Scugog Lake Stewards will host experts

A round table discussion will be hosted by the Scugog Lake Stewards Tuesday, October 27 regarding changes in lake flora and quality and how this may affect our fishery.

Starry stonewort, a tangled mass of alga that can grow to within 2 inches of the surface of the water and reduce fish habitat greatly.
Starry stonewort, a tangled mass of alga that can grow to within 2 inches of the surface of the water and reduce fish habitat greatly.

Attending will be experts from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, Trent University, U.O.I.T., Kawartha Conservation and more. Although the alga species Chara (pronounced cara) is native and has been around ‘forever,’ the alga species Nitellopsis Obtusa or starry stonewort is a relatively new import — but its characteristics as demonstrated in North America appear to be very different than those shown in its native Europe. Therefore, is this a new hybrid? What may have caused the switch from Eurasian watermilfoil domination in our lake and much more? From this small conference we hope to start developing a formal science program with our partners to try to determine answers.  Please see the agenda for this session below:

Starry stonewort
Reproductive method for starry stonewort; tiny star-like bulbils found near the base of the plant.

SCUGOG LAKE STEWARDS INC.

Round Table Discussion

Starry Stonewort and Chara in Lake Scugog

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Moderator:  Dr. Bill Eull, Scugog Lake Stewards Inc.

Introductions

Overview history of Lake Scugog:  Barbara Karthein, Past President

Monitoring results 2015: Dr. Ron Porter, Research Chairman

Opening comments from each attendee. 

Round-table discussion moderated by Dr. Eull

  • Possible reasons for the collapse of the Eurasian watermilfoil population. Is it gone or just responding to this year’s conditions. What lakes have seen these changes?
  • What further changes might we expect in the biodiversity of the Lake? Why the sudden explosive growth of Starry Stonewort (Nitellopsis obtusa) and Chara?
  • Will the thick meadows of these algae instead of native plants or even milfoil interfere with the habitat of fish or other birds and if so which are most vulnerable? What about walleye especially?
  • Starry Stonewort likes clear water. Lake Scugog perennially has low clarity. Did these algae cause this year’s relative lake clarity or the reverse? Could zebra mussels have played a part?
  • Effect of climate change — high water level, greater than average rainfalls.
  • Are we dealing with a hybrid between Chara and Nitellopsis obtusa? Should we have DNA studies done?

Coffee Break 

Research ideas and partners 

  • U.O.I.T. – Research Proposal discussion.
  • Lake Stewards monitoring: What should we research and report on in 2016?.
  • Possible partners to conduct scientific data search for this group, DNA analysis, monthly phosphorus, nitrogen and calcium levels and effects of Chara, Starry Stonewort on the sediment, (There are reports of a dramatic impact on the bio-geochemistry with the sediment decomposition accelerated and the accumulation of volatile fatty acids. Will this interfere with the recolonization of the lake by native plants?).
  • Other comments