Grantee Research Project Results
Final Report: Influence of Bio-Pollution on Ecosystem Processes: The Impact Introduced Lake Trout on Streams and Terrestrial Predators in Yellowstone National Park
EPA Grant Number: R829426E02Title: Influence of Bio-Pollution on Ecosystem Processes: The Impact Introduced Lake Trout on Streams and Terrestrial Predators in Yellowstone National Park
Investigators: Hall, Robert O. , Ben-David, Merav
Institution: University of Wyoming
EPA Project Officer: Chung, Serena
Project Period: July 15, 2002 through September 30, 2004
Project Amount: $160,610
RFA: EPSCoR (Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research) (2001) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: EPSCoR (The Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research)
Objective:
Invasive species can impact populations and ecosystem processes within the recipient ecosystem, but their impacts outside of this ecosystem are rarely considered. Lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) have invaded Yellowstone Lake and, if left unchecked, are predicted to substantially lower native cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki bouvieri) populations. The impact of fewer native cutthroat trout will almost certainly extend beyond the lake, to trout spawning tributary-streams. We investigated the role of cutthroat trout in structuring stream ecosystems, their importance to river otters (Lontra canadensis), and possible links to terrestrial plants, thus integrating in-stream and terrestrial processes. For the element cycling component of this study, we focused on nitrogen (N) because it limits production in streams and terrestrial ecosystems. These observations will enable us to make initial predictions of how streams, trout predators, and the terrestrial landscape will be affected following cutthroat trout demise.
Summary/Accomplishments (Outputs/Outcomes):
The Science and Engineering Environmental Research (SEER) component of the Wyoming Environmental Protection Agency/The Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) project has met most of the stated objectives.
Between November 15, 2004 and November 15, 2005, one graduate student Jamie Crait, completed all laboratory and data analyses and defended his thesis on April 15, 2005. He also submitted two manuscripts for publication (Journal of Mammalogy, accepted; Ecology, under review). He is continuing to work towards his Ph.D. The other graduate student, Lusha Tronstad, completed several laboratory analyses as well as a full field season (May to October).
For the in-stream component, three streams were monitored and sampled intensively. Between 30 and 72 samples of ammonium, nitrate, chlorophyll a, phytoplankton, and invertebrates were collected. Forty-seven cutthroat trout and 47 lake trout were used to estimate N excretion for each species. Also, an experimental release of labeled ammonium was conducted to estimate N-uptake in streams and the lake.
Our results for the project from this year further support the conclusion that recent N transports from lake to streams are substantially lower than historical values with the reductions in cutthroat trout. This observation was more pronounced in 2005, when only 500 spawners (or 33% of the number spawning in that stream in 2004) entered Clear Creek. We could not detect elevated NH4 concentrations at the stream outlet during 2004 or 2005. The effects of such lower N input on in-stream invertebrates are still being evaluated.
To supplement funding for this project, the principal investigators submitted proposals to several granting agencies this year and were able to secure additional funding. In-kind support was provided by the Yellowstone National Park.
Journal Articles on this Report : 3 Displayed | Download in RIS Format
Other project views: | All 24 publications | 4 publications in selected types | All 4 journal articles |
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Crait JR, Ben-David M. River otters in Yellowstone Lake depend on a declining cutthroat trout population. Journal of Mammalogy 2006;87(3):485-494. |
R829426E01 (2004) R829426E01 (Final) R829426E02 (2004) R829426E02 (Final) |
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Crait JR, Ben-David M. Effects of river otter activity on terrestrial plants in trophically altered Yellowstone Lake. Ecology 2007;88(4):1040-1052. |
R829426E01 (2004) R829426E02 (2004) R829426E02 (Final) |
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Taylor BW, Keep CF, Hall Jr. RO, Koch BJ, Tronstad LM, Flecker AS, Ulseth AJ. Improving the fluorometric ammonium method: matrix effects, background fluorescence, and standard additions. Journal of the North American Benthological Society 2007;26(2):167-177. |
R829426E01 (2004) R829426E02 (Final) |
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Supplemental Keywords:
ecological effects, ecosystem, indicators, terrestrial, aquatic, analytical, surveys, western states, cutthroat trout, ecosystem processes, landscape,, RFA, Scientific Discipline, INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION, Water, ECOSYSTEMS, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Aquatic Ecosystems & Estuarine Research, Water & Watershed, Ecology, Ecosystem/Assessment/Indicators, Aquatic Ecosystem, Water Quality Monitoring, Ecological Effects - Environmental Exposure & Risk, Monitoring/Modeling, Terrestrial Ecosystems, Environmental Monitoring, Ecology and Ecosystems, Watersheds, anthropogenic stress, bioassessment, anthropogenic processes, watershed classification, nutrient transport, lake trout, ecosystem monitoring, watershed management, biodiversity, biopollution, Yellowstone Park, conservation, diagnostic indicators, ecosystem indicators, lakes, aquatic ecosystems, bioindicators, watershed sustainablility, invasive species, water quality, biological indicators, ecosystem stress, watershed assessment, conservation planning, nitrogen uptake, ecosystem response, aquatic biota, land use, restoration planning, watershed restorationRelevant Websites:
http://www.uwyo.edu/bhall/ Exit
http://www.uwyo.edu/zoology/people/bendavid.html Exit
Progress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.