Mapping and biological studies of shoreline rock pools in three Lake Superior National Parks
Lafrancois T, Edlund M, Ferrington L, Egan A, Fedie A, Glase J. 2010. Mapping and biological studies of shoreline rock pools in three Lake Superior National Parks
Summary Trip Report for 2010 Fieldwork in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore (17-21 May 2010, 23-27 August 2010) Systems of rock pools can be found along the shoreline of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. These small and sometimes ephemeral water bodies are distinctive ecosystems that potentially support diverse chemical, biological, and ecological features. The Mapping and Biological Studies of Shoreline Rock Pools study addresses a lack of basic knowledge of these systems at ISRO, APIS, and PIRO National Parks. Surveys of rock pool systems at Pictured Rocks found several areas with rock pools, including Miners Beach, Mosquito Harbor, and the shore near Au Sable Lighthouse. Preliminary measurements indicate that some of the rock pools are different than those at APIS or ISRO because the upper pools are dominated by groundwater sources rather than lake water or surface water (rain, snowmelt). Surveys also found large seep areas and mediculous habitat along most of the PIRO shoreline. One mediculous zone was added as a 'rock pool' sample. Complete zooplankton, macroinvertebrate, amphibian, algae, water chemistry analysis and maps of rock pools studied are forthcoming. The final report will address the question of whether the physical differences of the PIRO pools lead to different biota than pools at APIS and ISRO.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Lafrancois, Toben; Edlund, Mark; Ferrington, Leonard; Egan, Alex; Fedie, Alaina; Glase, Jay
- Date of Issue
- 2010-12
- Units
- PIRO
- Keywords
- Amphibians, Diatoms, Macroinvertebrates, rock pool, Seep, Water Chemistry, Zooplankton