Clemson professor named U.S. co-chairman of the Great Lakes Science Advisory Board

Published: February 1, 2011

CLEMSON — William Bowerman, professor of environmental toxicology and wildlife ecology at Clemson University, has been appointed United States co-chairman of the Great Lakes Science Advisory Board for the United States-Canada International Joint Commission.

Great rivers and some of the largest lakes in the world lie along, or flow across, the border between the United States and Canada. The International Joint Commission helps the two governments find solutions to problems in these waters and ecosystems. The Science Advisory Board is a multidisciplinary group of scientists that advises the commission on scientific research and matters relating to air and water quality and ecosystem health, according to the Canada-U.S. Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement of 1972.

“The condition of the Great Lakes Basin has greatly improved since the bilateral agreement went into effect in 1972,” said Bowermen. “Within one generation we have seen dramatic results. However, we must continue to be vigilant and seek solutions to ongoing problems, and this is the work of the Science Advisory Board. Many critical issues remain, including cleaning up legacy pollutants in lake and river sediments and monitoring atmospheric transfer of pollutants. We are also seeing an increase of mercury in the lakes after years of decline.”

Bowerman, a native of Munising, Mich., has conducted research worldwide from the Great Lakes to Russia, South Africa and Midway Island. His work focuses on the study of birds to indicate the health of the environment. His 26-year study of bald eagles in northern Michigan has shown that bald eagle nesting and egg-laying behavior is occurring four to six weeks earlier than historical patterns and in correlation with warming temperatures.

The Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River ecosystem is the largest freshwater system on Earth, containing one-fifth of the world's surface fresh water. Bowerman's study of bald eagle populations as an indicator of ecosystem health will be important to the commission's ongoing assessment of progress toward restoration of the chemical, physical and biological integrity of the Great Lakes Basin.

Canada and the United States created the International Joint Commission in 1909, recognizing that each country is affected by the other's actions in lake and river systems along the border. The commission has six members: three appointed by the president with Senate approval and three appointed by the governor in council of Canada on the advice of the prime minister. The commissioners act impartially in reviewing problems and deciding on issues rather than representing the views of their respective governments.

Bowerman teaches in the department of forestry and natural resources in the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources. He is conducting research on the effects of climate change on sea eagles around the globe, using wildlife to monitor water quality and assessing the risks of balloon releases to wildlife.

Bowerman, past president of the Faculty Senate, received his bachelor’s degree in biology from Western Michigan University, master’s in biology from Northern Michigan University and Ph.D. in wildlife toxicology from Michigan State University.

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