Mapping and Biological Studies of Shoreline Rock Pools in Three Lake Superior National Parks [part of GLRI project 90]: Summary Trip Report for 2010 Fieldwork in Apostle Islands National Park, 3‐7 May 2010, 13‐17 September 2010

Lafrançois, T.; Edlund, M.; Ferrington, L.; Egan, A.; Fedie, A.; Glase, J.

Staff at Isle Royale National Park (ISRO), Apostle Islands National Lakeshore (APIS) and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore (PIRO) have identified rock pools as understudied habitats in need of investigation due to their potentially unique biota and vulnerability to imminent stressors. Preliminary surveys have shown that Isle Royale National Park (ISRO) shoreline rock pools are used by rare species such as the boreal chorus frog and other arctic disjunct organisms. At Apostle Islands National Lakeshore (APIS) similar habitats are known to support arctic disjunct flora, but pool fauna have not been systematically surveyed. All three parks are located near commercial shipping lanes on Lake Superior, making them susceptible to catastrophic events such as a shipping‐related spills. Given their small size and shallow depths, rock pools and their biota are also highly susceptible to climate change and impacts from visitors. Natural resources staff at all three parks are concerned about this vulnerability, and consider rock pool habitat to be important to park biodiversity. No studies have addressed rock pools at APIS or PIRO, and previous rock pool studies at ISRO by outside investigators have focused on mainly theoretical questions focused on restricted components of the fauna. The mapping and biological studies of shoreline rock pools in three Lake Superior National Parks project will provide critical baseline data on the distribution, chemistry, biology, and ecology of these unique and dynamic ecosystems in the three Lake Superior parks. The primary goals of this study are: • Survey the distribution of rock pools along shoreline areas of Isle Royale, Pictured Rocks, and Apostle Islands National Parks. • Characterize the physical properties and water chemistry of these pools or a representative subset of pools. • Characterize the biological structure of these pools or a representative subset of pools, including algae, microinvertebrates, macroinvertebrates and vertebrates. • Develop mapping and ecological assessment protocol for rock pools. • Develop long term monitoring plans for rock pools at these Parks. The Apostle Islands rock pools were studied in both spring and fall of 2010 by Toben Lafrançois (SCWRS, field coordinator for this project at APIS and PIRO), Mark Edlund (SCWRS), Alaina Fedie (intern, SCWRS), Leonard Ferrington, Jr. (University of Minnesota), Jay Glase (NPS Regional Biologist) and Joan Elias (GLKN). Ted Gostomski (GLKN biologist and science writer) was the boat captain and guide on both occasions.