Developing a Framework for Assessing the Effects of ...

Developing a Framework for Assessing the Effects of Climate Change and Other Stressors on the Waters of Ontario's Boreal Shield

Project CC-138 - Impacts, Monitoring and Adaptation to Climate Change in the Waters of the Boreal Shield Cooperative Freshwater Ecology Unit 2001

Developing a Framework for Assessing the Effects of Climate Change and Other Stressors on the Waters of Ontario's Boreal Shield

Bill Keller Ontario Ministry of the Environment Environmental Monitoring and Reporting Branch John Gunn Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources Aquatic Ecosystems Science Section Shelley Arnott Laurentian University

Cooperative Freshwater Ecology Unit Laurentian University Sudbury, ON, P3E 2C6

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Executive Summary • The Boreal Shield Ecozone contains most of Ontario's lakes. Aquatic ecosystems on the Boreal Shield are are expected to be very sensitive to climate change and climate variability. • The effects of changing climate are not independent of the effects of other important environmental stressors, and need to be assessed in the context of multiple, interacting stressors. • There is an important need to develop our understanding of the current and expected impacts of climate change, and of the interactions of climate change with other stressors, to permit the development of appropriate adaptive strategies for waters on the Boreal Shield. • A number of world-class research and monitoring sites exist in Ontario that have been conducting aquatic studies for several decades. Linking these federally and provincially operated sites into a network provides the most effective framework for implementing an aquatic assessment program on the Boreal Shield. • Substantial progress on the establishment of an Ontario Network has been made. The Cooperative Freshwater Ecology Unit at Laurentian University is coordinating Network development, the agencies involved in operating the individual sites have formally agreed to collaborate, and a number of cooperative projects between Network sites have been initiated. • The long-term success of the Ontario Boreal Shield Network will depend on securing the resources necessary for ongoing coordination, and will require continuing support from the various agencies involved, to maintain the existing research and monitoring sites in Ontario.

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Introduction A workshop on Monitoring the Effects of Climate Change and other stressors on Aquatic Ecosystems of the Boreal Shield in Ontario was held on Jan 19, 2000 as part of the EMAN (Ecological Monitoring and Assessment Network) annual meeting in Toronto. An interministry workshop on Impacts Monitoring and Adaptation to Climate Change was held on July 13-14, 2000 at the MNR Frost Centre at Dorset The purpose of these workshops was to promote discussions among scientists and managers about the implications of climate change for Ontario and identify information needs. From an aquatic viewpoint, the Boreal Shield Ecozone was identified as a particularly important, and sensitive region of Ontario. The Boreal Shield contains most of Ontario's lakes. Aquatic ecosystems on the Boreal Shield are expected to respond strongly to climate change and climate variability, but with significant differences across the ecozone and among adjacent systems. Based on model predictions, the various regions of the Boreal Shield ecozone will vary greatly in the magnitude of expected changes in temperature and precipitation. These differences in climate changes across the ecozone are overlaid on chemical and physical characteristics of individual waters that will affect how they respond to climate change. There was agreement on the need to better understand the impacts of climate change on the water resources of the Boreal Shield. It was also agreed that there was a great opportunity to capitalize on the fact that a number of world-class aquatic research and monitoring sites exist in Ontario. Sites conducting long-term aquatic studies include, from west to east: •

Experimental Lakes Area (ELA); in northwestern Ontario,

•

Turkey Lakes Watershed/Algoma lakes; in the Algoma Region of Ontario,

•

Killarney Park/Sudbury lakes; in northeastern Ontario.

•

Dorset/Algonquin Park lakes; in central Ontario,

All of these areas (Figure 1) have research and monitoring programs that have been active for at least several decades. Great potential exists to combine these sites into an effective provincial network.

The Current Project There is a recognized need to develop a framework for coordinating studies on impacts, monitoring and adaptation to climate change, and interactions of climate change with other environmental stressors, in waters of the Boreal Shield. Building on the recommendations of

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the previous workshops this project was implemented to construct that framework, focusing on existing long-term research and monitoring sites, with the following specific objectives: •

Develop a framework for coordinating studies of the effects of climate change, acid rain and air toxics on Boreal Shield waters at existing long-term research and monitoring sites.

•

Establish strong linkages and coordinate collaborative research projects between internationally recognized aquatic research and monitoring sites in Ontario that are operated by the federal and provincial governments and universities.

•

Establish contacts and working relationships with scientists and resource managers outside Ontario that are also assessing impacts, monitoring and adaptation to climate change on Boreal Shield waters.

•

Provide an example for other agencies to follow in initiating cooperative programs to address the impacts of climate change, acid rain and air toxics on Ontario's resources.

To address these objectives, a major workshop "Climate Change and Ecosystem Recovery Special Emphasis on Industrially Affected Areas of the Canadian Shield" was held in Sudbury on February 22, 2001. This was followed (February 23, 2001) by a Boreal Shield Climate Change Meeting which brought together representatives from existing long-term aquatic research and monitoring sites in Ontario.

ELA

Turkey Lakes / Algoma Killarney / Sudbury Dorset /Algonquin Park

Figure 1. Locations of existing long-term aquatic research and monitoring sites on the Boreal Shield in Ontario.

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Implications of Climate Change for Waters of the Boreal Shield The February 22, 2001 Workshop attracted over 150 participants, and through oral presentations, poster presentations, and discussions, provided a very valuable forum for the identification of environmental issues and concerns associated with climate change, and for the exchange of current information on the known or expected effects of climate change in a multiple-stressor environment. Appendix 1 is the proceedings from the workshop. From the workshop presentations, it is clear that climate change is happening and that large future changes in climate are unavoidable. These changes will have large implications for all sectors of society and sound scientific knowledge is needed to guide the formulation of appropriate adaptive strategies. Many aspects of climate change have important implications for aquatic ecosystems. Temperature, in particular, is known to have major effects on nutrient dynamics and on many other physical and chemical characteristics of lakes. Temperature regimes affect the distributions, growth and survival of fish and many other aquatic organisms. Variations in precipitation can cause substantial physical and chemical changes in lakes and streams, with large consequences for aquatic biota. Droughts, for example, can greatly affect lake transparency and thermal structure, alter chemical cycling, affect streamflows and water residence time in lakes, and induce contaminant mobilization. Such effects on aquatic ecosystems may not, however, be simple and direct. The effects of climate change are known to interact with the effects of many other stressors, including for example the effects of large scale stressors like acidification and UV-B irradiance, and the invasion of warm-water exotic species. While the magnitudes of the expected impacts are uncertain, there is agreement within the scientific community that a changing climate will result in significant impacts to our aquatic resources. We need to better understand the impacts, if we are to manage our aquatic resources to be sustainable in a changing climate. To understand impacts, we require accurate information on the current rates and patterns of change and we need to be in a position to reliably predict future changes. Effective assessment and prediction of climate change effects must be conducted in the context of the multiple stresses affecting the Ontario environment. Long-term data collected on many individual sites subjected to varying degrees of other stressors are necessary to assess the impacts of climate change on aquatic ecosystems and make accurate predictions of future change. Developing a Framework for Assessing the Effects of Climate Change on waters of the Boreal Shield The February 23, 2001 meeting on climate change, was attended by representatives from the various sites with potential for inclusion in an Ontario Boreal Shield Network (Appendix 2).

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The agencies and organizations represented included Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment Canada, York University, Laurentian University, Trent University, and the University of Toronto. There was agreement that the existing long-term research and monitoring sites in Ontario can be linked into an effective provincial network. Representatives from the sites have since formally agreed, through a memorandum of understanding (Appendix 3), to cooperate in making this network a reality. Current Status: The existing study sites do not necessarily include a statistically representative sample of waters in the province; however, they do broadly represent freshwater ecosystems across the Boreal Shield. The sites vary in forest type and current climatic conditions (Figure 2). They also vary in the extent to which they are expected to be affected by climate change, and span a range in the degree to which they are affected by other large-scale stressors such as acid deposition, exotic species and shoreline development. Such variations must be included in a provincial assessment network if we are to understand the implications of climate change amid a background of multiple stresses. An effective monitoring network for detecting climate change effects must be able to isolate climate-induced impacts from impacts caused by other stressors, and determine interactions between stressors. These sites were established to monitor changes in aquatic systems for various reasons, often for the study of acidification. While there is much similarity in the assessment approaches taken at different sites, there are also differences that will need to be considered as the Network develops. As well, the demands of dealing with a new issue, Climate Change, will require a review of the approaches taken at all sites and may lead to changes or additions to our assessment strategies. Additional or alternate assessment techniques will likely need to be developed and monitoring programs may need to be implemented on additional waters to strengthen the Network. Progress on Integration Into a Network: Coordination The Cooperative Freshwater Ecology Unit (Co-op Unit) at Laurentian University, has been selected as the centre of coordination for the Network. Dr. Shelley Arnott, Laurentian University, is currently providing the scientific coordination for the Network. The Co-op Unit has been in operation since 1989, and has played a similar role in other multi-agency and multidisciplinary projects. The Co-op Unit is expanding and refocusing its activities within the context of climate change and multiple, interacting environmental stresses, and is well positioned to serve as an effective centre for coordination. A key requirement for an effective network is the establishment of efficient information sharing mechanisms between sites. As an initial step toward this goal, the Co-op Unit will compile a data catalogue summarizing the specific data that are available from each of

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Forest Types

Growing Degree Days

Length of Ice Free Season

Mean Annual Precipitation (mm)

Figure 2. Locations of major long-term aquatic monitoring sites in Ontario showing variations in forest type, growing degree days, length of ice free season, and mean annual precipitation. Locations are: (1) Experimental Lakes Area; (2) Turkey Lakes / Algoma; (3) Killarney / Sudbury; and (4) Dorset / Algonquin

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the sites in the Network. The data catalogue will allow researchers at different sites to identify opportunities for direct collaboration with other sites, and will allow an overall assessment of any gaps and weaknesses that may exist in the Network, which will need to be addressed. Once the nature of the collective data bases available within the network is clearly known, plans to further expedite data sharing abilities will be developed. In an important step to strengthen data management capabilities, Martyn Futter, Ministry of the Environment, has been reassigned to the Co-op Unit. Effective collaboration between sites will also require regular meetings for information exchange and planning purposes. The Co-op Unit will host the next major Network meeting on Climate Change and Multiple Environmental Stresses, during February 20-22, 2002, in Sudbury. In order to maximize information gain, participants in the Network feel that it is important that formal collaboration be initiated with international scientists and agencies that are also dealing with the same issues - management of waters on the Boreal Shield under changing climatic conditions against a background of multiple additional stressors. International contacts (Norway, Wisconsin, New York) have already been established through the Co-op Unit. The Norwegian Research Council has requested that the Co-op Unit referee some of the proposals that they receive for climate change research in Norway. The next meeting in Sudbury in 2002 will include representatives from Shield ecosystems throughout the world. Some of the sites in the Network (Experimental Lakes Area, Killarney Park, Turkey Lakes, Dorset) have already been included in the national Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Network (EMAN). This relationship with EMAN needs to be continued and expanded to further assist in the enhancement of communication and collaboration between research and monitoring sites across Canada. A presentation on the Ontario Network was given at the May 2001 EMAN meeting in Calgary. It is planned that a representative from the Ontario Network will attend all future EMAN annual meetings. Collaboration Discussions at the February 23, 2001 meeting identified a number of areas in which collaborative research is needed to address important climate-related questions, and can best be conducted through a network approach. Specific collaborative research projects are being developed to address the above research areas. These include: •

Paleolimnological Studies - Long term Trends

The great potential of incorporating paleolimnological studies of lake sediments within the network approach was clearly recognized. Paleolimnology provides the opportunity to infer the effects of climate change and other stressors from patterns of change over centuries, not just decades as in most monitoring programs. By examining long-term changes in climaterelated variables in lakes, across the gradient of the other stresses inherent in the Network, there is an opportunity to determine the relative roles of individual stressors. Climate-related

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paleolimnological studies have recently been initiated at the Killarney/Sudbury Site. Paleolimnological data do exist from some other sites in the Network, but the assessment being conducted through the data catalogue is needed to identify what data are currently available for analysis from which sites, and what data gaps will need to be filled to examine patterns across the Network. •

Effects of Climate on the Storage and Mobilization of Sulphur

Drought results in the oxidation of reduced sulphur stored in watersheds and lake sediments from decades of elevated atmospheric deposition. Wetlands are a key site of sulphur storage. Remobilization of this stored acidity under wet conditions can result in re-acidification or delayed recovery of lakes and streams, and many other related changes including mobilization of metals and base cations. The size and availability of the stored sulphur pool, how long such effects may continue, or whether such effects will increase with a changing climate are not known. This issue can be addressed by combining laboratory and field experiments on the nature and availability of the sulphur pool with analyses of patterns in lake and stream chemistry and hydrology as they relate to patterns in climate. By utilizing the network approach, sites can be compared that have had very different sulphur deposition histories, offering the opportunity to isolate climate effects. •

Effects of Climate Change on Nearshore Biota

One area where the climate signal is expected to be particularly strong is in the coupling of changes in air temperature with changes in the temperature of near-surface waters. These areas of lakes, particularly the littoral zone, are typically species rich and are very important in terms of energy flow. A project is underway to examine littoral microcrustacean communities across a gradient of lakes within the Network. A follow up project examining littoral macroinvertebrate communities through rapid bioassessment techniques is being planned. •

Effects of Climate Change on Zooplankton

Analyses of long-term seasonal data sets can be used to determine the directions and durations of the general responses by pelagic zooplankton communities, to the direct or indirect effects of climate. Changes in the timing of ice-out and thermal stratification may have important influences on aquatic communities because conditions early in the season, immediately after ice-out, may set the stage for many of the biological interactions that determine the annual community composition. Interannual variation in plankton community structure will be examined in relation to the timing of ice-out and the development of thermal stratification. In addition to analyses of existing data series, a project is needed to examine the short-term aspects of community development (immediately after ice-out) and how this is influenced by factors such as warming rate, timing of ice-out, etc. To augment information in the long-term databases, temporally intensive zooplankton sampling will be initiated at a few lakes at each of several network sites for 3 years.

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•

Interactions with Fish Communities

Fish communities respond to climate changes (e.g. northern movement of warm-water species such as bass) and modeling projects are underway to assess the potential impacts of climate change on the expected yield of various sportfish species. However, fish also have significant modifying effects on other biotic communities, effects that may be altered by climate change. Up to date information is needed on the status of fish communities in the study lakes in the Network. Discussions are underway to attempt to provide standard assessment information on fish communities. Other Initiatives Researchers from the sites in the Network have agreed to contribute to the preparation of a major summary paper to examine the state of the science with respect to our understanding of the implications of climate change for waters on the Boreal Shield. The editors of the Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Sciences have been contacted and have indicated that they would encourage submission of such a Perspectives paper for publication by the Journal. Future Needs: Effective coordination of the Network in the long-term will require an investment of resources. Elements required for effective coordination, and associated annual cost estimates are provided below. Scientific Coordinator (12 mos.) Data Manager (6 mos.) Travel fund for students Support for Annual Meeting Operating expenses for Coordinator (phone, travel, communication, supplies) Funds to address research priorities

$55,000 $25,000 $10,000 $10,000 $20,000

Total

$170,000

$50,000

The Scientific Coordinator will help initiate and conduct collaborative research projects between sites in the Network. He/she will provide the ongoing liaison between sites and facilitate the further development of the Network and the integration of scientific results from the Network.

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The part time services of a Data Manager will be required to maintain and update the Network data catalogue and provide assistance with data exchanges within the Network and with other collaborators. To encourage inter-site collaboration on research projects, a fund needs to be established to assist students with travel/accommodation costs if they are conducting projects that include work at two or more Network sites. The Coordination Centre requires a pool of funds that can be directed to address specific needs that are identified as priorities within the Network. This fund will provide support and seed money to initiate research projects or to fill gaps that are identified in the monitoring programs. Ongoing support will be required for general operating expenses and hosting the annual Network meeting. In addition to coordination resources, the agencies involved will need to provide the resources necessary to maintain and enhance where required the the research and monitoring programs at the sites in the Network, since these are the basis for the network approach to assessing the current and expected impacts of Climate Change and related environmental stressors on the waters of the Boreal Shield. The existence of the Network will, however, greatly enhance future applications to other funding sources for detailed research and monitoring studies. These include Environment Canada's Climate Action Fund, NSERC, and Canada Foundation for Innovation grants.

Appendix 1: Proceedings of the Workshop on Climate Change and Ecosystem Recovery - February 22, 2001

Climate Change and Ecosystem Recovery Special Emphasis on Industrially Affected Areas of the Canadian Shield 2001 Sudbury Restoration Workshop February 22, 2001 Fraser Auditorium, Laurentian University 8:00

Registration, poster set-up, coffee

9:00

Welcome: Rizwan Haq (Dean, Laurentian University) Impact Assessment Chair : Glen Watson (Inco Ltd.)

9:10

Dave Pearson (Cooperative Freshwater Ecology Unit, Laurentian University) A Watershed View of Recovery around Sudbury.

9:30

Kevin Cash (National Water Research Institute, Environment Canada) The Use of Streamside Mesocosms in Assessing the Cumulative Impacts of Multiple Stressors.

9:50

John Sferrazza (Aquatic Sciences Inc.) Implementation of Field Methods Outlined in the Environment Canada Metal Mining EEM Guidance Document at Three Mine Sites in the Sudbury Basin - Challenges and Recommendations.

10:10

--- coffee and posters --Evaluating the Recovery Process Chair: Bill Keller (Ontario Ministry of the Environment/Laurentian University)

10:40 Madhur Anand (Laurentian University) Following Recovery Pathways. 11:00 Keith Somers (Dorset Environmental Science Centre, Ontario Ministry of the Environment) Aquatic Environmental Effects Assessment and the Reference Condition Approach. 11:20 Carrie Holt (York University) Evaluating Recovery: Finding the Endpoint. 11:40 Greg Pyle (Laurentian University) Detecting the Stressor: Assessing Ambient Toxicity of Complex Uranium Mine Receiving Waters. 12:00

-- Lunch in Science Cafeteria (2nd Floor Fraser Building) --

Detecting Climate Change in a Multiple Stressor Environment Chair: John Gunn (Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources/Laurentian University) 1:00

John Gunn (Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources/Laurentian University) Introduction

1:10

Henry Hengeveld (Meteorological Service of Canada) Implications of Climate Change for Canada.

1:40

John P. Smol (Paleolimnological Environmental Assessment and Research Laboratory (PEARL), Queen’s University) Window on the Past: Detecting the Climate Change Signal using Lake Sediments.

2:10

Brian Stocks (Canadian Forest Service) Projecting Future Canadian Forest Fire Regimes and Impacts under a Changing Climate.

2:40

--- coffee and posters ---

3:00

Hugh MacIssac (University of Windsor) Invasive Species in the Great Lakes Basin.

3:30

Shelley Arnott (Cooperative Freshwater Ecology Unit, Laurentian University) The Influence of El Nino on Boreal Shield Lakes.

4:00

Brian Shuter (Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources) Potential Effects of Climate Change on Walleye in Ontario.

4:30

Tom Brydges (York University) Global Changes and Policy Challenges.

5:00

Mixer and refreshments at the Arboretum

Poster Presentations Arnott, Shelley1, Norm Yan2 and Bill Keller1,3 (1Cooperative Freshwater Ecology Unit 2York University 3Ontario Ministry of the Environment) The Influence of Drought on the Biotic Recovery of Lakes from Acidification. Beauclerc, Kaela B.1 and John M. Gunn1,2 (1Cooperative Freshwater Ecology Unit 2Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources) Seasonal Changes in the Optical Properties of Clearwater Lake Water. Binks, Jessie,1 Norm Yan2 and John Gunn1,3 (1Cooperative Freshwater Ecology Unit 2York University 3 Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources) Predaceous Species of Planktonic Invertebrates in the Epilimnion of Killarney Park Lakes. Binks, Jessie and George Morgan (Cooperative Freshwater Ecology Unit) Environmental and Community Effects on Walleye (Stizostedion vitreum) Life History Variation. Clark, Matthew W. (Cooperative Freshwater Ecology Unit) The Role of Sediment Chemistry in the Recovery of Sudbury Lakes from Acidification. Davidson, Jennifer,1 Bill Keller,1,2 Keith Somers2 and Glen Watson3 (1Cooperative Freshwater Ecology Unit 2Ontario Ministry of the Environment 3Inco Ltd) Applying the Reference Condition Approach to Monitor Benthic Invertebrates in Streams of the Sudbury Mining Area. Dixit, Sushil1, W. (Bill) Keller2, Aruna S. Dixit1 and John P. Smol1 (1Paleoecological Environmental Assessment and Research Laboratory, Queen’s University 2Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Cooperative Freshwater Ecology Unit) Past UV-B Penetration in Sudbury Area Lakes. Findlay, David and Susan Kasian (Freshwater Institute, Winnipeg, Canada) Response of Dinoflagellates to Acidification and Climate Induced DOC Decrease. Gorzynski, Ray (Cooperative Freshwater Ecology Unit) The Temperature Effects of Urban Runoff and In-stream Impoundments on an Urban Brook Trout Creek; Junction Creek, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. Gunn, John M. (Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Cooperative Freshwater Ecology Unit) Impact of the 1998 El Niño Event on a Lake Trout (Salvelinus namaycush) Population Recovering from Acidification. Gunn, John1 and Steinar Sandøy2 (1Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Cooperative Freshwater Ecology Unit 2 Directorate for Nature Management) Northern Lakes Recovery Study (NLRS) – Biomonitoring at the Ecosystem Level.

Kasian, Susan, Michael Stainton, and Ray Hesslein (Freshwater Institute) Three Decades of Variation in Chemistry of 17 Pristine Boreal Shield Lakes: Implications For Detecting Climate Change. Keller, Bill1,2, Jocelyne Heneberry2 and Peter Dillon3 (1Ontario Ministry of the Environment, 2 Cooperative Freshwater Ecology Unit 3Trent University) Nitrate in Sudbury Area Lakes: Trends and Status. Lock, Alan1, David Pearson1 and Nelson Belzile2 (1Cooperative Freshwater Ecology Unit and Dept. of Earth Sciences, Laurentian University 2Dept. of Chemistry, Laurentian University) Early Diagenesis of Metal and Nutrient Rich Sediment from Kelley Lake, Sudbury, Ontario. Morris, Ed (Ontario Parks, Northeast Zone, Sudbury) Research in Ontario Parks. Ontario Parks Site Planning Team of the Northeast Zone Campsite Rehabilitation in the Northeast Zone of Ontario Provincial Parks. Prévost, François (Cooperative Freshwater Ecology Unit and Dept. of Earth Sciences, Laurentian University) The Use of GIS in the Presentation and Evaluation of Environmental Data in the New City of Greater Sudbury. Regenstreif, Carrie (Junction Creek Stewardship Committee) A Conceptual Plan for Restoring the Frood Branch of Junction Creek. Schartau, Ann Kristin L.,1 Bjørn Walseng1 and Ed Snucins2 (1Norwegian Institute for Nature Research 2Cooperative Freshwater Ecology Unit) Correlation Between Microcrustaceans and Environmental Variables Along an Acidification Gradient in Sudbury, Canada. Snucins, Ed1 and John Gunn1,2 (1Cooperative Freshwater Ecology Unit 2Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources) Interannual Variation in the Thermal Structure of Clear and Coloured Lakes. Snucins, Ed1 and Wayne Selinger2 (1Cooperative Freshwater Ecology Unit 2Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources) Northeastern Ontario Lake Trout Enhancement Project. Walseng, Bjorn (Norwegian Institute for Nature Research) Crustacean Communities Along a pH Gradient: Comparisons Between Canada and Norway.

A Watershed View of Recovery Around Sudbury David Pearson Cooperative Freshwater Ecology Unit, Dept. of Earth Sciences, Laurentian University Before 1970 smelter technology in Sudbury was severely damaging to the environment. Millions of tons of SO2 and thousands of tons of metals were expelled to the airshed of the Sudbury smelters. Many natural physical, chemical and biological processes were overwhelmed within that large area. A few protective processes operated: e.g. accelerated weathering of gabbro contributed increased Ca2+ ions to surface water; rock fragments stranded by erosion formed an armoured surface against further erosion of soil. As smelter technology has advanced from severely to modestly damaging to the regional environment, the balance has shifted from protective to restorative processes: e.g. burial of contaminants in at least temporary depositional environments; binding of some metal ions by newly generated organic matter; removal and dispersion of soluble and mobile metals in surface water. Very successful revegetation efforts have greatly accelerated some of these restorative processes in several ways. Sudbury’s Kelley Lake, close to the Copper Cliff smelter, illustrates the benefits of changing technology and restorative processes in its watershed. Restorative processes and the recognition of persistence and bioavailability of contaminants are likely to be best understood, quantified and modelled in watersheds. The new City of Greater Sudbury includes over 300 lakes and at least two dozen watersheds averaging about 100 km2. Not only do watersheds form a useful scientific framework, they are also being adopted in the city’s new public awareness and volunteer monitoring programme.

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The Use of Stream-side Mesocosms in Assessing the Cumulative Impacts of Multiple Stressors Kevin Cash1, Joseph Culp1, Monique Dube1, Nancy Glozier1, Deb MacLatchy2 1 National Water Research Institute (Environment Canada) 2 University of New Brunswick

Number Emerging / Day

Stream-side mesocosms represent an important link between field-based assessment and laboratory experiments. Such systems incorporate ambient conditions of light, temperature and water quality while at the same time allowing for statistical replication and the elucidation of causal mechanisms. Mesocosms can be particularly valuable in teasing apart the impacts of multiple, confounding stesssors. At the National Water Research Institute (NWRI) of Environment Canada, stream-side mesocosms have been developed to assess the effects of point source effluents on aquatic biota. Initial applications (1990-1994) focused on assessing the effects of pulp mill effluents on benthic invertebrate and algae communities in large western Canadian Rivers. Artificial streams were then used to assess the effects of pulp mill effluents on fish in marine and estuarine environments in eastern Canada (1997-1999). Most recently (2000) artificial stream systems have been developed as tools to evaluate the effects of mining effluents on fish and benthic invertebrates. In addition, multitrophic level (algae + benthic invertebrate + fish) applications have been developed for cumulative effects bioassessment. Based upon this culmination of research and development, artificial stream systems have been incorporated into the federally legislated Environmental Effects Monitoring (EEM) program as an alternative to field surveys for environmental effects assessment of pulp and paper and mining pollution. The Canadian experience in development of artificial stream systems should serve as a model to demonstrate how research tools can be incorporated into federally legislated monitoring programs.

0% 5%

200

100

0 0

5

10

15

20

25

E x p o s u r e D u r a t io n (d a y s )

Insect emergence rates from mesocosoms treated with 0% or 5% pulp mill effluent.

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Implementation of Field Methods Outlined in the Environment Canada Metal Mining EEM Guidance Document at Three Mine Sites in the Sudbury basin Challenges and Recommendations John Sferrazza1 and Glen Watson2 1 Aquatic Sciences Inc. , 2Inco Ltd. Field methods prescribed in the Metal Mining EEM Guidance Document issued in August 1999 (first draft) by Environment Canada were implemented at three mine sites in the Sudbury basin between the dates of October 1999 and November 2000. Field methods for the sampling of benthic invertebrates, fish, sediments and water outlined in the document were followed in the development and implementation of a study design for each site. Several challenges became apparent when implementing these methods in the field and modifications to the study designs became necessary. Mining activity is bound by the location of the ore bodies that are being developed, thus the flexibility of locating a production facility close to large water bodies, as is the case with other resource based industries (i.e., pulp and paper) usually does not exist with metal mining. Applying these guidelines to metal mining sites created several challenges for field crews. Typically, metal mines in Ontario discharge into small, low flowing receiver streams and are often at the headwaters of watersheds. These were the conditions at Inco Limited’s Whistle Mine, Crean Hill Mine and Totten Mine. Consequently, sampling protocols for benthic invertebrates and fish needed to be modified to accommodate these circumstances. The authors note that site specificity will ultimately drive the design of EEM studies at mine sites. Accordingly, the flexibility to customize the study design to suit the physical characteristics of the receiver will be essential.

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Following Recovery Pathways Madhur Anand Biology Dept., Laurentian University Too much focus on origin and/or destination in the recovery process can hamper our attempts at understanding causal relationships. Here, I focus on pathways -- the trajectories linking origin and destination. I will use model and case studies to show that the pathways of vegetation change are complex and, like those of all complex systems, posses a hidden order. I will briefly present methods (simulation and analytical) for detecting this hidden order.

Eigenprojections of process trajectories as identified. The graphs in row C are mappings of the natural trajectories. The 2-dimensional mappings recover 98% and 87% of the original distance configuration. The graphs in row A correspond to the fitted Markov chain. The graphs in row B, adapted from Anand (1997 Coenoses 12: 55-62) with revisions, illustrate the effects of 15% and 25% random perturbation. The perturbation is applied to transition probabilities. The Atlantic Heathland graphs use data from Table 1. The Jackson Pond graphs use the same data as Figure 1. Table 2 contains site information.

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Aquatic Environmental Effects Assessment and the Reference Condition Approach Keith Somers Dorset Environmental Science Centre, Ontario Ministry of the Environment In his book on sampling designs for environmental biologists, Green (1979) lists 3 simple yes-no questions that distinguish 5 experimental designs commonly used for environmental effects assessment. Surprisingly, the situation where: (1) the impact has already occurred; (2) when and where are known: and (3), a control area is available is not one of Green's 5 designs. Widespread interest in this 6th scenario has led to an experimental design frequently called the Reference Condition Approach (RCA). In the RCA, a series of minimally impaired sites in the general vicinity of the test site is used to define reference conditions (see Fig. A, below). Summary biological indices are calculated for the reference sites and the distribution of these values is used to define our expectations for the test site (Fig. B). Often the 80th or 90th percentiles based on the reference-site data are used to define critical values for evaluating test sites. However, Kilgour et al. (1998 Ecoscience 5: 542-550) suggested that because the mean +/- 2 standard deviations encloses 95% of the reference-site data, this region has obvious appeal as the Normal Range of Variation (Fig. B). By definition, a test site lying outside of the Normal Range for any index is unusual. For 2 correlated indices, a 95% confidence ellipse for the reference-site data can be used to evaluate a test site (Fig. C). Formal statistical tests that incorporate uncertainty associated with the test site and the boundary for the Normal Range are described in Kilgour et al. (1998). By using the RCA, we can establish criteria for any biological index and statistically evaluate a test site relative to the Normal Range.

Frequency

B samples collected from a series of neighbouring sites are used to characterize minimally impacted conditions as the "normal range" A

0.50 MEAN

0.40 0.30

The Normal Range of Variation

68 %

0.20 0.10

99.9 %

95 %

0.00 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 Standard Deviations C

70 60

Reference Area Sites

samples from a test site are compared to these baseline conditions

Insects (%)

50 40

Test Site

30 20 10

The Reference Condition Approach where: (A) a series of minimally impaired reference sites are selected within the vicinity of the test site; (B) the distribution of a given summary index for the reference sites is used to define the Normal Range; and (C) where the Normal Range is used to classify a test site.

95% Ellipse

0 -10 -10

99.9% Ellipse 0

10

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30

40

EPTs (%)

5

Evaluating Recovery: Finding the Endpoint Holt, C.A.1, N.D. Yan1,2 and K. Somers2 1 York University 2Dorset Environmental Research Centre, Ontario Ministry of the Environment Acid rain has caused significant ecological damage across Europe and North America this century. The primary source of acidification in Ontario is industrial sulfur emissions. Critical load models of acidification have been used as a basis for regulating reductions in sulphur emissions in efforts to protect aquatic ecosystems. These models calculate the maximum loading of acidity on an ecosystem that will not cause ecosystem damage, as specified by the biological endpoint. There are several weaknesses with previous biological endpoints, the most important being: (1) they have been based on single species which may not accurately represent whole community changes with pH, (2) morphometric and spatial factors, such as geographic location, may influence the relationship between biota and pH, biasing the choice of an endpoint, and (3) endpoints have rarely been objectively identified, hence their values are open to question. The goal of this study was to establish a zooplankton endpoint for critical load models of acidification in Ontario that was (1) communitybased, (2) free from spatial and morphometric confounding, and (3) objectively identified. The metrics used were zooplankton species richness and species relative abundances. The variability associated with spatial and morphometric factors was extracted. The relationship between zooplankton and pH as well as alkalinity was modeled using a step function that objectively identified a threshold in the data. The threshold was pH 6 for both species richness and relative species abundance models, a value very similar to previous ones based on lab bioassays and the occurrence of a subset of species in Ontario lakes. Morphometric and spatial factors were not influential in the identification of a pH threshold. A pH of 6 can therefore be used as a community based zooplankton biological endpoint for critical load models of acidification in south-central Ontario.

12 zooplankton species richness

10 8 6 4 2 0 5

5.5

6 pH

6.5

7

Step function plot of relationship between zooplankton species richness and pH with a threshold (i.e. step) at pH 6 (n=47 lakes).

6

Detecting the Stressor: Assessing Ambient Toxicity of Complex Uranium Mine Receiving Waters Greg Pyle Dept. of Biology, Laurentian University Larval fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) were placed at four exposure sites for 7 days in each of five lakes surrounding the Key Lake uranium mine in northern Saskatchewan, Canada. Fish placed in lakes receiving Mo-contaminated mill effluent demonstrated higher mortalities than those placed in lakes receiving Ni-contaminated mine-dewatering effluent, which was not significantly different from reference sites. No significant differences were detected in fish growth among the study lakes because of the high (90%) mortality in Fox and Unknown lakes. Principal components analysis characterized exposure sites by total- and dissolved-metal concentration. Stepwise multiple regression of fish mortality on principal components (PCs) generated from total-metal data showed that PC1 could account for 84% of the variance associated with fish mortality. Careful examination of the metals that correlated strongly with PC1 and with fish mortality suggested that dietary Se toxicity probably resulted in the differential fathead minnow mortality observed among study lakes.

Multivariate ordination of exposure sites by metal concentration. Significant axes in this ordination could account for up to 84% of the variance associated with fish mortality.

7

Implications of Climate Change for Canada Henry G. Hengeveld Meteorological Service of Canada Climate model studies project that average temperatures across southern Canada by 2050 will be some 2-4°C warmer than today. By 2100, this could reach 4 to 10°C of warming. Polar regions are expected to warm even more. These changes in temperatures, which will be unevenly distributed in space and time, will be accompanied by as yet poorly understood changes in atmospheric circulation, precipitation patterns and intensity and of weather in general. The ultimate impacts of such changes on Canadian ecosystems and society may, over centuries, be beneficial in many respects. However, the process of changes during the transition to a warmer world results in major challenges in preparing for, adapting to and coping with change. Primary concerns for southern Canada include projected decreases in water resources and related increases in fire and insect disturbances within natural ecosystems; large changes in ecosystem structures, loss of wildlife habitat for current species and the migration northward of new exotic species , and increased frequency of intense rainfall and localized flooding. Changes in northern Canada are expected to be even more dramatic. Sea ice on the Arctic Ocean is expected to virtually disappear in summer by 2050, with major implications for habitat for existing wildlife such as polar bears and seals and for traditional aboriginal lifestyles. While efforts to mitigate the causes of such changes may help to reduce the rates and ultimate magnitude of change, large changes are already unavoidable. There is increasing evidence to suggest that such change has already begun. Hence adaptation will be an important aspect of response strategies aimed at reducing the risks of danger.

5

Degrees C Canadian Climate Model Projections (Greenhouse Gases + Aerosols)

4 3 2 1

Observed

0 -1 1900

1920

1940

1960

1980

2000

2020

2040

2060

2080

2100

Year

Observed and modelled global temperature change.

8

Window on the Past: Detecting the Climate Change Signal using Lake Sediments John P. Smol Paleoecological Environmental Assessment and Research Laboratory (PEARL), Dept. of Biology, Queen’s University Interest in climate change research has taken on new relevance with the realization that human activities, such as the accelerated release of greenhouse gases, may be altering the thermal properties of our atmosphere. Important social, economic, and scientific questions include: Is climate changing? If so, can these changes be related to human activities? Are episodes of extreme weather, such as droughts, increasing in frequency? Long-term meteorological data, on broad spatial and temporal scales, are needed to answer these questions. Unfortunately, such data were never gathered and so indirect proxy methods must be used to infer past climatic trends. A relatively untapped source of paleoclimate data is based on hindcasting past climatic trends using paleolimnological techniques. Some attempts (still controversial) have been made to directly infer temperature. The main assumption with these types of analyses is that species composition is either directly related to temperature, or that assemblages are related to some variable linearly related to temperature. Another, more common approach is to infer a limnological variable that is related to climate. Although approaches are broadly similar across climatic regions, the environmental gradients can be very different. For example, inferences in polar regions have focussed on past lake ice conditions, whereas in lakes near arctic treeline ecotones, paleophycologists have inferred past lakewater DOC, as this variable has been linked to the density of coniferous trees in a drainage basin (which itself is related to climate). In closed-basin lakes in arid and semi-arid regions, past lakewater salinity is closely tied to drought frequency. Some recent examples include the striking 19th century environmental changes in the High Arctic and prolonged periods of droughts in the Great Plains over the last few millennia that have greatly exceeded those recorded during recent times. Marked climatic variability that is outside the range captured by the instrumental record has a strong bearing on sustainability of human societies. Only with a long-term perspective can we understand natural climatic variability and the potential influences of human activities on climate, and thereby increase our ability to understand future climate.

9

Projecting Future Canadian Forest Fire Regimes and Impacts under a Changing Climate B.J. Stocks Canadian Forest Service Forest fire is the dominant disturbance regime in Canadian forests, burning an average of 3 million hectares annually. Direct fire management costs are approximately $ 500 million annually, with larger indirect costs. Forest fires are also a major influence on the carbon sink/source strength of Canadian forests, with direct effects on atmospheric emissions and the global carbon budget. Climate change projections suggest a strong increase in the frequency and severity of weather conditions conducive to forest fires across Canada, translating directly into increased fire activity, shortened fire return intervals, a shift in forest age class distribution, and a decrease in biospheric carbon storage. Projecting the extent and impact of future Canadian fire regimes is essential to developing effective adaptation strategies and policies. An investigation was initiated, currently supported by the Canadian Climate Change Action Fund, aimed at projecting future fire regimes in Canada using the best scientific information available. Provincial and territorial fire records and hourly/daily Environment Canada weather records post-1950 have been compiled and integrated to develop spatially and temporally explicit gridded databases. The spatial fire database is used to estimate the percent area burned annually within Canadian ecoregions, and in combination with Canadian Forest Fire Danger Rating outputs, to determine fuel consumption, carbon loss, and emissions by ecoregions. Analysis is underway to determine predictive relationships between the area burned and weather/fire danger conditions in order to quantify the parameters that have driven fire activity over the past half-century. Concurrently, high-resolution regional-scale projections of future fire climate have been constructed through involvement in the development of a Canadian Regional Climate Model, including validation of current and projected fire danger conditions. This information is integrated with outputs from the fire weather/fire activity analysis to develop plausible future fire regime scenarios that are analyzed in terms of impacts on forest communities, wood supply, and national and global carbon budgets. In turn, these results will aid in the development and evaluation of adaptation strategies.

a

b

GCM-projected changes in circumpolar fire danger from 1980-89 (a) to a 2xCO2 (b) climate.

10

Invasive Species in the Great Lakes Basin Hugh MacIsaac University of Windsor The Great Lakes have been invaded by at least 160 species, mainly via the release of ballast water. Genetic and biogeographic studies have revealed that eastern European species arrived to the Great Lakes following invasions of habitats in northern and western Europe. Ships that illegally discharge freshwater ballast pose the greatest invasion risk to the Great Lakes, followed by those that declare 'no ballast on board' status; ships that exchange ballast on the open ocean appear to pose a low risk. Lake Superior receives a disproportionate amount of both saline and freshwater ballast water, yet has been the initial site of colonization of relatively few invaders. This pattern may be due to the relatively low number of surveys conducted on the lake, to low habitat heterogeneity, to physiological intolerance of invaders to ambient conditions, or to the absence of facilitative interactions by other species. Once nonindigenous species invade the Great Lakes, secondary invasions of inland waters often quickly follow. The spiny waterflea Bythotrephes invaded the Great Lakes in 1982, and now inhabits >25 inland lakes in the province. Modeling analyses indicate that many waterbodies throughout Ontario are vulnerable to invasion by spiny waterfleas and other nonindigenous species. Attention must be paid to elimination of invasion corridors to the Great Lakes, as well as other human vectors that link these lakes to inland waterbodies, to prevent further spread of nonindigenous species (e.g. zebra mussels, spiny and fishhook waterfleas) in Ontario lakes.

Fishhook waterfleas (Cercopagis pengoi)

11

The Influence of El Niño on Boreal Shield Lakes 1

Shelley Arnott1, John Gunn1,2, Bill Keller1,3, and Ed Snucins1 Cooperative Freshwater Ecology Unit 2Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources 3Ontario Ministry of the Environment

An important aspect of climate change is the change in frequency of extreme weather events such as those associated with El Niño. Across lakes in the Boreal Shield El Niño events have resulted in changes in physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of lakes. High temperatures associated with the 1998 El Niño resulted in warmer surface waters, in general, and either warmer or cooler bottom waters depending on the water clarity of the lake. In at least one lake, El Niño-induced changes in water temperature had damaging effects on lake trout populations that were recovering from acidification. Although warmer waters resulted in increased growth rates, the extended high temperatures were ultimately lethal to juvenile lake trout. Drought events associated with El Niño may also impact lakes recovering from acidification. High concentrations of reduced sulphur are reoxidized, resulting in the re-acidification of surface waters, when sulphur deposits stored in wetlands and lake catchments are dried and exposed to the atmosphere. This re-acidification can temporarily set back biotic recovery, altering community composition and species richness. In Swan Lake, a drought and subsequent re-acidification event resulted in changes in the physical environment such that historically deposited zooplankton resting eggs were induced to hatch into an inhospitable water environment. Drought-induced re-acidification events may therefore hamper future recovery by depleting lakes of future colonists. The increased frequency of El Niño events that we are currently experiencing is expected to have important implications for physical, chemical and biological aspects of lake ecosystems.

Sulphate pulses associated with El Niño events.

12

Projecting Regional Impacts of Climate Change on Ontario Walleye Populations B. J. Shuter1 and C.K. Minns2 1 Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources 2Dept. of Fisheries and Oceans Climate change is expected to have significant impacts on freshwater fisheries in Canada. Fisheries and fishers will have to adapt to major changes. Regional predictions of ecological impacts are needed in order to properly assess tradeoffs between the costs associated with prevention of change and those associated with adaptation to change. In this paper, we illustrate the kinds of information that are needed to generate such assessments by describing a preliminary forecast of possible impacts to the walleye populations of Ontario. Impact modeling begins with small data sets that define quantitative links between important biological characteristics of walleye populations (e.g. individual growth, mortality, maturity) and environmental factors (e.g. lake area, degree days, Secchi depth). These data sets must be augmented with landscape level information on the number and location of all walleye lakes in Ontario, the area of these lakes and other environmental data. Finally, spatially explicit forecasts of climate change are integrated with quantitative definitions of walleye climate sensitivities and geographic information on the distribution of walleye populations to generate a comprehensive impact assessment for Ontario.

Total mortality guidelines (Lc = 30 cm) 1.4

Zextinction

Total mortality rate (Z)

1.2 1.0 0.8

Zsafe

0.6 0.4

M

0.2 0.0 1000

1200

1400

1600

1800

2000

2200

2400

2600

Growing degree days

Effect of climate on sustainable mortality rates for Ontario walleye populations.

13

Global Change and Policy Challenges Tom Brydges York University Anthropogenic activities are causing well-documented changes in the chemical composition of the global atmosphere. This, in turn, changes the physical properties of the atmosphere, such as the radiation balance. The chemistry and physics of the atmosphere are critical input variables to growth and decomposition processes in the biosphere. As the atmosphere changes, the biosphere will respond in complex and likely unpredictable ways. However, what is certain is that changes will occur. For example, alteration of precipitation by sulphur and nitrogen compounds has caused widespread damage to ecosystems. Documentation of such damage generated the public support needed to implement control policies. Measurement of decreasing amounts of stratospheric ozone led to the Montreal Protocol for the control of ozone depleting substances being strengthened twice in only five years. The increasing concentration of greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere is a scientific fact beyond any dispute. There is a growing list of documented changes in the biosphere, such as the size and annual timing of the global carbon cycle and decreases in the amount of polar ice, that seem to be related to the changing atmosphere. Canada is embarking on a policy of using forest growth as a sink for carbon dioxide emissions, even though there are documented decreases in growth rates of trees in some northern areas. It is very important for the monitoring and research community to document conditions in the environment that result from any of the atmospheric changes. Of particular interest with regard to greenhouse gasses, would be such things as ice cover, soil temperatures (notably in forests), variations in hydrology, incidence of insect and disease outbreaks (one of the predicted responses to a changed atmosphere) and growth and health of forests. These are major challenges for environmental monitoring and research, but the stakes for both damage and controls have never been higher and the need for solid science has never been greater.

14

Poster Titles (in alphabetical order) The Influence of Drought on the Biotic Recovery of Lakes from Acidification Shelley Arnott1, Norm Yan2 and Bill Keller1,3 1 Cooperative Freshwater Ecology Unit 2 York University, 3Ontario Ministry of the Environment

18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0

8

Reference lake richness

7 6

pH

Crustacean Richness

The recovery of biota in lakes damaged by cultural acidification may be influenced by a number of factors, including El Nino-related droughts. Long-term zooplankton records from Swan Lake, Sudbury, Canada, indicated that crustacean species richness temporarily increased from an annual mean of 10 species to 18 species in the year following a 2-year drought and subsequent reacidification of the lake. We hypothesized that this unexpected increase in richness was the result of an emergence of zooplankton from resting stages that were historically deposited in the lake sediments. The drought and re-acidification event resulted in several changes in the lake that may have triggered the emergence of zooplankton, including desiccation of littoral sediments (and the zooplankton resting stages residing there), increased water clarity, increased profundal temperature, and increased oxygen concentration in the bottom waters. Using in situ emergence traps, we investigated the influence of desiccation, light, temperature, and oxygen concentration on the emergence of crustacean zooplankton from resting stages. Responses were species-specific; four taxa had higher emergence when sediments were dried over the winter, the emergence of six taxa was influenced by temperature, and the emergence of three taxa was influenced by light. This suggests that climatic events, such as droughts, that alter the physical and chemical properties of lakes may alter zooplankton communities by triggering the emergence of resting stages residing in the lake sediments. This is particularly significant if, as in Swan Lake, emerging zooplankton are faced with inhospitable water quality. Under this scenario, emergence may act to deplete the egg bank reducing the number of potential colonists available to re-populate the lake when environmental conditions improve.

Richness pH

5 4 77

83

85

87

89

91

93

95

97

re-acidification event 15

Seasonal Changes in the Optical Properties of Clearwater Lake Water 1

Kaela B. Beauclerc1 and John M. Gunn2 Cooperative Freshwater Ecology Unit 1,2Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources

A study was conducted of the vertical changes in dissolved organic carbon (DOC), absorbance within the UVB range (320 nm), and chlorophyll a concentration in Clearwater Lake, a 76.5 ha Sudbury lake recovering from acidification. Absorbance samples were collected at every metre with a peristaltic pump, filtered (0.5 µm), and then measured in triplicate with a Carey 100 UV-VIS spectrophotometer using a 10 cm quartz cuvette. Ultraclean procedures were used throughout. Composite samples (equal volumes at 1 m intervals) of epilimnetic and hypolimnetic water were analysed by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment for DOC and chlorophyll a concentrations. Photobleaching of the surface waters was evident throughout the summer . Chlorophyll a concentration fluctuated, but was consistently higher in the hypolimnion suggesting that most algal production was below the bleached surface layer. Epilimnetic DOC was consistently higher by 0.2-0.5 mg/L until late September when the epilimnion had slightly less (0.1 mg/L) DOC than the hypolimnion. This loss of DOC from the epilimnion, or perhaps changes in the form of DOC that allow greater UV penetration, may have significant effects on the biota inhabiting such lakes. 0

July 21 June 16

Depth (m)

5

10

September 19 15

20 0.05

0.06

0.07

0.08

0.09

0.1

0.11

0.12

0.13

0.14

Absorbance at 320 nm

16

Predaceous Species of Planktonic Invertebrates in the Epilimnion of Killarney Park Lakes 1

Jessie Binks1, Norm Yan2 and John Gunn1,3 Cooperative Freshwater Ecology Unit 2York University 1,3 Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources

A survey of predaceous planktonic invertebrate species was conducted in 23 lakes in Killarney Park, Ontario that ranged widely in dissolved organic carbon (0.2-5.5 mg/L), pH (4.6-7.7), and number of fish species (0-14). The Killarney lakes are undergoing significant recovery from acidification but also include some of Canada’s clearest waters that may be particularly vulnerable to damage from UV radiation. Five species of macroinvertebrates were collected during July and August in the surface waters using a vertical haul of a 70 cm diameter plankton net (284 µm mesh) drawn through the epilimnetic waters. These species included Polyphemus pediculus (14 lakes, 943 total specimens), Leptodora kindtii (13 lakes, 276 total specimens), Chaoborus americanus (3 lakes, 177 total specimens), Chaoborus punctipennis (5 lakes, 25 total specimens) and Bythotrephes cederstroemi (3 lakes, 12 total specimens). The distribution of the plankton predators relative to pH and DOC is illustrated below. There was no conclusive evidence of a direct UV effect on these species, however the low abundance of Chaoborus species in these ultra clear lakes may suggest a possible UV effect that should be investigated further. The occurrence of Bythotrephes in these lakes also represented the first record of this exotic species in Killarney Park. This species may have a profound effect on the zooplankton communities of these lakes. pH

4.

5.

5.

6.

6.

7.

7.

8. pH

Polyphemus pediculus

DOC

Leptodora kindtii Chaoborus americanus Chaoborus punctipennis Bythotrephes cederstroemi

0.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

DOC (mg/L)

Lakes are included in the range only when more than 5 specimens were collected

17

Environmental and Community Effects on Walleye (Stizostedion vitreum) Life History Variation Jessie Binks and George Morgan Cooperative Freshwater Ecology Unit Walleye are the most preferred sport fish in Ontario but little is known about factors that affect variation in their life history. Walleye life history parameters including growth, maturation, fecundity and mortality were compared to fish community, physical and chemical data for 86 lakes sampled in northeastern Ontario. Principal component factor analysis was used to determine the influence of environmental and community factors. Environmental factors appear to influence walleye prematuration growth whereas community factors appear to influence walleye throughout their life. Prematuration growth plays a major role in determining life history characteristics. Lester et al. (2000 OMNR Report 34p.) found that walleye pre-maturation growth is influenced by Secchi depth and growing degree days, however, this study suggests that it is influenced by Secchi depth and smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) relative abundance. Regression analyses were done to investigate an environmental factor that may be driving the positive relationship between smallmouth bass relative abundance and walleye pre-maturation growth. There was a significant positive correlation between growing degree days and smallmouth bass relative abundance when using the entire data set. However, this relationship no longer exists when lakes without bass catches are removed. This may indicate a “real” relationship between smallmouth bass relative abundance and walleye pre-maturation growth. Also, smallmouth bass relative abundance does not appear to influence walleye relative abundance. This may indicate the absence of predation between the two species. The results of this study suggest that resource agencies should consider environmental and community effects when managing this important sport fish species.

Relative Abundance (smallmouth bass)

5 4

Y = 0.0041x - 5.4509 R2 = 0.1052 sig. = 0.0922

3 2 1 0 1300

1350

1400

1450

1500

1550

1600

1650

1700

1750

Growing Degree Days > 5

No significant correlation between growing degree days and smallmouth bass relative abundance when lakes without bass catches are removed.

18

The Role of Sediment Chemistry in the Recovery of Sudbury Lakes from Acidification Matthew W. Clark Cooperative Freshwater Ecology Unit Sediment core samples were taken and analysed in 1998 from eleven lakes that are part of a long-term monitoring program of lakes near Sudbury that are recovering from acidification. Measurements of surface (0-1 cm) sediment redox potential were also available from earlier studies conducted by Stahl (M.Sc. thesis, Laurentian University, 1986) in 1982-84. Similar methods were used to measure redox potential (Accumet platinum electrode) during both periods of study. In lakes with anoxic sediments, sulphate reduction by microbes apparently generated considerable alkalinity. Lakes with highly reducing sediments appeared to be less susceptible to acidification. Measured increases in reduction rates of surface sediment between the two sampling periods also appeared to explain the observed rapid recovery of pH and alkalinity in some of the monitoring lakes. From a broader survey of 34 lakes, there was evidence of a strong directional correlation between sediment organic matter in the top 5 cm of the cores, measured through loss on ignition, and redox potential. Alteration in watershed vegetation, or other factors that affect the quantity and quality of organic matter supply to lakes, may therefore have significant effects on recovery rates of lake in the Sudbury region.

Relationship of sediment redox potential with sediment organic matter in 1998 0-5 cm core slices.

19

Applying the Reference Condition Approach to Monitor Benthic Invertebrates in Streams of the Sudbury Mining Area 1

Jennifer Davidson1, Bill Keller1,2, Keith Somers2 and Glen Watson3 Cooperative Freshwater Ecology Unit 2Ontario Ministry of the Environment 3Inco Ltd.

Assessing the effects of mine effluents on stream habitats can be partly accomplished by comparing invertebrate communities at discharge sites to those at a set of chosen control sites. The Reference Condition Approach (RCA) is essentially a new method for creating groups of control (reference) sites for a given test site, and by design allows for greater flexibility and efficiency of environmental monitoring at the regional scale. In this study a set of 47 potential reference sites were chosen based on their physical similarities and geographic proximity to six effluent discharge sites. Invertebrate samples were taken from the dominant habitat type at each site using kick and sweep methods and identified to the family level. Physical attributes of the whole stream and each square metre sample location were documented using rapid assessment techniques. The figure below illustrates how the reference sites cluster together in ordination space based on their invertebrate communities, as measured by proportional representation of taxa in a 100 animal subsample. Physical attributes of the sampling sites that correlate well with the ordination axes include several water chemistry variables, substrate size and type, measures of current flow, detritus and macrophyte presence. These physical variables will be used in discriminant analysis to match the test sites with the appropriate reference group. The variance in taxa presence and abundance, as summarized by a series of biological metrics, will create the expected, or reference condition for a specific type of stream habitat. Effects of effluent discharge at the test sites will then be assessed by comparing invertebrate community metric values with the ranges present in the reference group. 2 1.5

CA Axis 2

1 0.5 0 -2.5

-2

-1.5

-1

-0.5 0 -0.5 -1

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

Marsh Slow Stream

-1.5

Fast Stream

-2

CA Axis 1

Reference site scores on correspondence analysis axes, using 47 reference sites by 59 taxonomic groups. Taxa counts per site are means for 3 replicates. Eigenvalues for CA1=0.497, CA2=0.207.

20

Past UV-B Penetration in Sudbury Area Lakes Sushil S. Dixit1, W. (Bill) Keller2, Aruna S. Dixit1 and John P. Smol1 1 Paleoecological Environmental Assessment and Research Laboratory, Department of Biology, Queen s University 2Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Cooperative Freshwater Ecology Unit We have developed a strong inference model (r2 = 0.63) to reconstruct past lakewater dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations in Sudbury area lakes. Using this model we reconstructed historical DOC concentrations in three Sudbury area lakes, and then estimated temporal changes in ultraviolet (UV) -B penetration using the inferred DOC data. These reconstructions clearly show that lakewater DOC concentrations and underwater UV-B penetration have changed significantly in the study lakes. The close correspondence between inferred and measured DOC values for the 1980s in all three lakes provides further evidence that the diatom assemblages are accurately estimating past lakewater DOC concentrations. Our DOC reconstructions in Sudbury lakes offer an excellent technique to assess past changes in DOC concentrations and UV-B penetration in Canadian shield lakes.

1% UV-B depth (m)

8

6

Clearwater Historical Clearwater Recent George Historical George Recent Whitepine Historical Whitepine Recent

4

2

0 1840 1860 1880 1900 1920 1940 1960 1980 2000

Date

21

Response of Dinoflagellates to Acidification and Climate Induced DOC Decrease David Findlay and Susan Kasian Freshwater Institute Dinoflagellate populations from unmanipulated Lake 239 and experimentally acidified Lake 302 south (Experimental Lakes Area) were examined for responses related to decreased DOC due to climatic changes and acidification (1974-98). ELA meteorological records (1968-99) indicated the region experienced a 2° C increase in air temperature and a significant decrease in precipitation (1980-89). Lake 302S, which was subjected to this climate regime, was acidified from 1982-1992 (pH 6.8 to 4.5). During the extended drought and acidification, DOC decreased and light extinction increased in Lakes 239 and 302S. Although nutrient loading (C, N, and P) decreased during the drought there was no significant decrease observed in epilimnetic concentrations. With increased light and deepening of the euphotic zone, dinoflagellate abundances increased. However, species dominance appeared to be perturbation specific. These species are mixotrophic and capable of cycling through the deeper, less light-intense, nutrient-rich waters to consume bacteria and picoplankton as an alternative source of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus. These species are generally large and slow growing and therefore suspended nutrients were held in the water column for a longer period of time.

22

The Temperature Effects of Urban Runoff and In-stream Impoundments on an Urban Brook Trout Creek; Junction Creek, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada Ray Gorzynski Cooperative Freshwater Ecology Unit Wild brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) were reportedly in Junction Creek up to as late as the 1950’s. Deforestation from logging, numerous fires, and urban sprawl caused increased erosion of soils, and a loss of shade cover from riparian vegetation. Decades of annual creek flooding led to the construction of the Maley and Nickeldale control dams, and the subsequent creation of large impoundments. Lacking shade cover, the broad surface areas of impoundments are exposed to intense solar radiation throughout the summer, which can result in increased creek temperatures. Stream temperature appears to represent the most important factor in the distribution and abundance of brook trout. Warm stream temperature can contribute to substantial increases in metabolism, reduced growth rates, and a higher susceptibility to disease. All of these factors likely led to the extirpation of brook trout from Junction Creek. The reintroduction of brook trout to the creek on April 22, 2000, provided live indicators of suitable brook trout habitat, and was the impetus for this study of how stream temperature is affected by in-stream impoundments, impervious surface runoff, and well shaded riparian areas. The four northern-most brook trout capture sites are characterized by an abundance of riparian vegetation and ample bank undercuts. The fifth southern-most site, although it lacks riparian cover, does feature deeper pools, extensive undercuts and abundant woody debris, favoured by brook trout as cover from predators and the Sun’s penetrating rays.

N c an

n tio k nc e Ju Cre

h

G

a rs

o

r nB

an

Maley Drive

ch

46°31'

h

G

so ar

n

c an r B

h

46°31'

nc t Ju

Lasalle Boulevard

Barrydowne Road

io n

C

re

ek

e al M

c an r yB

eR oad

Br

Falc on b ridg

y a le M

Trout Capture Sites Parking Lots 0

1

km

Five brook trout capture sites in a section of Junction Creek, Sudbury, Ontario.

23

Impact of the 1998 El Niño Event on a Lake Trout (Salvelinus namaycush) Population Recovering from Acidification John M. Gunn Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Cooperative Freshwater Ecology Unit Gullrock Lake is a warm, shallow (maximum depth 13 m) lake that lost its native trout population by acidification from air-borne pollutants in the 1950s-1960s. A naturally reproducing population was re-established through hatchery stocking after the water quality improved in the 1980s. The warm years triggered by the El Niño event exposed fish to bottom water temperatures of 20ºC for several weeks and resulted in the loss of all hatchery-reared juveniles that were released in 1998. A few adults survived the warm years by making use of cold water refuge areas (groundwater seepage). This study shows how climate change can eliminate trout populations at the margins of their range. It also illustrates the potential confounding effects of climate warming on aquatic ecosystems already subject to other stressors.

1998 El Niño Event Body Temperature (°C)

20 18 16 14 1998

12 10 1997

8 6 4 14-May

22-May

29-May

06-Jun

13-Jun

21-Jun

Body temperature of a lake trout (#270) in Gullrock Lake during 1997 and 1998, showing the extremely warm temperatures this fish experienced shortly after ice-out during the 1998 El Niño event.

24

Northern Lakes Recovery Study (NLRS) – Biomonitoring at the Ecosystem Level 1

John Gunn1 and Steinar Sandøy2 Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Cooperative Freshwater Ecology Unit 2 Directorate for Nature Management

NLRS is a joint Canadian/Norwegian study of the pace and extent of recovery of lake ecosystems from acidification. Twenty-one oligotrophic lakes within Killarney Park, Ontario were selected as the principal Canadian sites for this study. NLRS objectives for Killarney included: testing of new biomonitoring techniques, assessment of multiple stressor effects on recovery, and development of biological endpoints for critical load modelling. Sampling included: phytobenthos, phytoplankton, pelagic zooplankton, littoral zooplankton, sublittoral chironomids, and fish, as well as sediment cores for paleolimnological assessment of pre-industrial biotic communities. Strong statistical models were developed relating biotic composition to water quality variables. Prediction of future recovery will require additional understanding of the effects of differential colonization rates, climate variability, and the impact of unique events such as the arrival of an exotic species. Recovery proved to be best measured against modern reference data from circumneutral lakes rather than against historic data from acidified systems. One of the initial NLRS “surprises” was that some of the low DOC lakes (e.g. Nellie) were becoming much clearer in recent decades, evidence of a climate effect on recovering acidic lakes. Recovering lakes were expected to become less clear, as was the case for George Lake. George

Nellie

30

6.535

30

pH

6

2.5

30 2.5

25

Ca++

5

S ecchi

2

pH

20

20

2

Ca++

5 15

15

Secchi

10

20

15

1.5

4.5

Ca (m g/L)

25

5.5 C a (m g /L )

5.5

pH

Secchi

6

25

1.5

4.510

10

pH

5

45 1980

35

3

Secchi (m)

3

6.535

1

1985

1990

1995

2000

4 1980

1

1985

1990

1995

2000

5

Comparison of time trends in some key habitat features in 2 Killarney lakes - a rapidly recovering lake, George Lake (1.4 mg/L DOC) and an ultra clear lake, Nellie Lake (0.1 mg/L DOC).

25

Three Decades of Variation in Chemistry of 17 Pristine Boreal Shield Lakes: Implications for Detecting Climate Change Susan Kasian, Michael Stainton, and Ray Hesslein, Freshwater Institute The long-term ecological research program at the Experimental Lakes Area provides a unique opportunity to investigate natural spatial and temporal variability over decadal time scales in pristine lakes of the Canadian Boreal Shield. Chemistry analyses were available for 17 unmanipulated lakes, streams, and precipitation. Lakes and streams were sampled at least monthly for periods of 7 to 30 years. Lakes vary in surface area (4-56 ha), in depth (4-33 m), and in ratio of surface to drainage areas (3-626). All share common geography, geology and climate. Total variances of epilimnetic concentrations of 21 chemical constituents (nutrients, anions, cations, chlorophyll, DOC, pH) are examined and partitioned into 4 major components. Relative magnitudes of lake-to-lake, year-to-year, lake-year interaction, and seasonal variances are related to lake area and depth, watershed area and flushing rate. Finally, we test our ability to predict lake masses of selected constituents using only precipitation and stream loadings and physiogeographic features of the lakes. Results have implications for designing monitoring programs, assessing experimental manipulations and detecting trends due to climate change.

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Nitrate in Sudbury Area Lakes: Trends and Status Bill Keller1,2, Jocelyne Heneberry2 and Peter Dillon3 1 Ontario Ministry of the Environment 2 Cooperative Freshwater Ecology Unit 3Trent University Nitrate is the main mobile acid anion involved in nitrogen-based acidification. To date, little attention has been paid to examining patterns in nitrate concentrations in Sudbury area lakes, given the dominant influence of the Sudbury smelter emissions of sulphur on past lake acid-base status. With concerns about the possible future role of nitrate in surface water acidification, examination of patterns in lakewater nitrate concentrations in Sudbury area lakes is, however, warranted. The Sudbury area is subjected to comparatively high rates of nitrate deposition, similar to other southern areas of Ontario's Precambrian Shield containing acid-sensitive lakes. Monitoring data (single annual summer samples) for nitrate in 29 of our long-term extensive monitoring lakes were available for analysis from 1976, 1981, and 1991-1997. Linear regression analyses of nitrate concentrations against year of sampling for this period revealed significant (p < 0.05) trends in only 6 of these lakes and in all cases the trend was a decline. The reasons for the apparent nitrate declines in some of these extensive monitoring lakes are not clear, and merit further investigation. Long-term patterns in two of our more intensively monitored lakes showed substantial variability in ice-free average concentrations of nitrate during the 1980's and 1990's. However, overall patterns also reflected a general decline based on regressions of nitrate against year (Clearwater, r = -0.41, p < 0.1; Whitepine, r = -0.61, p < 0.05). Recent nitrate concentrations (1997) in the 29 extensive monitoring lakes varied from 0.14 to 18.3 µeq/L (mean - 3.6 µeq/L; median - 2.3 µeq/L). While there is no evidence of increases in recent decades, summer nitrate concentrations in these lakes were often quite high, over 5 µeq/L in 31% of the lakes. The highest nitrate values occurred in highly oligotrophic lakes with sparsely vegetated watersheds, apparently reflecting a very low degree of biological uptake in watersheds and/or low inlake productivity. 6

Clearwater

Whitepine

Nitrate (µeq/L)

5 4 3 2 1 0 1979

1981

1983

1985

1987

1989

1991

1993

1995

1997

1999

2001

Year

Annual ice-free period average (based on monthly sampling) concentrations of nitrate in two study lakes, over the period 1980 to 1999.

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Early Diagenesis of Metal and Nutrient Rich Sediment from Kelley Lake, Sudbury, Ontario 1

Alan Lock1, David Pearson1 and Nelson Belzile2 Cooperative Freshwater Ecology Unit and Dept. of Earth Sciences, Laurentian University 2 Dept. of Chemistry, Laurentian University

Since the 1880’s (early settlement in Sudbury) Kelley Lake has been a major sink for contaminants due to its location at the foot of Sudbury’s watershed. 150cm of metal and nutrient rich sediment has accumulated in the eastern basin of the lake. Ni and Cu concentrations of 1.6% and 0.9% respectively, occur in the top 5cm of sediment. The Sudbury Sewage Treatment Plant’s discharge point is located 1.5 km upstream of the lake. Prior to 1972 raw sewage was discharged to the lake. Organic matter in the top 60cm is between 10% and 15%. 150cm long sediment cores have been sub-sampled at a resolution of 1cm for the first 15cm, every 5cm from 15 to 60cm, and every 10cm from 60 to150cm. The sub-samples have been sequentially leached to determine the concentration of Ni, Cu, P, and Fe that is associated with the fractions referred to as 1. easily exchangeable, 2. carbonate bound, 3. Fe/Mn bound, 4. organic bound, 5. sulphide bound, and 6. residual. The leaching step termed “organic bound” may dissolve some sulphides as well. Ni and Mn profiles have almost identical trends. The prevailing trend is an increase in concentration between 150cm and 40cm, which reflects the growth of the mining operations. Above 40cm a decrease in concentration likely shows the positive impact the “super stack” (1971) had on the local environment. Between 12 and 5cm a zone of enrichment exists due to the oxidation of Mn and coprecipitation of Ni and Mn that has diffused upward. Cu is mainly leached from the “organic bound” fraction. A concentration decrease above 70cm may be due to changes in technology that reduced Cu emissions even before the “super stack”. P is primarily leached from the sulphide fraction, but significant portions are found in the organic bound and slightly less in the Fe/Mn oxide fraction. Above and below the transition zone between ferric and ferrous Fe, the organic bound portion increases and the Fe/Mn oxide bound fraction decreases. This shows that P liberated from the degradation of organic matter is precipitated with Fe/Mn oxide at this zone. The sulphide bound P has a very similar trend to the sulphide bound Fe. This suggests that P is captured during the formation of Fe sulphides. NICKEL

MANGANESE

0 20

20

40

40

60

60

Depth (cm)

Depth (cm)

0

(error bars removed for clarity)

80 100 120

80 100 120

140

140

160 0

2

4

6

8

10

12

160 0

Conc. (mg/g)

2

4

6

8

10

Conc. (mg/g)

Exchangeable

Carbonate Bound

Fe Mn Oxide Bound

Exchangeable

Carbonate Bound

"Organic Bound"

Sulfide Bound

Residual

"Organic Bound"

Sulfide Bound

Fe Mn Oxide Bound

Sequential Extraction of a Sediment Profile from Kelley Lake (modified from Tessier's method)

28

Research in Ontario Parks Ed Morris, Ontario Parks, Northeast Zone, Sudbury Ontario Parks conducts and permits research in the province's provincial parks. Ontario Parks' own research focuses on the biological, geological, cultural, and recreational values that exist in the parks system. Reconnaissance surveys are most often carried-out by Ontario Parks and OMNR staff, whereas detailed assessments are contracted to consultants. In the future, Ontario Parks plans to support research into species-at-risk and environmental monitoring. Ontario Parks' research activities in provincial parks are guided by the OMNR Policy PM 2.45. A research application must be completed for any research project proposed by researchers outside the OMNR, or any projects proposed by OMNR staff which have the potential for adverse effects on park resources, values, or visitors. Ontario Parks reviews unsolicited research submissions, and is often able to provide some level of support by waiving fees and providing equipment where possible. Although our ability to provide direct funding is limited, unsolicited research submissions are welcome as they assist Ontario Parks establish or re-evaluate research priorities. This poster is presented to provide further details about research opportunities in Ontario Parks.

29

Campsite Rehabilitation in the Northeast Zone of Ontario Provincial Parks Site Planning Team of the Northeast Zone Northeast Zone of Ontario’s Provincial Parks offers campers unique environments in which to visit or camp. Campsite use can cause various adverse effects on the surrounding natural environment. Most sites in need of rehabilitation suffer from soil compaction, lack of understory trees, insufficient buffer, improperly located & defined parking spur, improperly located site furniture, and damaged vegetation (damage caused by unplanned trails, disease, vandalism). More specifically there is a loss of ground cover, change in species composition, soil erosion, improper drainage, loss of overstory vegetation, and a reduction in aesthetic quality. The degradation of sites is not only attributed to camper negligence, but also to improperly laid out sites. Problems occurring because of improper location of site, parking spur, site furniture, etc. are design related. Preventing further degradation is accomplished through fixing design related problems and educating park visitors/campers. Currently rehabilitation and upgrading of campsites is carried out to accommodate activity demands while protecting the park resources. This is accomplished through the implementation of planning, design and development standards. Rehabilitation of campsites in the parks is an ongoing process for Ontario Parks, its partners and park visitors.

30

The Use of GIS in the Presentation and Evaluation of Environmental Data in the New City of Greater Sudbury. François Prévost Cooperative Freshwater Ecology Unit and Dept. of Earth Sciences, Laurentian University Geographical Information Systems (GIS) can be used in the presentation and use of environmental data in the newly established City of Greater Sudbury because GIS can agglomerate vast amounts of field, analytical and spatial data to produce a graphical result. As a first step, a base map of the lakes in the new City has been produced using ESRI’s ArcView GIS software and the MNR’s NRVIS database. This map includes every lake, stream and creek that contains water year round. Other themes such as watersheds, roads, rails and elevation are also available for the new City. Now that this map of spatial data is completed, it can be used for environmental analysis. It also presents a major opportunity for the new City to make water quality and environmental information available to the public through a web site. Lake data has been collected for several decades in the Sudbury region by various organisations and companies, including the Cooperative Freshwater Ecology Unit, the Ministry of the Environment, Ministry of Natural Resources and Inco Ltd. but the various databases were never agglomerated. As well as water quality, other environmental parameters have been collected that could be merged into a GIS model of the Sudbury region. These parameters include soil pH, L.O.I., and metal content, vegetation metal content, temperature, precipitation, wind direction and finally smelter emissions. GIS software can combine these seemingly unrelated themes and can show quantitatively that some of these parameters have affected or are affecting water quality. Merging terrestrial environmental data in the GIS model is important because if a contaminant is released on land, it will eventually move down the watershed. The GIS model could lead to a better understanding of the lake and terrestrial ecosystems of the City of Greater Sudbury. GIS map of lakes over 100000m2 in the City of Greater Sudbury Subwatersheds in the City of Greater Sudbury

Nickel conc. in soils of the City of Greater Sudbury (dark=high conc.)

conc. in sediment between 4-5cminbelow the sediment surf. Sudbury of Kelley Lake (dark=high conc.) Examples of Nickel the use of the GIS map of lakes the City of Greater

31

A Conceptual Plan for Restoring the Frood Branch of Junction Creek Carrie Regenstreif Junction Creek Stewardship Committee The Frood sub-watershed drains into three streams that meet in the reservoir behind the Nickeldale dam. From there, a single stream heads south into the so-called Ponderosa wetland, to join the main branch of Junction Creek coming from Garson through New Sudbury. Historic water chemistry data and a recent benthic invertebrate survey showed that water quality in the Frood branch is extremely poor, but it is expected to begin improving soon because of a major remediation project completed by INCO Ltd. early in 2001. Drainage from the Frood airstrip, constructed in the 1950s of waste rock from the Stobie open pit, has been diverted from Junction Creek towards a treatment facility. The Junction Creek Stewardship Committee has chosen to focus much of its attention on the Frood branch over the next few years. Sudbury’s Land Reclamation Program will plant at least 40,000 trees here in 2001 and 2002. Soil liming, fertilizing, and seeding are also planned. Volunteers will remove garbage from the creek and will plant another 6,000 trees. Stewardship committee members will collect water samples on a regular basis, to be analyzed by the Ministry of Environment, and will repeat the invertebrate survey to document the recovery rate of the site. The committee is looking into the possibility of developing a wetland area upstream of the Nickeldale dam (shown on the map, it is currently dry for much of the year). Boardwalks and raised viewing areas could be constructed in the wetland, and a system of trails developed throughout the area between the wetland and dam. A series of interpretive signs would help people understand the importance of wetlands and how a healthy aquatic ecosystem is being restored here.

Frood Branch Restoration Project

32

Correlation Between Microcrustaceans and Environmental Variables Along an Acidification Gradient in Sudbury, Canada Ann Kristin L. Schartau1, Bjørn Walseng1 and Ed Snucins2 1 Norwegian Institute for Nature Research2 Cooperative Freshwater Ecology Unit Multivariate methods were used to relate microcrustacean (pelagic and littoral) richness and composition (presence/absence) to water quality and other environmental variables. All acidification variables (pH, aluminium, ANC) showed significant correlation with both species richness and composition. The variation in microcrustacean richness was best explained by the combination of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), fish species richness and lake area (Table 1). Of 16 variables tested, pH showed strongest correlation with the main gradient in the crustacean composition explaining between 13 and 16% of the variance in the species data (CCA). pH, elevation, lake area, mean depth, DOC, conductivity, fish species richness and ANC explained 30-54% of the total variance (Table 2). Stronger correlation was obtained between species composition and environmental data in analyses which included the between-year differences than analyses based on the cumulative species records. Analyses based on the pelagic species exclusively gave similarly stronger correlation than analyses based on all microcrustacean species. The influence of time was small (0.5-4.4%) and a significant correlation between variation in species composition and time was found for the subset including the pelagic species only. Small changes in the species composition during the three years of study may be an indication of recovery of microcrustaceans in Killarney lakes, but may also be due to year-to-year variations in other environmental variables, e.g. the climate. TABLE 1: Relationship between microcrustacean species richness and environmental variables identified by stepwise linear regression analyses. The analyses are based on data from 23 Killarney lakes, Sudbury, Canada. Only significant regressions (p 4mg L-1) Killarney Park lakes. Means within each DOC category with the same letters are not significantly different (P > 0.05; repeated measures ANOVA).

34

Northeastern Ontario Lake Trout Enhancement Project Ed Snucins1 and Wayne Selinger2 1 Cooperative Freshwater Ecology Unit 2 Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources Loss or degradation of lake trout populations occurred in almost 100 northeastern Ontario lakes that acidified from atmospheric deposition of sulphur or surface drainage from mine tailings. The Northeastern Ontario Lake Trout Enhancement Project was established to determine the current status of the fish communities in those industrially damaged lakes and to develop plans for rehabilitative stocking. During 2000 we surveyed 20 of the lakes and found that fish community recovery is lagging behind the chemical improvements that have followed atmospheric pollution reductions. The lakes currently have 127 fewer fish populations (a species in a lake) than the estimated number expected in unacidified lakes of similar size. We found four reproducing lake trout populations, but were surprised to discover smallmouth bass, a species that is equally or more acidsensitive than lake trout, in seven lakes. The re-colonization by bass has occurred naturally through immigration from healthy lakes and by unauthorized stocking. Recovering lake trout populations may be particularly sensitive to the impact that invading species such as bass have on food web structure and resource managers will need to take this into account when developing rehabilitation plans.

Regions of acid-damaged lake trout lakes included in the Northeastern Ontario Lake Trout Enhancement Project.

35

Crustacean Communities Along a pH Gradient: Comparisons Between Canada and Norway Bjørn Walseng Norwegian Institute for Nature Research Increased pH in acid lakes changes the crustacean fauna from communities dominated by acid-tolerant species to communities dominated by more acid-sensitive species. Studies from Canada (Killarney) and southeastern Norway (Østfold county) have demonstrated that planktonic and littoral crustaceans can be used as indicators of such recoveries. In both places the cladocerans Alona rustica and Acantholeberis curvirostris were found in acidic lakes, whereas Alona costata and the copepod Eucyclops macrurus were found in near neutral lakes. The calanoids Leptodiaptomus minutus in North America and Eudiaptomus gracilis in Europe, both dominate in acidic water, and may ecologically be equivalent species. Sometimes the same species occur at different pH in the two continents. Bosmina longirostris and Alonella excisa may serve as examples, but a pertinent question is whether or not they are really the same species.

36

Participants Yves Alarie Laurentian Univ. Dept. of Biology Ramsey Lake Rd. Sudbury ON P3E 2C6 Phone: 705-675-1151 ext. 2846 Fax: 705-675-4859 [email protected] Madhur Anand Laurentian Univ. Dept. of Biology Ramsey Lake Rd. Sudbury ON P3E 2C6 Phone: 705-675-1151 ext. 2213 [email protected] Shelley Arnott Laurentian Univ. Dept. of Biology Ramsey Lake Rd. Sudbury ON P3E 2C6 Phone: 705-675-1151 ext. 4802 Fax: 705-675-4859 [email protected] Debbie Audet Laurentian Univ. Dept. of Biology Ramsey Lake Rd. Sudbury ON P3E 2C6 Phone: 705-675-1151 ext. 2356 Fax: 705-675-4859 [email protected] Stephanie Bailey Laurentian Univ. Dept. of Biology 203 MSR Sudbury ON P3E 2C6 Phone: 705-674-7423 [email protected] Stacey Baker Laurentian Univ. Dept. of Biology Ramsey Lake Rd. Sudbury ON P3E 2C6 Phone: 705-669-1689 [email protected] Paul Baskcomb City of Greater Sudbury P.O. Box 3700, Station A Sudbury ON P3A 5W5 Phone: 705-671-2489 Fax: 705-673-5171 [email protected]

Kaela Beauclerc Co-op Unit Laurentian Univ. Dept. of Biology Ramsey Lake Rd. Sudbury ON P3E 2C6 Phone: 705-675-1151 ext. 2305 Fax: 705-671-3857 [email protected] Peter Beckett Laurentian Univ. Dept. of Biology Ramsey Lake Rd. Sudbury ON P3E 2C6 Phone: 705-675-1151 ext. 2259 Fax: 705-675-4859 [email protected]

Chris Blomme Laurentian Univ. Dept. of Biology Ramsey Lake Rd. Sudbury ON P3E 2C6 Phone: 705-675-1151 ext. 2115 Fax: 705-675-4859 [email protected] Dan Bouillon Inco Ltd., Safety-Health & Environment Department General Engineering Building Copper Cliff ON P0M 1N0 Phone: 705-682-8485 Fax: 705-682-6976 [email protected]

Mark Bednarz Placer Dome, Detour Lake Mine 389 Spruce St. N. Timmins ON P4N 6N6 Phone: 705-245-3211 ext. 155 Fax: 705-245-3215 [email protected]

Rick Bradley Ontario Ministry of Northern Development and Mines 933 Ramsey Lake Rd. Sudbury ON P3E 6B5 Phone: 705-670-5795 Fax: 705-670-5803 [email protected]

Nelson Belzile Laurentian Univ. Dept. of Chemistry and Biochemistry Ramsey Lake Rd. Sudbury ON P3E 2C6 Phone: 705-675-1151 ext. 2114 Fax: 705-675-4844 [email protected]

Frank Brunton Science North 100 Ramsey Lake Rd. Sudbury ON P3E 5S9 Phone: 705-522-3701 ext. 247 Fax: 705-523-1283 [email protected]

Karen Besemann Golder Associates Ltd. 662 Falconbridge Rd. Sudbury ON P3A 4S4 Phone: 705-524-6861 kbesemann@golder Matthew Binks Cambrian College 1400 Barrydowne Rd. Sudbury ON P3A 3V8 Phone: 705-566-8101 ext. 7217 Fax: 705-566-9582 [email protected] Jessie Binks Co-op Unit, Laurentian Univ. Dept. of Biology Ramsey Lake Rd. Sudbury ON P3E 2C6 Phone: 705-671-3861 Fax: 705-671-3857 [email protected]

Tom Brydges York Univ. Dept. of Environmental Studies 4700 Keele St., 355 Lumbers Building Toronto ON M3J 1P3 Phone: 416-736-5252 Fax: 416-736-5679 [email protected] Marc Butler Falconbridge Ltd. Edison Building Falconbridge ON P0M 1S0 Phone: 705-693-2761 ext. 3356 Fax: 705-699-3932 [email protected] Linda Byron-Fortin Falconbridge Ltd., Kidd Mine P.O. Box 2002 Timmins ON P4N 7K1 Phone: 705-267-8789 Fax: 705-267-8884 [email protected]

37

Jim Carbone Ontario Ministry of the Environment 199 Larch St., 11th Floor Sudbury ON P3E 5P9 Phone: 705-564-3240 Fax: 705-564-4180 [email protected] Kevin Cash Environment Canada, National Water Research Institute, Aquatic Ecosystem Impacts Research Branch 11 Innovation Blvd. Saskatoon SK S7N 3H5 Phone: 306-975-4676 Fax: 306-975-5143 [email protected] Mark Charboneau Testmark Labs 22 Brady St. Sudbury ON P3E 6E1 Phone: 705-669-0123 [email protected] Yuwei Chen Laurentian Univ. Dept. of Chemistry and Biochemistry Ramsey Lake Rd. Sudbury ON P3E 2C6 Phone: 705-675-1151 ext. 2116 Fax: 705-675-4844 [email protected] Sandford Clark Aquatic Sciences Inc. 250 Martindale Rd., P.O. Box 2205 St. Catharines ON L2R 7R8 Phone: 905-641-0941 ext. 225 Fax: 905-641-1825 [email protected] Matt Clark Univ. of Toronto Dept. of Chemistry 80 St. George St. Toronto ON M5S 3H6 Phone: 416-978-3596 Eric Cobb Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources 148 Fleming St. Espanola ON P5E 1R8 Phone: 705-869-3804 Fax: 705-869-4620 [email protected]

Leslie Cooper Ontario Ministry of Northern Development and Mines 5312 Pinehill Rd. Sudbury ON Phone: 705-670-5834 Fax: 705-670-5803 [email protected]

Jen Davidson Co-op Unit Laurentian Univ. Dept. of Biology Ramsey Lake Rd. Sudbury ON P3E 2C6 Phone: 705-675-4881 Fax: 705-671-3857

Gerard Courtin Laurentian Univ. Dept. of Biology Ramsey Lake Rd. Sudbury ON P3E 2C6 Phone: 705-675-1151 ext. 2237 [email protected]

Anne Dechaine Science North 100 Ramsey Lake Rd. Sudbury ON P3E 5S9 Phone: 705-522-3701 ext. 264 Fax: 705-523-1283 [email protected]

Patrice Couture Laurentian Univ. Dept. of Biology Ramsey Lake Rd. Sudbury ON P3E 2C6 Phone: 705-675-1151 ext. 2356 Fax: 705-675-4859 [email protected]

Peter Dillon Trent Univ., Environmental and Resource Studies/Chemistry 1600 W. Bank Dr. Peterborough ON K9J 7B8 Phone: 705-748-1011 ext. 1536 [email protected]

Dick Cowan Ontario Ministry of Northern Development and Mines 933 Ramsey Lake Rd. Sudbury ON P3E 6B5 Phone: 705-670-5784 Fax: 705-670-5754 [email protected]

Sushil Dixit PEARL, Queens Univ. Dept. of Biology 116 Barrie St. Kingston ON K7L 3N6 Phone: 613-533-6159 Fax: 613-533-6617 [email protected]

Barb Crosbie Aquatic Sciences Inc. 250 Martindale Rd., P.O. Box 2205 St Catharines ON L2R 7R8 Phone: 905-641-0941 ext.225 Fax: 905-641-1825 [email protected] Damian D'Aguiar Inco Ltd., Safety-Health & Environment Department General Engineering Building Copper Cliff ON P0M 1N0 Phone: 705-682-8281 Fax: 705-682-6976 [email protected] Lothar Dahlke Department of Fisheries and Oceans 1 Canal Dr. Sault Ste. Marie ON P6A 6W4 Phone: 705-941-2009 Fax: 705-941-2013

Marc Donato Co-op Unit, Laurentian Univ. Dept. of 442 Whittaker St. Sudbury ON P3C 3Y2 Phone: 705-674-9035 [email protected] Andrew Doolittle Ontario Ministry of the Environment 199 Larch St., 11th Floor Sudbury ON P3E 5P9 [email protected] Warren Dunlop Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, South Central Science and Information RR#2 Bracebridge ON P1L 1W9 Phone: 705-646-5548 Fax: 705-645-7379 [email protected]

38

Guy Fenech Environment Canada, Science Assessment and Policy Integration Branch 4905 Dufferin St. Toronto ON M3H 5T4 Phone: 416-739-4649 Fax: 416-739-4882 [email protected] Bob Florean Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources 148 Fleming St. Espanola ON P5E 1R8 Phone: 705-869-3806 Fax: 705-869-4620 [email protected] Martyn Futter Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Dorset Environmental Science Centre Bellwood Acres Rd., P.O. Box 39 Dorset ON P0A 1E0 Phone: 705-766-2030 Fax: 705-766-2254 [email protected] Joe Fyfe Falconbridge Ltd. Onaping ON P0M 2R0 Phone: 705-966-3411 ext. 6426 Fax: 705-966-6550 [email protected] Peggy Gale Ontario Ministry of the Environment 199 Larch St., 11th Floor Sudbury ON P3E 5P9 Phone: 705-564-3239 Fax: 705-564-4180 [email protected] Ray Gorzynski Co-op Unit, Laurentian Univ. Dept. of Ramsey Lake Rd. Sudbury ON P3E 2C6 Phone: 705-675-4881 [email protected] Paul Graham City of Greater Sudbury P.O. Box 3700, Station A Sudbury ON P3A 5W5 Phone: 705-671-2489 ext. 4161 Fax: 705-673-5171 [email protected]

Murray Greenfield Falconbridge Ltd., Smelter Business Unit Falconbridge ON P0M 1S0 Phone: 705-693-2761 ext.3921 [email protected] Sergio Grillanda Cambrian College 1400 Barrydowne Sudbury ON P3A 3V8 Phone: 705-566-8101 ext. 7468 Fax: 705-521-0561 John Gunn Co-op Unit, Laurentian Univ. Dept. of Biology/Ontario Ministry of Natural Ramsey Lake Rd. Sudbury ON P3E 2C6 Phone: 705-675-1151 ext. 4831 Fax: 705-671-3857 [email protected] Jennifer Hallet Department of Fisheries and Oceans 1 Canal Dr. Sault Ste. Marie ON P6A 6W4 Phone: 705-941-2009 Fax: 705-941-2013 Rizwan Haq Laurentian Univ. Dean of Science and Engineering Ramsey Lake Rd. Sudbury ON P3E 2C6 Phone: 705-675-1151 ext. 2221, 2261 [email protected] Charles Hendry Ontario Ministry of the Environment HWY 101 E., P.O. Box 3020 South Porcupine ON P0N 1H0 Phone: 705-235-1212 Fax: 705-235-1251 [email protected] Jocelyne Heneberry Co-op Unit, Laurentian Univ. Dept. of Ramsey Lake Rd. Sudbury ON P3E 2C6 Phone: 705-671-3859 Fax: 705-671-3857 [email protected]

Henry Hengeveld Environment Canada, Senior Science Advisor on Climate Change Meteorological Service of Canada 4905 Dufferin St. Downsview ON M3H 5T4 Phone: 416-739-4323 Fax: 416-739-4882 [email protected] Daniel Hewitt Inco Ltd., Stobie Mine Copper Cliff ON P0M 1N0 Phone: 705-525-3236 Jim Hicks Cambrian College 1400 Barrydowne Sudbury ON P3A 3V8 Phone: 705-566-8101 ext. 7468 Fax: 705-521-0561 Margaret Hoar 1926 Hunter St. Sudbury ON P3E 2S4 Phone: 705-523-2610 John Hogenbirk Centre for Rural and Northern Health Ramsey Lake Rd. Sudbury ON P3E 2C6 Phone: 705-675-1151 ext. 3435 Fax: 705-675-4855 [email protected] Carrie Holt York Univ. Dept. of Biology 4700 Keele St. Toronto ON M3J 1P3 Phone: 416-736-2100 ext. 22936 [email protected] Cameron Hopkins Cambrian College 1400 Barrydowne Sudbury ON P3A 3V8 Phone: 705-566-8101 ext. 7468 Fax: 705-521-0561 Jason Houle Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Lake Huron Research Unit 1450 7th Ave. E. Owen Sound ON N4K 2Z1 Phone: 519-371-5608 Fax: 519-371-5844 [email protected]

39

Carolyn Hunt Inco Ltd., Safety-Health & Environment Department General Engineering Building Copper Cliff ON P0M 2E0 Phone: 705-682-8248 Fax: 705-682-6976 [email protected] Joe Hurley NOA Ltd. 9 Quimby Crt. Sudbury ON P3E 5X4 Phone: 705-521-6038 Fax: 705-521-6039 [email protected] Doug Innes Ontario Parks 382 Nepahwin Ave. Sudbury ON P3E 2H6 Phone: 705-564-3167 Fax: 705-564-3171 [email protected] Donald Jackson Univ. of Toronto Dept. of Zoology 25 Harbord St. Toronto ON M5S 3G5 Phone: 416-978-0976 Fax: 416-978-8532 [email protected] Dean Jeffries Environment Canada, National Water Research Institute 867 Lakeshore Rd., P.O. Box 5050 Burlington ON L7R 4A6 Phone: 905-336-4969 Fax: 905-336-6430 [email protected] Kerilyn Jones Ontario Parks 199 Larch St., Suite 404 Sudbury ON P3E 5P9 Phone: 705-564-3169 Fax: 705-564-3171 [email protected] Robin Jones Golder Associates Ltd. 662 Falconbridge Rd. Sudbury ON P3A 4S4 Phone: 705-524-6861 rcjones@golder

Max Kasper Ontario Ministry of the Environment 199 Larch St., Suite 1101 Sudbury ON P3E 5P9 Phone: 705-564-3246 Fax: 705-564-4180 [email protected] Bill Keller Co-op Unit, Laurentian Univ. Dept. of Biology/Ontario Ministry of the Environment Ramsey Lake Rd. Sudbury ON P3E 2C6 Phone: 705-671-3858 Fax: 705-671-3857 [email protected] John Kelso Department of Fisheries and Oceans 1 Canal Dr. Sault Ste Marie ON P6A 6W4 Phone: 705-942-2848 Fax: 705-941-3025 [email protected] Denis Kemp Falconbridge Ltd. 95 Wellington St. W., Suite 1200 Toronto ON M5J 2V4 Phone: 416-956-5834 Fax: 416-956-5839 [email protected] Will Kershaw Ontario Parks, Ontario Ministry of NaturalResources 199 Larch St. Sudbury ON P3E 5P9 Phone: 705-564-3168 Fax: 705-564-3171 [email protected] Jim Kristmanson Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources Hwy 101E, P.O. Bag 3020 South Porcupine ON P0N 1H0 Phone: 705-235-1231 Fax: 705-235-1251 [email protected] Phil Landry Ontario Ministry of the Environment 199 Larch St., 11th Floor Sudbury ON P3E 5P9 Phone: 705-564-3222 Fax: 705-564-4180 [email protected]

Lisa Lanteigne Inco Ltd., Safety-Health & Environment Department General Engineering Building Copper Cliff ON P0M 1N0 Phone: 705-682-8172 Fax: 705-682-6976 [email protected] Carol Larocque Cambrian College 1400 Barrydowne Sudbury ON P3A 3V8 Phone: 705-566-8101 ext. 7468 Fax: 705-521-0561 Sophie Laurence Laurentian Univ. Dept. of Biology Ramsey Lake Rd. Sudbury ON P3E 2C6 [email protected] Bill Lautenbach City of Greater Sudbury P.O. Box 3700, Station A Sudbury ON P3A 5W5 Phone: 705-673-2171 Fax: 705-673-2200 [email protected] Sergei Levine Elliot Lake Research Field Station of Laurentian University Elliot Lake ON P5A 2R8 Phone: 705-461-8903 Fax: 705-461-8550 [email protected] Cheryl Lewis Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Aquatic Ecosystem Science Section 300 Water St., 3rd Floor N., P.O. Box 7000 Peterborough ON K9N 8M5 Phone: 705-755-1561 Fax: 705-755-1559 [email protected] Jan Linquist NAR Environmental Consultants Inc. 1130 Southlane Rd. Sudbury ON P3C 1N6 Phone: 705-522-5990 Fax: 705-522-1898 [email protected]

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Alan Lock Laurentian Univ. Dept. of Earth Sciences Ramsey Lake Rd. Sudbury ON P3E 2C6 [email protected] Janet Lowe Golder Associates Ltd. 662 Falconbridge Rd. Sudbury ON P3A 4S4 Phone: 705-524-6861 Fax: 705-524-1984 [email protected]

Dougal McCreath Elliot Lake Research Field Station of Laurentian University 75 Dieppe Ave. Elliot Lake ON P5A 2R8 Phone: 705-461-8903 Fax: 705-461-8550 [email protected]

Kathy McDonald Science North 100 Ramsey Lake Rd. Sudbury ON P3E 5S9 Phone: 705-522-3701 ext. 253 Fax: 705-523-1283 Ashok Lumb Environment Canada, EMAN Coordinating [email protected] 867 Lakeshore Rd., P.O. Box 5050 Burlington ON L7R 4A6 Barb McDougall-Murdoch Phone: 905-336-4413 Greater City of Sudbury Fax: 905-336-4499 P.O. Box 3700, Station A [email protected] Sudbury ON P3A 5W5 Phone: 705-674-4455 ext. 4690 Fax: 705-673-5171 Hugh MacIssac [email protected] Univ. of Windsor Dept. of Biology 134 Glier St. Bill McIlveen Windsor ON N9B 3P4 Ontario Ministry of the Environment Phone: 519-253-3000 ext. 3754 R.R. #1 Fax: 519-971-3609 Acton ON L7J 2L7 [email protected] Phone: 519-853-3948 Michael Malette Co-op Unit, Laurentian Univ. Dept. of Ramsey Lake Rd. Sudbury ON P3E 2C6 Phone: 705-675-4832 Fax: 705-671-3857 [email protected] Franco Mariotti Science North 100 Ramsey Lake Rd. Sudbury ON P3E 5S9 Phone: 705-522-3701 ext. 244 Fax: 705-523-1283 [email protected] Tina McCaffrey The Greater City of Sudbury 200 Brady St., P.O. Box 5000, Station A Sudbury ON P3A 5P3 Phone: 705-671-2489 Fax: 705-673-2200 [email protected].

[email protected] Brian McMahon Ontario Ministry of the Environment 199 Larch St., 11th Floor Sudbury ON P3E 5P9 Phone: 705-564-3218 Fax: 705-564-4180 [email protected] Rob Mellow Golder Associates Ltd. 662 Falconbridge Rd. Sudbury ON P3A 4S4 Phone: 705-524-6861 Fax: 705-524-1984 [email protected] Tim Meyer Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Ontario Forest Research Institute 1235 Queen St. E. Sault Ste. Marie ON P6A 2ES Phone: 705-946-2981 Fax: 705-946-2030 [email protected]

Gabrielle Miller Laurentian Univ., Graduate Studies and Ramsey Lake Rd. Sudbury ON P3E 2C6 Phone: 705-675-1151 ext. 3213 [email protected] Sean Miller Severn Sound RAP c/o Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre P.O. Box 100 Midland ON L0K 1E0 Phone: 705-526-7809 Fax: 705-526-3294 [email protected] George Morgan Co-op Unit, Laurentian Univ. Dept. of Ramsey Lake Rd. Sudbury ON P3E 2C6 Phone: 705-671-3859 Fax: 705-671-3857 [email protected] Gary Morgan Elliot Lake Research Field Station of Laurentian University 75 Dieppe Ave. Elliot Lake ON P5A 2R8 Phone: 705-461-8375 Fax: 705-461-8550 [email protected] J. R. Morris Laurentian Univ. Dept. of Biology Ramsey Lake Rd. Sudbury ON P3E 2C6 Phone: 705-675-1151 ext. 2289 Fax: 705-675-4859 [email protected] Ed Morris Ontario Parks 199 Larch St., Suite 404 Sudbury ON P3E 5P9 Phone: 705-564-9748 Fax: 705-564-3171 [email protected] Geoff Munro Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources 1235 Queen St. E. Sault Ste. Marie ON P6A 2E5 Phone: 705-946-2981 [email protected]

41

Dale Myslik Science North 100 Ramsey Lake Rd. Sudbury ON P3E 5S9 Phone: 705-522-3701 Fax: 705-523-1283 [email protected]

Dave Pearson Laurentian Univ. Dept. of Earth Sciences Ramsey Lake Rd. Sudbury ON P3E 2C6 Phone: 705-675-1151 ext. 2336 Fax: 705-673-6508 [email protected]

Roger Pitblado Laurentian Univ. Dept. of Geography Ramsey Lake Rd. Sudbury ON P3E 2C6 Phone: 705-675-1151 ext. 3355 Fax: 705-675-4893 [email protected]

Dan Napier Regional Municipality of Sudbury P.O. Box 3700, Station A Sudbury ON P3A 5W5 Phone: 705-673-2171 Fax: 705-673-2200 [email protected]

Chris Peloso Falconbridge Ltd. 485 Brenda Dr. Falconbridge ON P3E 5S7 Phone: 705-522-7999 [email protected]

Fran‡ois Pr‚vost Laurentian Univ. Dept. of Earth Sciences Ramsey Lake Rd. Sudbury ON P3E 2C6 [email protected]

John Negusanti Ontario Ministry of the Environment 199 Larch St., 11th Floor Sudbury ON P3E 5P9 Phone: 705-564-3249 Fax: 705-564-4180 [email protected] Doreen Ojala Falconbridge Ltd. 32 Lakeshore Dr. Falconbridge ON P0M 1S0 Phone: 705-693-7296 [email protected] Alexander Okonski Elliot Lake Research Field Station of Laurentian University 75 Dieppe Ave. Elliot Lake ON P5A 2R8 Phone: 705-461-8903 Fax: 705-461-8550 [email protected] Ron Paolin Ontario Ministry of the Environment 199 Larch St., 11th Floor Sudbury ON P3E 5P9 Phone: 705-564-3212 Fax: 705-564-4180 [email protected] Mike Paterson Freshwater Institute 501 Univ. Cr. Winnipeg MN R3T 2N6 Phone: 204-984-4508 Fax: 204-984-2404 [email protected]

Anurani Persaud York Univ. Dept. of Biology 15 Eagleridge Dr. Brampton ON M3J 1P3 Phone: 905-458-4654 [email protected]

Lyse Provencal Inco Ltd., Safety-Health & Environment Department General Engineering Building Sudbury ON P0M 2E0 Phone: 705-682-8367 Fax: 705-682-6976 [email protected]

Mike Peters Inco Ltd., Safety-Health & Environment Department General Engineering Building Copper Cliff ON P0M 1N0 Phone: 705-682-6270 Fax: 705-682-6286 [email protected]

Marty J. Puro Mine Waste Management Inc. 75 Dieppe Ave. Elliot Lake ON P5A 2R8 Phone: 705-461-1939 Fax: 705-461-1344 [email protected]

Tom Peters T.H. Peters Consulting 21 School St., P.O. Box 607 Copper Cliff ON P0M 1N0 Phone: 705-682-1185 Fax: 705-682-1551

Greg Pyle Laurentian Univ. Dept. of Biology Ramsey Lake Rd. Sudbury ON P3E 2C6 Phone: 705-675-1151 ext. 2353 [email protected]

Ed Piche Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Environmental Monitoring and Reporting 125 Resources Rd. Etobicoke ON M9P 3V6 Phone: 905-235-6160 Fax: 905-235-6235 [email protected]

Jamie Rajotte Laurentian Univ. Dept. of Biology Ramsey Lake Rd. Sudbury ON P3E 2C6 [email protected]

Matthew Pickard Falconbridge Ltd. 153 Baker St. Falconbridge ON P3C 2E8 Phone: 705-564-9228 [email protected]

Carrie Regenstreif Nickel District Conservation Authority 200 Brady St., Tom Davies Square Sudbury ON P3E 5K3 Phone: 705-695-2902 Fax: 705-674-7939 [email protected]

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Rick Riengeutte Inco Ltd., Safety-Health & Environment Department General Engineering Building Copper Cliff ON P0M 1N0 Phone: 705-682-8143 Fax: 705-682-6976 [email protected] Lindsay Robb Laurentian Univ. Dept. of Biology Ramsey Lake Rd. Sudbury ON P3E 2C6 [email protected] Harvey Robbins Sault College P.O. Box 60 Sault Ste. Marie ON P6A 5L3 Phone: 705-759-2554 ext. 459 Fax: 705-759-0731 [email protected]

Paul Sajatovic Nickel District Conservation Authority 200 Brady St. Sudbury ON P3E 5K3 Phone: 705-674-5249 Fax: 705-674-7939 [email protected]

John Sferrazza Aquatic Sciences Inc. 250 Martindale Rd., P.O. Box 2205 St. Catherines ON L2R 7R8 Phone: 905-641-0941 ext. 225 Fax: 905-641-1825 [email protected]

Steinar Sandoy Directorate of Nature Conservation Tungasletta 2 N-7005 Trondheim, Norway [email protected]

Margo Shaw Upper Lakes Environmental Research Network 443 Northern Ave. E., P.O. Box 60 Sault Ste. Marie ON P6A 5L3 Phone: 705-759-2554 ext. 540 Fax: 705-253-9986

Ann Kristin Schartau NINA Tungasletta 2 N-7005 Trondheim, Norway [email protected]

Wolfgang Scheider Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Environmental Monitoring and Reporting 125 Resources Rd. John Robertson Ontario Ministry of Northern Development Etobicoke ON M9P 3V6 and Mines Phone: 416-235-5810 933 Ramsey Lake Rd. Fax: 416-235-6349 Sudbury ON P3E 6B5 [email protected] Phone: 705-670-5798 Fax: 705-670-5803 Keith Scott [email protected] Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources 3767 HWY. 69 S. Sudbury ON P3G 1E7 Jean-Francois Robitaille Laurentian Univ. Dept. of Biology Phone: 705-564-7861 Ramsey Lake Rd. Fax: 705-564-7879 Sudbury ON P3E 2C6 [email protected] Phone: 705-675-1151 ext. 2294 [email protected] Rod Sein Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources Co-op Unit, Laurentian Univ. Dept. of Al Rowlinson Department of Fisheries and Oceans Ramsey Lake Rd. 1 Canal Dr. Sudbury ON P3E 2C6 Sault Ste. Marie ON P6A 6 W4 Phone: 705-675-4832 Phone: 705-941-2009 Fax: 705-671-3857 Fax: 705-941-2013 [email protected] Monique Rudd Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources 3767 HWY. 69 S. Sudbury ON P3G 1E7 Phone: 705-564-7864 Fax: 705-564-7879 [email protected]

Wayne Selinger Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources 3767 Hwy. 69 S. Sudbury ON P3G 1E7 Phone: 705-869-6488 Fax: 705-869-4620 [email protected]

Geoff Sherman Laurentian Univ. Dept. of Biology Ramsey Lake Rd. Sudbury ON P3E 2C6 [email protected] Beverley Shiels Elliot Lake Research Field Station of Laurentian University 75 Dieppe Ave. Elliot Lake ON P5A 2R8 Phone: 705-461-8541 Fax: 705-461-8550 [email protected] Joe Shorthouse Laurentian Univ. Dept. of Biology Ramsey Lake Rd. Sudbury ON P3E 2C6 Phone: 705-675-1151 ext. 2287 Fax: 705-675-4859 [email protected] Brian Shuter Univ. of Toronto, Dept. Of Zoology/Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources 25 Harbord St. Toronto ON M5S 3G5 Phone: 416-978 7338 Fax: 416-978-8532 [email protected]

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Karen Smokorowski Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Great Lakes Laboratory for Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 1 Canal Dr. Sault Ste. Marie ON P6A 6W4 Phone: 705-942-2848 Fax: 705-941-3025 [email protected] John Smol PEARL, Queens Univ. Dept. of Biology 116 Barrie St. Kingston ON K7L 3N6 Phone: 613-533-6147 Fax: 613-533-6617 [email protected] Ed Snucins Co-op Unit, Laurentian Univ. Dept. of Ramsey Lake Rd. Sudbury ON P3E 2C6 Phone: 705-675-1151 ext. 3828 Fax: 705-671-3857 [email protected] Keith Somers Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Dorset Environmental Science Centre Bellwood Acres Rd., P.O. Box 39 Dorset ON P0A 1E0 Phone: 705-766-2418 Fax: 705-766-2254 [email protected] Graeme Spiers MIRARCo, Centre for Environmental Monitoring Technology, Laurentian 933 Ramsey Lake Rd., Willet Green Miller Sudbury ON P3E 6B5 Phone: 705-675-1151 ext. 5087 Fax: 705-675-4838 [email protected] Dawn Spires Ontario Ministry of Northern Development and Mines 933 Ramsey Lake Rd., 4th Floor Sudbury ON P3E 3E2 Phone: 705-670-5797 Fax: 705-670-5803 [email protected]

Jody Stefanich Elliot Lake Research Field Station of Laurentian University 75 Dieppe Ave. Elliot Lake ON P5A 2R8 Phone: 705-461-8375 Fax: 705-461-8550 Carman Stevens Laurentian Univ. Dept. of Biology 122 Dennie St., P.O. Box 1117 Capreol ON P0M 1H0 Phone: 705-858-0515 [email protected] Rod Stewart Ontario Ministry of the Environment 199 Larch St. Sudbury ON P3E 5P9 Phone: 705-564-3214 Fax: 705-564-4180 [email protected] Brian Stocks Canadian Forest Service 1219 Queen St., P.O. Box 490 Sault Ste. Marie ON P6A 5M7 Phone: 705-759-5740 ext.2181 Fax: 705-759-5700 [email protected] Michael Sudbury Falconbridge Ltd. 95 Wellington St. W. Toronto ON M5J 2V4 Phone: 416-956-5860 Fax: 416-956-5839 [email protected] Gerald Tapper Laurentian Univ. Dept. of Geography Ramsey Lake Rd. Sudbury ON P3E 2C6 Phone: 705-675-1151 ext. 3358 [email protected] Roel Teunissen Ontario Parks P.O. Box 38 Temagami ON P0H 2H0 Phone: 705-564-3172 Fax: 705-569-2886 [email protected]

Pat Thompson Inco Ltd., Safety-Health & Environment Department General Engineering Building Copper Cliff ON P0M 1N0 Phone: 705-682-5283 Fax: 705-682-6976 [email protected] Laurie Tucar Greater City of Sudbury P.O. Box 3700, Station A Sudbury ON P3A 5W5 Phone: 705-694-4394 Kathy Vainio Cambrian College 1400 Barrydowne Sudbury ON P3A 3V8 Phone: 705-566-8101 ext. 7468 Fax: 705-521-0561 Adrian Varao Aquatic Sciences Inc. 250 Martindale Rd., P.O. Box 2205 St. Catharines ON L2R 7R8 Phone: 905-641-0941 ext. 225 Fax: 905-641-1825 [email protected] Shelley Wainio Laurentian Univ. Dept. of Biology Ramsey Lake Rd. Sudbury ON P3E 2C6 Phone: 705-675-1151 ext. 2259 [email protected] Bjorn Walseng NINA Dronningsgt 13 Boks 736, Sentrum 0105 Oslo, Norway [email protected] Zheng Zhang Wang Elliot Lake Research Field Station of Laurentian University 75 Dieppe Ave. Elliot Lake ON P5A 2R8 Phone: 705-461-8901 Fax: 705-461-8550 [email protected]

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Glen Watson Inco Ltd., Safety-Health & Environment Department General Engineering Building Copper Cliff ON P0M 1N0 Phone: 705-682-8231 Fax: 705-682-6976 [email protected] Russ Weeber Environment Canada, Canadian Wildlife 49 Camelot Dr. Nepean ON K1A 0H3 Phone: 613-952-2410 Fax: 613-952-9027 [email protected] Jerry Weise Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Sea Lamprey Control 1 Canal Dr. Sault Ste. Marie ON P6A 6W4 Phone: 705-941-3006 [email protected] Keith Winterhalder Wintergreen Ecological Services 415 Struthers St. Sudbury ON P3E 1Z1 Phone: 705-674-7905 Fax: 705-675-4859 [email protected] Norm Yan York Univ. Dept. of Biology 4700 Keele St. Toronto ON M3J 1P3 Phone: 416-736-2100 ext. 22936 Fax: 416-736-5989 [email protected]

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Changes in average annual Canadian temperatures by 2050, as projected by the Canadian coupled climate model.

Appendix 2: Participants in the Boreal Shield Network Meeting - February 23, 2001

Participants Shelley Arnott Laurentian University Dept. of Biology Ramsey Lake Rd. Sudbury ON P3E 2C6 Phone: 705-675-1151 ext. 4802 Fax: 705-675-4859 [email protected]

Donald Jackson University of Toronto Dept. of Zoology 25 Harbord St. Toronto ON M5S 3G5 Phone: 416-978-0976 Fax: 416-978-8532 [email protected]

Tom Brydges York University Dept. of Environmental Studies 4700 Keele St. 355 Lumbers Building Toronto ON M3J 1P3 Phone: 416-736-5252 Fax: 416-736-5679 [email protected]

Dean Jeffries Environment Canada National Water Research Institute 867 Lakeshore Rd. P.O. Box 5050 Burlington ON L7R 4A6 Phone: 905-336-4969 Fax: 905-336-6430 [email protected]

Peter Dillon Trent University Environmental and Resource Studies/Chemistry 1600 W. Bank Dr. Peterborough ON K9J 7B8 Phone: 705-748-1011 ext.1536 [email protected]

Bill Keller Co-op Unit Laurentian University Dept. of Biology Ontario Ministry of the Environment Ramsey Lake Rd. Sudbury ON P3E 2C6 Phone: 705-671-3858 Fax: 705-671-3857 [email protected]

Martyn Futter Ontario Ministry of the Environment Dorset Environmental Science Centre Bellwood Acres Rd. P.O. Box 39 Dorset ON P0A 1E0 Phone: 705-766-2030 Fax: 705-766-2254 [email protected] John Gunn Co-op Unit Laurentian University Dept. of Biology Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources Ramsey Lake Rd. Sudbury ON P3E 2C6 Phone: 705-675-1151 ext. 4831 Fax: 705-671-3857 [email protected]

Mike Paterson Freshwater Institute 501 University Cr. Winnipeg MN R3T 2N6 Phone: 204-984-4508 Fax: 204-984-2404 [email protected] Ed Piché Ontario Ministry of the Environment Environmental Monitoring and Reporting 125 Resources Rd. Etobicoke ON M9P 3V6 Phone: 905-235-6160 Fax: 905-235-6235 [email protected]

Wolfgang Scheider Ontario Ministry of the Environment Environmental Monitoring and Reporting 125 Resources Rd. Etobicoke ON M9P 3V6 Phone: 416-235-5810 Fax: 416-235-6349 [email protected] Brian Shuter University of Toronto Dept. Of Zoology Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources 25 Harbord St. Toronto ON M5S 3G5 Phone: 416-978 7338 Fax: 416-978-8532 [email protected] Keith Somers Ontario Ministry of the Environment Dorset Environmental Science Centre Bellwood Acres Rd. P.O. Box 39 Dorset ON P0A 1E0 Phone: 705-766-2418 Fax: 705-766-2254 [email protected] Norm Yan York University Dept. of Biology 4700 Keele St. Toronto ON M3J 1P3 Phone: 416-736-2100 ext. 22936 Fax: 416-736-5989 [email protected]

Appendix 3: Memorandum of Understanding for the Boreal Shield Network

Memorandum of Understanding for the Development of a Network for Assessing the Effects of Climate Change on the Waters of the Boreal Shield in Ontario

Rationale: Recent evidence from modeling and monitoring studies suggests that climate change will have severe effects on lakes and streams in the Boreal Shield landscape. The Boreal Shield is the largest ecozone in Canada and contains most of our freshwater resources. Although vast in number, the aquatic ecosystems of the Boreal Shield are relatively unproductive and are often highly sensitive to human disturbances such as exploitation, acidification and contaminant deposition. In Ontario, we are fortunate to have a number of well established monitoring sites on the Shield that have been in operation for many years and are now useful for tracking the effects of climate change. These are a mixture of provincial and federal sites, some with strong university involvement. Several of the sites are already part of the Canadian EMAN (Ecological Monitoring and Assessment Network) Network. The sites were established to monitor changes in shield lakes for a variety of reasons, with acidification monitoring being one of the most common objectives. Existing monitoring sites do not necessarily include a statistically representative sample of the various sizes and types of lakes on the shield, but they do represent a broad range of freshwater ecosystems from the ecozone. Existing sites also span a wide range in the degree to which they are affected by other large-scale stressors such as acid deposition, exotic species and shoreline development. Assessment of the effects of climate change on Boreal Shield waters will need to be conducted against this background of multiple environmental stresses and potential confounding factors. There is a strong need for an integrated monitoring program to provide resource managers with the understanding of current impacts and potential future impacts of climate change and the interactions of climate change with other stressors. An excellent opportunity exists to build on the current monitoring studies in Ontario to develop an integrated Climate Change Monitoring Network for waters on the Boreal Shield. Close cooperation among sites is necessary to develop and maintain such a network.

Principles for Cooperation: Sites in the Shield Network: The study sites that need to be linked in an Ontario Network to monitor the effects of climate change on aquatic ecosystems on the Boreal Shield are: • • • • •

Experimental lakes Area (ELA); in northwestern Ontario Turkey Lakes Watershed in the Algoma Region of Ontario Killarney Park/Sudbury lakes; in northeastern Ontario Dorset lakes; in central Ontario Algonquin Park lakes; in central Ontario

Many of these sites support several complementary scientific activities by different agencies. Activities of the Shield Network: The main elements of the cooperation needed to develop an integrated Boreal Shield Network include: • • • •

Developing routine and effective data sharing and communication procedures between sites in the Network Striving for standardization of variables measured, and measurement techniques Developing collaborative research projects between sites to address specific issues Holding annual meetings with principals from the different sites to review progress, develop collaborative research plans and ensure effective information exchange

Cooperation in a Boreal Shield Waters Network will lead to: • • •

Advancement in the understanding of the current effects and potential effects of climate change on Boreal Shield waters, and their interactions with other environmental stressors Identification of gaps or inadequacies in current programs that need to be addressed through changes/additions to programs Economic efficiency of research and monitoring efforts through collaboration

By this Memorandum of Understanding the agencies conducting scientific activities at these sites agree to formalize cooperation in their research and monitoring activities, following the above principles, to lead to an integrated assessment program of the effects of climate change on Boreal Shield waters. For the period 2001-2006, staff of the Cooperative Freshwater Ecology Unit at Laurentian University in Sudbury agree to provide the coordination role for the Network.