2010

Finger Lakes Research Conference 6th Annual

http://fli.hws.edu/conference.asp 12/4/2010 Agenda Due to the condensed schedule, please feel free to take breaks when you wish. A longer lunch hour is planned for viewing posters and networking.

8:00-8:30 Registration, Continental Breakfast Wetland and Stream Ecosystem Studies 8:30-8:50 CHANGES IN BENTHIC MACROINVERTEBRATE COMMUNITY STRUCTURE FOLLOWING STREAM RESTORATION 8:50-9:10 INVESTIGATING THE INFLUENCE OF POOL AND LANDSCAPE FEATURES ON THE SPATIAL PATTERNS OF AMPHIBIAN BREEDING IN A VERNAL POOL COMPLEX IN CENTRAL NEW YORK 9:10-9:30 EFFECTS OF SEMI-ANNUAL WATER-LEVEL FLUCUATIONS ON FISH AND MACROINVERTEBRATE COMMUNITIES IN THE NIAGARA REGION OF THE ERIE CANAL 9:30-9:50 ISOLATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF MICROSATELLITE MARKERS IN NIGRONIA (Say) (MEGALOPTERA: CORYDALIDAE) AND THEIR UTILITY IN POPULATION GENETICS 9:50-10:10 VOLUNTEER MONITORING OF REGIONAL STREAMS IN THE FINGER LAKES THROUGH THE EFFORTS OF LOCAL MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS 10:10-10:30 AQUATIC MACROINVERTEBRATE DRIFT DYNAMICS IN A FREESTONE STREAM IN THE ADIRONDACK PARK, NY 10:30-10:50 MACROFOSSIL AND SEDIMENTOLOGICAL EVIDENCE FOR EARLY TO MID-HOLOCENE VEGETATION CHANGE AND INFILLING OF A KETTLE POND IN TOMPKINS COUNTY, NEW YORK State of the Lakes 10:50-11:10 COMPARATIVE LIMNOLOGY OF THE EIGHT EASTERN FINGER LAKES: 2005-2010 11:10-11:30 THE OAK ORCHARD SOIL WATER ASSESSMENT TOOL: A DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR WATERSHED MANAGEMENT 11:30-11:50 MACROPHYTE COMMUNITIES OF CANADICE AND HEMLOCK LAKES 11:50-1:10 Lunch and Poster Viewing Human Impacts 1:10-1:30 ENVIRONMENTAL LEVELS OF RADIUM IN WATER OF CENTRAL NEW YORK 1:30-1:50 ^dZE'd,E/E''Z/h>dhZ͛^ZK>/EWZKdd/E'tdZYh>/dz/Ed,Kt^K>< WATERSHED: PRELIMINARY FINDINGS 1:50-2:10 FINGER LAKES GROUPS CAPTURE AWARENESS GRANTS FOR LOCAL LANDFILL AND CAFO ISSUES 2:10-2:30 PHOSPHORUS LOADING FOR THE SOUTHERN SHELF OF CAYUGA LAKE 2:30-2:50 SURFACE WATER QUALITY: FARMS, FOOD SAFETY, AND THE ENVIRONMENT Species Introductions and Ecological Consequences 2:50-3:10 QUAGGA MUSSELS IN SOME FINGER LAKES 3:10-3:30 EVALUATING NATIVE AND NATURALIZED PLANT SPECIES AT REGIONAL AIRPORTS IN CENTRAL NEW YORK FOR WILDLIFE HAZARD MANAGEMENT 3:30-3:50 PREY SIZE SELECTION IN HEMIMYSIS ANOMALA 3:50-4:10 DETECTION AND MONITORING OF INVASIVE PHRAGMITES USING RADAR IN THE COASTAL GREAT LAKES

2 6th Annual Finger Lakes Research Conference | [2010]

Oral Presentations ͙ŝŶŽƌĚĞƌŽĨĂŐĞŶĚĂ͘

CHANGES IN BENTHIC MACROINVERTEBRATE COMMUNITY STRUCTURE FOLLOWING STREAM RESTORATION Susan Cushman 5 INVESTIGATING THE INFLUENCE OF POOL AND LANDSCAPE FEATURES ON THE SPATIAL PATTERNS OF AMPHIBIAN BREEDING IN A VERNAL POOL COMPLEX IN CENTRAL NEW YORK Michael Habberfield 6 EFFECTS OF SEMI-ANNUAL WATER-LEVEL FLUCTUATION ON FISH AND MACROINVERTEBRATE COMMUNITIES IN THE NIAGARA REGION OF THE ERIE CANAL Denise Clay 9 ISOLATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF MICROSATELLITE MARKERS IN NIGRONIA SERRICORNIS (Say) (MEGALOPTERA: CORYDALIDAE) AND THEIR UTILITY IN POPULATION GENETICS RM Stevenson 10 VOLUNTEER MONITORING OF REGIONAL STREAMS IN THE FINGER LAKES THROUGH THE EFFORTS OF LOCAL MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS Jordan Youngmann 11 AQUATIC MACROINVERTEBRATE DRIFT DYNAMICS IN A FREESTONE STREAM IN THE ADIRONDACK PARK, NY Nick Griffin 12 MACROFOSSIL AND SEDIMENTOLOGICAL EVIDENCE FOR EARLY TO MID-HOLOCENE VEGETATION CHANGE AND INFILLING OF A KETTLE POND IN TOMPKINS COUNTY, NEW YORK Brita Lorentzen 14 COMPARATIVE LIMNOLOGY OF THE EIGHT EASTERN FINGER LAKES: 2005ʹ2010 John Halfman 16 THE OAK ORCHARD SOIL WATER ASSESSMENT TOOL: A DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR WATERSHED MANAGEMENT Paul Richards 19 MACROPHYTE SURVEYS FOR HEMLOCK AND CANADICE LAKES Bruce Gilman 23 ENVIRONMENTAL LEVELS OF RADIUM IN WATER OF CENTRAL NEW YORK STATE Thomas Kraemer 27 ^dZE'd,E/E''Z/h>dhZ͛^ZK>/EWZKdd/E'tdZYh>/dz/Ed,Kt^K><tdZ^,͗ PRELIMINARY FINDINGS Judy Wright 28 FINGER LAKES GROUPS CAPTURE AWARENESS GRANTS FOR LOCAL LANDFILL AND CAFO ISSUES Brad Muise 30 PHOSPHOROUS LOADING FOR THE SOUTHERN SHELF OF CAYUGA LAKE Nate Carman 31 SURFACE WATER QUALITY: FARMING, FOOD SAFETY, AND THE ENVIRONMENT Elizabeth Bihn 32 QUAGGA MUSSELS IN SOME FINGER LAKES Ken Stewart 34 EVALUATING NATIVE AND NATURALIZED PLANT SPECIES AT REGIONAL AIRPORTS IN CENTRAL NY FOR WILDLIFE HAZARD MANAGEMENT Donna Vogler 35 PREY SIZE SELECTION IN HEMIMYSIS ANOMALA Jessica Wuerstle 37 DETECTION AND MONITORING OF INVASIVE PHRAGMITES USING RADAR IN THE COASTAL GREAT LAKES Kevin Riordan 39

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Poster Presentations

͙ŝŶŽƌĚĞƌŽĨƉƌĞƐĞŶƚĞƌ͛ƐůĂƐƚŶĂŵĞ͘

WHEN DOES HOTWATER FREEZE FASTER THAN COLD WATER? A SEARCH FOR THE MPEMBA EFFECT James Brownridge 42 EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT DIETS AND RATION ON ENERGY CONTENT AND CONDITION INDICES IN LABORATORY REARED ALEWIVES (ALOSA PSEUDOHARENGUS) Todd Duval 44 EXPLOITING A NATURAL EXPERIMENT: INVESTIGATING THE IMPACT OF AN INVASIVE ZOOPLANKTON, CERCOPAGIS PENGOI, ON THE FOOD WEBS OF THE NEW YORK FINGER LAKES Stephanie Figary 45 RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES AT THE MULLER FIELD STATION OF FINGER LAKES COMMUNITY COLLEGE Bruce Gilman 46 FLORA OF BROOME COUNTY Thomas Lansing 49 BASELINE INVENTORY OF NATIVE FRESHWATER MUS^>^/EEtzKZ<͛^^Khd,ZE><KEdZ/K^/E^ Amy Mahar 50 MANAGING PHOSPHORUS IN AGRICULTURE AT THE FIELD SCALE Rebecca Marjerison 53 THE IMPACT OF ADJACENT LAND USE ON SOIL NITRATE LEVELS, DEER POPULATION AND HERBIVORY RATES AT TWO FORESTED SITES IN CAYUGA COUNTY, NY ‹ƒŠǯ‡ƒ”› 54 THE EFFECT OF LIGHT ENVIRONMENT ON THE MORPHOLOGY OF NORTHERN PITCHER PLANTS, SARRACENIA PURPUREA, IN ZURICH BOG Kelly Patel 56 EFFECTS OF ENHANCED PHENOLIC DISSOLVED ORGANIC CARBON ON THE GROWTH OF AQUATIC PLANTS Siti Aishah Abdul Rahman 58 COMPARING DIAPIAUSING EGG PRODUCTION OF NATIVE AND NON-NATIVE CRUSTACEAN ZOOPLANKTON Taylor Raufus 59 THE ENVIRONMENT OF AN IROQUOIS SITE: A PALEOECOLOGICAL STUDY Daniela Salinas Abarca 60 IN SITU EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES OF EURASIAN WATERMILFOIL (MYRIOPHYLLUM SPICATUM) DOWNSTREAM FROM AGRICULTURAL WATERSHEDS: NUTRIENT LOADING, FOLIAR UPTAKE, AND GROWTH Todd Shuskey 63 NOTES 65

Please visit the poster presentations in the foyer throughout the extended lunch period.

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CHANGES IN BENTHIC MACROINVERTEBRATE COMMUNITY STRUCTURE FOLLOWING STREAM RESTORATION

Cushman, Susan Department of Biology & Finger Lakes Institute Hobart and William Smith Colleges Geneva, NY [email protected] (315)781-3599 Director of Introductory Biology Laboratories and Interim Research Scientist

Ecological restoration of stream ecosystems and their inhabitants can enhance population sizes, community diversity, and even ecosystem function. Although stream systems experience regular and sometime intense disturbance regimes, restoration of a stream channel and habitat can also be considered a form of disturbance. Streambank stabilization and the creation of pool habitat for rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss was constructed in 2007 by NYDEC in Cold Brook, the major inlet to Keuka Lake (Hammondsport, NY), to increase the success of spawning and rearing of the trout population. After restoration was completed, benthic macroinvertebrate communities were collected yearly from riffle habitats within two sites (Railroad and Winery, each with a control and restored site within) in winter and spring. It was hypothesized that restoration of habitat would impact the community structure over time, showing immediate responses in family richness and diversity. The most upstream site (Railroad) showed lower richness than the downstream site (Winery) overall, however differences between control and restored sites were not consistent. At the Railroad site, the control exhibited higher macroinvertebrate family richness than restored one year after the restoration, but restored sites showed higher richness than control sites three years after construction was completed. At the Winery site, the restored site had higher family richness than control in spring, but similar or less than control in winter. In general, family richness of macroinvertebrates decreases from post-restoration year 1 to 3. This trend may indicate that a major disturbance such as stream restoration (for fish habitat enhancement) may create new habitats for other organisms in the short term, therefore increasing community richness and changing community structure. However, over longer periods of time, community composition and structure may change drastically from the original assemblage. Understanding these changes in community structure are important since benthic macroinvertebrates serve as a food source for young rainbow trout, and therefore may contribute to their success.

[2010] | 6th Annual Finger Lakes Research Conference 5

INVESTIGATING THE INFLUENCE OF POOL AND LANDSCAPE FEATURES ON THE SPATIAL PATTERNS OF AMPHIBIAN BREEDING IN A VERNAL POOL COMPLEX IN CENTRAL NEW YORK

Michael Habberfield Department of Geography, ERIE-IGERT Program SUNY at Buffalo 105 Wilkeson Buffalo, NY 14261 [email protected] (716)698-5069 Ph.D. Candidate

The conservation value of isolated wetlands is becoming increasingly apparent and vernal pools in particular have been major targets of conservation and restoration initiatives.1-3 This is due in part to the need to address the current global decline in amphibian populations,4 as vernal pools can function as important habitat for pond-breeding amphibians. Our understanding of the spatial dynamics of amphibian populations has progressed in recent years, with a new emphasis on differentiating classic metapopulation structure with a patchy population structure where local clusters of ponds function collectively as one independent population. Discerning these spatial patterns of amphibian populations is critical if we hope to be successful in addressing population declines and vernal pool conservation.

Other researchers have investigated some of the questions regarding these spatial population dynamics, such as the demographic independence of breeding pool clusters5 and population turnover across scales.6 Also, there is increasing evidence that amphibian breeding site fidelity at the pool level may not be as strong as generally thought.7 Petranka et al.5 and Petranka and Holbrook8 have shown that breeding site disturbances, such as predator colonization, can halt fidelity and induce wholesale shifting of breeding populations between local ponds from year to year. However, many details of this adaptive habitat switching behavior are still uncertain, such as the spatial scale at which individuals will respond and the landscape characteristics that most dictate this response. Additionally, no work has been done to investigate this process at the individual level; previous research has been at the population level through occupancy modeling.

This research will seek to fill these knowledge gaps by examining both pond- and landscape-level characteristics that influence adaptive habitat switching by looking at individual movements of two vernal pool obligate species, wood frogs (Rana sylvatica) and spotted salamanders (Ambystoma maculatum). I will test three hypotheses regarding this: 1) local pond quality will determine the degree

6 6th Annual Finger Lakes Research Conference | [2010] of habitat switching, 2) the level of landscape heterogeneity between ponds will determine the degree of habitat switching, and 3) the local pond density on the landscape will determine the degree of habitat switching.

To test these hypotheses, I will be working on an experimental landscape created in the Heiberg Research Forest in Tully, NY operated by SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry. In summer 2010, thirty-nine vernal pools were constructed within a 100-ha area of forest with local pool density varying at either one, three, or nine pools per 9.2 ha hexagonal plot (Fig. 1). Starting in spring 2011 and following for two more breeding seasons thereafter, I will monitor wood frog and spotted salamander use of these pools and their movements between them. Animals will be captured at ponds during the breeding season and marked for individual identification using visual implant elastomer (VIE) tags9. VIE consists of injecting elastomers of varying fluorescent colors into the amphibian; the combination and placement of colors allows for unique identification. Recaptures of marked animals the following year will allow for an individual-level movement history within the vernal pool complex. This mark-recapture approach will be supplemented with a subset of direct tracking data obtained by monitoring movements of individuals to and from breeding ponds using either fluorescent dye trailing9 or a harmonic radar tag tracking system.10

The individual movement data obtained from both the mark-recapture and tracking methods will be analyzed in relation to pool and landscape variables. To test hypothesis (1), breeding pool quality will be measured through physical variables (e.g. canopy cover and hydroperiod) as well as biological variables (e.g. egg mass production and presence of predators; green frog, Rana clamitans, tadpoles prey on wood frog egg masses2). Hypothesis (2) will be tested by relating the movement data to the forest type within the hexagonal plots and the amount of edge present. Hypothesis (3) can be tested by determining differences in movement patterns based on the varying pool density within each hexagon.

Analyses will incorporate the movement data and pool/landscape variable data into multistate mark- recapture models. These models allow for the estimation of movement parameters by making spatial location the state variable.11 Further, using the robust design form of mark-recapture models12 by sampling at two temporal scales (e.g. annually as the primary period and two more secondary occasions within the primary period) can provide movement probabilities and estimates of temporary emigration. Collectively, the mark-recapture approach coupled with supplemental individual tracking data will allow for multistate mark-recapture models to examine the hypotheses about pool and landscape variables influencing adaptive habitat switching by these amphibians.

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Figure 1. Hexagonal array of thirty-nine constructed vernal pools in SUNY- ǯ• ‡‹„‡”‰ experimental forest in Tully, NY.

References 1 Leibowitz S.G. 2003. Isolated wetlands and their functions: An ecological perspective. Wetlands 23: 517-531. 2 Vasconcelos D. and Calhoun A.J.K. 2006. Monitoring created seasonal pools for functional success: A six-year case study of amphibian responses, Sears Island, Maine, USA. Wetlands 26: 992-1003. 3 Oscarson D.B. and Calhoun A.J.K. 2007. Developing vernal pool conservation plans at the local level using citizen- scientists. Wetlands 27: 80-95. 4 Semlitsch, R.D. 2003. Amphibian Conservation. Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. 5 Petranka J.W., Smith C.K. and Scott A.F. 2004. Identifying the minimal demographic unit for monitoring pond- breeding amphibians. Ecological Applications 14: 1065-1078. 6Werner E.E., Relyea R.A., Yurewicz K.L., Skelly D.K. and Davis C.J. 2009. Comparative landscape dynamics of two anuran species: climate-driven interaction of local and regional processes. Ecological Monographs 79: 503-521. 7 Patrick D.A., Calhoun A.J.K. and Hunter M.L. 2008. The importance of understanding spatial population structure when evaluating the effects of silviculture on spotted salamanders (Ambystoma maculatum). Biological Conservation 141: 807-814. 8 Petranka J.W. and Holbrook C.T. 2006. Wetland restoration for amphibians: Should local sites be designed to support metapopulations or patchy populations? Restoration Ecology 14: 404-411. 9 Ferner, J.W. 2010. Measuring and marking post-metamorphic amphibians. In C.K. Dodd (ed), Amphibian Ecology and Conservation, pp. 447-463. Oxford University Press, New York. 10 Moseley K.R., Castleberry S.B. and Ford W.M. 2004. Coarse woody debris and pine litter manipulation effects on movement and microhabitat use of Ambystoma talpoideum in a Pinus taeda stand. Forest Ecology and Management 191: 387-396. 11 Bailey, L.L. and J.D. Nichols 2010. Capture-mark-recapture, removal sampling, and occupancy models. In C.K. Dodd (ed), Amphibian Ecology and Conservation, pp. 447-463. Oxford University Press, New York. 12 Kendall W.L. 2004. Coping with unobservable and mis-classified states in capture-recapture studies. Animal Biodiversity and Conservation 27: 97-107.

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EFFECTS OF SEMI-ANNUAL WATER-LEVEL FLUCTUATION ON FISH AND MACROINVERTEBRATE COMMUNITIES IN THE NIAGARA REGION OF THE ERIE CANAL

Denise L. Clay U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Lower Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office 405 North French Road, Suite 120A Amherst, NY 14228 Buffalo State College State University of New York Department of Biology [email protected] 716-691-5456 ext. 131 Graduate Student

The Erie Canal is a 544-km long managed freshwater navigation channel operating from early May to mid-November. Annual dewatering occurs from late November to mid-April. This study sought to determine if fish and macroinvertebrate community structure from Tonawanda to Gasport, NY were affected by winter dewatering. During four sampling periods from January to October 2008, 76 fishes (9 species) and 4442 macroinvertebrates (84 taxa representing 17 orders) were collected using minnow traps and petite Ponar grabs, respectively. There were no differences in fish community species richness and diversity between non-drawdown and drawdown sites during dewatered (winter/spring) and filled (summer/fall) periods. Significant differences were found in macroinvertebrate community taxa richness and diversity during filled periods, and fish and macroinvertebrate percent composition during dewatered and filled periods between non-drawdown and drawdown sites. Quagga mussel (Dreissena rostriformis bugensis) percent composition was lower at drawdown sampling sites (12.8%) compared to non-†”ƒ™†‘™•‹–‡•ȋ͢͞Ǥ͢τȌ†—”‹‰ˆ‹ŽŽ‡†’‡”‹‘†•ǤŠ‡”‡ˆ‘”‡ǡ–Š‡‹ƒ‰ƒ”ƒ‡‰‹‘‘ˆ–Š‡”‹‡ƒƒŽǯ•ˆ‹•Š community was not affected by winter drawdown, while the macroinvertebrate community was affected. From these results, we may infer that drawdown does not directly impede the dispersal of aquatic invasive species but does inhibit population growth within the canal.

[2010] | 6th Annual Finger Lakes Research Conference 9

ISOLATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF MICROSATELLITE MARKERS IN NIGRONIA SERRICORNIS (Say) (MEGALOPTERA: CORYDALIDAE) AND THEIR UTILITY IN POPULATION GENETICS

Stevenson RM, Heilveil JS State University of New York College at Oneonta 108 Ravine Parkway Oneonta, NY 13820 [email protected] (607) 435 7288 Graduate Student

Many aquatic insects, such as Nigronia serricornis (Say) (Megaloptera: Corydalidae), have proven to be important indicators of high water quality. This makes investigations of the population structure of extant populations exceedingly important in conservation. Unfortunately, most of these indicator species are poorly studied, leaving a dearth of molecular markers. Using a modification of the method of Lyons- Sobaski (2003), microsatellite primers have been developed for N. serricornis. Primers are being tested for their utility within the order Megaloptera, as well as within the greater superorder Neuropteroidea. Not only can regional population genetics be examined with this marker, but fine-scale population genetics can also be investigated.

10 6th Annual Finger Lakes Research Conference | [2010]

VOLUNTEER MONITORING OF REGIONAL STREAMS IN THE FINGER LAKES THROUGH THE EFFORTS OF LOCAL MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

Jordan L. Youngmann Finger Lakes Institute at Hobart and William Smith Colleges 601 S. Main St. Geneva NY 14456 [email protected] (315) 781-4386 Finger Lakes Regional Stream Monitoring Network Project Coordinator

The Finger Lakes Stream Monitoring Program seeks to train local schoolteachers in conveying to their students the fundamental importance and value in studying local streams as well as teaching the methodology and techniques of stream monitoring as a part of their curriculum. Students will conduct physical observations of channel dynamics and habitat, chemical analysis of the water, as well as macroinvertebrate sampling to determine overall stream health. Protocols combine accepted methodologies from the NY Department of Conservation and Hudson Basin River Watch. The program uses a two-tiered approach to allow schools to match their desired level of involvement with educational needs of their classroom. Finally, the ultimate goal of this program is to create a database to which all data collected by school groups may be uploaded. Local science teachers and stream ecologists will be able to access this database and use its contents to further their own study and understand potential impacts as well as changes to stream health. So far 25 teachers have attended the training sessions and 7 have taken their students out to conduct monitoring at stream sites in the Finger Lakes watershed.

In the spring and summer of 2010 students and staff from the Finger Lakes Institute at Hobart and William Smith Colleges conducting monitoring at 13 stream sites in the Finger Lakes region to provide a baseline of data for the monitoring network. These same stream sites will be visited by schools over the course of the program to continue building a longitudinal database of stream health and water quality. This presentation will showcase the rationale for the monitoring network, the development of the protocols, and the results of the data collected so far.

[2010] | 6th Annual Finger Lakes Research Conference 11

AQUATIC MACROINVERTEBRATE DRIFT DYNAMICS IN A FREESTONE STREAM IN THE ADIRONDACK PARK, NY

Nick Griffin State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry Dept. of Environmental and Forest Biology 1 Forestry Drive Syracuse, NY 13210 [email protected] (716) 949-9102 Undergraduate Student (supervised by Dr. Neil Ringler)

Studies in lotic freshwater environments have demonstrated that numerous factors affect the drift regimens of aquatic macro invertebrates. These factors include predator abundance (Holomuzki 1996, Walton 1980), species-specific energy balances (Hall et.al. 1992), and life history (Harper and Peckarsky 2006). Benthic community structure is most likely related to the shifting environmental gradients that occur along a watershed from headwaters to mouth (Vannote 1980, Sandin and Johnson 2000) and predator-prey interactions (Walton 1980). The allochthonous inputs of terrestrial invertebrates into headwater steams has been shown to be an important factor in the distribution of fishes (Kawaguchi et.al 2003) and terrestrial inputs are quite often the main nutrient source for the upper reaches of a watershed.

Chair Rock creek is a medium sized freestone stream originating in the Five Ponds Wilderness Area in the western part of the Adirondack Park in New York State. Its headwaters begin at a height of 2700ft and flow north until pouring into Cranberry Lake at an elevation of 1900ft. Five sites were sampled on this creek. Four of the sites were determined by running a transect along the creek and sampling at equidistant intervals while the fifth site was a randomly determined first order tributary. Three benthic and 24h drift samples were taken at each site. Benthic samples were taken by planting drift nets in the stream and disturbing the bottom for a distance of 5m upstream for a period of 5 minutes. The environmental characteristics (temperature, dissolved oxygen, riparian cover, stream dimensions, etc) of each site were also measured.

By comparing benthic samples and drift samples the following hypotheses were tested:

Ho: Drift rates of prey species are not related to predator density

Ha: Increased predator density results in increased rates of drift among prey species.

By calculating benthic predator density and comparing it to rates of drift among prey species it is possible to determine whether or not predator density has an effect on drift rate. Some common invertebrate predators encountered in Chair Rock Creek include odonates, megalopterans, and perlid stoneflies. Previous work conducted by Malmqvist and Sjostrom (1987) indicates that increased drift rates are

12 6th Annual Finger Lakes Research Conference | [2010] positively correlated with increased densities of a predaceous perlid stonefly. Similar studies have been carried out comparing overall benthic density to drift rate (Waters 1965). The previously mentioned study indicated that increased benthic density led to increased rates of drift, most likely due to allocation of resources. Drift may be an important tool in studies of benthic community stability and population structure.

Ho: The community of organisms drifting freely through the water column is completely random.

Ha: The community of organisms drifting freely through the water column is dependent on the underlying benthic community.

Differences between drift and benthic communities is most likely related to the varying evolutionary adaptations displayed by different taxonomic groups. Some groups such as heptageniid mayflies and psephenid beetles have life histories and morphologies extremely well suited to benthic life. This includes such adaptations as a dorsoventrally flattened body and emergence via crawling along the benthos to shore (Merritt, Cummins, and Berg 2008). Other taxa such as isonychiid and baetis mayflies are better suited to life adrift in the current. These groups emerge mid-drift at the surface and have laterally compressed morphologies better suited to navigating fast currents (Merritt, Cummins, and Berg 2008).

By comparing rates of terrestrial drift in the drift samples the following hypothesis will be tested:

Ho: Rates of terrestrial drift are completely random.

Ha: Increased rates of terrestrial drift occur in the headwaters compared to downstream.

—‹•ƒ†Ž—‰ȋͥͣͥ͝Ȍ‘–‡Dz–Š‡‹–‹ƒ–‡”‡Žƒ–‹‘•Š‹’„‡–™‡‡–Š‡•–”‡ƒƒ†‹–•”‹’ƒ”‹ƒœ‘‡ ˆ‘”•–Š‡„ƒ•‹•ˆ‘”ƒ•‹‰‹ˆ‹ ƒ–’‘”–‹‘‘ˆ–Š‡ƒ—ƒŽ‡‡”‰›‹’—–Ǥdz—‡”‘—•‘–Š‡”•–—†‹‡•Šƒ˜‡ determined that a significant portion of the available energy in small headwater streams is terrestrially derived (Kawaguchi et.al. 2003, Garman 1993).

In order to better understand drift dynamics the time period of increased drift will also be determined. Three drift nets were placed in three dominant habitat types and checked every three hours for 24h periods. It is assumed that peak drift will occur at dusk and continue for an unknown period of time. This period of heightened drift is most likely due to decreased rates of predation, as suggested by McIntosh and Peckarsky (2003).

Samples from this experiment are in the process of being sorted and identified. Qualitative observations indicate that macroinvertebrate community structure is highly dependent on the physical properties occurring in that area and that invertebrates exhibit a pattern of heightened drift for a few hours starting at dusk. The effects of predator abundance and underlying benthic communities on drift have yet to be determined.

I am an undergraduate aquatic science and fisheries management major at ESF. This research is being conducted under the Cranberry Lake Biological Station Undergraduate Research Fellowship. I prefer to do a verbal presentation but will present a poster if necessary.

[2010] | 6th Annual Finger Lakes Research Conference 13

MACROFOSSIL AND SEDIMENTOLOGICAL EVIDENCE FOR EARLY TO MID-HOLOCENE VEGETATION CHANGE AND INFILLING OF A KETTLE POND IN TOMPKINS COUNTY, NEW YORK

Brita E. Lorentzen and Michelle F. Goman B48 Goldwin Smith, Cornell University Ithaca, NY 14853 [email protected] 607-342-2285 Graduate student

Long-term climate change since the Late Glacial Period has had a profound impact on the vegetation types found in the Finger Lakes region, but paleoenvironmental data onȂand our understanding ofȂlong- term, species-specific vegetation change on a localized scale for the area during the post-glacial period Šƒ•„‡‡’‘‘”ǤŽƒ–ƒ ”‘ˆ‘••‹Ž•’”‡•‡”˜‡†‹•‡†‹‡–•‘ˆ–Š‡”‡‰‹‘ǯ•—‡”‘—•Žƒ‡•ƒ†™‡–Žƒ†• offer a valuable paleoenvironmental record for filling this void.

We report here the results from one such macrofossil record at Purvis Road Bog, a 1.8 ha ombrotrophic peat bog near Dryden, New York, located in the basin of a glacial kettle pond. We sampled macrofossils from three 1-m sediment cores obtained from basal depths with a Russian peat corer in 2006 and a 7-m radiocarbon dated core obtained in 2004, concentrating on material from the early to mid-Holocene (ca. 10.9k-4k yr BP). Macroscopic charcoal, loss on ignition, and magnetic susceptibility analyses were also employed to obtain further informa–‹‘‘–Š‡•‹–‡ǯ•’ƒŽ‡‘‡˜‹”‘‡–ƒŽŠ‹•–‘”›Ǥ

Sediment cores from Purvis contain six identified lithological zones, which record an overall rise in sediment organic content as infilling transformed the site from a kettle pond to the present-day raised peat bog environment. Macrofossil evidence indicates that during the earliest period sampled on our cores (an undated lacustrine clay), boreal Picea glauca already inhabited the area, and sedges grew around the pond. The earliest dated portion of the cores corresponds to the Younger Dryas cooling event (ca. 10.85k-10.2k yr BP), when wetland and boreal forest taxa, including Picea glauca and later Picea mariana, became more established around the lake margins. Fire activity, inferred from a rise in charcoal, appears to have increased during this period (possibly from drier conditions and a more developed forest), and a charcoal influx peak in 10.2k yr BP signals fire events that may have led to higher erosion rates that were responsible for an intrusive sand layer in the pond basin. A gradual rise in temperature and moisture marks the remainder of the early Holocene record (10.2k-5.9k yr BP), when temperate forest taxa Pinus strobus and later Tsuga canadensis macrofossils become dominant. Increasing sediment organic content and peatland taxa, particularly sphagnum, indicate rises in infilling

14 6th Annual Finger Lakes Research Conference | [2010] and basin acidity, with peat covering the area by 5.9k yr BP. By the mid- ‘Ž‘ ‡‡ȋ͠›”Ȍǡ–Š‡„‘‰ǯ• present-day sphagnum and Chamaedaphne calyculata vegetation dominate the macrofossil record, and the absence of Tsuga canadensis •—‰‰‡•–•–Š‡–ƒšƒǯ•†‹•ƒ’’‡ƒ”ƒ ‡ˆ”‘–Š‡Ž‘ ƒŽƒ”‡ƒǤ

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COMPARATIVE LIMNOLOGY OF THE EIGHT EASTERN FINGER LAKES: 2005ʹ2010

Halfman, John D.1, Emily Cummings and Laura Carver Dionne Hobart and William Smith Colleges Geneva, New York 14456 [email protected] (315) 781-3918 Professor

Since 2005, the eight eastern Finger Lakes, Honeoye, Canandaigua, Keuka, Seneca, Cayuga, Owasco, Skaneateles, and Otisco (since 2008) were sampled to investigate and compare the temporal and spatial limnological variability. CTD casts, secchi disk depths, and water samples were collected and analyzed at a minimum of two deepwater sites on a monthly basis during the May Ȃ October field-seasons. Seneca was investigated in more detail with weekly sampling at 4 sites and its major tributaries. SeaBird CTDs (SBE-19 in 05&06, SBE-25 since) collected water-column profiles of conductivity (reported as specific conductance), temperature, depth, pH, dissolved oxygen, light transmission (SBE-19), PAR (SBE-25), fluorescence (SBE-25), and turbidity (SBE-25). Surface and bottom water samples were analyzed for total and dissolved phosphates, nitrates, dissolved silica, chlorophyll-a, total suspended solids, alkalinity, and major ions using standard limnological techniques. The 2010 results and comparison to earlier years, when different, are highlighted below.

CTD Profiles: The temperature profiles were typical for any summer season, similar from one year to the next and reveal the typical development and decay of summer stratification in all but Honeoye. The Honeoye profiles were isothermal on all but an occasional survey, reflecting the well mixed, shallow (<= 9 m) lake. The warmest temperature detected was slightly warmer (~ 1ºC) in 2010 than previous years.

Specific conductance ranged from 225 PS/cm in Honeoye to 705 PS/cm in Seneca in 2010. The epilimnion conductivities decreased 10 to 50 PS/cm through the field season in Cayuga, Canandaigua, Owasco, Otisco, Skaneateles, and Seneca, but remained unchanged in the hypolimnion, and did not change in the other lakes. The largest decrease of 50 PS/cm was observed in Seneca. Hypolimnetic specific conductivity decreased each year in Seneca, ~ 60 PS/cm from 1997 to 2010. Both decreases are interpreted to reflect the dilution of the epilimnion by surface runoff and mixing during overturn.

Dissolved oxygen was nearly saturated throughout the water column in Skaneateles. Mid-summer hypolimnetic depletion, especially right below the thermocline was observed in Cayuga, Owasco, and Seneca. The DO concentrations in the entire hypolimnion decreased in all but Honeoye. The largest decrease was observed in Owasco and Otisco, with near anoxic conditions in the hypolimnion of Otisco. DO depletion was larger in 2009 and 2010 than previous years.

Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) revealed exponentially decreasing light levels to 1% Io at 10 to 40 meters in 2010, the deeper depths correlating to survey dates or lakes with smaller algal concentrations. Some light was available at the deepest lake floor in Honeoye and Otisco. Fluorescence 16 6th Annual Finger Lakes Research Conference | [2010] data revealed uniform water column algal concentrations in Honeoye and mid-epilimnion or upper metalimnion algal peaks in the other lakes. Peak concentrations were detected during July or August in 2010 and were 10 mg/m3 in Keuka, 6 in Owasco, 6 in Otisco, 5 in Seneca, 3.5 in Cayuga, 2 in Canandaigua and 1.5 in Skaneateles.

Benthic nepheloid layers were observed at Canandaigua, Cayuga, Keuka Owasco and Otisco, but not Honeoye, Seneca and Skaneateles. The nepheloid layers, when present, persisted throughout the survey in all but Otisco. The 2010 nepheloid turbidities typically started to increase from background values of below 1 NTUs just below the thermocline up to 3 NTUs within a few meters above the lake floor. The nepheloid layers were best developed in Cayuga, Keuka and Canandaigua, and more pronounced in 2009 and 2008 than 2010, 2007 and 2006. In Otisco, the occasional nepheloid layer is interpreted to reflect mineral precipitation at the chemocline. Owasco revealed its largest turbidities (5 NTUs) just after an intense rain event, located just above the thermocline. The plume decreased in turbidity and thickness from the southern to northern end of the lake, indicating an Owasco Inlet runoff source.

Secchi Disk, Chlorophyll-a, TSS Data: In 2010, annual average secchi disk depths were deepest in Canandaigua (7.1 m) and Skaneateles (7.5 m), and shallowest in Cayuga, Honeoye, Otisco and Owasco (~2.5 to 4.5 m). Secchi depths, as expected, were inversely proportional to chlorophyll-a concentrations (mean concentrations from 1.1 to 38 ug/L) and a lesser extent TSS data (0.6 to 6.4 mg/L). From 2009 to 2010, Chlorophyll-a concentrations increased in Seneca, Canandaigua and Keuka, decreased in Cayuga and Otisco and remained constant in Honeoye, Skaneateles and Owasco. Year to year variability was large in Honeoye, Keuka, Seneca, Cayuga, Owasco and Otisco perhaps reflecting if the survey sampled or missed a bloom. Bottom water algal concentrations were largest in Honeoye and Otisco, lakes with light at the lake floor.

Nutrient Data: Mean 2010 epilimnetic nitrate concentrations were largest in Cayuga, Owasco and Skaneateles (0.6 to 1.1 mg/L), and smallest in Canandaigua, Keuka, Honeoye Seneca and Otisco (0 to 0.3 mg/L). N/P ratios indicate that phosphate is the limiting nutrient in all but Honeoye and perhaps Keuka.

Annual mean 2010 soluble reactive phosphate (SRP) concentrations were 11 Pg/L in Honeoye and 0.9 Pg/L or smaller in the epilimnion of the other lakes. From year to year, epilimnetic concentrations were slightly larger in 2006 compared to the other years perhaps reflecting greater runoff of phosphates in 2006, a rainy year. Anomalously large SRP concentrations, that were detected in the hypolimnion of

[2010] | 6th Annual Finger Lakes Research Conference 17

Cayuga previously, have steadily decreased from 10 Pg/L to 4 Pg/L since 2006, and parallel a decrease in benthic turbidities. Perhaps phosphates were flushed out of the hypolimnion of the lake, preserved as organics in the sediments and/or sources reduced.

Annual mean 2010 epilimnetic total phosphate (TP) concentrations ranged from a high of 54 Pg/L in Honeoye to 4 to 8 Pg/L in the other lakes. Surface water soluble reactive silica (SRSi) concentrations in 2010 were largest in Canandaigua (850 Pg/L), Honeoye (1,780 Pg/L), and Owasco (1,250 Pg/L), and smallest in Cayuga (390 Pg/L) and Seneca (250 Pg/L). Bottom water silica concentrations were typically larger than the surface waters, with the largest difference observed in Owasco (540 Pg/L).

Water Quality Ranking: An annual rank was calculated for each lake using annual mean epilimnetic water quality data (Secchi, TP, SRP, Nitrate, TSS and Chlorophyll data) to assess the relative water quality rank between lakes and the year to year variability in each lake. In 2010, Honeoye revealed the worst water quality, with Cayuga and Owasco not far behind, whereas Canandaigua, Keuka and Skaneateles revealed the best water quality. Water quality in Cayuga, Honeoye, Owasco, and Skaneateles declined in 2009 and 2010, both wet years, compared to their ranks in the previous two dry years. It suggests that these lakes are susceptible to nutrient loading from the watershed. The water quality rank improved over time in Canandaigua, Keuka and more recently Otisco, and was highly variable in Honeoye. The cause for the annual variability is unknown but perhaps water quality protection measures are working in Canandaigua and Keuka, internal loading occasionally stimulates blooms in Otisco and Honeoye, the sample dates either sampled (or missed) algal blooms in the worse (or best) lakes, Seneca is too large to respond as quickly as the other lakes, or different watersheds experienced different amounts of runoff.

18 6th Annual Finger Lakes Research Conference | [2010]

THE OAK ORCHARD SOIL WATER ASSESSMENT TOOL: A DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR WATERSHED MANAGEMENT

Paul L. Richards1, Mikki Smith, Duffy Roodenberg, Mike Lyzwa, Jill Libby, Alex Kuhl,Ted Lewis, Joe Makarewicz & James Zollweg Dept of Earth Sciences/Dept of Environmental Science & Biology SUNY Brockport [email protected] (585) 260-2988 Associate Professor

A hydrologic model (SWAT) was developed and calibrated for the Oak Orchard watershed to evaluate sources and sinks of sediment and nutrients. The purpose of the model is to analyze the sediment and phosphorous balance in the harbor, the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge, and several other key locations in the watershed (Fig. 1). The model included the most important anthropogenic features that impacted water flow and nonpoint source pollution in the watershed. These features included reservoirs at the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge, Waterport and Glendale dams; point sources such as the Erie Canal, US Gypsum, Allen Canning, wastewater treatment plants at Medina, Oakfield and Elba, and tiledrains at the muckland, an intensely farmed area that was drained to combat malaria in the 19th century. Landuse was developed from 2005 aerial photographs, and the model has realistic agricultural crop rotation, fertilizer and tillage management schedules developed from Cornell Extension crop management guidelines as well as interviews with stakeholders. The model was calibrated for water flow and sediment using observed loading data collected by Makarewicz and Lewis (2000, 2009). To achieve the proper water balance observed at the watershed, seasonal inputs of water had to be added from the Erie Canal and the Onondaga escarpment. This water came from outside of the watershed. Soil curve number had to be reduced by 23% to account for extensive areas of zero-slope and internally drained topography that exist within the watershed. The best simulation of phosphorus was obtained by reducing the area of farmland in the Muckland slightly and utilizing the acreage of harvested farmland from the agricultural census to specify total crop area.

The resulting calibration (Fig. 2-4) had a Nash-Sutcliffe (NS) prediction efficiency of 0.81 for the calibration period (1997-1999). The total cumulative sediment loading was within 2%, of observed and the monthly sediment loads fell within the uncertainty of the observed data (NS=0.31). Cumulative total phosphorous loads were within 2% of observed and the NS prediction efficiency was 0.91. The model validated poorly in the 2008 time period primarily because of inaccurate precipitation data and incorrect groundwater fluxes from the escarpment. Further research needs to evaluate the timing and amount of groundwater flow from the escarpment because it has a significant impact on monthly flows in this watershed. It is likely that other watersheds that are nestled against the Onondaga escarpment are impacted by spring flows from this geologic feature.

[2010] | 6th Annual Finger Lakes Research Conference 19

Results using our calibration runs suggest that the flux of sediment from Marsh Creek is less than 5% of the flux from the Oak Orchard River. The harbor is therefore impacted more by the river. The flux of sediment from the INWR Water Control structure was significantly higher than the flux of the river into the harbor implying that a significant amount of sediment is sequestered in Glenwood Lake and Waterport pond. In contrast, little total phosphorus was lost between the INWR water control structure and the outflow into the harbor.

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22 6th Annual Finger Lakes Research Conference | [2010]

MACROPHYTE SURVEYS FOR HEMLOCK AND CANADICE LAKES

Bruce A. Gilman Department of Environmental Conservation and Horticulture Finger Lakes Community College 3325 Marvin Sands Drive Canandaigua, New York 14425-8395 [email protected] 585-785-1255 Professor

Macrophyte communities characterize the littoral zone of the Finger Lakes. These communities contain some aquatic plants that grow completely submerged in the water, others with leaves floating on the surface, and still others with leaves emerging from the water. Species richness in macrophyte communities can be high, but the taxonomy of several genera (e.g., Myriophyllum, Najas, Potamogeton) can be problematic. For these and other reasons, detailed compositional studies have been neglected in some of the smaller lakes.

Macrophyte communities are an essential component of healthy aquatic ecosystems. Their anchoring structures help keep bottom substrates in place. This reduces sediment re-suspension, thereby helping to minimize shoreline turbidity and near-shore benthic deposition that might otherwise have undesirable effects on certain life stages of lake organisms, in particular, fish eggs. Macrophyte stems and leaves also reduce wave energy thereby protecting shorelines from erosion. On a daily basis, macrophytes enhance the dissolved oxygen supply in the water through their photosynthetic activity. Macrophytes also improve water quality as they help control algal abundance by competitively utilizing significant portions ‘ˆƒŽƒ‡ǯ•—–”‹‡–„—†‰‡–Ǥ‘•–‹’‘”–ƒ–Ž›ǡƒ ”‘’Š›–‡•ƒ”‡ƒ ”‹–‹ ƒŽŠƒ„‹–ƒ–ˆ‘”ƒ›Žƒ‡ organisms, providing food, shelter and nesting materials.

System-wide macrophyte surveys are recommended every few years, especially to document the arrival of aquatic nuisance species and begin their management before they become widely established. A modern survey is especially timely for Canadice and Hemlock Lakes because of the recent New York State acquisition of the City of Rochester watershed lands, and the immediate work being undertaken to develop a Unit Management Plan for the new, permanently protected State holdings. Historical macrophyte information is generally lacking for the smaller Finger Lakes, with the early researchers concentrating their efforts in the larger lakes. After intensive herbaria searches and review of unpublished reports, a preliminary historical list for both lakes is now available. An inventory is desirable to improve current knowledge concerning the biology of these lakes and to establish baseline data for future comparative studies. It is noteworthy that these lakes possess a character that is unique among the Finger Lakes ( i.e., no shoreline development and stringent regulations on watershed and lake activities).

[2010] | 6th Annual Finger Lakes Research Conference 23

The aquatic plant community composition of both lakes was sampled first by snorkeling and, a month later, by macrophyte raking. Sample site location was recorded by GPS coordinates and is displayed in Figure 1. The littoral zone was large at the north and south ends of the lakes, but was reduced to a narrow strip of vegetation along the eastern and western shorelines. Embayments along depositional points had moderate sized aquatic plant communities. Voucher specimens of all plants were collected, pressed, mounted and placed into the Finger Lakes Herbarium at Finger Lakes Community College.

Most historical records were reconfirmed with modern collections. Many different species were encountered during the course of the study, including several vascular plants and two macro-algae (Table 1). Exceptionally dense growth of the native Elodea was noted at the south end of the lakes. Three species, brittle naiad, curly leaf pondweed and Eurasian water milfoil, are exotic invaders. They were widely distributed in both lakes and often shared dominance in the community. This represents the first report of brittle naiad (Najas minor) for the lakes. Native to Europe and western Asia, brittle naiad was first detected in Ohio in 1932, and has since spread to several northeastern states. It is a slender, annual plant with paired leaves and stems that profusely branch near the growing tips. The leaves are stiff, recurved and pointed, and have spines along the leaf margins. The growth form is usually compact and appears billowy. The plant earns its common name from its fragile nature, and is thought to spread by fragmentation as well as seed production.

24 6th Annual Finger Lakes Research Conference | [2010]

FIGURE 1 Ȃ Macrophyte community sampling sites in Hemlock (n=7) and Canadice (n=3) Lakes.

[2010] | 6th Annual Finger Lakes Research Conference 25

TABLE 1 Ȃ 2010 aquatic plant survey of Hemlock and Canadice Lakes.

Vascular Plants Hemlock Lake Canadice Lake Coontail Ceratophyllum demersum x x Elodea Elodea canadensis x x Water horsetail Equisetum fluviatile x Water stargrass Heteranthera dubia x x Eurasian milfoil Myriophyllum spicatum x x Slender naiad Najas flexilis x x Southern naiad Najas guadalupensis x Brittle naiad Najas minor x x Yellow water lily Nuphar variegata x Reed canary grass Phalaris arundinacea x x Water smartweed Polygonum amphibium x x Large leaf pondweed Potamogeton amplifolius x x Curly leaf pondweed Potamogeton crispus x x Ribbon leaf pondweed Potamogeton epihydrus x x Thread leaf pondweed Potamogeton filiformis x Leafy pondweed Potamogeton foliosus x Grass leaf pondweed Potamogeton gramineus x x Brown pondweed Potamogeton natans x Long leaf pondweed Potamogeton nodosus x Redhead pondweed Potamogeton perfoliatus x x Small pondweed Potamogeton pusillus x Clasping leaf pondweed Potamogeton richardsonii x Flat stem pondweed Potamogeton zosteriformis x x Stiff white water buttercup Ranunculus longirostris x x Soft-stem bulrush Scirpus validus x x Giant bur-reed Sparganium eurycarpum x Greater duckweed Spirodela polyrhiza x x Sago pondweed Stuckenia pectinata x x Cattail Typha latifolia x Bladderwort Utricularia vulgaris x Eel grass Vallisneria americana x x

Non-vascular Plants Muskgrass Chara sp. x x Stonewort Nitella sp. x x

This survey was funded by the Ontario County Water Resources Council through their small grants program. Assistance was provided by the City of Rochester, especially the help of Don Root, recently retired watershed conservationist for Hemlock and Canadice Lakes.

26 6th Annual Finger Lakes Research Conference | [2010]

ENVIRONMENTAL LEVELS OF RADIUM IN WATER OF CENTRAL NEW YORK STATE

Thomas F. Kraemer U. S. Geological Survey Reston, VA 20192 [email protected] (703) 648-5868 Hydrologist

Development of natural gas resources of the Marcellus Shale in Central New York State and other areas in the Eastern U. S. has raised concerns over possible water quality changes that may occur as a result of production activities. High concentrations of uranium and its decay product radium occur in the Marcellus Shale, which is typical of black shales in many parts of the world. Radium is abundant in shale- gas brine production water, as it is in many high-salinity groundwaters. In order to establish an environmental baseline of naturally occurring radionuclides in surface water and groundwater, existing analyses of radium isotopes have been collated for waters in New York State. Major water bodies have been analyzed, including the Finger Lakes, Onondaga Lake, Otsego Lake, the northern Susquehanna River and its tributaries, and springs and wells in the Syracuse/Onondaga Lake area. Smaller streams in the Southern Tier have also been measured.

A review of the data reveals that radium in lakes and surface waters is low, being on the order of 0.05 pCi/L for 226Ra in the Finger Lakes, Otsego Lake, and most of the rivers and streams. Highest activities of radium have been found in saline springs and bed rock wells in the Syracuse/Onondaga Lake area, where 226Ra values as high as 1660 pCi/L have been recorded. This water is also the most saline of the data set, with specific conductivities of over 200,000 microSiemens/cm. These wells and springs produce water from bedrock of sandstone, shale and limestone and are no doubt influenced by the Salina evaporates that occur at shallow depths. The 228Ra/226Ra activity ratios of these waters are in almost all cases greater than 0.75, some being as high as 11.5, and are not characteristic of a high-uranium, low thorium source such as the Marcellus Shale, which would produce a lower ratio, usually less than 0.5. As a result, the 228Ra/226Ra activity ratio may be useful in identifying the source of future observed groundwater water quality changes in the Central New York area.

[2010] | 6th Annual Finger Lakes Research Conference 27

^dZE'd,E/E''Z/h>dhZ͛^ZK>/E PROTECTING WATER QUALITY IN THE OWASCO LAKE WATERSHED: PRELIMINARY FINDINGS

Judy Wright American Farmland Trust 112 Spring Street, Suite 207 Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 [email protected] (315) 730-4505 Farmland Protection Consultant

‡ŽŽƒƒ‰‡†ˆƒ”•ƒ‡‡› ‘–”‹„—–‹‘•–‘–Š‡Š‡ƒŽ–Š‘ˆ‡™‘”ǯ•‡˜‹”‘‡–ǡ‡ ‘‘›ƒ† —Ž–—”‡Ǥ ‘”†‹‰–‘–Š‡‹–‡†–ƒ–‡•‡’ƒ”–‡–‘ˆ‰”‹ —Ž–—”‡ǡƒ›—‰ƒ‘—–›ǯ•ͥ͜͠ˆƒ”• sold almost $183 million in farm products in 2007. Assuming one-fifth of these products were produced in the Owasco Lake watershed, the value of products sold annually from watershed farms is more than $36 million, with many of these farm businesses are closely tied with other local businesses such as Byrne ƒ‹”›Ǥ††‹–‹‘ƒŽŽ›ǡŽ‘ ƒŽˆƒ”•’”‘˜‹†‡ˆ”‡•ŠǡŠ‡ƒŽ–Š›ˆ‘‘†ƒ†ˆƒ”’”‘†— –•–‘ ‘•—‡”•ƒ–ˆƒ”‡”•ǯ markets and farm stands throughout the region.

Within New York State, 30 percent of the private land (7 million acres) is in agriculture. For this reason, farmers are positioned to play a substantial role in advancing environmental goals such as improving water quality, protecting wildlife habitat, and offsetting greenhouse gas emissions.

Owasco Lake is the sixth largest Finger Lake with a drainage basin of 205 square miles. Although Owasco Lake is one of the smaller Finger Lakes, the size of the drainage basin ranks third of all the Finger Lakes. The soils within the watershed are deep, well drained, and contain significant amounts of calcium that make them ideal for agricultural production. Roughly 55 percent of the watershed is in agricultural use making farmers important players in protecting water quality and the overall health of the regionǯ• environment.

The goals of –”‡‰–Š‡‹‰‰”‹ —Ž–—”‡ǯ•‘Ž‡‹”‘–‡ –‹‰ƒ–‡”—ƒŽ‹–›‹–Š‡™ƒ• ‘ƒ‡ƒ–‡”•Š‡† project include:

x compile existing research and data about the state of Owasco Lake, including actions being taken by farmers in the Owasco Lake Watershed to protect water quality, x identify the practices and activities relevant to agriculture that hold the most promise for ‹’”‘˜‹‰™ƒ–‡”“—ƒŽ‹–›ƒ†„ƒ””‹‡”•–‘ˆƒ”‡”•ǯƒ†‘’–‹‘‘ˆ•— Š‰‘ƒŽ•ǡƒ† x †‡˜‡Ž‘’ƒDz ‘•‡”˜ƒ–‹‘„Ž—‡’”‹–dz™‹–Š”‡ ‘‡†ƒ–‹‘•ˆ‘”ƒ –‹‘ƒ––Š‡Ž‘ ƒŽǡ•–ƒ–‡ƒ†ˆ‡†‡”ƒŽ levels of the most viable options for assisting farmers in enhancing water quality in the Owasco Lake watershed.

28 6th Annual Finger Lakes Research Conference | [2010]

The ultimate goal of this project is to enable farmers in the Owasco Lake watershed to pro-actively take steps to enhance and protect water quality. This outcome will require solutions that deliver environmental results but are also practical and support economically viable farms.

The Oral Presentation will share the results of interviews with farmers in the Owasco Lake watershed which demonstrate their commitment to being good stewards of the land. Farmers also want to implement conservation measures to protect water quality; yet some practices are not financially feasible or there are barriers to implementation. Additional interviews with related agricultural stakeholders reveal support for well managed farms in the watershed along with a strong desire to work with the farm community to implement conservation practices; yet there is a communications disconnect between the two communities.

Judy Wright is currently the Central New York Consultant for American Farmland Trust. She is a Certified Professional Agronomist and Certified Crop Advisor with the American Society of Agronomy. She holds both a BS and MS in Agriculture from the University of Delaware. Prior to consulting for American Farmland Trust, she was an Agricultural Extension Agent with Cornell Cooperative Extension in Cayuga County for 18 years focusing on Field Crop production.

[2010] | 6th Annual Finger Lakes Research Conference 29

FINGER LAKES GROUPS CAPTURE AWARENESS GRANTS FOR LOCAL LANDFILL AND CAFO ISSUES.

Brad Muise and Glen Silver Local Environmental Activist

Two small groups of local citizens and researchers have recently been awarded grants to raise awareness about air and water quality issues around the Finger Lakes region. One group received a federal EPA grant to conduct air quality screening, education and outreach around Seneca Meadows landfill. Another group received a private grant to conduct water quality screening in Rose New York to raise awareness of CAFO manure lagoon issues. These two projects will afford local residents an opportunity to participate and utilize state-of-the-art monitoring equipment in order to raise awareness and educate themselves. This presentation will briefly discuss these two important projects as well as a few opportunities for volunteers.

30 6th Annual Finger Lakes Research Conference | [2010]

PHOSPHOROUS LOADING FOR THE SOUTHERN SHELF OF CAYUGA LAKE

Nate Carman1, Jose Lozano, Daniel Ramer Ithaca Area Waste Water Treatment Facility 525 3rd Street Ithaca New York [email protected] (607)592-3680 Undergraduate Student

The southern shelf of Cayuga Lake, according to a 2007 DEC Waterbody Inventory study, was listed as having impaired water quality. With a Class A ranking the southern shelf is known to have above average levels of sediments, phosphorous and pathogens that contribute to:

1. Impaired public bathing 2. Impaired recreation 3. Stressed aesthetics 4. Possibly threatened water supply

Maintaining adequate water quality within the shelf is vital to preserve this ecosystem and the economic benefits associated with it. This can be done largely by formulating a total maximum daily load of phosphorous, TMDL, for the southern shelf. Phosphorous is the limiting nutrient in temperate aquatic ecosystems and in regards to Cayuga Lake is a marker of its health and integrity. Prior research done on phosphorous loading did not yield accurate results because one of the two contributing tributaries, the Cayuga Inlet, did not have an adequate flow model. Preliminary research done by the Ithaca Area Waste Water Treatment Facility has changed that. By using a Doppler Current Profiler (DCP) deployed in the Inlet discharge values were attained with a daily average of 16.4 million gallons per day flowing into Cayuga Lake. The DCP also showed that the Inlet flows both north and south demonstrating characteristics more akin to an estuary than a river. This data, being relatively new to studies of Cayuga Lake, was vital in accurately calculating phosphorous loads. It was found that in the 2010 summer season 33.5 pounds of phosphorous, on average, is discharged per day into the southern shelf of Cayuga Lake. This figure was estimated after monitoring the flows and phosphorous levels of Fall Creek, Cayuga Inlet, Lake Source Cooling, and the Ithaca Waste Water Treatment Facility. The ultimate goal of this research is to create a TMDL for the southern shelf of Cayuga Lake to aid in estimating phosphorous loading which –Š‡ ƒ„‡—•‡†–‘ ”‡ƒ–‡’‘Ž‹ ‹‡•–‘ƒ‹–ƒ‹–Š‡•Š‡Žˆǯ•Š‡ƒŽ–Šƒ†‘˜‡”ƒŽŽ‡ ‘‘‹ ˜ƒŽ—‡Ǥ

[2010] | 6th Annual Finger Lakes Research Conference 31

SURFACE WATER QUALITY: FARMING, FOOD SAFETY, AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Elizabeth A. Bihn1 and Randy W. Worobo Department of Food Science, Cornell University 630 W. North Street, Geneva, NY 14456 [email protected] 315.787.2625 Graduate student

In addition to the beautiful lakes, rivers, and streams, the Finger Lakes Region is home to many productive fruit and vegetable farms. Depending on the year, New York State is either first or second in cabbage production and second in apple production in the nation. In addition to its national reputation, New York farms produce a diverse array of fresh fruits and vegetables that run from asparagus to zucchini. The production of fresh fruits and vegetables is dependent on many environmental variables such as temperature, sunlight, rainfall, and soil type. Fresh produce growers can and do modify the growing environment to ensure crop quality and productivity. The application of irrigation water, water for frost protection, and topical protective sprays are just a few of the practices that growers utilize during the growing season to promote crop growth. The water used for these practices can come from multiple sources including surface water, well water and municipal water. These multiple sources of water can be applied in several different ways such as through drip tape, overhead sprinklers and spray machinery, and the type of delivery will often determine the volume of water needed as well as the pressure.

Water applied to fruits and vegetables not only impacts the crop growth but can also impact local watersheds and the safety of the crop as a food source. The impact to local watersheds occurs through both the use (removal of water) and the return (application) of the water to the crop land (environment). Since much of the water used in the production of fresh produce is drawn from surface water sources including ponds, streams, canals, and lakes that are open to the environment and more likely to be contaminated than either well or municipal water sources, the safety of the fresh fruits and vegetables can also be impacted. Following several well publicized produce associated foodborne illness outbreaks, many retail buyers including grocery stores such as Wegmans, now require fresh produce growers to test their irrigation water prior to use and develop a water management plan to reduce food safety risks. These food safety requirements may or may not be in harmony with environmental management plans that the farm has established. Currently there are no federal irrigation water quality standards, though several prominent produce industry groups have adopted the Environmental Protection Agency Recreational Water Quality Standards as the irrigation standards required during production. In addition to the produce industry movement toward irrigation water standards, the Food and Drug Administration has stated that they will be releasing a produce safety rule (regulation) in the next 12 months and this rule could contain specific language regarding irrigation water quality standards.

32 6th Annual Finger Lakes Research Conference | [2010]

Concerned about the impact new irrigation water quality standards could have on the fresh produce industry, a research project was initiated to determine the current quality of surface water sources being used during the production of fresh fruits and vegetables in New York. Surface water sources on farms in 16 counties throughout New York were sampled and the pH, specific conductance, turbidity, and generic Escherichia coli content were determined. Many of these farms are located in counties surrounding the Finger Lakes. Sampling was conducted throughout the growing season to track seasonal variation as well as variation that may result in heavy use of the water source or other factors. This presentation will present surface water quality results including the development of a national irrigation water quality database, describe how growers can manage the use of surface waters to reduce food safety risks during production, and discuss the challenges faced in using all source waters wisely to protect both people and the environment.

[2010] | 6th Annual Finger Lakes Research Conference 33

QUAGGA MUSSELS IN SOME FINGER LAKES

Stewart, K. Dept. Biological Science State University of New York Buffalo, NY 14260 [email protected] (716) 645-2898 Prof. Emeritus

Brief Background: The invasive dreissenid zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) was first found in North America in Lake St. Clair and was first reported on by Hebert et al. (1989). By chance, I collected some dreissenids from the eastern end of Lake Erie in June 1991and found that my collection, although dominated by zebra mussels, also contained some quagga mussels (Dreissena rostiformis bugensis). Colonization, of the Buffalo-Syracuse portion of the Erie Canal, followed rapidly with D. polymorpha showing initial dominance. However, in recent years, quagga mussels have moved in and become dominant at many sites along the Erie Canal. All the Finger Lakes were colonized initially by zebra mussels. Now: To get a broader and more current assessment of invasive dreissenids in the Finger Lakes, I sampled for zebra and quagga mussels, from all 11 Finger Lakes, in the fall of 2009. This presentation will describe which of the 11 Finger Lakes now have quagga mussels, and the percentage of quaggas found in those lakes. Additionally, I will try to describe the ratios of zebra to quagga mussels found in 12 other lakes (i.e., not Finger Lakes) in NY State.

34 6th Annual Finger Lakes Research Conference | [2010]

EVALUATING NATIVE AND NATURALIZED PLANT SPECIES AT REGIONAL AIRPORTS IN CENTRAL NY FOR WILDLIFE HAZARD MANAGEMENT

Donna Vogler and Kristin Bacuiska Biology Department State University of New York, College at Oneonta Oneonta, NY. USA [email protected] (607) 436-3705 Associate Professor of Biology

This one-year study evaluated the potential for using native species in a wildlife hazard management plan at three airports of the central NY region. Prior to the 2009 growing season, seven native species and a conventional turf mixture were tested in the greenhouse for establishment under a hydroseed mat and compared with open seeded flats. Although the conventional mix outperformed all native species for germination in the first 5 weeks, there were no significant differences in germination rates between those with a hydroseed mat vs open seeded (W9 = 35; P =0.476). Several native species emerged as suitable candidates for the field tests, but two sedges (Carex pennsylvanica and C. schweinitzi) and Purple Love Grass (Eragrosits spectabilis) were eliminated for field trials based on relatively weaker performance, higher cost of seed, and limited availability of seed stock.

In the spring of 2009 plots of five native species plus the conventional turf mix were established at three airports in the general Finger Lakes region and evaluated for degree of wildlife attraction or deterrence. Plots (each 232 M2) were hydroseeded at Elmira Corning Regional Airport (ELM), Griffiss International Airport (RME) and Oneonta Municipal Airport (ONE). The degree of vegetation cover in the plots varied across airports, by species, and over the growing season. Based on our field trials both Indian Grass (Sorghastrum nutans) and Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) produced good cover (up to 60% and 30%, respectively at the Oneonta airport). As expected, the conventional turf mix had excellent germination, and established with 91% cover at ONE. Other native grasses (Poverty Oats, Danthonia spicata; Crinkled Hairgrass, Deschampsia flexuosa) did not achieve above 25% cover in this first year at any of the airports and are not recommended as highly. Thyme (Thymus pulegiodes) established later in the season with 58% cover at ONE, but poor establishment at the other airports. Competition from annual weeds overwhelmed the ELM plots in late summer (weed cover + 60%) and resulted in poor cover of both native (2% cover) and conventional turf mix plots (12% cover). Plots at RME had substantial bare ground (up to 50%), including the plot with the conventional mix. We attribute the significant differences in vegetation performance across our three sites to differences in soil quality and other conditions inherent to each site.

[2010] | 6th Annual Finger Lakes Research Conference 35

Our field trials also highlighted the wildlife attractiveness of the turf mix (of Kentucky Bluegrass, Perennial Ryegrass, Annual Ryegrass and Clover) preferred by contractors. Deer feeding observations captured by motion detecting infared cameras demonstrated that the ‘˜‡–‹‘ƒŽ ‘–”ƒ –‘”ǯ•‹š attracted significantly more deer and a greater proportion were caught feeding (vs non-feeding) than an adjacent plot of Indian Grass over a 2-month period (F2 = 44 P<0.001). Fecal pellet count data from all ƒ‹”’‘”–•ˆ‘ŽŽ‘™‡†–Š‡•ƒ‡’ƒ––‡”Ǥ‹‹Žƒ”Ž›ǡ„‹”†•™‡”‡ƒ––”ƒ –‡†–‘’Ž‘–•‘ˆ ‘–”ƒ –‘”ǯ•‹šƒ†–Š‡ 2 Thyme plots significantly more than the other four test species ( ɝ 5=32.2 P < 0.001). Insect attractiveness to the nƒ–‹˜‡•’‡ ‹‡•’Ž‘–•™ƒ•‰‡‡”ƒŽŽ›‡“—ƒŽ–‘‘”Ž‡••–Šƒ–Šƒ–‘ˆ–Š‡ ‘–”ƒ –‘”ǯ•‹š’Ž‘–ƒ†˜ƒried greatly across the season.

Despite the limited duration of this study, several native plant species show good potential to be incorporated into wildlife hazard management plans at airports in this agriculturally important and wildlife friendly region. Of the species tested, Indian Grass and Little Bluestem are recommended the most highly. Further study is warranted in other regions to test other native species not tested here, particularly to match the choice of species to the climate zone or conditions specific to an individual airfield. More research is needed to evaluate native species as components of seeding mixtures, particularly over multi-year periods to evaluate performance following establishment. While all eight native species tested in our greenhouse study took longer to germinate and establish than the ‘˜‡–‹‘ƒŽ ‘–”ƒ –‘”ǯ•‹šǡ„› ‘’ƒ”‹•‘–Š‡•‡ƒ–‹˜‡•’‡ ‹‡•Šƒ˜‡‹Š‡”‡–Ž›Ž‘™‡”•‡‡†output when mature, and once established present less of a food source to wildlife.

Dr. Donna Vogler is an Associate Professor of Biology and was the Principle Investigator on this project. Kristin Bacuiska is a Graduate Student completing her M.S. degree.

36 6th Annual Finger Lakes Research Conference | [2010]

PREY SIZE SELECTION IN HEMIMYSIS

ANOMALA

Jessica Wuerstle Buffalo State College, 1300 Elmwood Ave. Buffalo, NY 14222 [email protected] (716) 581-1067 Graduate Student in Biology

Hemimysis anomala is one of the most recent invaders to the Northeastern United States, and is spreading within the Great Lakes and Finger Lakes regions. Because their population density is increasing rapidly, it is important to gain an understanding of H. anomalaǯs feeding habits to evaluate their potential impacts on the food web dynamics of the invaded systems. Similar to other mysids, H. anomala is omnivorous and their diet is composed of both zooplankton and phytoplankton. This study aims to increase our understanding of the role introduced mysids play in altering trophic systems by examining prey size selectivity of small, medium and large H. anomala individuals. We hypothesized that increased H. anomala body length would coincide with a broader zooplankton prey size range and that feeding would take place preferably at low light.

Prey size selectivity experiments were conducted in two incubators with different light levels to investigate feeding preferences of H. anomala on Daphnia pulex of different sizes. Feeding experiments were carried out in 2 L of filtered Lake Erie water at 18°C. D. pulex of three size classes: small (0.7 mm), medium (1.6 mm) and large (2.0 mm) were exposed to predation by a single H. anomala. The experiment ™ƒ• ‘†— –‡†™‹–Š•ƒŽŽȋϐ͡Ȍǡ‡†‹—ȋͣ-ͤȌǡƒ†Žƒ”‰‡ȋϑ͜͝ȌH. anomala collected from Seneca Lake in August 2010.

A ratio of 21:1 D. pulex to H. anomala was used in four treatments: dark, low light, dark with algae and low light with algae. All animals were acclimated to the temperature and light conditions of the experiment before H. anomala was introduced to the jar containing Daphnia and allowed to feed for 6 hours. The experiments were repeated three times and within each trial treatments were replicated three times.

H. anomala of all sizes (small, medium, large) were able to consume Daphnia from each of the three size classes. However, H. anomala in all four treatments preferably consumed small and/or medium Daphnia. Additionally, H. anomala consumed more Daphnia in the dark treatments, indicating the use of mechanoreception as opposed to visual predation for finding prey. The Daphnia not consumed during the experiments were also investigated for non-fatal damage sustained during the 6 hour feeding time. ”‘‡–ƒ‹Ž•’‹‡•™‡”‡–Š‡‘•– ‘‘”‡ ‘”†‡†‹Œ—”›ǤƒŽŽDzƒ––ƒ ƒ”•dz‹–Š‡ ƒ”ƒ’ƒ ‡™‡”‡ also observed in some Daphnia.

The insights gained from these experiments on the feeding behavior of the omnivorous H. anomala will increase our understanding of the potential impact this species poses for aquatic food webs in the Northeast. The tolerance for higher temperatures than its native counterpart (Mysis diluviana) will likely

[2010] | 6th Annual Finger Lakes Research Conference 37 aid in the distribution of the invasive mysid as recreational boat traffic between lakes, such as seen in the Finger Lakes region, may open new ecosystems for invasion and thereby increase the potential for impact.

38 6th Annual Finger Lakes Research Conference | [2010]

DETECTION AND MONITORING OF INVASIVE PHRAGMITES USING RADAR IN THE COASTAL GREAT LAKES*

Kevin D Riordan1, Laura Bourgeau-Chavez, Richard Powell, and Liza Jenkins Michigan Technological Research Institute, Michigan Technological University 3600 Green Court, Suite 100, Ann Arbor, MI 48105 [email protected] 315-525-7150 Independent Scientist

Throughout the past two centuries, the Great Lakes region has witnessed a variety of non-native (exotic) species infiltrate its boundaries. Often these species initially remain unnoticed and cause very little harm to the habitat in which they reside. However as these exotic species become established in a given ecosystem they begin to cause economic, human health, or environmental damage in that ecosystem. One species in particular, a fast-growing invasive reed, has begun to plague the Great Lakes region. Common reed, Phragmites australis, has recently been labeled an extreme threat to native ecosystems †—‡–‘–Š‡’Žƒ–ǯ•ƒ‰‰”‡••‹˜‡ƒ„‹Ž‹–›–‘†‘‹ƒ–‡ƒ˜ƒ”‹‡–›‘ˆ‡ ‘•›•–‡•‘ ‡ introduced. Although a native species of Phragmites exists throughout the Great Lakes region, the invasive form is quickly displacing the native variety, as well as many other native types of vegetation such as cattail. Invasive Phragmites is most prevalent in emergent wetlands throughout the Great Lakes region. This is due to rapid water level changes and the vast areas of exposed habitat. Phragmites can become well established quickly because its dispersion occurs underground, by way of rhizomes.

Within 10km of the Great Lakes coastline, over 300,000 acres of identified freshwater emergent wetlands exist. These areas, which are home to many endangered and threatened species, are at risk of being invaded by dense stands of Phragmites. Once established, Phragmites is difficult to control and requires repeated applications of herbicide and burning. This regimen, however effective, also kills any native vegetation that remains after the initial invasion of Phragmites.

Currently there is no comprehensive map or documentation of the status/extent of Phragmites infestation in the Great Lakes region. There are however, numerous environmental organizations attempting to locate and record the location of Phragmites, but their surveys usually cover small areas of land. Using a combination of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data and field documentation, known and potential Phragmites locations will be identified for the entire Great Lakes basin. SAR is an active system that interacts with vegetative ecosystems based upon biomass, structure and moisture characteristics. It can also detect phonological changes in vegetation biomass and water level conditions which aid in wetland classification. Based on a pilot study involving both Lake St. Clair (Michigan) and northern Lake Ontario, it was discovered that using seasonal SAR imagery (spring, summer, and fall) allows for differentiation of Phragmites from other wetland species. This separation has been difficult using optical imagery.

[2010] | 6th Annual Finger Lakes Research Conference 39

For each lake basin, comprehensive field sampling was conducted. Field collections occurred throughout the summer of 2010 and will continue through the fall. Field teams (2 people per team) collected vegetation and water condition measurements at nearly 600 locations throughout the basin. These field measurements provide accurate identification of ecosystem type when classifying the SAR imagery.

The result of this project will be the first comprehensive map of potential Phragmites locations across the entire Great Lakes basin. The results will be utilized in modeling and management plans of the USGS, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, and numerous other national, state, and local organizations. The project is currently underway with all work to be completed in early 2011.

* Project Funded through USGS Great Lakes Science Center and US Fish and Wildlife Service National Wetlands Infrastructure as part of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GRLI).

40 6th Annual Finger Lakes Research Conference | [2010]

Poster Presentations

[2010] | 6th Annual Finger Lakes Research Conference 41

WHEN DOES HOTWATER FREEZE FASTER THAN COLD WATER? A SEARCH FOR THE MPEMBA EFFECT

James D. Brownridge Department of Physics, Applied Physics, and Astronomy State University of New York at Binghamton, P.O. Box 6000 Binghamton, New York 13902-6000, USA [email protected] (607) 777-4370 Radiation Safety Officer

Why does hot water sometimes freeze faster than cold water? This is a question that has been debated for more than two thousand years in both scientific and popular literature. Here we will offer an explanation that has resulted in our observation of hot water freezing faster than cold water 28 times in 28 attempts. If one takes two specimens of water from the same source they will often have different spontaneous freezing temperatures; that is, the temperature at which freezing begins, i.e. when latent heat is released. If one of the specimens is heated and the spontaneous freezing temperature of the heated specimen is higher than that of the one not heated, then the heated specimen will sometimes freeze first. The quandary is, one cannot predict when the hot water will freeze first or how often in a series of freezing cycles, even when all conditions except initial temperature of the water is equal and remains so during cooling. We have determined that heating the water does not cause it to freeze faster. Two explanations for observing hot water freezing before not heated water from the same source are: supercooling and a significant difference in the spontaneous freezing temperature of the two water specimens. We will present data showing water that was greater than 100 oC freezing before water that was less than 0 oC at the start of cooling. These results can be obtained with regular tap water.

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Preprint at: http://arxiv.org/ftp/arxiv/papers/1003/1003.3185.pdf

[2010] | 6th Annual Finger Lakes Research Conference 43

EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT DIETS AND RATION ON ENERGY CONTENT AND CONDITION INDICES IN LABORATORY REARED ALEWIVES (ALOSA PSEUDOHARENGUS)

Todd B. Duval SUNY Buffalo State College, Biology Department 1300 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo NY 14222 [email protected] (716)887-8316 Undergraduate Student

The alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus) is a small schooling clupeid found in the Great Lakes. Introduced in the 19th century, the alewife has become an important source of forage for salmonids and walleye in Great Lakes recreational fisheries. For this project, commercially obtained alewives were raised under laboratory conditions using plant and fish oil based diets and two ration levels of 1% or 3% of mean body weight. The fish were separated into 4 replicate tanks of 20 fish per dietary treatment. After 8 weeks, fish were sacr‹ˆ‹ ‡†ƒ†‡ƒ•—”‡†ˆ‘”Ž‡‰–Šƒ†™‡‹‰Š–ƒ† ‘†‹–‹‘ˆƒ –‘”ȋ —Ž–‘ǯ•Ȍ™ƒ• ƒŽ —Žƒ–‡†Ǥ Samples of 8 female fish per treatment were dissected and hepatosomatic and gonadosomatic indexes were calculated. The samples were then dried at 60°C for 5 days. Water content was calculated from dry and wet weights, and 4 samples from each treatment were measured for bomb calorimetry. Data suggest –Šƒ– —Ž–‘ǯ•‹• ‘””‡Žƒ–‡†™‹–Š”ƒ–‹‘„—–‘–†‹‡––›’‡ǢŠ‘™‡˜‡”–Š‡ˆ‹•Šˆ‡†ˆ‹•Š‘‹Ž•Šƒ†Š‹‰Š‡”–Šƒ plant oil fish. The difference in percent water between the samples was only significant between the ration levels. Analysis shows that energy content is more strongly correlated with ration level not diet type. Hepatosomatic indexes were higher for plant oil fed fish, which indicates the possibility that the plant and fish oils are utilized differently.

44 6th Annual Finger Lakes Research Conference | [2010]

EXPLOITING A NATURAL EXPERIMENT: INVESTIGATING THE IMPACT OF AN INVASIVE ZOOPLANKTON, CERCOPAGIS PENGOI, ON THE FOOD WEBS OF THE NEW YORK FINGER LAKES

Stephanie Figary and Kimberly Schulz SUNY ESF- 311 Illick Hall 1 Forestry Drive Syracuse, New York 13210 [email protected] (607) 280-0498 Graduate Student

The invasive predatory zooplankton, Cercopagis pengoi, was first detected in Lake Ontario in 1998 and has since spread to 6 of the 11 Finger Lakes. Cercopagis is one of many invasive species that have entered the Finger Lakes, but is the only predatory zooplankton invader. As a predatory zooplankton Cercopagis is a mid-trophic level invader that is both a predator and prey in the food web. This invasion provides an opportunity to study the impact of a mid-trophic level invasion throughout the region. Mid-trophic level invasions such as this one have been studied less than invasions of primary producers or top predators, but could have radiating impacts across several trophic levels. In the Finger Lakes the majority of the native zooplankton are herbivorous, with only Leptodora kindtii as a predatory cladoceran in the open waters.

This project looks to investigate the impacts of Cercopagis on the food webs of invaded lakes by comparing them to the non-invaded lakes in the region. The first objective of the study is to determine the impact of Cercopagis on the abundance and species composition of their prey, native herbivorous zooplankton. The second objective is to determine if Cercopagis presence increases the algal biomass in invaded lakes due to decreasing the herbivorous zooplankton grazing pressure on the primary producers of the invaded lakes. Lastly, the project will investigate if Cercopagis has lengthened the food chain of invaded lakes by adding a trophic link into the food webs due to planktivorous fishes shifting their diet from native herbivorous zooplankton to this predatory invader. Presented here will be the next step for analyzing the field data collected from May through October 2010.

[2010] | 6th Annual Finger Lakes Research Conference 45

RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES AT THE MULLER FIELD STATION OF FINGER LAKES COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Bruce A. Gilman and Sasha J. MacKenzie Department of Environmental Conservation and Horticulture Finger Lakes Community College 3325 Marvin Sands Drive Canandaigua, New York 14425-8395 [email protected] 585-785-1255 [email protected] 585-785-1232 Professor

Located in the southern Honeoye Valley, the Muller Field Station is ideally centered in the western Finger Lakes and can offer residential scientific facilities for those conducting local, field-based research. ‡ ‡‹˜‡†ƒ•ƒ‰‹ˆ–ˆ”‘ Ž‘”‡ ‡—ŽŽ‡”‹‡ ‡„‡”ͥͥͥ͝ǡ–Š‡ˆ‹‡Ž†•–ƒ–‹‘ǯ•‹••‹‘‹•—Ž–‹ˆƒ ‡–‡†ǣȋ͝Ȍ to serve as a learning and research center where people acquire knowledge and share information about the Finger Lakes region, (2) to promote understanding and appreciation of environmental issues and the unique natural resources of the Finger Lakes region and (3) to provide experiential education and scientific research opportunities for students and the community living in the Finger Lakes region. The 50 acre property has direct access to Honeoye Lake through the Inlet Channel. Canoes and kayaks are available on site, and a recently constructed concrete launch ramp is suited for small boats. Terrestrial trails lead from the field station lands to the immediately adjacent 2200 acre New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Honeoye Inlet Wildlife Management Area. Other nearby natural lands where field-based research might be conducted include: Conesus Inlet Fish and Wildlife Management Area (1120 acres) managed by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Cumming Nature Center (900 acres) managed by the Rochester Museum and Science Center, Grimes Glen (32 acres) managed by Ontario County, Harriet Hollister Spencer State Recreation Area (1235 acres) managed by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historical Preservation, Hemlock-Canadice State Forest (6,684 acres) managed by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, High Tor Wildlife Management Area (6100 acres) managed by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Honeoye Creek Wildlife Management Area (717 acres) managed by New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Muller Camp (165 acres) managed by the Nature ‘•‡”˜ƒ ›ǡ‘„ǯ•”ƒ‹Žȋͣ͜͝ƒ ”‡•Ȍƒƒ‰‡†„›–Š‡ƒ–—”‡‘•‡”˜ƒ ›ǡƒ””‡—–Ž‡”‘› ‘—– Reservation (1200 acres) managed by the Seneca Waterways Council, Wesley Hill Nature Preserve (390 acres) managed by the Finger Lakes Land Trust, and West Hill Nature Preserve (450 acres) managed by the Nature Conservancy. Numerous ecological habitats occur within these natural areas and complete land use and land cover maps, utilizing the New York State Natural Heritage Community Classification System (Edinger et al. 2002), are available for the entire watersheds of Canadice, Hemlock and Honeoye

46 6th Annual Finger Lakes Research Conference | [2010]

Lakes. To date, over 40 natural communities have be identified. These include linear assemblages like rocky, headwater streams, expansive cover types like Appalachian oak-hickory forest and silver maple-ash swamp, and small imbedded communities like vernal pools and shale talus slope woodlands.

A biodiversity report for the southern Honeoye Valley (Gilman 2004) identifies both rare and common species worthy of scientific investigation. Over 1200 species have been described living in a mosaic of habitats. Seventy five non-flowering plants, including lichens, mosses and ferns, have been cataloged. The region is home to eleven conifers. By far the largest group of organisms identified has been the flowering plants with a total of 555 different species. With time, the number of insects will surpass the flowering plant total but at present the insect biodiversity is about 200 species. There have been 20 species of amphibians noted in the southern Honeoye Valley and 15 species of reptiles including three Heritage ranked species, the spiny soft-shell turtle, the timber rattlesnake and the coal skink. Twenty seven different types of fish are known from Honeoye Lake and its tributary streams. Most of the larger mammals have been inventoried, but smaller species are still being assessed. So far, 32 species of mammals inhabit the region. Black bear and fisher have naturally returned and river otter have been restored through a release program. Birds that migrate through or nest within the southern Honeoye Valley total 159 species.

Nature Conservancy researchers, through a series of workshops hosted at the Muller Field Station, have identified these conservation targets (Figure 1) for the western Finger Lakes: woodland salamanders, meltwater channels and till seepages, bedrock controlled systems, matrix forest system, lacustrine systems, and low gradient and mainstem streams. Research opportunities exist at many scales. The field station is less than one hour driving time from six Finger Lakes (Canadice, Canandaigua, Conesus, Hemlock, Honeoye and Keuka) and their biologically diverse tributary streams. Field-based terrestrial succession studies and ecological investigations within many forest types are possible. Some cultural impacts on natural communities are known, others need creative scientific research. Many opportunities exist for individual species studies. Long term ecological monitoring to evaluate remedial action programs is clearly desirable in the conservation landscape of the western Finger Lakes.

Literature Cited

Edinger, G.J., D.J. Evans, S. Gebauer, T.G. Howard, D.M. Hunt and A.M. Olivero. 2002. Ecological Communities of New York State. New York State Natural Heritage Program. New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Albany, NY. 136 p.

Gilman, B.A. (ed.) 2004. Biodiversity of the southern Honeoye Valley. Department of Environmental Conservation and Horticulture. Finger Lakes Community College. Canandaigua, NY. 87 p.

[2010] | 6th Annual Finger Lakes Research Conference 47

Figure 1 Ȃ Research opportunities in the western Finger Lakes landscape. 48 6th Annual Finger Lakes Research Conference | [2010]

FLORA OF BROOME COUNTY

Thomas S. Lansing & Donna W. Vogler (Associate Professor of Biology) State University of New York College at Oneonta Oneonta, NY 13820 [email protected] (607) 267-3931 [email protected] Graduate Student

A record of vascular plant distributions is essential for understanding biodiversity. Plants are indicator species of a wide variety of ecological conditions and many New York species of plants are of interest to conservation studies. Floristic inventories also serve as a means to monitor invasive species. Among the 62 counties of New York, the number of known species of vascular plants per county varies fivefold from below 300 species to over 1500 species (www.nyflora.org). The NY Flora Atlas currently lists 376 species of vascular plants for Broome County. Broome is among the ten counties in highest need of an updated flora in New York. Species richness (the number of different species in an area) is typically attributed to three major factors: 1) area, 2) distance to neighboring populations (MacArthur and Wilson, 1967), and 3) habitat heterogeneity (Nichols et. al., 1998). Unlike previous county floras, our study will include a survey of bryophytes. Bryophytes (mosses, liverworts, and hornworts) are an understudied, yet ecologically important clade of plants. An understanding of bryophyte diversity is critical to studying community structure.

This project will entail field surveys, herbarium work, and morphological analyses of selected species of evolutionary interest. The field surveys will consist of weekly trips from April-October 2011 to locations across Broome County. Two vouchers for each specimen will be prepared for the New York State Museum and Oneonta Herbarium. The goal of the field study will be to update the SUNY Oneonta Herbarium as well as more accurately represent the species richness for Broome County in the NY Flora Atlas. The herbarium work consists of accessioning field collections to the SUNY herbarium. The morphological analyses will examine phenotypic plasticity of plants in Broome County and culminate in a ƒ•–‡”ǯ•–Š‡•‹•ǤŠ‡ˆ‹ƒŽ ‘’‘‡–‘ˆ‘—””‡•‡ƒ” Š‹•–‘ ‘’‹Ž‡ƒ”‡’‘”–‘ˆ‘—”†ƒ–ƒ–‘send to the NY Flora Atlas for inclusion in the forthcoming Flora of New York State.

[2010] | 6th Annual Finger Lakes Research Conference 49

BASELINE INVENTORY OF NATIVE FRESHWATER Dh^^>^/EEtzKZ<͛^^Khd,ZE><

ONTARIO BASINS

Amy Mahar, Jenny Landry New York State Department of Environmental Conservation 6274 East Avon-Lima Rd; Avon, NY 14414 [email protected] 585-226-5337 Fish and Wildlife Diversity Biologist

Freshwater pearly mussels (Unionacea) are a vital component of stream ecosystems, stabilizing streambeds, diversifying benthic habitat, and cleaning many suspended solids and pollutants from our waters (Strayer and Smith 2003). Yet mussels are among the most imperiled groups of animals in North America. Of the approximate 300 mussel species native to North America, nearly two-thirds are considered extinct, listed as endangered or threatened, or are in need of conservation status (Williams et al. 1993). Factors responsible for the decline in freshwater mussels include invasion of exotic species and anthropogenic disturbances to stream habitats which both destroy habitat and separate mussels from their often specific host fish species.

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Fisheries and Wildlife staff has completed the second year of a five year project to determine the distribution and status of native mussel species in the Southern Lake Ontario drainage, which includes the watersheds of the Finger Lakes, the Genesee River, and the southern lake plains. Tributaries of the Finger Lakes and Genesee sub-basins, were last surveyed a half century ago, while most tributaries of the lake plains have never been surveyed for Pocketbook Mussel freshwater mussels. The current status of these species is unknown. This project will identify and evaluate potential treats to mussels in each sub-watershed.

Using techniques developed and described by Strayer and Jirka (1997) and Strayer and Smith (2003), crews spread evenly across the width of the stream and walked/™ƒ†‡†—’•–”‡ƒ‹ƒDz- •Šƒ’‡†dz’ƒ–ŠŽ‘‘‹‰ˆ‘”Ž‹˜‡—••‡Ž•ƒ†•’‡–•Š‡ŽŽ•ǡ•‡ƒ” Š‹‰ all substrate types using a view bucket/view tube, paying close attention to the tails of riffles and stable areas where mussel beds are likely to be found. Surveys of the exposed bed of the Eric Canal take place during annual water draw downs. When live mussels are located, each specimen is identified to species Survey Crew

50 6th Annual Finger Lakes Research Conference | [2010] and length is measured. Bed size and mussel abundance is estimated. For all sites, stream physical and habitat characteristics, substrate type, plant communities, basic water chemistry, and associated invertebrates are recorded. Because of the role of habitat alteration in the decline of mussel populations, buffer width, culvert conditions, invasive species, discharges, and other potential observed threats, are also recorded.

Between September 2008 and September 2010, 154 sites along 40 streams in 15 11-digit Hydrologic Unit (HUC 11) watersheds of the Lower Genesee, Mid-Lake Ontario, West-Lake Ontario, and Upper Genesee, and twelve Erie Canal sites were surveyed. Evidence in the form of live animals or shells of native mussels was found in 27 streams (68%) (Figure 1). Live mussels were found in 21 (53%) surveyed streams, with NY species of greatest conservation need (SGCN) in eleven (28%) streams. Mussels have been found in 16 streams which had no historic records. It is reasonable to assume that these streams have never previously been surveyed for mussels. For the remaining 15% of streams in which shells, but not live mussels, were found it was assumed that either we did not locate the existing mussel bed or that the shells are remnants from populations that no longer exist. Evidence of invasive and native mussels was found at all Erie Canal sites.

Twenty species of native mussels were represented in these surveys. Seventeen live species were found, including nine live SGCN. Of particular note were live deertoe (Truncilla truncata), lilliput (Toxolasma parvum), and green floater (Lasmigona subviridis). Deertoe is ranked by the NY Natural Heritage ”‘‰”ƒƒ•Šƒ˜‹‰Dz–›’‹ ƒŽŽ›͡‘”ˆ‡™‡”‘ —””‡ ‡•dz ƒ†Ž‹ŽŽ‹’—–‹•”ƒ‡†ƒ•Dzhistorically known from NYS, but no–•‡‡‹–Š‡’ƒ•–͝͡›‡ƒ”•Ǥdz ‘–Š•’‡ ‹‡•ƒ”‡Ž‹•–‡†‹–Š‡ƒ•DzSGCN that historically occurred in the Southern Lake Ontario Basin, but are now believed to be extirpated from the ƒ•‹Ǥdz‹˜‡‰”‡‡ˆŽ‘ƒ–‡”‹•ƒ–Š”‡ƒ–‡‡†•’‡ ‹‡•ƒ†ƒ‘”–Šeast species of concern. Three species were represented by only empty shells; these included two SGCN mussels.

Of the water bodies surveyed, species diversity is greatest in Honeoye Creek (16 species), closely followed by the Erie Canal (13 species), Black Creek (11 species), and the Genesee River (10 species). For Conesus Creek, Honeoye Creek, and Black Creek, species diversity and the number of SGCN present, is greatest at downstream sites closest to the convergence with the Genesee River. For both Conesus Creek and Honeoye Creek, greatest mussel densities, dominated by common eastern elliptio (Elliptio complanta), were found at upstream sites near Finger Lake outlets. Surveys of five urban/suburban streams in the Rochester area frequently revealed high densities of only three common live mussel species: cylindrical papershell (Anodontoides ferussacianus), fat mucket (Lampsilis siliquoidea), and giant floater (Pyganodon grandis). It is speculated that these species may be more tolerant of habitat disturbance or water quality fluctuations. While mussels were often found in streams without historic mussel records, other streams with rich mussel records showed little in the way of extant populations. Additionally, preliminary surveys of streams receiving direct flow from the Erie Canal indicate that the mussel population of the ƒƒŽƒ›„‡•‡”˜‹‰ƒ•ƒDzˆ‡‡†‡”dzˆ‘”ƒ–‹˜‡—••‡Ž•ǡƒ•™‡ŽŽƒ•ƒ‡ Šƒ‹•ˆ‘”•’”‡ƒ†‘ˆƒ“—ƒ–‹  invasive species. Further surveys up and downstream of the Canal are necessary to explore this possibility.

At the completion of this study, the resulting mussel species distribution and stream buffer/habitat connectivity/ threats GIS data layers will allow conservation professionals to consider the habitat needs of

[2010] | 6th Annual Finger Lakes Research Conference 51 mussels during application screening and regulation efforts, as well as in site selection for mussel conservation efforts, habitat restorations, landowner incentive programs, and land acquisition.

Surveys for 2011 through 2013 season will focus on Finger Lake and the lake plains tributaries.

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MANAGING PHOSPHORUS IN AGRICULTURE AT THE FIELD SCALE

Rebecca Marjerison1, Helen Dahlke, Zachary M. Easton, M. Todd Walter, Tammo S. Steenhuis Zachary Easton is a Research Associate, Todd Walter is an Associate Professor, and Tammo Steenhuis is a Professor at the Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY. Helen Dahlke is a post-doctoral researcher at Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden. [email protected] (607) 255-4992 Graduate Student

Phosphorus in agricultural runoff often contributes to eutrophication of streams and other fresh water systems. Management of phosphorus runoff from non-point sources has become an important focus for research and discussion. This poster highlights three studies aimed at evaluating and improving phosphorus management techniques. Best management practices (BMPs) were evaluated at a farm in upstate New York. A web-based tool was developed for farmers and planners to help them decide in the short term when and where manure should be spread. Principles of variable source area hydrology were incorporated into the existing P Index for New York State. All of these projects were intended to produce results that would be immediately applicable in the field.

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THE IMPACT OF ADJACENT LAND USE ON SOIL NITRATE LEVELS, DEER POPULATION AND HERBIVORY RATES AT TWO FORESTED SITES IN CAYUGA COUNTY, NY

ƌ͘EŝĂŵŚK͛>ĞĂƌLJ͕Brian Erickson, Dr. Jackie Schnurr, and Dr. Ann Herzig WŽƐƚĞƌƉƌĞƐĞŶƚĂƚŝŽŶďLJWƌŽĨĞƐƐŽƌEŝĂŵŚK͛>ĞĂƌLJ͕ŶǀŝƌŽŶŵĞŶƚĂů^ƚƵĚŝĞƐ͕tĞůls College, Aurora, NY 13026 [email protected] (315) 364-3279 Professor

Introduction. Agricultural runoff can increase soil nitrogen levels in adjacent ecosystems. This increases the growth rate of plants known as luxury consumers. Luxury consumers absorb and sequester high levels of soil nitrogen. Sugar maple (Acer saccharum) and white ash (Fraxinus americana) are two examples of luxury consumers in Northeastern forests. White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) feed preferentially on nitrogen-rich vegetation. Several studies have indicated that forest succession can be altered when deer browse some species more intensively than others.

Methods. This study was conducted at two forested sites in upstate NY in 2009. The first site was in Moravia (ϰϮǑϰϱ͛ϯϴ͘ϲϱ͟E͕ϳϲǑϮϯ͛ϭϴ͘ϴϳ͟tͿand was surrounded by agricultural land; the second site was in Bear Swamp (ϰϮǑϰϱ͛Ϭϭ͘ϰϴ͟E͕ϳϲǑϭϴ͛ϯϳ͘Ϯϱ͟tͿand was surrounded by forested land. Soil samples were collected and nitrate levels were assayed using a colorimetric method. Deer populations were estimated using the pellet count method. Herbivory rates on sugar maple and white ash were estimated by calculating the proportion of leaves removed from saplings (10-100cm) between spring and fall of 2009.

Results. Soil nitrate levels at the Moravia site were higher (109.1 ± 37.5 ppm) than those collected at the Bear Swamp site (26.8 ± 11.8 ppm). Estimated deer population levels were higher at the Moravia site (11 deer/km2 ȗ’”‹‰Ǯͥ͜Șƒ†14 deer/km2 ȗ ƒŽŽǮͥ͜Șat the Moravia site; 5 deer/km2 ȗ’”‹‰Ǯͥ͜Șƒ†7 deer/km2 ȗ ƒŽŽǮͥ͜Ș at the Bear Swamp site). Herbivory rates on luxury-consuming sugar maple and white ash saplings were also higher at the Moravia site (0.64 ± 0.15) than at the Bear Swamp site (0.24 ± 0.02). Results are summarized in Table 1.

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Table 1. Site characteristics, soil nitrate levels, estimated deer populations, and herbivory rates on luxury-

Moravia Site Bear Swamp Site

Location ϰϮǑϰϱ͛ϯϴ͘ϲϱ͟E ϰϮǑϰϱ͛Ϭϭ͘ϰϴ͟E

ϳϲǑϮϯ͛ϭϴ͘ϴϳ͟t ϳϲǑϭϴ͛ϯϳ͘Ϯϱ͟t

Adjacent land Agricultural Forested

Soil Nitrate (ppm)a 109.1 ± 37.5 26.8 ± 11.8

Average Deer Population 12 6

Herbivory Rate on Sugar Maple 0.64 ± 0.15 0.24 ± 0.02 and White Ashb consuming sugar maple and white ash at the Moravia site and Bear Swamp sites in 2009. an=6 at each site bn=72 at each site

Conclusions. The site surrounded by agricultural land (the Moravia site) had higher soil nitrate levels, higher deer population levels and higher herbivory rates on luxury consumers than were observed at the site surrounded by forested land (the Bear Swamp site). The differences in herbivory rates were larger than the difference in deer population levels, suggesting that increased numbers of deer alone do not explain the higher herbivory rate in Moravia. The data presented here suggest that increased deer preference for luxury-consuming sugar maple and white ash in a nitrate-rich environment could contribute to the higher herbivory rate at the Moravia site. By contributing nitrogen enrichment via runoff, adjacent agricultural land can thus lead to changes in forest succession in nearby ecosystems.

[2010] | 6th Annual Finger Lakes Research Conference 55

THE EFFECT OF LIGHT ENVIRONMENT ON THE MORPHOLOGY OF NORTHERN PITCHER PLANTS, SARRACENIA PURPUREA, IN ZURICH BOG

Kelly Patel, Megan Zogby, and Elizabeth Newell Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Geneva, NY 14456 [email protected] 315-781-3590 Undergraduate students in Biology 225 (Fall 2010)

We investigated the effect of light environment on the shape and color of northern pitcher plant (Sarracenia purpurea) leaves, testing the following three hypotheses: (1) plant redness (anthocyanin pigmentation) is positively correlated with light intensity, (2) relative keel size of the pitchers is negatively correlated with light intensity, and (3) pitcher opening width is positively correlated with light intensity. Anthocyanins are pigments that can reduce photo-oxidation of photosynthetic pigments when rates of carbon fixation are low. Thus we expected that plants growing in full sun would be more red than those growing in the shade. The shape of pitcher plant leaves is quite plastic in terms of the relative size of the pitcher and its keel and leaf morphology involves a trade-off between nutrient and energy acquisition. Most nutrients are acquired when prey fall into water-filled pitcher-shaped leaves and are consumed and decomposed by organisms living within the pitcher. Thus we would expect that large pitchers maximize nutrient acquisition. Energy, on the other hand, is acquired through photosynthesis. The pitcher part of a leaf is much less efficient at photosynthesis than the flatter keel portion (Ellison & Gotelli 2002). In our study, we expected plants in the shade to have relatively larger keels and smaller pitchers than plants in the sun, since energy (rather than nutrients) would likely be the most limiting resource in the shade.

Eighty haphazardly selected pitcher plants in Zurich Bog were assessed for five variables: sunlight exposure, degree of redness, pitcher opening width, keel width, and total pitcher width. Sunlight exposure was rated on a scale from 1 to 10 and plant redness was rated on a scale from 0 to 10. Following the methods of Ellison & Gotelli (2002), we measured pitcher opening width, keel width, and total pitcher width on the largest pitcher of each plant. Relative keel width was calculated as keel width divided by total width. Each plant was assessed twice, by two different groups of students, and the mean for each ‹†‡šƒ†‡ƒ•—”‡‡–™ƒ• ƒŽ —Žƒ–‡†Ǥƒ–ƒ™‡”‡ƒƒŽ›œ‡†™‹–Š–Š‡’‡ƒ”ƒǯ•‘””‡Žƒ–‹‘–est (SPSS).

Plant redness ranged from 1 to 9.5 on our 10-point scale and was significantly correlated with the index of light intensity (rho = 0.640; p<0.001). Relative keel width was greater for plants in low light environments, as we predicted; there was a significant negative correlation between light index and relative keel width (rho = -0.341; p = 0.002). There was no correlation between pitcher opening width and light.

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These results demonstrate that light environment influences pitcher plant pigmentation and leaf morphology. The amount of solar radiation received by plants in sunny microhabitats probably often exceeds the amount that can be used in the reactions of photosynthesis, given the relatively low nutrient availability in bogs, and this explains the correlation between light environment and plant redness. In microhabitats with little direct sunlight, pitcher plants allocate relatively more biomass to light (energy) capture than to nutrient capture.

[2010] | 6th Annual Finger Lakes Research Conference 57

EFFECTS OF ENHANCED PHENOLIC DISSOLVED ORGANIC CARBON ON THE GROWTH OF

AQUATIC PLANTS

Siti Aishah Abdul Rahman, A. Christina Tyler and Todd Pagano Program in Environmental Science, School of Biological and Medical Sciences Rochester Institute of Technology 85 Lomb Memorial Drive, Rochester, NY 14623 [email protected] (585) 752-5558 Undergraduate student

Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in natural waters has been on the rise in recent decades. One component of the DOC pool is phenolic DOC compounds, which can be hazardous to ecosystem and human health. Several theories on factors that influence DOC in the water system have been generated. However, few studies have addressed variability of DOC composition, sources, or consequences for aquatic ecosystems and human water supplies. This interdisciplinary study will analyze the (1) sources, (2) effects, and (3) possible solutions to the potential problem of increasing DOC concentration. Preliminary experiments involved cultures of Lemna minor, Microcystis aeruginosa and Selenastrum capricornutum. These cultures were grown in standard culture media with treatments containing either mono-phenol or tannic acid. Preliminary results showed that the growth rate of both S. capricornutum and M. aeruginosa decreased in the presence of phenol. In contrast, L. minor not only grew well in both treatments, but was also capable of reducing the phenol concentration in the water. A more detailed experiment investigated the effects of Spirodela polyrhiza, collected from wetlands of Conesus Lake, the study site for our project, on phenol, tannic acid and a bulk natural organic matter substrate. Results showed that S. polyrhiza grew well in the presence of all three phenolic DOC compound and also decreased the concentration of phenolic compounds. Since duckweeds (L. minor especially) have successfully been used for phytoremediation, these experiments suggest that Spirodela polyrhiza has the potential for treating water with high phenolic DOC content.

58 6th Annual Finger Lakes Research Conference | [2010]

COMPARING DIAPIAUSING EGG PRODUCTION OF NATIVE AND NON-NATIVE CRUSTACEAN ZOOPLANKTON

Taylor F. Raufus, Prof. Meghan E. Brown Hobart and William Smith Colleges Geneva NY, 14456 [email protected] (412) 580-9628 Undergraduate Student

The non-native zooplanker Cercopagis pengoi (fishhook water flea) is native to the Ponto-Caspian region and is now well established in the Finger Lakes. As a predator, Cercopagis has impacted native zooplankton, including the cladoceran taxa Bosmina longirostris, Ceriodaphnia sp., and Daphnia spp. (Brown and Balk 2008). Cercopagis, as well as the native cladocerans, survive winter in a dormant egg phase, which is produced in autumn when planktonic individuals undergo sexual reproduction. The robust eggs (some incased in an ephippium) settle to the bottom of the lake and remain dormant until favorable conditions return, which can be the following spring or decades into the future. In this study we aimed to answer the following questions: (1) what is the timing and magnitude of diapausing eggs production of Cercopagis ? and (2) how does this phenology compare to three native taxa of zooplankton in Lake Seneca (Bosmina, Ceriodaphnia, Daphnia)?.

In the field, two McLane Sediment Traps (Paraflux 78H-21) were deployed at 42o ͢͠Ǥ͠͠͠ǯƒ†ͣ͢oͣ͡Ǥͣͣ͜ǯ W (water column depth = 115 m) from 14 May 2009 to 15 June 2010. The traps were positioned on a single mooring so that Trap F was located at a water depth of 18.7 m below the surface and trap E was located at 112 m below the surface. In the lab, samples were stored at 4ºC (Percival Environmental Chamber). Between one week and four months after collection, each sample was sieved with a 50 Pm pore aperture brass sieve using distilled water. Samples were counted in entirety for resting eggs and ephippia of native cladocerans and Cercopagis.

The magnitude of egg production for Cercopagis was less than that of Bosmina (max 60 ephippia m-2hr-1) and Daphnia (max 40 ephippia m-2hr-1) but larger than Ceriodaphnia (max 1 ephippia m-2hr-1). Egg deposition for all taxonomic groups was almost always greater in the hypolimnion than in the epilimnion trap (~2x). The major contributions to the egg bank by Cercopagis make its persistence in Seneca Lake very likely. Knowledge about the location, timing, and magnitude of production provides valuable information to limit the spread of this species to other regional lakes, which is facilitated by the resting egg stage. Our future work will examine how the production and redistribution of these eggs is linked to environmental conditions.

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THE ENVIRONMENT OF AN IROQUOIS SITE: A PALEOECOLOGICAL STUDY

Daniela Salinas Abarca Dept. Anthropology Cornell University Ithaca, NY, 14853 [email protected] (607) 262-6778 Undergraduate Student

The Finger Lakes region was the traditional homeland of the Iroquois people until the American Revolution. Thanks to the historical, ethnographic and archaeological record, there is considerable information about their subsistence strategies, social organization and history, especially for the period following European contact. However, not much is known about the effects that their long habitation had on the environment of upstate New York, a matter of interest since scholars have long debated the extent to which Native Americans modified their surroundings. The aim of this project is to study the land use history of the area surrounding the White Springs archaeological site in Geneva NY, where a major Seneca Iroquois village is known to have been located circa 1688-1715 (Jordan, 2004). Specifically, I am interested in reconstructing the past vegetation of the region, identifying periods when the land was cleared for agriculture and in examining the fire history of the area (McAndrews, 1988; Long and Whitlock, 2002). The methods used include studying fossil pollen and microscopic charcoal remains preserved in two sediment cores (1.5 meters each) extracted from a bog close to the site; as well as a loss on ignition (LOI) test to determine the percentage of organic and carbonate material in the sediment samples, and a magnetic susceptibility test to identify redeposited soil material.

Methods: The sediment cores were extracted in November 2009 from a bog located at the intersection of Savage Road and State Route 5 and 20 outside of Geneva, NY, which is at about 2.110 miles (3.396 km) from the White Springs archaeological site, since preservation of organic matter is best in anaerobic environments (Lowe and Walker, 1984). The vegetation of the bog is dominated by Typha (Cattail), with willow, pine, and other trees foresting its margins. A Russian peat corer, which measures 5 cm in diameter and has a sample volume of 10 ml/cm, was used to collect the sediment at approximately 50 cm intervals through the depth of each core. The sediment cores were then x-rayed for future analysis, before being described and cut into 1 cm slices. Due to the observed stratigraphy of the two sediment cores, and the knowledge that they were collected from areas only 1 meter apart, they are thought to be relatively equivalent. For this reason, one of them is being used for the Pollen analysis and the LOI test, while the other one is being used for the Charcoal analysis and the magnetic susceptibility test.

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Google Earth Image showing the location of the White Springs archaeological site and the Savage Road bog, as well as the distance between the two.

1.63cm³ samples were taken from the first core at 1cm intervals for the loss on Ignition (LOI) test, as well as for the pollen analysis. LOI is a method of establishing the water, inorganic, organic and calcium carbonate content, and density of samples taken from a core. It essentially involves the repeated drying at different temperatures and weighing of samples. Pollen analysis is a method through which we can infer past species distributions of plants by identifying and counting pollen grains. Its essential principle is that the shape, size, aperture arrangement, surface ornamentation and exine structure of pollen grains permits their identification from the family to the species level. Samples are processed for pollen by: 1) adding a Lycopodium tablet to help calculate the pollen volumetric concentration; 2) washing the samples in solutions of 10% HCL and sodium hexametaphosphate; 3) sieving the material through a 200 micron mesh; 4) washing the remainder, which contains the pollen grains, in 10% KOH, Sodium Polytungstate, and acetic anhydride; 5) adding SAF stain (a reddish color) to make the pollen grains more distinguishable; 6) washing in Ethanol and Tert-Butanol and placing the samples in vials; 7) adding silicon oil for slide preparation; and 8) mounting the samples on microscope slides to be analyzed under 10 and 40 times magnification. 200-300 pollen grains are counted per depth layer, and the data is plotted on a pollen diagram.

The second core is being used for the magnetic susceptibility test and the charcoal analysis. For the magnetic susceptibility test, samples are being put in 10cc vials and being placed in a sensor that measures the magnetism of the minerals in the samples. This information aids many aspects of interpretation, such as weathering and soil formation, fossil soil identification and characterization, and sediment or dust source investigation. Charcoal analysis, for its part, requires the sediment samples to first be water screened through a 250mm and a 125mm sieve, before counting the charcoal remains through 1 to 2 times magnification. Charcoal remains are considered to be a proxy for past fire events, so that a graph detailing the rises and falls of charcoal numbers can be used to understand the fire history of an area. The fire events themselves can be interpreted as being the result of either anthropogenic action or climatic change, and deciding on a specific cause depends on the use of complementary evidence.

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Preliminary Results: When the two sediment cores were collected, the first one went 147.5 cm deep, yet the recovery of the top 10 cm of the core was incomplete, while the second one only went 140 cm deep, but recovery was complete. Examination of the two cores showed that in the broadest sense, the cores could be divided into a top half composed of a greenish brown peaty soil, rich in organic material, while the bottom half could be described as a gray clayish soil, richer in inorganic content. For the most part, the transition between the two varieties of sediment could be characterized as an alternation of layers of the two soil types. In general, the LOI data supports this interpretation, since the percentage of organic material tends to trail down, while that of the inorganic material tends to soar up, as it moves into deeper layers. Moreover, the presence of the gray clayish soil in the bottom half of the cores was taken to indicate that the two sediment cores represent a time sequence ranging from glacial times to the present, an interpretation that was lent further support by the AMS-dating of the 46-47 cm depth layer to circa 12,000 cal. yr. BP. This means that either the bog had an extremely slow sedimentation rate (0.004cm/yr), which would only allow for a very coarse-grained interpretation of the data, or there are one or more truncations in the sequence. The LOI and magnetic susceptibility analyses suggest several options in regards to identifying a possible truncation of the record, yet further research is necessary to propose any of them with any certainty. It is hoped that as the pollen and charcoal analyses advance, the paleoecological record will be clarified. Future Research: Answering the main questions proposed by this project is not yet possible with the data accumulated so far. The pollen and charcoal analyses must progress further before the issues of land use and fire history can be tackled. Nonetheless, I am confident that as the study advances, trends in the paleoecological record will become more apparent, and it will be possible to offer some insight into the role of Native American populations in the conformation of North American ecologies. References: Jordan, Kurt A. 2004. Seneca Iroquois Settlement Pattern, Community Structure, and Housing, 1677-1779. Northeast Anthropology 67: 23-60. Long, C.J. and C, Whitlock, 2002. Fire and Vegetation History from the Coastal Rain Forest of the Western Oregon Coast Range, Quaternary Research, 58, 3 215-225.

Lowe, J.J and M.J.C. Walker, 1984. Reconstructing Quaternary environments, London, New York: Longman, Ch. 1-2.

McAndrews, J.H. 1988. Human disturbance of North American forests and grasslands: the fossil pollen record. In: B. Huntley and T. Webb III (Eds.). Vegetation History volume of Handbook of Vegetation Science series. Kluwer, Utrecht. pp. 673-697.

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IN SITU EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES OF EURASIAN WATERMILFOIL (MYRIOPHYLLUM SPICATUM) DOWNSTREAM FROM AGRICULTURAL WATERSHEDS: NUTRIENT LOADING, FOLIAR UPTAKE, AND GROWTH

Todd Shuskey1, Isidro Bosch, Christopher Ryczek, Bradley Cohen Department of Biology State University of New York at Geneseo Geneseo, NY 14454, USA 1Perry High School, Perry NY 14530, USA [email protected] High School Science Instructor

Recent studies in Conesus Lake, New York, documented significant decreases in the biomass of Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) near the mouths of streams draining subwatersheds where reductions in nutrient loading occurred as a result of the implementation of agricultural Best Management Practices (BMPs). In situ experiments were conducted to further investigate the relationship between stream loading, foliar uptake, and growth of Eurasian watermilfoil. In two of three experiments, plants cropped to a height of approximately 50 cm had the lowest growth (g/m2) downstream from a sub-watershed where major BMPs had been implemented (80% and 0%). In sub- watersheds where minimal or no BMPs were introduced, plants showed significantly higher growth as biomass increased (216% and 22%). In a second set of experiments, shoots of Eurasian watermilfoil plants were incubated for 24 h in ambient lake water and in lake water with enriched concentrations of nitrate and soluble reactive phosphorus comparable to rain event stream effluent concentrations and then allowed to grow in situ for a 2-week experimental period. For all experiments combined, the shoot biomass increased significantly in the enhanced nutrient treatments when compared to the ambient treatment at the Sand Point macrophyte bed (reduced loading) but not at the Eagle Point macrophyte bed (high loading). Overall, the results indicate that foliar uptake of nutrients in stream effluent can contribute to the growth of Eurasian watermilfoil and reinforce the hypothesis that reductions in stream loading through agricultural BMPs can help reduce macrophyte growth in the lake littoral.

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Fig. 1. Location of Eagle Point, Long Point, and Sand Point in the Conesus Lake watershed showing project sub-watersheds and study sites where experiments were conducted (*). Dark areas indicate macrophyte beds dominated by watermilfoil. Inset shows the location of Conesus Lake in New York State, USA.

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NOTES

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