Lake St. Clair Zooplankton: Evidence for Post-<i>Dreissena</i>Changes

David, Katherine A.; Davis, B. M.; Hunter, Robert

doi:10.1080/02705060.2009.9664284

Cited by 17 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…While the north‐western region varied little over time, the south‐eastern region was very dynamic seasonally, with mean monthly values increasing from 7 days in March to about 20 days in June–August, and then decreasing into November. The delineation of these two regions is consistent with previous segmentations based on the observed water quality and zooplankton densities (David et al, ).…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 88%

“…Our simulated spatial distribution of water age is also consistent with previous modeling studies (Anderson & Schwab, ; Schwab et al, ), as well as with the observed spatial distribution of specific conductance (Bricker et al, ), and observed and modeled spatial distribution of a conservative tracer (Lang & Fontaine, ). Our results illustrating the formation of two distinct zones of water age and productivity (Figures and ; 11 and 12) are in good agreement with earlier studies (e.g., David et al, ; Leach, ) that describe the general spatial and temporal distribution of two discrete water masses with less productive north‐western water dominated by the St. Clair River and more productive south‐eastern water influenced by Thames, Sydenham, and other minor tributaries from Ontario.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

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Nutrient Loss Rates in Relation to Transport Time Scales in a Large Shallow Lake (Lake St. Clair, USA—Canada): Insights From a Three‐Dimensional Model

Bocaniov

Scavia

2018

Water Resources Research

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A nutrient mass balance and a three‐dimensional, coupled hydrodynamic‐ecological model, calibrated and validated for Lake St. Clair with observations from 2009 and 2010, were integrated to estimate monthly lake‐scale nutrient loss rates, and to calculate 3 monthly transport time scales: flushing time, water age, and water residence time. While nutrient loss rates had statistically significant relationships with all transport time scale measures, water age had the strongest explanatory power, with water age and nutrient loss rates both smaller in spring and fall and larger in summer. We show that Lake St. Clair is seasonally divided into two discrete regions of contrasting water age and productivity. The north‐western region is dominated by oligotrophic waters from the St. Clair River, and south‐eastern region is dominated by the nutrient enriched, more productive waters from the Thames‐Sydenham River complex. The spatial and temporal variations in local transport scales and nutrient loss rates, coupled with strong seasonal variations in discharge and nutrient loads from the major tributaries, suggest the need for different load reduction strategies for different tributaries.

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Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 88%

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Nutrient Loss Rates in Relation to Transport Time Scales in a Large Shallow Lake (Lake St. Clair, USA—Canada): Insights From a Three‐Dimensional Model

Bocaniov

Scavia

2018

Water Resources Research

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“…Multiple stressors can induce structural shifts into new complex energy pathways and prevent the restoration of historic fisheries conditions. For example, one of the leading causes of nearshore eutrophication problems in the Great Lakes involves the invasion of zebra (Dreissena polymorpha) and quagga (Dreissena rostriformis bugensis) mussels in the mid-1990s (Chapra & Dolan, 2012;Fahnenstiel, Bridgeman, Lang, McCormick, & Nalepa, 1995;Johengen, Nalepa, Fahnenstiel, & Goudy, 1995;Ozersky, Evans, & Ginn, 2015;Shimoda et al, 2016), which have been responsible for the altered P cycling and bioavailability (MacIsaac, 1996;Strayer, Caraco, Cole, Findlay, & Pace, 1999;Vanderploeg et al, 2002), as well as the diversion of energy from pelagic to benthic habitats and subsequently to the upper trophic levels (David, Davis, & Hunter, 2009;Hecky et al, 2004;Higgins & Vander Zanden, 2010;Nalepa, Fanslow, Lansing, & Lang, 2003).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nutrient management and structural shifts in fish assemblages: Lessons learned from an Area of Concern in Lake Ontario

et al. 2019

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While total phosphorus (TP) is a critical determinant of freshwater ecosystem productivity, multiple stressors can induce shifts in energy pathways, with profound implications for ecosystem and fishery restoration. The Bay of Quinte (Lake Ontario, Canada) is a Great Lakes nearshore ecosystem that has been historically subjected to a variety of environmental perturbations: cultural eutrophication, low dissolved oxygen, reduced fisheries, climatic extremes, phosphorus (P) abatement, and aquatic invasive species. We used the Bay of Quinte to study how trophic state alterations affect fish assemblages in Great Lakes nearshore environments by examining the response of fish biomass to TP concentration variability in the presence of multiple stressors. Our analysis is based on a 42‐year (1972–2013) dataset from the Bay of Quinte for water quality through the food web to fishes. We employed a series of statistical tools that can offer insights into the structural changes induced by the events examined. We first used dynamic linear modelling to detect temporal trends in fish biomass, while accounting for year‐to‐year TP variability over three spatial segments of the bay. We then developed piecewise regression models to assess the extent to which specific ecological events induced distinct shifts in the fish assemblage. Multiple regression modelling was used to quantify the relative importance of TP, zooplankton, and surface water temperature on fish biomass. Based on gillnets, there were consistent fish biomass changes across the bay with increased biomass before P control (1972–1977), declines after P control followed by the establishment of a steady state or modest increase (1978–1994), and a declining trajectory during the recent period (1995–2013). Even when accounting for the role of water temperature and zooplankton, TP still had a significant effect on fish biomass. However, the strength and nature of the relationship varied among fish groups, and overall, the effect of TP on fish biomass has weakened in recent years. Our models show that fish biomass in the Bay of Quinte is shaped by the year‐to‐year TP variability. However, the relationship between P and fish abundance has been modulated by various ecological events with the consequence that the Bay of Quinte fish assemblage has changed and the food web now produces less fish biomass per unit of TP. A projected reduction of mean ambient TP levels from 30 to 25 μg/L, is expected to induce a 24% decline in total fish biomass, and further shift the fish assemblage with the biomass of planktivores and walleye declining by >60% and 30%, respectively. Recreational fishing provides important economic benefits in the Bay of Quinte, through tourism and other local business operations. Recognising the economic importance of fishing, our analysis provides critical insights regarding the on‐going management efforts to reduce external nutrient loadings (point and non‐point sources, urban storm water) and further lower ambient TP levels and primary productivity. The...

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“…Concentrations of most sedimentary components associated with phytoplankton production (SOM, TP, Bio-P, pigments) increased modestly during the twentieth century, reflecting the combined effects of forest clearance, agricultural development and urbanization. However, Dreissena are thought to have first entered the Lake St. Clair ecosystem in 1985 and, once well established, were efficient (with their high biomass and density, David et al 2009;Nalepa et al 1996) at removing phytoplankton biomass from the water column. Consistent with this narrative, sedimentary concentrations of the indicators of total phototroph abundance (chl a, pheophytin a, b-carotene) at Anchor Bay site declined sharply after ca.…”

Section: Anchor Baymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The decline in d 13 C and d 15 M values post-Dreisenna invasion also suggests a reduction in pelagic primary production coupled with an increase in urbanization of the watershed (Leavitt et al 2006;Savage et al 2004). Concomitant changes in sedimentary pigments, P fractions, and SOM suggest that phytoplankton consumed by Dreissena may have been deposited in shallow-water sediments as feces and pseudofeces (Auer et al 2010;David et al 2009;Higgins et al 2008;Nalepa and Gauvin 1988;Nalepa et al 1996). For example, the concentrations of bioavailable P and sedimentary organic matter tripled since ca.…”

Section: Anchor Baymentioning

confidence: 99%

Paleo-environmental evidence of ecosystem change in Lake St. Clair region of Laurentian Great Lakes basin: contrasting responses to land-use change and invasive mussels

et al. 2020

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The Laurentian Great Lakes have been subject to substantial modification from diverse anthropogenic stressors, including nutrient enrichment, climate change, chemical and biological pollutants, and invasive species, yet little is known of the relative historical influence of these factors. Here we analyze diverse fossil metrics from vibracores at two sites, a bay area (Anchor Bay) and a tributary (Clinton River) in the Lake St. Clair ecosystem to determine the ecological responses from land-use practices and invasive mussel invasions. Sediment cores spanning over 100 years indicated that the expansion of nonnative Dreissena polymorpha and Dreissena rostriformis (dreissenid mussels) into Anchor Bay site after the mid-1990s was associated with * 60 to 95% reduction in algal and cyanobacterial abundances and twofold increase in sedimentary organic matter (SOM) and bioavailable phosphorus. These increases in SOM and bioavailable phosphorus are relatively similar to increases inferred from the late nineteenth century when large portions of the watershed were cleared and drained for agriculture. In contrast, the Clinton River site experienced a continuous increase in the influx of nutrients, organic matter, and elevated sedimentary phototrophic pigments during the twentieth century and into the twenty-first century. Site comparisons suggest different mechanisms inducing changes in primary production varied, where Anchor Bay was mainly affected by the comparatively recent (since ca. mid-1990s) endogenous influence of invasive species, while the Clinton River site was primarily influenced by the input of exogenous anthropogenic nutrients over the past 100 years. These new findings illustrate that watershed management and policies within large Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (

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Lake St. Clair Zooplankton: Evidence for Post-DreissenaChanges

Abstract: We surveyed the zooplankton of Lake St. Clair at 12 sites over ten dates

Cited by 17 publications

References 27 publications

Nutrient Loss Rates in Relation to Transport Time Scales in a Large Shallow Lake (Lake St. Clair, USA—Canada): Insights From a Three‐Dimensional Model

Nutrient Loss Rates in Relation to Transport Time Scales in a Large Shallow Lake (Lake St. Clair, USA—Canada): Insights From a Three‐Dimensional Model

Nutrient management and structural shifts in fish assemblages: Lessons learned from an Area of Concern in Lake Ontario

Paleo-environmental evidence of ecosystem change in Lake St. Clair region of Laurentian Great Lakes basin: contrasting responses to land-use change and invasive mussels

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