Abstract Delaney McCullough, Ms. Mary Elger- Lonzarich, Dr. Joe Rohrer, and Dr. Dave Lonzarich...
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Abstract Delaney McCullough, Ms. Mary Elger- Lonzarich, Dr. Joe Rohrer, and Dr. Dave Lonzarich Department of Biology University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
Abstract Delaney McCullough, Ms. Mary Elger- Lonzarich, Dr. Joe
Rohrer, and Dr. Dave Lonzarich Department of Biology University of
Wisconsin-Eau Claire Delaney McCullough, Ms. Mary Elger- Lonzarich,
Dr. Joe Rohrer, and Dr. Dave Lonzarich Department of Biology
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Aquatic mosses are a poorly
studied, but conspicuous component of aquatic plant communities in
deeper water lakes. Earlier work by our lab uncovered a rich and
potentially diverse assemblage of mosses in Pine Lake, among the
deepest and clearest water lakes in Wisconsin. This study was
undertaken for the purpose of characterizing the diversity and
distribution of aquatic mosses in Pine Lake, and to add
identification features to the Pine Lake Field Guide. Locations for
point-intersect sampling were achieved by using both a UTM and
bathymetric map. From each site, we collected a bottom sample with
a remote sampler and measured water depth, temperature, dissolved
oxygen, pH and carbon dioxide. Collections were made from 67 sites
ranging in depth from 9 to 21 meters, and mosses were found in 16
of those sites, to a maximum depth of 13.6 meters. We encountered
the four previously documented moss species along with a new one,
Sarmentypnum exannulatum. All but one sampling site collection
contained more than one moss species, suggesting that these species
have overlapping requirements for temperature, light, pH and carbon
dioxide. Further exploration of this study would be ideal to expand
our knowledge of why the mosses are present.. A Preliminary Study
of Deep Water Aquatic Mosses Materials and Methods I thank the
Office of Research and Sponsored Programs for supporting this
research, and Learning & Technology Services for printing this
poster. I thank the homeowners on Pine Lake for all of their
support and interest. I also thank Zach Nonn and Caleb Novak for
their hard work. Finally, I thank Mary Elger-Lonzarich for the
opportunity to conduct such a rewarding research project and, Dr.
Joe Rohrer for his endless help and enthusiasm. Acknowledgements
Sampling depths began at 31 feet. I established sampling zones
based on depths after consulting previous data that noted known
aquatic moss habitats. My zones were zone C = 31-40ft, zone D =
41-50ft, zone E = 51-60ft, zone F = 61-70ft and zone G = 71+ft.
Field sampling initiated in early July 2013 and continued into the
month of August. In the field: A 0.3-ft 3 Eckman dredge collected
the moss HACH Hydrolab collected water temperature (C), dissolved
oxygen (DO), pH and depth (m) A horizontal Van Dorn water sampler
In the laboratory: Moss samples processed Water samples titrated to
Sampling depths began at 31 feet. I established sampling zones
based on depths after consulting previous data that noted known
aquatic moss habitats. My zones were zone C = 31-40ft, zone D =
41-50ft, zone E = 51-60ft, zone F = 61-70ft and zone G = 71+ft.
Field sampling initiated in early July 2013 and continued into the
month of August. In the field: A 0.3-ft 3 Eckman dredge collected
the moss HACH Hydrolab collected water temperature (C), dissolved
oxygen (DO), pH and depth (m) A horizontal Van Dorn water sampler
In the laboratory: Moss samples processed Water samples titrated to
Results Fontinalis antipyreticaFontinalis sphagnifolia
Drepanocladus aduncus Calliergon giganteum Sarmentypnum exannulatum
Discussion The first goal of reassessing the moss species in Pine
Lake was accomplished. Out of the 67 sampling sites, mosses were
found in 16 of them, to a maximum depth of 13.6 meters. In doing
so, a formally undocumented moss species in the lake was found;
Sarmentypnum exannulatum. All but one sampling site contained more
than one moss species, and the areas where mosses were present
seemed to be concentrated in the lower and middle left of the lake.
This suggested that the different species have overlapping
requirements for temperature, light, pH, and carbon dioxide. The
secondary goal of adding key traits for easy identification for
each moss will be completed with the next edition of the Pine Lake
Field Guide. The creation of a map showing moss disruption found in
this study is currently under way. Water samples taken via the
horizontal Van Dorn were titrated, but calculations to conclude the
CO 2 concentrations were not completed, thus further analysis of
this variable is needed. More data collection at points within
depths of 9 to 13.6 meters would prove valuable to gauge more
precise distribution patterns of the mosses. Due to the nature of
this preliminary study, there are many different ways to go and
continue on and, I hope to see it done so. Goals The primary goals
of this study are to generate a comprehensive moss species list and
to explore the factors that contribute to the distribution of
aquatic mosses in Pine Lake. The secondary goals are to find easily
identifiable field traits that could be added to the Pine Lake
aquatic plant guide, and to create a map of the current
distribution of the different moss species of Pine Lake. Overall, I
hope that this study will become the basis for a future extensive
and comprehensive examination of this amazing discovery.