COA Summer Course 2011:    LAKE ECOLOGY

OVERVIEW

This course will provide an introduction to lake ecology: how lakes work. The course will also focus on key lake management and conservation issues.  Most of the course will be taught in the field and will
include lake-side presentations & discussions, and data collection experience. The course will also include an introduction to developing on-line maps for lakes data.
Topics to be covered include the following:
-         Lakes in the landscape - why location matters.
-         Water quality - transparency; temperature/dissolved oxygen profiles; nutrients; toxics.
-         Aquatic plants - identification and ecology; invasive species.
-         Fish - ecological requirements; geographical patterns; management & stocking;  the problem
          of illegal introductions.
-         Protection and conservation of lakes.
-         Web-accessible lake information resources & mapping.

Note: Course participants who sign up for the Watershed Ecology & GIS course (to be held during the week following the Lake Ecology course) will be able to use some of the lakes data for their own mapping / GIS projects.

SYLLABUS

Monday -
How lakes work.  An introduction to some key issues in limnology & aquatic ecology.   Lakes of Mount Desert Island. Field visits to selected lake & pond types.
Locations:   Classroom (a.m.)   Field (p.m.)
Tuesday -
Lake water quality - transparency; temperature & dissolved oxygen; nutrients; contaminants.
Lake-side discussions, supported by handouts & charts.  Data collection for selected water quality parameters, including Secchi transparency & temperature / oxygen profiles.
Locations:  Field  (all day). Echo Lake and Lower Hadlock Pond.
Wednesday -
Lake plants - community types; invasive species; management.  Introduction to aquatic plant identification.  Lake fisheries - ecology, management & conservation. Fish community types.  Lake ecology & fish populations.  Freshwater fisheries management in Maine and elsewhere.
Locations:   Field (all day).  Lake visits will include: Seal Cove Pond, Lower Hadlock Pond, Little Long Pond.
Thursday -
Maine’s oldest lake - Sargent Mountain Pond.
We will use a field visit to this fishless lake to explore a number of topics, including: glaciation & lake formation;  sediment cores & what they tell us about lake history; atmospheric contaminants & acidification; fishless ponds - their ecological value & conservation needs.
Locations:  Sargent Mountain Pond (a.m.). This 1-acre pond is located in the “saddle” between Sargent and Penobscot Mountains and is reached via a ca. 1 hour hike starting at Jordan Pond. The hike offers
spectacular views of MDI and outlying islands - and the pond provides the opportunity for an invigorating swim!
Classroom (p.m.).  Mapping lakes data – introduction to a Google Maps application.
Friday -
Lakes & ponds of the blueberry barrens of Downeast Maine.
Today will be spent on field work at two kettle ponds on the blueberry barrens of Downeast Maine (Cherryfield area).  This focus will highlight a lake landscape that contrasts with MDI. In addition to learning about these lakes and their surrounding wetlands, we will also investigate on-going
management efforts aimed at conservation of the genetically distinct populations of Atlantic salmon in the Pleasant River and other watersheds.
Locations:L Downeast Maine, including visit to the Wild Salmon Resource Center, Columbia Falls.

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