Progress Report Aquatic Ecosystem Studies in the Hawley Lake/Sutton River Area of the Hudson Bay Lowlands,

Transcription

1 Progress Report Aquatic Ecosystem Studies in the Hawley Lake/Sutton River Area of the Hudson Bay Lowlands, Cooperative Freshwater Ecology Unit, Laurentian University

2 Participating Researchers: Ontario Ministry of the Environment A. Paterson, C. Jones, J. Heneberry, J. Winter Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources T. Johnston, L. Haslam Laurentian University W. Keller, J. Gunn, J. Houle, M. White, S. MacPhee Queen s University J. Smol, K. Rühland University of Ottawa J. Blais, A. Poulain, M. Brazeau Wilfrid Laurier University B. Wolfe Yale University H. Wilson Carleton University - D. Mueller Trent University A. Persaud, P. Dillon University of Toronto S. Finkelstein For more information about aquatic science in the Hawley Lake area, please contact Bill Keller by phone: or bkeller@laurentian.ca. 2

3 Introduction A changing climate will greatly affect ecosystems throughout Ontario. While significant warming is expected throughout the province, climate models predict that by the latter part of this century the largest increases in annual temperature (5 to 7 C) will occur in northern Ontario, particularly in the regions around Hudson and James Bays. Forecasted temperature increases for the rest of the province are generally 4 to 5 C. Northern areas are also expected to see dramatic increases in winter temperatures (9 to 10 C) and decreases in precipitation of up to 30%. The far north of Ontario is unique, with huge resources of freshwater draining to the marine environments of Hudson and James Bays. The far north of Ontario, at the interface of the vast peatlands of the Hudson and James Bay Lowlands (the second largest northern wetland complex in the world) and the marine environment, is a globally significant area. Oceans are a major part of the global carbon cycle and it is quite likely that climate change will substantially alter the storage and cycling of carbon in our northern ocean environments as ice cover changes, waters warm, and carbon exports from the land change. Study of northern ecosystems is key to developing a global understanding of the potential impacts of climate change. Waters in the north are very vulnerable to changes in climate. These ecosystems are well adapted to a cold, harsh climate with a very short growing season. A warmer, drier climate is expected to fundamentally alter the nature of many of these waters in ways we cannot yet predict. Information on lakes and rivers in the north is very limited. To understand how these systems are likely to change in the future and how to protect them we need to better understand what they are like now and how they have changed in the past. The area around Hawley Lake, in Ontario s far north is providing a dramatic example of the effects of a changing climate on aquatic resources. Hawley Lake is the source of the Sutton River which drains to Hudson Bay. The Sutton River is famous for its world class angling for trophy sea run brook trout. During the extremely warm summer of 2001 air temperatures in the area sometimes exceeded 30 C and surface water temperatures in the lake and river rose to over 20 C. Major die-offs of brook trout and white suckers followed. The local residents have seen other such fish kills in recent years, but the events were never scientifically documented. Residents have also observed other disturbing signs of recent changes in the area, including more aquatic weeds and more pike. Scientific studies have been initiated to allow us to better understand waters in the Hawley Lake/Sutton River area, and in other areas of the north, but developing the detailed knowledge needed to assess future risks is an ongoing goal. The aquatic science being conducted in this area is a collaborative effort between scientists from the Ontario government and a number of universities. The information generated from these studies will be made available to all stakeholders involved with managing and protecting water resources in the far north of Ontario. 1

4 This progress report summarizes the aquatic science activities conducted in the Hawley Lake/Sutton River area during 2009 and The detailed results of these studies will be provided in future reports and scientific papers as they become available. Progress to Date Hawley Lake Area Limnology During the summers of 2009 and 2010, sampling was conducted that focused on the chemistry and biology of a number lakes in the area of Hawley Lake, near the Hudson Bay Coast (Ontario watershed O4E). The locations of the lakes sampled are shown in Figure 1. Five of the 11 lakes that were sampled in 2009 were re-sampled in 2010, including: Aquatuk, Hawley, North Raft, Opinnagau East and Spruce. Six new unnamed lakes were sampled in the tundra area between Hawley Lake and Hudson Bay during 2010 to begin to understand the nature of these types of lakes which are common in the far north, but have not yet been studied in this area. Samples were collected from some or all of the lakes to evaluate the following: Open water biology (zooplankton, phytoplankton) in all lakes; benthos in some Benthic invertebrate communities in Hawley Lake, a number of its tributaries, and the Sutton River just below Hawley Lake Water chemistry (including total mercury and methylmercury) in all lakes Water for isotope hydrology analyses in all lakes (2010 only) Water for dissolved organic matter characterization in all lakes (2010 only) Fish communities and mercury concentrations in fish in 6 lakes Samples of invertebrates for stable isotope food web studies in 3 lakes (2010 only) Lake sediment cores, to allow reconstruction of past environmental conditions, and examine changes in microbial communities and effects on mercury cycling. A summary of the sampling conducted on specific lakes is provided in Table 1. Most of the sample and data analyses are still in progress, and will be reported on in future publications. Available data on lake chemistry, zooplankton and phytoplankton from 2009, and benthic invertebrates from are provided in the Appendix. The available data have not yet been examined or interpreted in detail; however, some preliminary observations emerge. 2

5 Figure 1. Map of the Hawley Lake study region showing the locations of study lakes and the Sutton River. 3

6 Table 1. Sample inventory for the Far North Study Lakes, 2009 and Water Detailed Top / Bottom Year Lake Phytoplankton Zooplankton Fish Benthos Chemistry Sediment Core Sediment Core 2009 Aquatuk Lake Hawley Lake Kinushseo Lake North Raft Lake North Washagami Lake Opinnagau Lake Opinnagau East Lake Raft Lake Spruce Lake Sutton Lake Warchesku Lake Hawley Lake Tributaries 2010 Aquatuk Lake Hawley Lake a North Raft Lake Opinnagau East Lake a Spruce Lake a Billbear Lake b Stuart Lake b Julison Lake b Wolfgang Lake b Sam Lake b Cassie Lake b Hawley Lake Tributaries Sutton River - below Hawley Lake a Additional samples of benthos, zooplankton, phytoplankton and macrophytes collected for stable isotope food web analyses. b Not official names assigned during sampling for identification. 4

7 Not surprisingly, given their locations in the Hudson Bay Lowlands, the lakes have relatively high ph ( ), alkalinity ( mg/l), conductivity ( us/cm) and calcium ( mg/l), based on the 2009 sampling (Table 2).The lakes are oligotrophic to mesotrophic (low to moderate productivity) based on concentrations of total phosphorus ( ug/l). They are moderately coloured (dissolved organic carbon mg/l). Table 2. Range in water chemistry values for the Far North Study Lakes, Variable Range Gran Alkalinity (mg L -1 CaCO 3 ) Aluminum (µg L -1 ) Calcium (mg L -1 ) Chloride (mg L -1 ) Colour (TCU) Conductivity (µs cm -1 ) Dissolved Inorganic Carbon (mg L -1 ) Dissolved Organic Carbon (mg L -1 ) Iron (µg L -1 ) Potassium (mg L -1 ) Magnesium (mg L -1 ) Manganese (mg L -1 ) Sodium (mg L -1 ) Ammonium / Ammonia (µg L -1 ) Nitrate / Nitrite (µg L -1 ) Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (µg L -1 ) ph Total Phosphorus (µg L -1 ) Silica (mg L -1 ) Strontium (µg L -1 ) Sulphate (mg L -1 ) In 10 lakes sampled in 2009, the number of phytoplankton genera identified ranged from 37 to 69 (Table 3). These lakes have phytoplankton communities that are very different from lakes on the Precambrian Shield, much further south, in south central Ontario (Figure 2). Overall, bluegreens (Cyanophyta/Cyanobacteria), diatoms (Bacilllariophyta) and greens (Chlorophyta) were abundant in the Far North lakes, comprising on average 29, 22, and 19 % respectively of the phytoplankton community biovolume (Table 4). 5

8 Table 3. Phytoplankton genera-level richness in 10 Far North Study Lakes, AQT = Aquatuk; HWL = Hawley; KSO = Kinushseo; NRT = North Raft; NWG = North Washagami; OPU = Opinnagau; OPE = Opinnagau East; RFT2 = Raft; SPC = Spruce; STN = Sutton; WCU = Warchesku. Division Class AQT HWL KSO NRT NWG OPU OPE RFT2 SPC WCU BACILLARIOPHYTA * CHLOROPHYTA CHLOROPHYCEAE PRASINOPHYCEAE ZYGNEMATOPHYCEAE CHRYSOPHYTA CHRYSOPHYCEAE SYNUROPHYCEAE CRYPTOPHYTA CRYPTOPHYCEAE CYANOPHYTA CYANOPHYCEAE DINOPHYTA DINOPHYCEAE EUGLENOPHYTA EUGLENOPHYCEAE HAPTOPHYTA PRYMNESIOPHYCEAE TRIBOPHYTA (XANTHOPHYTA) TRIBOPHYCEAE Total * Includes Coscinodiscophyceae, Fragilariophyceae, and Bacillariophyceae Cyanophyta are Cyanobacteria 6

9 CA axis 2 Table 4. Mean percent of phytoplankton class biovolume in 10 Far North Study Lakes, Division Class Mean Percent by Class BACILLARIOPHYTA * CHLOROPHYTA CHLOROPHYCEAE PRASINOPHYCEAE 0.42 ZYGNEMATOPHYCEAE 2.24 CHRYSOPHYTA CHRYSOPHYCEAE SYNUROPHYCEAE 1.57 CRYPTOPHYTA CRYPTOPHYCEAE CYANOPHYTA CYANOPHYCEAE DINOPHYTA DINOPHYCEAE 3.09 EUGLENOPHYTA EUGLENOPHYCEAE 0.26 HAPTOPHYTA PRYMNESIOPHYCEAE 1.12 TRIBOPHYTA (XANTHOPHYTA) TRIBOPHYCEAE 1.41 * Includes Coscinodiscophyceae, Fragilariophyceae, and Bacillariophyceae Cyanophyta are Cyanobacteria Muskoka Haliburton lakes Far North lakes CA axis 1 Figure 2. Phytoplankton community similarity based on canonical correspondence analysis (CA) axes 1 and 2 for phytoplankton taxa in Muskoka Haliburton (gray diamonds) and Far North (black squares) lakes. Lakes close to each other on the plot have more similar phytoplankton communities than lakes farther apart. 7

10 A total of 17 species of crustacean zooplankton were collected from 11 lakes sampled in 2009 (Table 5). Between 5 and 10 species were collected in individual lakes (Table 6). All of the species collected, except Daphnia tenebrosa, are commonly observed in lakes much further south, on the Precambrian Shield. Daphnia tenebrosa is characteristic of lakes in the far north of Canada. The most common species in these survey lakes were Bosmina sp., Daphnia mendotae, Diacyclops bicuspidatus thomasi, and Epischura lacustris, which occurred in all the lakes. Table 5. Occurrence (% lakes) of crustacean zooplankton species in 11 Far North study lakes, Species % Occurrence Acanthocyclops vernalis complex 9% Bosmina sp. 100% Chydorus sphaericus 64% Daphnia catawba 18% Daphnia longiremis 45% Daphnia mendotae 100% Daphnia sp. 18% Daphnia tenebrosa 18% Diacyclops bicuspidatus thomasi 100% Diaphanosoma birgei 27% Epischura lacustris 100% Eucyclops agilis 18% Eurycercus lamellatus 9% Holopedium gibberum 64% Leptodiaptomus minutus 82% Leptodora kindtii 18% Skistodiaptomus oregonensis 64% IMMATURES Calanoid copepodid 82% Calanoid nauplii 100% Cyclopoid copepodid 100% Cyclopoid nauplii 100% Harpacticoid nauplii 9% 8

11 Table 6. Crustacean zooplankton species richness in 11 Far North study lakes, 2009, juveniles and harpacticoids excluded. Lake Species Richness Aquatuk 6 Hawley 5 Kinushseo 8 North Raft 6 North Washagami 8 Opinnagau 7 Opinnagau East 8 Raft 9 Spruce 9 Sutton 6 Warchesku 10 Results of benthic invertebrate surveys from 2009 and 2010 are provided in Appendix Table A4. From all sites sampled over the two years, a total of 63 families of benthic invertebrates were collected. Included were 17 mayfly or stonefly families, 12 Caddisfly families, 12 families of true flies, 7 families of beetles, and 6 families of clams or snails. The Chironomidae (midges), Clitellata (segmented worms), Amphipods (scuds) and Bivalvia (clams) accounted for 72% of the animals collected. Chironomidae and Clitellata were the numerically dominant taxa. Nine fish species were sampled in the 6 lakes surveyed during (Table 7). Pike, white sucker, lake whitefish and cisco were sampled in all the lakes. Lake trout were captured in 4 lakes (Hawley, Sutton, North Raft and Aquatuk). Several species were only captured in one lake: walleye in Spruce Lake, longnose sucker in Sutton Lake, and burbot in Aquatuk Lake. Table 7. Fish species present (# captured) in six Far North Lakes sampled in 2009 * and Species Hawley North Raft Opinnigau East* Spruce* Sutton Aquatuk* Walleye Northern Pike Lake Trout Burbot Brook Trout White Sucker Longnose Sucker Lake Whitefish Cisco

12 Sutton River Temperature and Pike Studies During 2010, studies were initiated on the Sutton River to address two questions: 1) How do the water temperature conditions in the river vary with season and location and how might these temperature changes affect migrating sea trout and the important sport fishery in this area? 2) How does the mercury concentration in pike change when pike leave a lake and adopt a riverine life style? All field work for these studies was conducted by Weenusk First Nation Community members Albert Chookomolin and Gilbert Chookomolin. 1) Thermal Survey In June 2010, Hobo Onset data logging thermisters were installed at 20 locations in the river, the tributary streams, and within the tidal water of the estuary of Hudson Bay. Each data logger recorded water temperatures every 20 minutes. The thermisters were retrieved at the end of September. Seven of the thermisters were destroyed by polar bears, which were presumably attracted to the surface floats. Only 1 of the 3 thermisters in the tidal estuary was retrieved and this thermister was buried by shifting sands and gravels at this highly exposed site. Retrieved thermisters were sent to Sudbury where the data were downloaded from the archived tags and analyzed. The thermisters that were retrieved clearly showed that migrating trout encountered very warm temperatures (> 20 C) throughout much of the wide middle section of the Sutton River. This area experienced long periods (> 25 days) where daily maximum temperatures exceeded 20 C (Figure 3). The estuary and the upper stretches of the river were much cooler and had a far shorter period of stressful temperatures. The Aquatuk River which enters the Sutton approximately 50 km from the estuary (Figure 1) had intermediate temperature conditions and may possibly serve as a thermal refuge for some migrating fish. 2) Assessment of Riverine Pike Population Observations of lower water levels and increased aquatic vegetation in the Sutton River appear to be related to the observed expansion of the population of a warm tolerant fish species, the northern pike (Esox lucius). The expansion of the pike and the habitat changes they are exhibiting may be an unfortunate effect of a warming climate, but we lack understanding of how the changes in pike may affect the migrating trout and if the changing diet of pike (from freshwater to possibly marine fish) is affecting mercury concentrations in the pike. During the 2010 netting survey particular emphasis was placed in sampling at the mouth of the river (just above the tidal influence) to collect pike where they may be feeding heavily on fish entering the river from Hudson Bay. This sampling was successfully conducted throughout September into early October. 10

13 Number of Fish Number of Days Upper River Middle River Lower River Figure 3. Number of days with maximum water temperature 20 C at the various monitoring stations in the Sutton River below Hawley Lake, A very good sample of pike was collected with 31 specimens from the upper river (near the outlet of Hawley Lake) and 21 from the river mouth area near Hudson Bay. Each fish was measured for total and fork lengths (mm), sexed and a dorsal muscle tissue sample was collected and kept on ice until return to either Hawley Lake or Peawanuck where they were frozen. In addition to the muscle tissue (fillet) a clethrum was collected as an aging tissue from each pike. At the end of the field season the clethrum and frozen fillet samples were sent to Sudbury. Samples will be submitted for aging and mercury analysis. A wide size range of fish was collected at both locations to meet the requirement of mercury analysis. The length distribution of pike from the upper and lower river is indicated in Figure Estuary Sutton River Site Upper River Lower River Length of Fish (cm) Figure 4. Fork length distribution of pike from the upper and lower river. 11

14 Summary Effective protection and management of aquatic systems in the Far North of Ontario will require good information upon which to base future decisions. The studies described here are an important step toward gaining that knowledge. The work that has been initiated will allow us to further our understanding of the current chemical, physical, and biological nature of aquatic ecosystems in the Hawley Lake/Sutton River region and establish a baseline from which to monitor future changes. The paleoecological sediment and chemical studies will allow us to determine how these ecosystems have changed in the past and how they are likely to change in the future. The studies described here will generate much knowledge that is broadly applicable to the Far North beyond this particular study area. This progress report largely just summarizes the nature of the work that has been initiated to date. Future progress reports and scientific publications will convey the results of these studies as they become available. 12

15 Acknowledgements The work described here could not have been accomplished without the assistance of Albert Chookomolin and Gilbert Chookomolin. Albert s Fish Camp was the base for all the limnological studies described here. Albert and Gilbert successfully completed the field work for the thermal study and pike collections under extremely difficult travel conditions, including frequent polar bear encounters, extreme low river levels, and very stormy conditions on Hudson Bay. Albert also completed the winter fish collection on Aquatuk Lake under very harsh conditions. We also thank Hearst Air, especially Georges Veilleux and Mike Veilleux, for safely transporting us and our mountains of gear in, out, and around that vast landscape. 13

16 Appendices Table A1: Water Chemistry, 2009 Far North Study Lakes. Table A2, a g: Phytoplankton biovolume by major groups, 2009 Far North Study Lakes. Table A3 Crustacean zooplankton abundance, 2009 Far North Study Lakes. Table A4, a j: Habitat summary and benthic invertebrate counts for lakes and streams in the Hawley Lake area, (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) Figure A1. (a) Water chemistry bottles showing water colour; (b) Secchi disc; (c) various phytoplankton, (d) Daphnia sp., (e) a cyclopoid copepod, and (f) benthic macroinvertebrates. i

17 Table A1. Water chemistry for the Far North Study Lakes, AQT = Aquatuk; HWL = Hawley; KSO = Kinushseo; NRT = North Raft; NWG = North Washagami; OPU = Opinnagau; OPE = Opinnagau East; RFT2 = Raft; SPC = Spruce; STN = Sutton; WCU = Warchesku. Chemical Variable AQT HWL KSO NRT NWG OPU OPE RFT2 SPC STN WCU Gran Alkalinity (mg L -1 CaCO 3 ) Aluminum (µg L -1 ) Calcium (mg L -1 ) Chloride (mg L -1 ) Colour (TCU) Conductivity (µs cm -1 ) Dissolved Inorganic Carbon (mg L -1 ) Dissolved Organic Carbon (mg L -1 ) Iron (µg L -1 ) Potassium (mg L -1 ) Magnesium (mg L -1 ) Manganese (mg L -1 ) Sodium (mg L -1 ) Ammonium / Ammonia (µg L -1 ) Nitrate / Nitrite (µg L -1 ) Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (µg L -1 ) ph Total Phosphorus (µg L -1 ) Silica (mg L -1 ) Strontium (µg L -1 ) Sulphate (mg L -1 ) ii

18 Table A2a. Bacillariophyta (Coscinodiscophyceae, Fragilariophyceae, and Bacillariophyceae) biovolume (mm 3 m -3 ) in the Far North Study Lakes, AQT = Aquatuk; HWL = Hawley; KSO = Kinushseo; NRT = North Raft; NWG = North Washagami; OPU = Opinnagau; OPE = Opinnagau East; RFT2 = Raft; SPC = Spruce; STN = Sutton; WCU = Warchesku. Taxa AQT HWL KSO NRT NWG OPU OPE RFT2 SPC WCU Achnanthes * 0.51 Achnanthidium Amphora Asterionella Cymbella / Encyonema Diatoma tenue var. elongatum Eunotia Fragilaria (colonial) Gyrosigma Navicula ** Neidium Nitzschia Pinnularia Rhopalodia 9.91 Stauroneis Stephanodiscus/Cyclostephanos Surirella Synedra ulna 5.32 Tabellaria Cyclotella Staurosirella pinnata Synedra Aulacoseira * Achnanthes includes Achnanthidium, Eucocconeis, Karayevia, Kolbesia, Planothidium, Psammothidium, Rossithidium, Lemnicola. ** Navicula includes Navicula, Fallacia, Cosmioneis, Kobayasia, Diadesmus, Microcostatus, Luticola, Craticula, Sellaphora, Aneumastus, Chamaepinnularia, Hippodonta, Adlafia. iii

19 Table A2b. Chlorophyta (Chlorophyceae) biovolume (mm 3 m -3 ) in the Far North Study Lakes, AQT = Aquatuk; HWL = Hawley; KSO = Kinushseo; NRT = North Raft; NWG = North Washagami; OPU = Opinnagau; OPE = Opinnagau East; RFT2 = Raft; SPC = Spruce; STN = Sutton; WCU = Warchesku. Taxa AQT HWL KSO NRT NWG OPU OPE RFT2 SPC WCU Botryococcus Carteria 1.08 Chlamydomonas Coccomyxa Coelastrum Crucigenia Dictyosphaerium Elakatothrix Franceia Gloeotila 5.48 Golenkinia Green, unidentified Kirchneriella Micractinium 0.23 Monoraphidium Oedogonium Oocystis Paulschulzia 2.14 Pediastrum Planctonema Polytoma Quadrigula Radiofilum Scenedesmus Sorastrum Sphaerocystis Tetraëdron Tetrastrum Treubaria Ulothrix 1.55 Lagerheimia Desmodesmus Vitreochlamys Komarekia 1.51 Planktosphaeria iv

20 Table A2c. Chlorophyta (Prasinophyceae and Zygnematophyceae) biovolume (mm 3 m -3 ) in the Far North Study Lakes, AQT = Aquatuk; HWL = Hawley; KSO = Kinushseo; NRT = North Raft; NWG = North Washagami; OPU = Opinnagau; OPE = Opinnagau East; RFT2 = Raft; SPC = Spruce; STN = Sutton; WCU = Warchesku. Taxa AQT HWL KSO NRT NWG OPU OPE RFT2 SPC WCU PRASINOPHYCEAE Monomastix Nephroselmis Pedinomonas 1.68 Scourfieldia 0.05 ZYGNEMATOPHYCEAE Closterium Cosmarium Mougeotia Spondylosium Staurastrum Staurodesmus Table A2d. Chrysophyta (Chrysophyceae and Synurophyceae) biovolume (mm 3 m -3 ) in the Far North Study Lakes, AQT = Aquatuk; HWL = Hawley; KSO = Kinushseo; NRT = North Raft; NWG = North Washagami; OPU = Opinnagau; OPE = Opinnagau East; RFT2 = Raft; SPC = Spruce; STN = Sutton; WCU = Warchesku. Taxa AQT HWL KSO NRT NWG OPU OPE RFT2 SPC WCU CHRYSOPHYCEAE Bicosoeca 0.5 Bitrichia Chromulina Chrysidiastrum Chrysolykos 0.25 Dinobryon Epipyxis Kephyrion Mallomonas 4.35 Pseudokephyrion 0.18 Rhizochrysis 5.81 Uroglenopsis 0.25 Chrysophyte, unidentified SYNUROPHYCEAE Mallomonas Cysts and flagellates v

21 Table A2e. Cryptophyta (Cryptophyceae) biovolume (mm 3 m -3 ) in the Far North Study Lakes, AQT = Aquatuk; HWL = Hawley; KSO = Kinushseo; NRT = North Raft; NWG = North Washagami; OPU = Opinnagau; OPE = Opinnagau East; RFT2 = Raft; SPC = Spruce; STN = Sutton; WCU = Warchesku. Taxa AQT HWL KSO NRT NWG OPU OPE RFT2 SPC WCU Chroomonas Cryptomonas / Campylomonas Rhodomonas Katablepharis Cryptolaxoides 0.54 Table A2f. Cyanophyta (Cyanophyceae ) biovolume (mm 3 m -3 ) in the Far North Study Lakes, AQT = Aquatuk; HWL = Hawley; KSO = Kinushseo; NRT = North Raft; NWG = North Washagami; OPU = Opinnagau; OPE = Opinnagau East; RFT2 = Raft; SPC = Spruce; STN = Sutton; WCU = Warchesku. Taxa AQT HWL KSO NRT NWG OPU OPE RFT2 SPC WCU Anabaena Aphanizomenon Aphanocapsa 0.64 Aphanothece Blue-green, unidentified 5.13 Chroococcus Chroococcus dispersus var. minor Coelomoron * Gloeotrichia 0.62 Gomphosphaeria aponina Merismopedia Microcystis Nostoc 2.35 Planktolyngbya Planktothrix Plectonema Pseudanabaena Rhabdoderma Romeria 0.15 Snowella lacustris Planktolyngbya subtilis 3.27 Woronichinia naegeliana 0.13 Limnothrix redekei 3.27 * Single-celled and colonial Cyanophyceae / Cyanophyta are Cyanobacteria vi

22 Table A2g. Dinophyta (Dinophyceae), Euglenophyta (Euglenophyceae), Prymnesiophyta (Prymnesiophyceae), and Tribophyta / Xanthophya (Tribophyceae) biovolume (mm 3 m -3 ) in the Far North Study Lakes, AQT = Aquatuk; HWL = Hawley; KSO = Kinushseo; NRT = North Raft; NWG = North Washagami; OPU = Opinnagau; OPE = Opinnagau East; RFT2 = Raft; SPC = Spruce; STN = Sutton; WCU = Warchesku. Taxa AQT HWL KSO NRT NWG OPU OPE RFT2 SPC WCU DINOPHYCEAE Ceratium Gymnodinium Peridinium EUGLENOPHYCEAE Euglena Phacus 0.24 Trachelomonas 2.96 PRYMNESIOPHYCEAE Chrysochromulina 1.57 Chrysochromulina parva TRIBOPHYCEAE Ellipsoidion Isthmochloron Unidentified, bananashaped Small and large vii

23 Table A3. Density (no. per m 3 ) of crustacean zooplankton species in the 11 Far North Study Lakes, AQT = Aquatuk; HWL = Hawley; KSO = Kinushseo; NRT = North Raft; NWG = North Washagami; OPU = Opinnagau; OPE = Opinnagau East; RFT2 = Raft; SPC = Spruce; STN = Sutton; WCU = Warchesku. Species AQT HWL KSO NRT NWG OPU OPE RFT2 SPC STN WCU Acanthocyclops vernalis complex Bosmina sp Chydorus sphaericus Daphnia catawba Daphnia longiremis Daphnia mendotae Daphnia sp Daphnia tenebrosa Diacyclops bicuspidatus thomasi Diaphanosoma birgei Epischura lacustris Eucyclops agilis Eurycercus lamellatus 25.2 Holopedium gibberum Leptodiaptomus minutus Leptodora kindtii Skistodiaptomus oregonensis IMMATURES Calanoid copepodid Calanoid nauplii Cyclopoid copepodid Cyclopoid nauplii Harpacticoid nauplii 9.4 viii

24 Table A4a. Habitat summary and benthic invertebrate counts for Hawley Lake, July 2009, Sites 1-6. Abbreviations: HL = Hawley Lake; L = littoral, P = profundal; LRS = large-rare search; DS1 = Dominant Substrate; DS2 = 2nd Dominant Substrate; TPU = specified taxonomic precision unobtainable. Date sampled 31-Jul 31-Jul 30-Jul 30-Jul 30-Jul 30-Jul 30-Jul 30-Jul 31-Jul 31-Jul 31-Jul 31-Jul Site code HL-1 HL-1 HL-2 HL-2 HL-3 HL-3 HL-4 HL-4 HL-5 HL-5 HL-6 HL-6 Habitat L L L L L L L L L L L L Replicate 1 1 (LRS) 1 1 (LRS) 1 1 (LRS) 1 1 (LRS) 1 1 (LRS) 1 1 (LRS) DS DS Ancylidae Apataniidae Athericidae Baetidae Baetischidae Brachycentridae Caenidae Capniidae Ceratopogonidae Chironomidae Chloroperlidae Clitellata Corduliidae Corixidae Corydalidae Crambidae Dixidae Dolichipodidae Dytiscidae Elmidae Empididae Ephemerellidae Ephemeridae ix

25 Table A4a continued Date sampled 31-Jul 31-Jul 30-Jul 30-Jul 30-Jul 30-Jul 30-Jul 30-Jul 31-Jul 31-Jul 31-Jul 31-Jul Site code HL-1 HL-1 HL-2 HL-2 HL-3 HL-3 HL-4 HL-4 HL-5 HL-5 HL-6 HL-6 Habitat L L L L L L L L L L L L Replicate 1 1 (LRS) 1 1 (LRS) 1 1 (LRS) 1 1 (LRS) 1 1 (LRS) 1 1 (LRS) DS DS Erpobdellidae Gammaride Glosiphoniidae Glossosomatidae Gomphidae Gyrinidae Haliplidae Heptageniidae Hyalellidae Hydrachnidia Hydrobiidae Hydroida Hydrophilidae Hydropsychidae Hydroptilidae Lepidostomatidae Leptoceridae Leptohyphidae Leptophlebiidae Leuctridae Limnephilidae Lymnaeidae Molannidae Muscidae x

26 Table A4a continued Date sampled 31-Jul 31-Jul 30-Jul 30-Jul 30-Jul 30-Jul 30-Jul 30-Jul 31-Jul 31-Jul 31-Jul 31-Jul Site code HL-1 HL-1 HL-2 HL-2 HL-3 HL-3 HL-4 HL-4 HL-5 HL-5 HL-6 HL-6 Habitat L L L L L L L L L L L L Replicate 1 1 (LRS) 1 1 (LRS) 1 1 (LRS) 1 1 (LRS) 1 1 (LRS) 1 1 (LRS) DS DS Nematoda Nemouridae Perlidae Perlodidae Philopotamidae Phryganeidae Physidae Planorbidae Pteronarcyidae Rhyacophilidae Saldidae Sciomyzidae Scritidae Simuliidae Siphloneuridae Sphaeriidae Tabanidae Taeniopterygidae Tipullidae Tricladida Valvatidae unknown (TPU) Total Count xi

27 Table A4b. Habitat summary and benthic invertebrate counts for Hawley Lake, July 2009, Sites Abbreviations: HL = Hawley Lake; L = littoral; LRS = large-rare search; DS1 = Dominant Substrate; DS2 = 2nd Dominant Substrate; TPU = specified taxonomic precision unobtainable. Date sampled 31-Jul 31-Jul 31-Jul 31-Jul 331-Jul 31-Jul 30-Jul 30-Jul 31-Jul 31-Jul 31-Jul 31-Jul Site code HL-7 HL-7 HL-8 HL-8 HL-9 HL-9 HL-10 HL-10 HL-11 HL-11 HL-12 HL-12 Habitat L L L L L L L L L L L L Replicate 1 1 (LRS) 1 1 (LRS) 1 1 (LRS) 1 1 (LRS) 1 1 (LRS) 1 1 (LRS) DS DS Ancylidae Apataniidae Athericidae Baetidae Baetischidae Brachycentridae Caenidae Capniidae Ceratopogonidae Chironomidae Chloroperlidae Clitellata Corduliidae Corixidae Corydalidae Crambidae Dixidae Dolichipodidae Dytiscidae Elmidae Empididae Ephemerellidae Ephemeridae xii

28 Table A4b continued Date sampled 31-Jul 31-Jul 31-Jul 31-Jul 331-Jul 31-Jul 30-Jul 30-Jul 31-Jul 31-Jul 31-Jul 31-Jul Site code HL-7 HL-7 HL-8 HL-8 HL-9 HL-9 HL-10 HL-10 HL-11 HL-11 HL-12 HL-12 Habitat L L L L L L L L L L L L Replicate 1 1 (LRS) 1 1 (LRS) 1 1 (LRS) 1 1 (LRS) 1 1 (LRS) 1 1 (LRS) DS DS Erpobdellidae Gammaride Glosiphoniidae Glossosomatidae Gomphidae Gyrinidae Haliplidae Heptageniidae Hyalellidae Hydrachnidia Hydrobiidae Hydroida Hydrophilidae Hydropsychidae Hydroptilidae Lepidostomatidae Leptoceridae Leptohyphidae Leptophlebiidae Leuctridae Limnephilidae Lymnaeidae Molannidae Muscidae xiii

29 Table A4b continued Date sampled 31-Jul 31-Jul 31-Jul 31-Jul 331-Jul 31-Jul 30-Jul 30-Jul 31-Jul 31-Jul 31-Jul 31-Jul Site code HL-7 HL-7 HL-8 HL-8 HL-9 HL-9 HL-10 HL-10 HL-11 HL-11 HL-12 HL-12 Habitat L L L L L L L L L L L L Replicate 1 1 (LRS) 1 1 (LRS) 1 1 (LRS) 1 1 (LRS) 1 1 (LRS) 1 1 (LRS) DS DS Nematoda Nemouridae Perlidae Perlodidae Philopotamidae Phryganeidae Physidae Planorbidae Pteronarcyidae Rhyacophilidae Saldidae Sciomyzidae Scritidae Simuliidae Siphloneuridae Sphaeriidae Tabanidae Taeniopterygidae Tipullidae Tricladida Valvatidae unknown (TPU) Total Count xiv

30 Table A4c. Habitat summary and benthic invertebrate counts for Hawley Lake, August 2010, Sites 1-6. Abbreviations: HL = Hawley Lake; L = littoral; LRS = large-rare search; DS1 = Dominant Substrate; DS2 = 2nd Dominant Substrate; TPU = specified taxonomic precision unobtainable. Date sampled 4-Aug 4-Aug 5-Aug 5-Aug 5-Aug 5-Aug 5-Aug 5-Aug 4-Aug 4-Aug 4-Aug 4-Aug Site code HL-1 HL-1 HL-2 HL-2 HL-3 HL-3 HL-4 HL-4 HL-5 HL-5 HL-6 HL-6 Habitat L L L L L L L L L L L L Replicate 1 1 (LRS) 1 1 (LRS) 1 1 (LRS) 1 1 (LRS) 1 1 (LRS) 1 1 (LRS) DS DS Ancylidae Apataniidae Athericidae Baetidae Baetischidae Brachycentridae Caenidae Capniidae Ceratopogonidae Chironomidae Chloroperlidae Clitellata Corduliidae Corixidae Corydalidae Crambidae Dixidae Dolichipodidae Dytiscidae Elmidae Empididae Ephemerellidae Ephemeridae xv

31 Table A4c continued Date sampled 4-Aug 4-Aug 5-Aug 5-Aug 5-Aug 5-Aug 5-Aug 5-Aug 4-Aug 4-Aug 4-Aug 4-Aug Site code HL-1 HL-1 HL-2 HL-2 HL-3 HL-3 HL-4 HL-4 HL-5 HL-5 HL-6 HL-6 Habitat L L L L L L L L L L L L Replicate 1 1 (LRS) 1 1 (LRS) 1 1 (LRS) 1 1 (LRS) 1 1 (LRS) 1 1 (LRS) DS DS Erpobdellidae Gammaride Glosiphoniidae Glossosomatidae Gomphidae Gyrinidae Haliplidae Heptageniidae Hyalellidae Hydrachnidia Hydrobiidae Hydroida Hydrophilidae Hydropsychidae Hydroptilidae Lepidostomatidae Leptoceridae Leptohyphidae Leptophlebiidae Leuctridae Limnephilidae Lymnaeidae Molannidae Muscidae xvi

32 Table A4c continued Date sampled 4-Aug 4-Aug 5-Aug 5-Aug 5-Aug 5-Aug 5-Aug 5-Aug 4-Aug 4-Aug 4-Aug 4-Aug Site code HL-1 HL-1 HL-2 HL-2 HL-3 HL-3 HL-4 HL-4 HL-5 HL-5 HL-6 HL-6 Habitat L L L L L L L L L L L L Replicate 1 1 (LRS) 1 1 (LRS) 1 1 (LRS) 1 1 (LRS) 1 1 (LRS) 1 1 (LRS) DS DS Nematoda Nemouridae Perlidae Perlodidae Philopotamidae Phryganeidae Physidae Planorbidae Pteronarcyidae Rhyacophilidae Saldidae Sciomyzidae Scritidae Simuliidae Siphloneuridae Sphaeriidae Tabanidae Taeniopterygidae Tipullidae Tricladida Valvatidae unknown (TPU) Total Count xvii

33 Table A4d. Habitat summary and benthic invertebrate counts for Hawley Lake, August 2010, Sites Abbreviations: HL = Hawley Lake; L = littoral, P = profundal; LRS = large-rare search; DS1 = Dominant Substrate; DS2 = 2nd Dominant Substrate; TPU = specified taxonomic precision unobtainable. Date sampled 5-Aug 5-Aug 5-Aug 5-Aug 5-Aug 5-Aug 5-Aug 5-Aug 2-Aug 2-Aug 4-Aug 4-Aug 7-Aug Site code HL-7 HL-7 HL-8 HL-8 HL-9 HL-9 HL-10 HL-10 HL-11 HL-11 HL-12 HL-12 HLDP-1 Habitat L L L L L L L L L L L L P Replicate 1 1 (LRS) 1 1 (LRS) 1 1 (LRS) 1 1 (LRS) 1 1 (LRS) 1 1 (LRS) 1 DS DS Ancylidae Apataniidae Athericidae Baetidae Baetischidae Brachycentridae Caenidae Capniidae Ceratopogonidae Chironomidae Chloroperlidae Clitellata Corduliidae Corixidae Corydalidae Crambidae Dixidae Dolichipodidae Dytiscidae Elmidae Empididae Ephemerellidae Ephemeridae xviii

34 Table A4d continued Date sampled 5-Aug 5-Aug 5-Aug 5-Aug 5-Aug 5-Aug 5-Aug 5-Aug 2-Aug 2-Aug 4-Aug 4-Aug 7-Aug Site code HL-7 HL-7 HL-8 HL-8 HL-9 HL-9 HL-10 HL-10 HL-11 HL-11 HL-12 HL-12 HLDP-1 Habitat L L L L L L L L L L L L P Replicate 1 1 (LRS) 1 1 (LRS) 1 1 (LRS) 1 1 (LRS) 1 1 (LRS) 1 1 (LRS) 1 DS DS Erpobdellidae Gammaride Glosiphoniidae Glossosomatidae Gomphidae Gyrinidae Haliplidae Heptageniidae Hyalellidae Hydrachnidia Hydrobiidae Hydroida Hydrophilidae Hydropsychidae Hydroptilidae Lepidostomatidae Leptoceridae Leptohyphidae Leptophlebiidae Leuctridae Limnephilidae Lymnaeidae Molannidae Muscidae xix

35 Table A4d continued Date sampled 5-Aug 5-Aug 5-Aug 5-Aug 5-Aug 5-Aug 5-Aug 5-Aug 2-Aug 2-Aug 4-Aug 4-Aug 7-Aug Site code HL-7 HL-7 HL-8 HL-8 HL-9 HL-9 HL-10 HL-10 HL-11 HL-11 HL-12 HL-12 HLDP-1 Habitat L L L L L L L L L L L L P Replicate 1 1 (LRS) 1 1 (LRS) 1 1 (LRS) 1 1 (LRS) 1 1 (LRS) 1 1 (LRS) 1 DS DS Nematoda Nemouridae Perlidae Perlodidae Philopotamidae Phryganeidae Physidae Planorbidae Pteronarcyidae Rhyacophilidae Saldidae Sciomyzidae Scritidae Simuliidae Siphloneuridae Sphaeriidae Tabanidae Taeniopterygidae Tipullidae Tricladida Valvatidae unknown (TPU) Total Count xx

36 Table A4e. Habitat summary and benthic invertebrate counts for North Raft Lake, Abbreviations: NR = North Raft Lake; L = littoral, P = profundal; LRS = large-rare search; DS1 = Dominant Substrate; DS2 = 2nd Dominant Substrate; TPU = specified taxonomic precision unobtainable. NRDP-1 was sampled in 2010; all other samples were collected in Date sampled 28-Jul 28-Jul 28-Jul 28-Jul 28-Jul 28-Jul 28-Jul 28-Jul 28-Jul 11-Aug Site code NR-1 NR-1 NR-2 NR-2 NR-3 NR-3 NR-4 NR-4 NR-5 NRDP-1 Habitat L L L L L L L L L P Replicate 1 1 (LRS) 1 1 (LRS) 1 1 (LRS) 1 1 (LRS) 1 1 DS DS Ancylidae Apataniidae Athericidae Baetidae Baetischidae Brachycentridae Caenidae Capniidae Ceratopogonidae Chironomidae Chloroperlidae Clitellata Corduliidae Corixidae Corydalidae Crambidae Dixidae Dolichipodidae Dytiscidae Elmidae Empididae Ephemerellidae Ephemeridae xxi

37 Table A4e continued Date sampled 28-Jul 28-Jul 28-Jul 28-Jul 28-Jul 28-Jul 28-Jul 28-Jul 28-Jul 11-Aug Site code NR-1 NR-1 NR-2 NR-2 NR-3 NR-3 NR-4 NR-4 NR-5 NRDP-1 Habitat L L L L L L L L L P Replicate 1 1 (LRS) 1 1 (LRS) 1 1 (LRS) 1 1 (LRS) 1 1 DS DS Erpobdellidae Gammaride Glosiphoniidae Glossosomatidae Gomphidae Gyrinidae Haliplidae Heptageniidae Hyalellidae Hydrachnidia Hydrobiidae Hydroida Hydrophilidae Hydropsychidae Hydroptilidae Lepidostomatidae Leptoceridae Leptohyphidae Leptophlebiidae Leuctridae Limnephilidae Lymnaeidae Molannidae Muscidae xxii

38 Table A4e continued Date sampled 28-Jul 28-Jul 28-Jul 28-Jul 28-Jul 28-Jul 28-Jul 28-Jul 28-Jul 11-Aug Site code NR-1 NR-1 NR-2 NR-2 NR-3 NR-3 NR-4 NR-4 NR-5 NRDP-1 Habitat L L L L L L L L L P Replicate 1 1 (LRS) 1 1 (LRS) 1 1 (LRS) 1 1 (LRS) 1 1 DS DS Nematoda Nemouridae Perlidae Perlodidae Philopotamidae Phryganeidae Physidae Planorbidae Pteronarcyidae Rhyacophilidae Saldidae Sciomyzidae Scritidae Simuliidae Siphloneuridae Sphaeriidae Tabanidae Taeniopterygidae Tipullidae Tricladida Valvatidae unknown (TPU) Total Count xxiii