Submission Type
Poster
Abstract
Aquatic vegetation is an important biotic component of reservoir ecosystems. Vegetation reduces erosion by acting as a barrier against current and waves from the lake. Aquatic vegetation also helps to oxygenate the water, stabilize nutrients like carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus, and provides structure for aquatic vertebrates. The absence of vegetation in Kentucky Lake has been influenced by a fluctuating water table (due to winter lake drawdowns), invasive carp, and the use of herbicides for grass management. The objective of this study is to determine the state of the remaining seedbank within nautical mile markers 45 and 52. By using long-term data collected by Murray State’s Hancock Biology Station we will be evaluating whether there were any physicochemical differences among our sampling locations. This data will help show an understanding of historical growth patterns within the sampling locations. Three cores will be collected from each sampling location to a 1 m depth, and sectioned into 2 cm increments for seedbank counts. To gain an understanding of the historical trajectory of vegetation we plan to look at variation in star grass, long leaf pondweed, and naiads (native species to the lake) seeds across depths. Concurrently we will collect cores to be homogenized and subsampled for incubation under different hydrologic conditions to determine the viability of the seedbank. This study can be used to understand whether reintroduction methods will be viable in Kentucky Lake.
Included in
Aquatic Vegetation Seed Bank Status of Kentucky Lake
Aquatic vegetation is an important biotic component of reservoir ecosystems. Vegetation reduces erosion by acting as a barrier against current and waves from the lake. Aquatic vegetation also helps to oxygenate the water, stabilize nutrients like carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus, and provides structure for aquatic vertebrates. The absence of vegetation in Kentucky Lake has been influenced by a fluctuating water table (due to winter lake drawdowns), invasive carp, and the use of herbicides for grass management. The objective of this study is to determine the state of the remaining seedbank within nautical mile markers 45 and 52. By using long-term data collected by Murray State’s Hancock Biology Station we will be evaluating whether there were any physicochemical differences among our sampling locations. This data will help show an understanding of historical growth patterns within the sampling locations. Three cores will be collected from each sampling location to a 1 m depth, and sectioned into 2 cm increments for seedbank counts. To gain an understanding of the historical trajectory of vegetation we plan to look at variation in star grass, long leaf pondweed, and naiads (native species to the lake) seeds across depths. Concurrently we will collect cores to be homogenized and subsampled for incubation under different hydrologic conditions to determine the viability of the seedbank. This study can be used to understand whether reintroduction methods will be viable in Kentucky Lake.
Comments
Michael B. Flinn
Watershed Studies Institue
Hancock Biology Station