Nutrient Control of Biocommunity Layers in Lake Michigan
Mentor 1
Gabriella Pinter
Mentor 2
Istvan Lauko
Mentor 3
Russell Cuhel
Location
Union Wisconsin Room
Start Date
24-4-2015 10:30 AM
End Date
24-4-2015 11:45 AM
Description
Primary producers in aquatic ecosystems live in a complex and dynamic environment and to maximize their growth they compete for a consistent supply of light and nutrients. These factors are not evenly distributed in a water column, and as a result, phytoplankton form layers of varying compositions and density. Due to the presence of these layers and the availability of light and nutrients, phytoplankton have different rates of production and consumption varying throughout time and space. Primary producer's abundance, composition and production has experienced considerable changes in the past decade. This has been in large part modulated by the dreissenid invasions. Since 2003, Lake Michigan has undergone invasions by quagga mussels (Dreissena bugensis) which had various consequences on nutrient availability to the primary producers in the lake. This resulted in a change of nutrient distribution as well as a change of phytoplankton productivity, biomass distribution and layer formation in the water column. As the life cycle of the first generations of the dreissenid population reaches an end, the impact on the lake ecosystem by their presence is further being altered. We review recent developments of a mathematical model of biodensity structure formation, and present a computational implementation of water column dynamics to simulate different light and nutrient controlled growth scenarios.
Nutrient Control of Biocommunity Layers in Lake Michigan
Union Wisconsin Room
Primary producers in aquatic ecosystems live in a complex and dynamic environment and to maximize their growth they compete for a consistent supply of light and nutrients. These factors are not evenly distributed in a water column, and as a result, phytoplankton form layers of varying compositions and density. Due to the presence of these layers and the availability of light and nutrients, phytoplankton have different rates of production and consumption varying throughout time and space. Primary producer's abundance, composition and production has experienced considerable changes in the past decade. This has been in large part modulated by the dreissenid invasions. Since 2003, Lake Michigan has undergone invasions by quagga mussels (Dreissena bugensis) which had various consequences on nutrient availability to the primary producers in the lake. This resulted in a change of nutrient distribution as well as a change of phytoplankton productivity, biomass distribution and layer formation in the water column. As the life cycle of the first generations of the dreissenid population reaches an end, the impact on the lake ecosystem by their presence is further being altered. We review recent developments of a mathematical model of biodensity structure formation, and present a computational implementation of water column dynamics to simulate different light and nutrient controlled growth scenarios.
