the lead in conducting scientific analyses and developing interdisciplinary collaborations to support EBM, which will help accelerate its implementation. My primary research approach is to use statistical, mathematical, and computational modeling in my own work, and to work with colleagues who bring complementary skills (e.g. fieldwork).

Publications

  • Fraker, M. E., J. S. Sinclair, K. A. Frank, J. M. Hood, and S. A. Ludsin. 2022. Temporal scope influences ecosystem driver-response relationships: a case study of Lake Erie with implications for ecosystem-basedmanagement. Science of the Total Environment 813: 152473.
  • Sinclair, J. S., M. E. Fraker, K. A. Frank, J. M. Hood, and S. A. Ludsin. 2021. Multiple stressors induce contrasting responses in the functional trait composition of fish assemblages in Lake Erie. Global Change Biology 27: 6232-6251.
  • Fraker, M. E., A. Shrestha, L. Marshall, L. Mason, and R. Miller. 2021. Seasonal variation in subsurface chlorophyll in Lake Michigan observed by a glider. Journal of Great Lakes Research 47: 1228-1234.
  • Fraker, M. E., S. A. Ludsin, B. Luttbeg, and R. J. Denver. 2021. Stress hormone-mediated antipredator morphology improves escape performance in amphibian tadpoles. Nature Scientific Reports 11:4427.
  • Fraker, M. E., S. C. Keitzer, J. S. Sinclair, N. R. Aloysius, D. A. Dippold, H. Yen, J. G. Arnold, P. Daggupati, M.-V. V. Johnson, J. F. Martin, D. M. Robertson, S. P. Sowa, M. J. White, and S. A. Ludsin. 2020.
  • Projecting the effects of agricultural conservation practices on stream fish communities in a changing climate. Science of the Total Environment 747: 141112.
  • Dippold, D.A., N. Aloysius, S.C. Keitzer, H. Yen, J.G. Arnold, P. Daggupati, M.E. Fraker, J.F. Martin, D.M. Robertson, S.P. Sowa, M.-V.V. Johnson, M.J. White and SA. Ludsin. 2020. Forecasting the combined effects of anticipated climate change and agricultural
    conservation practices on fish recruitment dynamics in Lake Erie. Freshwater Biology. 65:1487-1508. (DOI:10.1111/fwb.13515). [Altmetric Score]
  • Fraker, M.E., S.C. Keitzer, J.S. Sinclair, N.R. Aloysius, D.A. Dippold, H. Yen, J.G. Arnold, P. Daggupati, M.-V.V. Johnson, J.F. Martin, D.M. Robertson, S.P. Sowa, M.J. White and S.A. Ludsin. 2020. Projecting the effects of agricultural conservation practices on stream fish communities in a changing climate. Science of the Total Environment. 747:141112. (DOI:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141112). [Altmetric Score]
  • Brown, T., M.E. Fraker and S.A. Ludsin. 2018. Space use of predatory larval dragonflies and tadpole prey in response to chemical cues. American Midland Naturalist. 181:53-63. (DOI:10.1674/0003-0031-181.1.53). 
  • DeVanna Fussell, K.M., R.E.H. Smith, M.E. Fraker, and 17 co-authors. 2016. A perspective on needed research, modeling, and management approaches that can enhance Great Lakes fisheries management under changing ecosystem conditions. Journal of Great Lakes Research. 42:742-753. (DOI:10.1016/j.jglr.2016.04.007). [Altmetric Score].
  • Brodnik, R.*, M.E. Fraker*, E.J. Anderson, L. Carreon-Martinez, K.M. DeVanna, B.J. Fryer, D.D. Heath, J.M. Reichert and S.A. Ludsin. 2016. Combining microsatellite data with dispersal trajectories of larvae reveals novel stock structure and demographically-important population connectivity in a freshwater fish. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences. 73:416-426. *co-first authors. (DOI:10.1139/cjfas-2015-0161). [Altmetric Score].
  • DuFour, M.R., C.J. May, E.F. Roseman, S.A. Ludsin, C.S. Vandergoot, J.J. Pritt, M.E. Fraker, J.J. Davis, J.T. Tyson, J.G. Miner, E.A. Marschall and C.M. Mayer. 2015. Portfolio theory as a management tool to guide conservation and restoration of multi-stock fish populations. Ecosphere. (DOI:10.1890/ES15-00237.1). [Altmetric Score].
  • Fraker, M.E., E.J. Anderson, K.-Y. Chen, J.J. Davis, K.M. DeVanna, M.R. DuFour, E.A. Marschall, C.J. May, C.M. Mayer, J.G. Miner, K.L. Pangle, J.J. Pritt, E.F. Roseman, J.T. Tyson, Y. Zhao and S.A. Ludsin. 2015. Variation in larval advection and early life history of Lake Erie walleye (Sander vitreus): insights from an individual-based biophysical model. Journal of Great Lakes Research. 41:830-845. (DOI:10.1016/j.jglr.2015.04.008). [Altmetric Score].
  • Fraker, M.E., E.J. Anderson, R. Brodnik, L. Carreon-Martinez, K.M. DeVanna, B.J. Fryer, D.D. Heath, J.M. Reichert and S.A. Ludsin. 2014. Particle backtracking improves breeding subpopulation discrimination and natal-source identification in mixed populations. PLoS ONE. (DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0120752). 
  • Fraker, M.E. and B. Luttbeg. 2012. A spatially explicit model of predator-prey space games. Oikos. 121:1935-1944. (DOI:10.1111/j.1600-0706.2012.20496.x). [Altmetric Score].
  • Fraker, M.E. and B. Luttbeg. 2012. Predator-prey space use and the spatial distribution of predation events. Behaviour. 149:555-574.(DOI:10.1163/156853912X645087). 
  • Fraker, M.E. 2010. Risk perception and anti-predator behavior of wood frog (Rana sylvatica) tadpoles:a comparison with green frog (Rana clamitans) tadpoles. Journal of Herpetology. 44:390-398. (DOI:10.1670/09-033.1). 
  • Fraker, M.E., V. Cuddapah, S.A. McCollum, R.A. Relyea, J. Hempel and R.J. Denver. 2009. The behavioral and endocrine stress response of tadpoles to a chemical cue of predation secreted by conspecifics. Hormones and Behavior. 55:520-529. (DOI:10.1016/j.yhbeh.2009.01.007). 
  • Fraker, M.E. 2009. Predation risk assessment through chemical cues produced by multiple prey. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology. 63:1397-1402. (DOI:10.1007/s00265-009-0822-6). 
  • Fraker, M.E. 2009. The effect of prior experience on a prey’s current perceived risk. Oecologia. 158:765-774. (DOI:10.1007%2Fs00442-008-1185-9).
  • Fraker, M.E. 2009. The perceptual ability of tadpoles limits the accuracy of their predation risk assessment. Behaviour. 146:1025-1036. (DOI:10.1163/156853909X404439). 
  • Fraker, M.E. 2008. The influence of the circadian rhythm of green frog (Rana clamitans) tadpoles on their antipredator behavior and the strength of the nonlethal effects of predators. American Naturalist. 171:545-552.(DOI:10.1086/528961). 
  • Fraker, M.E. 2008. The effect of hunger on the strength and duration of the anti-predator behavioral response of green frog (Rana clamitans) tadpoles. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology. 62:1201-1205. (DOI:10.1007/s00265-008-0549-9).
  • Fraker, M.E. and S.D. Peacor. 2008. Statistical tests for biological interactions: a comparison of permutation tests and analysis of variance. Acta Oecologia. 33:66-72. (DOI:10.1016/j.actao.2007.09.001). 
  • Fraker, M.E. 2008. The dynamics of predation risk assessment: responses of anuran larvae to chemical cues of predators. Journal of Animal Ecology. 77:638-645. (DOI:10.1111/j.1365-2656.2008.01386.x).
  • Fraker, M.E., J.W. Snodgrass and F. Morgan. 2002. Differences in growth and maturation of blacknose dace (Rhinichthys atratulus) across an urban-rural gradient. Copeia. (4):1122-1127. (DOI:10.1643/0045-8511(2002)002[1122:DIGAMO]2.0.CO;2). 

Research
  • Great Lakes ecology, including impacts of anthropogenic stressors
  • Aquatic community ecology, including nonconsumptive effects of predators and chemical ecology
  • Larval fish biology
  • Biophysical and individual-based modeling
  • Multivariate analysis of long-term datasets
Education

Ph.D. Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan (2007)
A.B. Biology, University of Chicago (2001)

In the News
Collaborative project to help improve coastal community resilience in Michigan, Wisconsin
February 3, 2023

Collaborative project to help improve coastal community resilience in Michigan, Wisconsin

Michigan Sea Grant recently received $500,000 in funding to help improve resilience under future climate change scenarios in disadvantaged coastal communities in Michigan...

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