Protocol Testing!

If you are familiar with science at all, you know that methods and protocols can be a huge source of headachs during any experiment. To validate the invasive aquatic species survey through Notre Dame this summer, we had to preform a grueling 'protocol testing and callibration' period in North west Indiana. During the protocol testing period, we went to specific lakes and preformed several different protocols in order to compare the results to find the best method. The overall purpose of this summer survey is to identify an effective, early detection system for manaegment agencies to combat the invasion of harmful,alien aquatic species. Such a system is only valuable if it can be recreated, easily and fairly inexpensively. Snorkel surveys might not be the best option for an agency to locate invasive species, especially if they can retrieve the same information by throwing a rake from shore or by boat. So far, there have been many instances where we have dove a lake and found invasive species that we didn't find by throwing a rake. But, if you know anything about science, you have to statistically identify significant differences in data and results in order to make official - and the most inclusive - decisions. The wrong decision might allow a cheaper procedure now, but could lead to a more expensive monetary procedure later if the method wasn't accurate and allowed a possible invasive to flourish and take over.

(Images TOP left: Alex preforming Notre Dame rake toss method. TOP right: The 'sophisticated' equipement used to record species and track the divers movements and path through a lake. LEFT: Myriophyllum spicatum, Eurasian Milfoil, one of the most invasive species we have seen all summer. This species can monoculturize a lake and create dense, tall mats under water that can shade out native species and get caught in fishing gear and boat propellers.)

For comparison and analysis, over the last week, the crew preformed:

- our normal procedure (diver and kayaker for half an hour collecting plants around the boat ramps).

- repeated the normal procedure with each crew member diving (to determine variability differences between the divers)

- an Illinois rake toss method (six tosses total from the ramp at various angles).

- Notre Dame rake toss protocol (rake toss along the shore line every 10 meters for 50 total meters).

-and Department of Natural Resource boat rake toss protocol (throwing a rake from a motorized boat at 25 random spots surrounding the general boat ramp area).

In general there were differences from each method, and while diving may be more expensive and involve more man power and specialty, from my perspective as a diver, we can visually see invasive in the water and report them more accurately and effectively then any of the rake methods can. But we will have to wait and see what the scientific analysis will say.

(Images TOP right: Lake Backwater -Webster. Erick in the motor boat about to preform the DNR boat rake toss protocol, this method was very time consuming. TOP left: Mike kayaking for Alex in a grove of yellow water lilies.

Below left: Native musk-grass (Chara spp.) and its little red reproductive structures. And it really does smell musky. Right: INVASIVE curly-leaf pond weed (Potomogeton crispus) can be very stiff and scattered throughout a lake making it hard to locate by rake tossing and sometimes hard to find when diving. This can be a big nuisance for boaters if it gets too out-of-control. )

Flowers of the Midwest regions, part 1

Everywhere I go I take pictures of flowers. Just like in California, most of the pretty roadside blooms are exotic and mostly invasive plants. Although I recently completed a course in plant family recognition, most the flowering plants native to the mid west region possess very different characteristics then most California native. Most the area where we survey, and where I have taken these pictures, is wildlife refuges, wetlands, hunting areas, reservoir, ponds, drainage and flood control areas, state and national forests, and city park lakes. The winters are cold, with snow and ice, and the summers are wet and humid.

Flowering Rush (Butomus umbellatus). This plant can grow completely submerged or emergent along the side of waterways. This european introduction has now naturalized across most the US and Canada.

Chicory (Cichorium intybus) Related to Endive, this European asteraceae is all over the midwest, blooming July - September.

*Invasive* Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) This heavy invasive is on our 'List' and when possibly we have to remove any that we see. Wind dispersed seeds can survive on land or in the water and can reproduce rapidly. Although purple and pretty, it can crowd out native aquatic plants that are valuable to waterfowl.

Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) This plant has a special relationship with butterflies throughout a range from Nova Scotia down to Florida. This plant can be found along lake shores to highway shoulders. Named after the Greek God of medicine, Asklepios, it can be used to treat a variety of ailments.

White Water Lily (Nymphaea odorata) This flower native to the north midwest region has typical water 'lily pads' that float on the surface of the water creating a peaceful and poetic feel. These are found in most ponds and lakes without a great deal of activity and they bloom from June through August.

This is the bloom of the Yellow water Lily (Nuphar lutea) a floating emergent also found in ponds and lakes with limited activities in most the midwest regions. The yellow flower is smaller then a white water lily, and can emerge from the water on a stalk up to a foot. Insects like to hide in the petal pockets and unsuspectingly fertilize the neighboring flowers as they migrate from bloom to bloom.

If you have the best job...where DO you go on vacation?? Key West of course!

I just got back from my forth of July break. I was very lucky to be able to catch a flight down to Florida to see my boyfriend (of four years!!) and take a little trip down to the keys before the oil (damn you BP) gets to them. It was such a great trip. We started down highway 1 on Friday afternoon and were able to get into Key West right around 3 pm, in time to check into our beautiful room at the Curry House Bed and Breakfast and take a walk downtown for some fresh seafood! Yumm...the grouper and mahi mahi were particularly good this weekend. Saturday we rented a scooter, and went swimming and snorkeling at Zachary Taylor Fort State Park, toured the Island, and went out for drinks and yummy (guess !) seafood again (fish tacos, YUM!). Sunday (Happy Birthday Merica!) we went snorkeling at Looe Key, the only Barrier reef in North America. It was so beautiful; we saw sharks, parrot fish, lobsters and tons of other fishies.

It really is sad to see such beautifully crafted natural phenomenon such as a coral reef so close to eminent danger. The newest reports are saying that according to projected models based on previous years' currents and wind patterns, there is a 80-85% chance that oil from the Gulf can sweep around to the keys (and Looe key) by August. Even if you don't care about the environment, the people who live in the keys (not just seasonal travelers) but the permanent residents surround their entire livelihood on the beauty of the keys. Snorkel and dive shops, scooter and car rentals, seafood dealers, distributors, and restaurants, fishing charters, sailboat and yacht clubs and excursions, and beaches, bed and breakfasts, motels, hotels, weddings and caterers all require the ocean and it's estuaries to be clear, plentiful and healthy in order to attract tourists and adventurers. There is no telling how the oil will effect the economy and ecosystem in the Florida Keys. I know I am very lucky to have experienced the keys and their beauty more then once in my lifetime. I plan to go again someday.

We can see and experience nature in the raw by simply boarding a boat and jumping into the water or loading a backpack and climbing a mountain. But it would be impossible to witness these views if we did not have access to carbon based fuels; we would not be able to fly and drive to such valuable destinations like the Florida Keys (people used to get there via one track train!) in reasonable time to make it back to our jobs and family. However, the conundrum goes, we would not be aware of these sensitive and marvelous worlds if we did not possess the ability to travel and have easy access to these places. So while oil threatens what we love, we need oil to fuel our lives, as a commodity and a necessity. We have developed a need to be mobile, all the while Nature maintains their right to breath and live. Where do we go from here?

Asian Carp and more!

Well, the crew finished up our week in Southern Illinois. We surveyed about 70 ramps, including Crab Orchard Resevoir, Little Grassy, Devil's Kitchen, Lake of Egypt, Mermit Late, Carlyle and Rend Reservoirs. (among others)

Overall Southern IL is very pretty, but dry and hot. The lakes are either very clear, pretty and plant-rich flooded cypress swamps or they are murky, shallow reservoirs with little plants life. Although the lakes may be murky and not much fun to dive, they are mostly located in beautiful parks, with lots of trees and benches and picnic tables. This part of the country means business when they create areas for recreation.

Photos:

Above Left: Crew members Alex R. (diver) and Mike M. (kayaker), Crab Orchard Lake

Above Right: My team, Erick E. (diver) and myself, Angela (kayaker), Devil's Kitchen

June 27th, Sunday: While my boss and I were surveying Horseshoe Lake in the southwest regions of the Shawnee National Forest, we came across some fishermen 'fishing' archery style. (Below right) It's actually pretty amazing to see people able to spot a fish, and shoot it right in the middle of the head with a crossbow and arrow from a bridge 20 feet up. At the dam of horseshoe lake, one guy managed to shoot a huge 20 lbs. bighead carp. (Left) Erick got in the photo with the unfortunate fish to provide a sense of scale for the scientists back home.

The Lodge Lab of Notre Dame in South Bend, IN is currently in the middle of elaborate water testing and analyzing on a project involving the invasive Asian carp. 'Asian carp' is an umbrella term for three specific types of carp ; bighead, silver, and grass. Silver carp are particularly troublesome to aquatic recreationalist because when they are disturbed by a passing boat or other electromechanical sound, they can propel themselves up, out of the water. at a maximim of 20 feet, in no particular direction. Imagine starting your boat in the middle of the lake so you can take your friend around on the water ski or innertube, and a 20 lb fish (much like the one to the right with the arrow in the head) comes flying out of the water and smacks you in the head, or worse! gets it's gross fishie slime all over.

Well right now these fish, found in most the tributaries of the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers are trying to infiltrate the Great Lakes. Do you know how much space, food and recreation goes on in the Great Lakes?! Need I say more. It would be bad news for everyone.

The Lodge Lab at ND is using a process called eDNA (environmental DNA) where they can gather and filter water from any lake or tributary and run it through electrophoresis and compare it to DNA positives of Asian Carp. Since fish can excrete DNA through they scales, urine and feces, a presence of fish DNA in a particular water sample can indicate the presence of that fish in that waterway.

It's amazing what science can tell us...but for now, I am happy preforming science the old fashioned way...swimming and looking for the presence or absence of plants!!!! Go Team!!

Here is an article about the Asian Carp

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/24/us/24carp.html?_r=1

And here is more info about Lodge Lab and the eDNA method

http://biology.suite101.com/article.cfm/dna_analysis_and_invasive_aquatic_species