Introduction and summary of research on Lake Simcoe: Research, monitoring, and restoration of a large lake and its watershed

Palmer, Michelle E.; Winter, Jennifer G.; Young, Joelle D.; Dillon, Peter J.; Guildford, Stephanie J.

doi:10.1016/j.jglr.2011.04.003

Cited by 36 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 26 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Lake Simcoe is a large (722 km 2 ) dimictic hardwater lake, consisting of a main basin and 2 large bays (Palmer et al 2011). Much of the main basin is shallow, and the mean depth of the lake is 14 m (Palmer et al 2011).…”

Section: Study Sitementioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Impacts of hydrodynamics and benthic communities on phytoplankton distributions in a large, dreissenid-colonized lake (Lake Simcoe, Ontario, Canada)

Schwalb

Bouffard

Ozersky

et al. 2013

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

We quantified the vertical and horizontal variation of chlorophyll a (Chl-a) to test how benthic filter feeders (dreissenid mussels), rooted macrophytes, and hydrodynamics influence phytoplankton distributions in a large lake (Lake Simcoe, Canada). Water column Chl-a did not differ significantly among sites of different depth, distance offshore, or rooted macrophyte biomass, but among the nearshore sites (7.5-10 m deep) it was higher where mussel biomass was greater. This counterintuitive result may be explained by wind-driven horizontal circulation during our specific study periods together with the patchy distribution of the mussels in the lake. Information on mixing depths, vertical eddy diffusivity, and mussel biomass was used to predict when and where the grazing pressure of mussels would likely deplete near-bottom phytoplankton. Chl-a depletion was frequently predicted at sites with moderate or high mussel biomass and sufficient thermal stratification to impede vertical mixing but never at sites without thermal stratification. Observations were consistent with predictions in most cases. The results suggested that mussels at depths of 7.5-15 m (a depth range of generally high mussel biomass in the lake) may frequently suffer food limitation due to near-bottom depletion during the early and middle stratified season. A deep Chl-a maximum was documented and may be important for mussel nutrition at such times.

show abstract

Section: Study Sitementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Much of the main basin is shallow, and the mean depth of the lake is 14 m (Palmer et al 2011). Zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) arrived in Lake Simcoe in 1994 and were well established by 1996 (Evans et al 2011).…”

Section: Study Sitementioning

confidence: 99%

Impacts of hydrodynamics and benthic communities on phytoplankton distributions in a large, dreissenid-colonized lake (Lake Simcoe, Ontario, Canada)

Schwalb

Bouffard

Ozersky

et al. 2013

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…It has a surface area of ~722 km 2 , a volume of 11 × 10 9 m 3 , and a mean depth of 14.2 m (Nicholls 1995, Palmer et al 2011. The lake completely freezes over most winters from late December to early April (Hawryshyn et al 2012).…”

Section: Study Sitementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Lake Simcoe, Ontario, Canada, is a large lake that experienced eutrophication in the 1970s and 1980s due to total phosphorus (TP) loading from the watershed. Excess TP loading has been linked to cold-water fish declines and associated impacts to the multimillion Canadian dollar recreational fishing industry on the lake (Palmer et al 2011). As a result, the Lake Simcoe Protection Act was passed in 2008, making Lake Simcoe the only lake in Canada with its own legislation to manage its water quality (Government of Ontario 2008).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Long-term seasonal effects of dreissenid mussels on phytoplankton in Lake Simcoe, Ontario, Canada

Baranowska

North

Winter

et al. 2013

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The invasion of dreissenid mussels to Lake Simcoe coincided with notable changes in the ecosystem, including a period of lower phytoplankton biovolume, particularly at shallower sites. Dreissenid grazing effects are typically most prominent during the summer season in the nearshore areas of lakes. Grazing effects in the winter are small because dreissenid filtration rates, especially those of zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha), decrease in cold temperatures. Phytoplankton dynamics in the winter season are poorly characterized, particularly in lakes that experience ice cover. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of dreissenids on the seasonality of phytoplankton dynamics in the nearshore waters of the lake using long-term monitoring data from unchlorinated water treatment plant (WTP) intake pipes. The long-term dataset from the WTPs showed significant and sustained declines in phytoplankton biovolumes and chlorophyll a (Chl-a) concentrations in the 12-year period following the invasion of dreissenid mussels to Lake Simcoe. The decline was smallest during the ice-covered winter months (Jan-Mar). The fall phytoplankton peak observed in the pre-dreissenid years shifted to a smaller peak during the winter in post-dreissenid years. We hypothesized that reduced dreissenid grazing pressure during the winter, and possible improved under-ice light conditions that we attribute to climate change, may be contributing to this shift. Phytoplankton biovolume data collection continues to be important in Lake Simcoe as a measure of phytoplankton biomass. Our results also indicate that winter phytoplankton biovolumes should be considered when managing lakes experiencing both climate change and dreissenid mussel effects.

show abstract

“…Expanding human pressures have impaired the structure, function, and ecological health of the Lake Simcoe watershed, however, as well as jeopardized the lake's recreational, aesthetic, and tourism potential (as reviewed in Palmer et al 2011). Historically, Lake Simcoe water quality issues included excessive loading of phosphorus and other pollutants, growth of aquatic macrophytes and algae, and declines in late summer hypolimnetic oxygen levels leading to the recruitment failure of cold-water fish (Winter et al 2007, Young et al 2010.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dynamics of the invasive spiny water flea, Bythotrephes longimanus, in Lake Simcoe, Ontario, Canada

Kelly

Young

Winter

et al. 2013

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The invasion of the nonindigenous zooplankter Bythotrephes longimanus in Lake Simcoe has the potential to impact overall ecosystem functioning, yet there is currently no information regarding the status and dynamics of its population. We used a combination of uni-and multivariate analyses to examine variation in Bythotrephes interannual and seasonal abundance, and life-history characteristics in Lake Simcoe from 1999 to 2007, and we explored the biotic (predators, prey) and/or abiotic (water quality, temperature) factors that may have regulated its population over this period. The mean annual abundance of Bythotrephes varied by an order of magnitude over the period of study and was significantly associated with epilimnetic temperature and prey and predator abundance. Bythotrephes typically appeared in early summer and had 2 seasonal abundance peaks, which varied in magnitude and timing within and among years. August and September Secchi depth and total phosphorus concentration predicted groups of years with similar Bythotrephes phenologies, lending further support to the role of water clarity as a significant component of this visual predator's habitat in its invaded range. Bythotrephes body size and reproductive patterns also varied seasonally, possibly reflecting the seasonal availability of cladoceran prey, predation pressure from planktivorous fish, or adaptations to avoid unfavourable conditions. Overall, a complex interaction of fish predation, food availability, temperature, and water clarity controlled the dynamics of Bythotrephes in Lake Simcoe. Changes to the Lake Simcoe ecosystem due to Bythotrephes invasion may have important consequences for the ecosystem services provided by the lake and merit further investigation.

show abstract

Introduction and summary of research on Lake Simcoe: Research, monitoring, and restoration of a large lake and its watershed

Cited by 36 publications

References 26 publications

Impacts of hydrodynamics and benthic communities on phytoplankton distributions in a large, dreissenid-colonized lake (Lake Simcoe, Ontario, Canada)

Impacts of hydrodynamics and benthic communities on phytoplankton distributions in a large, dreissenid-colonized lake (Lake Simcoe, Ontario, Canada)

Long-term seasonal effects of dreissenid mussels on phytoplankton in Lake Simcoe, Ontario, Canada

Dynamics of the invasive spiny water flea, Bythotrephes longimanus, in Lake Simcoe, Ontario, Canada

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About