LONG-TERM MONITORING OF ENVIROMENTAL CHANGES USING ZOOPLANKTON

Freshwater lake ecosystems provide necessary services to humans and animals such as drinking water, irrigation, recreational opportunities, and habitat. However, human activities are greatly degrading aquatic ecosystems and monitoring programs are needed to identify and assess long-term changes. Jackson Lake, found in Grand Teton National Park, has been largely overlooked for long term lake monitoring efforts despite its unique trophic status, minimal anthropogenic alterations, and value to the community. Zooplankton have proven to be effective bio-indicators because of their intermediary position in the food web and ability to rapidly respond to environmental change. In this study, we evaluated changes in zooplankton population dynamics and characteristics at several sites across Jackson Lake to determine whether they are linked to water pollution, invasive species, and climate change. In the first year of zooplankton monitoring samples, we observed spatial and temporal heterogeneity of zooplankton populations within Jackson Lake, but limited historical data provides minimal context for long-term change. Therefore, we also discuss plans for long-term monitoring of zooplankton to see how freshwater lake ecosystems, such as Jackson Lake, will respond to anthropogenic disturbances in the future. 

Primary Presenter: Chuck Williams, University of Wyoming (cwilliamsargyle@gmail.com)

Authors:

Chuck Williams, Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming  (cwill104@uwyo.edu)

Kevin Gauthier, Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming  (kgauthi2@uwyo.edu)

Sean Bertalot, Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming  (sbertalo@uwyo.edu)

Tristen Blechinger, Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming  (tblechin@uwyo.edu)

Annika Walters, U.S. Geological Survey, Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Zoology and Physiology and Program in Ecology and Evolution, University of Wyoming  (annika.walters@uwyo.edu)

Sarah Collins, Department of Zoology and Physiology and Program in Ecology and Evolution, University of Wyoming  (sarah.collins@uwyo.edu)

Willie Fetzer, Department of Zoology and Physiology and Program in Ecology and Evolution, University of Wyoming  (wfetzer@uwyo.edu)