Prairie Pond Research Articles

Comparison of ecosystem processes in a woodland and prairie pond with different hydroperiods

ABSTRACTShallow lakes and ponds constitute a significant number of water bodies worldwide. Many are heterotrophic, indicating that they are likely net contributors to global carbon cycling. Climate change is likely to have important impacts on these waterbodies. In this study, we examined two small Minnesota ponds; a permanent woodland pond and a temporary prairie pond. The woodland pond had lower levels of phosphorus and phytoplankton than the prairie pond. Using the open water oxygen method, we found the prairie pond typically had a higher level of gross primary production (GPP) and respiration (R) than the woodland pond, although the differences between the ponds varied with season. Despite the differences in GPP and R between the ponds the net ecosystem production was similar with both being heterotrophic. Since abundant small ponds may play an important role in carbon cycling and are likely to undergo changes in temperature and hydroperiod associated with climate change, understanding pond metabolism is critical in predicting impacts and designing management schemes to mitigate changes.

An Observation of the Overwintering Aquatic Insects in a Prairie Pond in Saskatchewan, Canada

In temperate regions freshwater insects annually face the challenge of surviving the winter months or otherwise perishing. Ice formation presents a substantial danger to all life stages, from the eggs to adults. Accordingly, some species have adapted to overwinter within ice and emerge during the spring thaw. The diversity of aquatic species encased in the ice and frozen sediment of a prairie pond in Saskatchewan, Canada and their survival rate upon thawing was assessed in the winter of 2013. A total of 164 specimens were retrieved from the ice and sediment, 73 of which survived after thawing. Survival rate was greatest for Cymatia americana (Corixidae, Hemiptera) at 79.6%. Corixids were found in distinct clusters encased in pond ice, a phenomenon not well documented in previous literature. A higher rate of survival was expected among the chironomids, although the value falls within ranges observed in previous studies. Additionally, members of other taxa including Notonectidae (Hemiptera), Haliplidae (Coleoptera), Ceratopogonidae (Diptera), and Coenagrionidae (Odonata) were recovered; however, these specimens exhibited much lower rates of survival.

Experimental warming increases CO2 saturation in a shallow prairie pond

There is an urgent need to understand the effect of climate warming on the carbon dynamics of lakes and ponds in order to assess contributions to global carbon budgets. Currently, we are unable to predict how the exchange of carbon gases (i.e. CO2) across the air–water boundary and organic carbon storage in the sediments will be altered with realistic warming scenarios downscaled from climatic models. Given the prevalence of shallow systems and tight atmospheric coupling, we conducted a mesocosm experiment to test the impacts of warming on CO2 saturation in a shallow prairie pond. We outline and test three possible scenarios for the effect of warming on the CO2 saturation of ponds, resulting in either an increase, decrease or no net effect for CO2 saturation. We show that with approximately a two-degree (oC) increase in average water temperature, the pCO2 of the warmed mesocosms was nine times greater than the ambient temperature mesocosms by the end of the 5-week experiment. Changes in water colour (a measure of dissolved organic carbon) in warmed systems indicate that decomposition of organic matter in the sediments and water column was the main contributor to the increase in pCO2 in the warmed mesocosms. Our results show that with warming, the release of CO2 from shallow ponds to the atmosphere will increase and carbon storage in the sediments will decrease, altering the current functioning of shallow prairie ponds and influencing the contribution of ponds to the global carbon cycle.

Duplicate Sampling of Surface Films and Associated Pond Water for Herbicides

AbstractThis paper describes the variability of herbicide concentrations in the surface film and subsurface water of small, artificial prairie ponds (dugouts) as determined by comparing duplicate samples. Duplicate surface film samples were collected using a horizontally held glass plate and washed into a collection bottle with dichloromethane. Subsurface water samples were collected by plunging bottles into the pond to a depth of approximately 0.25 m. The samples were collected weekly from two dugouts in 1989 and from one dugout in 1990. Samples were analyzed for 2,4‐D, dicamba, bromoxynil, MCPA, triallate, trifluralin, and diclofop using a gas chromatograph interfaced with a mass selective detector. The average variability of the surface film samples was ±40% of the average of the pair with a confidence interval of 97% (p = 0.05). The average variability of the subsurface water samples was ±25% of the average of the pair with a confidence interval of 71% (p = 0.05). Possible reasons for the variability, including the nonhomogeneity of the surface film, are discussed.

Distribution of Cladoceran Zooplankton Among Prairie Pothole Wetlands in Northwest Iowa

ABSTRACT Cladoceran zooplankton were collected and identified from spring and summer samples from vegetated and open water areas of 26 remnant glacial lakes in Dickinson County, Iowa. The purpose of the study was to determine the factors influencing the structure and composition of zooplankton assemblages as a tool for aiding environmental management of the region's prairie pothole wetlands and ponds. The ponds were assorted into five categories based on morphometric features and productivity: ‘chain lakes’ defined large, deep, interconnected lakes; ‘algal potholes’ were small pothole wetlands dominated by algal primary producers; ‘weedy potholes’ denoted similar ponds dominated by macrophytic vegetation; ‘sloughs’ were similarly dominated by macrophytes, but found along intermittent waterways subject to drying; and ‘walleye ponds’ were kettle-hole ponds modified for the production of gamefish. Multivariate analyses and similarity indices were used to determine the relationship between cladoceran assemblages and the five major lake types. Each lake type contained a distinct cladoceran assemblage that was influenced by the abundance of macrophytes and probably also by fish, although fish species composition was not directly measured. Cladoceran diversity also increased with increased predominance of macrophytes among lakes, and within the same lake in different seasons and sampling locations. A model was built to describe the relationship between cladoceran assemblages and macrophytes that could be used in management or paleoecological applications. If prairie potholes are to be managed for high invertebrate diversity to support waterfowl, our results promote plans that diversify benthic structure within ponds. Advanced eutrophication and conversion of existing potholes to game fish rearing ponds severely limit the abundance and composition of microcrustaceans, which is likely to alter upper levels of the food web.

Effects of herbicides on two submersed aquatic macrophytes, Potamogeton pectinatus L. and Myriophyllum sibiricum Komarov, in a prairie wetland

Clopyralid, picloram, 2,4-D and a mixture of 2,4-D plus picloram, (Tordon® 202C) were added to the water of 1 m square enclosures in a prairie wetland in Saskatchewan, Canada to produce concentrations of 0.01 and 0.1 mg active ingredient litre −1. Effects on the submersed macrophytes, Potamogeton pectinatus and Myriophyllum sibiricum, were monitored by taking repeated measurements of plant weight, flower and tuber production and inspecting for injuries at 30 and 60 days after application. Clopyralid did not inhibit weight gain (growth) in either species, but stimulated growth and flowering by M. sibiricum at 0.01 mg litre −1 and tuber production by P. pectinatus at both rates. The low rate of 2,4-D stimulated flowering by M. sibiricum and tuber production by P. pectinatus, whereas the high rate inhibited growth of M. sibiricum and injured both species. Picloram did not affect growth of either species, but injured M. sibiricum at both concentrations and inhibited flowering at 0.1 mg litre −1. Tordon® 202C at 0.1 mg litre −1 caused reduced growth and flowering in M. sibiricum and injured both species; 0.01 mg litre −1 also injured M. sibiricum. Mortality resulted only from Tordon® 202C and 2,4-D. Field data are lacking to assess the extent to which submerged macrophytes in prairie ponds are exposed to harmful concentrations of herbicide from aerial spraying, drift from ground application, runoff or wind erosion of soil.

Wetland Use, Settling Patterns, and Recruitment in Mallards

The correlation between number of May ponds in the Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) of North America and size of the continental mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) breeding population the following spring weakened from the 1950s to the 1980s, suggesting possible changes in suitability of prairie ponds for meeting reproductive needs. We studied wetland use and preferences of radioequipped female mallards by reproductive stage (1988-90) in eastern North Dakota and westcentral Minnesota and evaluated effect of land use on pair distribution in eastern North Dakota (1987-91). May pond density varied among years and study areas, with changes in number of temporary and seasonal ponds accounting for 93% of variation in total ponds. During all reproductive stages, semipermanent basins were used most by females, but temporary and seasonal ponds were preferred during prenesting and egg production. Accounting for number of relocations, number of ponds used varied by year, by reproductive stage and with pond density during egg production. Numbers of breeding mallard pairs in stratum 46 in eastern North Dakota increased as May ponds increased from 1963 to 1985, but 33,659 fewer breeding pairs on average were present in 1971-85 than in 1963-70. Number of breeding pairs declined relative to May ponds from the 1960s to the 1980s, probably because fewer pairs settle in temporary and seasonal ponds as the percent of landscape in cropland increases. Waterfowl managers in the PPR should target efforts to increase duck production on landscapes where non-cropped temporarily and seasonally flooded wetland habitats are plentiful, thereby increasing cost effectiveness of management actions taken to increase nest success rate.

Improving Prairie Pond Counts with Aerial Video and Global Positioning Systems

Technological advances in tools available for habitat surveys have occurred since the inception of the Aerial Waterfowl Breeding Ground Population and Habitat Surveys in North America (BGS). We developed a method using aerial video, a global positioning system (GPS), and an optical disk recorder to assess pond numbers in the Prairie Pothole Region. We analyzed low altitude near infrared video for 12 air-ground segments and 30 29-km transect segments that are part of the annual BGS in southern Saskatchewan. Video interpretation was done with a combination of manual and automated procedures. Average omission and commission errors for the 12 air-ground segments were 0.21 and 0.22, respectively. Estimating omission and commission errors was confounded by changes in the presence and level of water between dates of video and ground BGS. Use of GPS automated the organization of the video by transect segment on the optical disk recorder, thus reducing labor required to process video images. The time required to interpret the number of ponds for a 0.2- x 29-km transect segment ranged from 9 to 59 minutes and varied with pond abundance, size, and contrast with background. The system enabled a rapid and accurate assessment of the average number of ponds. Video imagery can be used to estimate other habitat attributes (e.g., pond area) and is a valuable source of data for analysis of habitat trends.

Spatial and temporal variability in lipid dynamics of common amphipods: assessing the potential for uptake of lipophilic contaminants

: A three-tiered approach involving autoradiography, measurement of seasonal lipid patterns and deployment of in situ microcosms, was used to assess the potential of the moderately lipophilic herbicide triallate to accumulate in two amphipod species (Hyalella azteca and Gammarus lacustris) in two prairie lakes and one prairie pond. Autoradiography revealed that the storage sites for triallate in amphipod tissues were associated with lipid-rich tissues, in particular, with triacylglycerol storage sites and the nervous system. Seasonal lipid patterns (total lipid) of amphipods did not differ amongst sites within a waterbody, however, there were marked differences amongst water bodies. Female amphipods had higher lipid contents than males during the reproductive period in early summer but this difference diminished later in the summer. Bioaccumulation factors of triallate in amphipod tissues ranged from 72 to 80 times the nominal water concentrations in 7 day microcosm trials. Triacylglycerol content and triallate body burden were positively correlated (r (2)=0.58-0.91) for H. azteca in the two lakes in which the microcosms were deployed. However, no significant correlations were obtained between triacylglycerol content and triallate body burden for G. lacustris. Triacylglycerol contents in the amphipods were generally highest in spring and autumn, coinciding with application times for triallate.

Life history and production of Hyalella azteca (Crustacea: Amphipoda) in a hypereutrophic prairie pond in southern Alberta

The life history and production of the amphipod Hyalella azteca were studied over an 18-month period in a hypereutrophic prairie pond in southern Alberta, Canada. The population reproduced once a year, with breeding commencing in June and continuing until August. Population density was highest in June. The mortality rate of the adult population increased with the onset of reproduction, and remained high until the end of winter. The population density was lowest during winter and early spring (January to May). Biomass (B) fluctuated in a similar manner to population density, but the peak biomass occurred in August and September. Annual production (P) was 23.12 g∙m−2 (dry weight), estimated by the size-frequency method. The corresponding annual turnover ratio (P/B) was 5.68. The unusually high annual production and turnover ratio are attributed to the high density and large adult size of this population.

Sympatric Occurrence of Three Species of Eubranchiopoda in a Vernal Prairie Pond in Southeastern Wyoming

Sympatric Occurrence of Three Species of Eubranchiopoda in a Vernal Prairie Pond in Southeastern Wyoming

Impact of deltamethrin insecticide on Chironomidae (Diptera) of prairie ponds

Deltamethrin insecticide was applied by air, at recommended field application rates (7.5 g/ha), to two prairie ponds in June, 1986. Larval and emerging Chironomidae densities were monitored in the treated ponds and in two untreated ponds for 1 month prior to spraying, the remainder of the summer after spraying, and in the late part of the following spring. Following deltamethrin application, the density of chironomid larvae declined by two orders of magnitude in the treated ponds relative to the untreated ponds, with all genera being affected. Chironomid emergence declined in both the treated and untreated ponds. The pattern of recovery of the chironomid community was followed by multivariate analysis of larval genera abundances and qualitative comparisons of emerging species. The two treated ponds recovered at different rates: the community in one pond appeared to have recovered by 2 months after treatment, whereas that of the other treated pond showed little recovery until 1 year following treatment. In view of the high natural variation of chironomid communities and their habitats on the prairies, basic knowledge about these temporary pond ecosystems must be gathered in order to understand the long-term impact on such habitats of using deltamethrin and other insecticides.

Effects of Density and Microdetritus Enrichment on the Growth of Chironomid Larvae in a Small Pond

Densities, species-ratios, and food regimes of chironomid larvae were manipulated in enclosures placed in a small prairie pond, and effects of these treatments on the growth rates of larvae of Chironomus riparius and Glyptotendipes paripes were measured. These two species have tubiculous microphagous larvae that make up the majority of the benthos of the study pond. Intraspecific density effects strongly reduced growth rates for both species; however, interspecific effects were weak and sometimes not statistically significant. Chironomus riparius responded to the addition of sedimented microdetritus with a substantial increase in its growth rate, whereas G. paripes showed no response. The results indicate that the larvae of the two species can coexist stably at densities high enough to result in substantial intraspecies competition, and that differences associated with their mode of feeding contribute to resource partitioning. A sharp reduction in chironomid larval densities resulting from poor weather during the emergence period showed that the abiotic environment can override density effects in determining year-to-year abundance of these larvae.

The life-history, distribution, and production of Chironomus riparius and Glyptotendipes paripes in a prairie pond

C. riparius and G. paripes exhibited univoltine life-cycles in Stephenson Pond; pupation, emergence and oviposition occurred mainly during May, and both species overwintered as mature fourth instar larvae. The marjority of larval growth for both species took place during the fourth instar stage (August–October), and growth and production were very low during late May to mid July when only young instars were present. Low production occurred during an interval when sestonic chlorophyll a concentration was very low, and the high production period corresponded to the Aphanizomenon bloom (August) and the autumn diatom pulse. None of the growth and production parameters investigated were correlated with temperature at the mud-water interface. Tube structure and behavior of the larvae indicate that G. paripes larvae are filter-feeders, whereas, C. riparius larvae are deposit-feeders.

ECOLOGICAL AQUACULTURE, NEW APPROACHES TO AQUACULTURE IN NORTH AMERICA

ABSTRACTExisting aquaculture systems in North America are energy intensive. For example, rainbow trout production in raceways requires an energy subsidy of 81 MJ/Kg while catfish pond production requires 44 MJ/Kg; both are more energy intensive than feed lot beef production. An alternative approach, “ecological aquaculture,” has been practiced for centuries in Asia but has only recently been applied in North America. Ecological aquaculture is energy efficient, recycles wastes, minimizes environmental impact, and is integrated with other food production systems. This paper discusses the principles of ecological aquaculture and illustrates them with examples from North American operations. Such operations range from extensive culture of rainbow trout in small productive prairie ponds to greenhouse water recirculation systems with fish supplying the nutrients for hydroponic crop production. Other examples are backyard fish production systems and polyculture pond systems fertilized by pig manure.

Waterfowl Pair Use of Natural and Man-Made Wetlands in South Dakota

Use of natural ponds and lakes, streams, stock ponds, and dugouts by pairs of waterfowl was examined in South Dakota in May and June 1973 and 1974. Prairie ponds and lakes, primarily of glacial origin, comprised 75 and 68%, respectively, of the total area and number of wetlands in South Dakota. Stock ponds comprised 14% of the area and 21% of wetlands, and dugouts 1% and 12% of the wetland area and numbers, respectively. Semipermanent wetlands and stock ponds contained proportionally more pairs of most species than other wetland categories. Densities of blue-winged teal (Anas discors), pintails (A. acuta), northern shovelers (A. clypeata), and green-winged teal (A. crecca) declined sharply on semipermanent wetlands and stock ponds during the 1974 drought. Lack of water in ephemeral, temporary, and seasonal wetlands apparently decreased use of the remaining more permanent wetlands (natural or man-made) by these species. J. WILDL. MANAGE. 43(2):375-383 Pairs of waterfowl in South Dakota may exceed 1 million during spring in good water years, but major year-to-year fluctuations occur in response to wetland conditions (Brewster et al. 1976). Seventy percent or more of these pairs are associated with the glaciated portion of South Dakota east of the Missouri River; a part of the prairie pothole region of North America (Brewster et al. 1976). Glacial wetlands comprise the major wetland habitat in the state; however, many stock ponds and dugouts are also available. The purpose of this study was to investigate use of stock ponds, dugouts, streams, and various classes of glacial wetlands by pairs of waterfowl, and to inventory and determine the distribution of various wetland classes in South Dakota. This information is important in evaluating effects of past and present changes in wetland drainage and construction of stock ponds and dugouts. Similar studies were conducted in North Dakota (Stewart and Kantrud 1973, Kantrud and Stewart 1977). Financial support was provided by the South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station (Project A-038-SDAK and B-045SDAK). We express appreciation to W. G. Brewster, G. D. Mack, and M. R. McEnroe for their assistance in data collection; to W. L. Tucker for providing recommendations on sampling procedures; and to K. F. Higgins, R. L. Linder, C. G. Scalet, and M. E. Anderson for their review and comments on the manuscript. We thank all the landowners who allowed access to their land.

Chironomid communities in small prairie ponds: some characteristics and controls

SUMMARY. In a study of small prairie ponds in Central Saskatchewan, chironomid diversity was dependent on the stage of development of the plant community within a moisture gradient. Changes in the moisture regime affect the plant community directly, which in turn influences the diversity of the chironomid community. Rapid or complete water level reduction in a pond maintains a very simple chironomid community, three to ten species, and a simple plant community of two to three dominant species. Increased water levels eliminate emergent and submergent plants, thereby eliminating those chironomid species which live in association with the plants. Pond morphometry (mean depth, maximum depth, surface area) and water chemistry (pH and bicarbonate) showed positive relationships with chironomid diversity. The precise nature of these relationships was not determined.Chironomid diversity increases gradually from very temporary ponds to permanent ponds, therefore, chironomids can be used as indicators of pond permanency.

The chemistry of surface water in prairie ponds

Water analyses from 80 small prairie ponds, 0.17 to 89.8 hectares, in Manitoba and Saskatchewan between 1967 to 1972 exhibited two basic ionic dominance patterns HCO3 > SO4 > Cl and SO4 > HCO3 > Cl. The order of SO4 and Cl were reversed in 40 percent of the bicarbonate ponds below 500 µmhos/cm. At salinities above 12,000 µmhos/cm, Cl exceeds SO4 in several wetlands. Temporary wetlands were characterised by Ca > K > Mg > Na / HCO3 > Cl > SO4, semi-permanent ponds Mg > Ca > Na > K / SO4 > HCO3 > Cl while the permanent pond structure was Ca > Mg > Na > K / HCO3 > SO4 > Cl.

Summerkill Risk in Prairie Ponds and Possibilities of its Prediction

Summer fish kills in shallow, landlocked ponds of the Erickson–Elphinstone area, southwestern Manitoba, were caused by collapses of heavy algal blooms, mostly Alphanizomenon flos-aquae, and subsequent oxygen depletion. Kills occurred only in ponds that were in the specific conductance range of 800–2000 μmho/cm and where chlorophyll a concentrations exceeded 100 μg/liter. A practical rating system for assessment of summerkill risk was suggested. Correlations between various parameters from 51 ponds were computed; the best correlation (r = 0.866; P = >0.99) was found between the late-winter concentration of ammonia nitrogen and the maximum concentration of chlorophyll a in the following summer. Two summerkill prediction systems were proposed, based on ammonia, dissolved oxygen, and Secchi disc transparency, enabling the prediction of summerkill risk 9 or 3 mo prior to stocking of the fish.

Die-off of Ambystoma Tigrinum in Prairie Pond

Die-off of Ambystoma Tigrinum in Prairie Pond