Habitat or Food? The Demise of the Benthic Food Web in Lake Michigan

Grant: # 0960

Grant Amount: $148,008.00

Board Decision Year: 2008

Science Museum of Minnesota - St. Croix Watershed Research Station (Marine on St. Croix)

St. Croix Watershed Research Station

Edlund, Mark ([email protected]) 651-433-5953x26

GLFT - Ecosystem Health and Sustainable Fish Populations-C - Ecological and biological fisheries research to inform management

Project Details

Diporeia, a critical fish food, has declined in Lake Michigan. Dreissenid-driven changes in algal density and species composition are cited as probable causes, but there may be other reasons. Paleolimnological analysis of the sediment record will document whether a loss of lipid-rich diatoms was associated with the influx of dreissenids. Examination of the diets of Diporeia before and after the dreissenid influx from Lakes Michigan and Superior will confirm or refute mussels as the likely cause of the Diporeia decline.

Documents

Final Report	View
Final Report	View