PhD Students

---

Caelan Johnson
Project Title:  Multi-stressor effects of chloride and calcium on Canadian lake zooplankton community assemblages
Summary: ​Freshwater lakes and streams in Canada are becoming more saline due to runoff of road salt, which is applied to roads during winter as a deicing agent. Some zooplankton—primary consumers that play an important role in preserving ecosystem function in lakes—have demonstrated sensitivity to increased chloride concentrations from this runoff, although results vary among taxa and regions. The reasons for this variation, as well as how it might affect community structure, are not well understood, but some research suggests ambient calcium levels have a role to play. Given the importance of calcium in the development of some zooplankton, it is possible that higher calcium concentrations could ameliorate the toxic effects of chloride for some taxa. My project investigates the potential interactions between chloride and calcium on zooplankton community structure. In the summer of 2021, I conducted a mesocosm experiment at the Queen’s University Biological Station (QUBS). I am currently processing zooplankton samples from this experiment and analyzing other data—I look forward to sharing my results in the coming months!

Paul Thompson
Project Title:  Freshwater Wetland Operation and Remediation
Summary: Wetlands are an important component of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and can be thought of as a bridge between the two. When functioning normally, they provide habitats for many plant and animal species, store nutrients and Carbon and remove contaminants such as heavy metals and salt from the water. 
​Wetlands can be adversely affected by significant changes in levels of nutrients and contaminants as well as by changes in environmental factors such as temperature and pH. Restoration of normal functionality (remediation) of a wetland requires either reversing these significant changes or compensating for them. The focus of my studies will be on wetland operation and remediation.

---

MSc Students

Céline Lafrance  
Project Title: Understanding current environmental conditions & emerging risks in Killarney Park lakes on account of long-standing anthropogenic stressors. 
Summary: The Killarney, ON, area has experienced significant quantitative and qualitative degradation of its lakes due to nearly a century of mining 100 km NE in Sudbury, ON. Ongoing limnological surveys on a subset of 45 lakes in Killarney Provincial Park have shown changes in their physical habitat characteristics and water quality parameters. Changes include increasing temperatures and shirking water columns that shape phytoplankton and zooplankton community's structure and distribution. As well as decreasing DO and pH which are directly linked to the productivity and stability of aquatic habitats. Although the overall trend is increasing recovery of lake pH, an additional trend of increasing DOC and temperature in acidified lakes has been concurrently observed. The effects of these added stressors on previously distressed & recovering lakes remain unknown. My research objective is to understand how increasing DOC levels, invasive species, and climate warming are influencing oxy-thermal habitats (with emphasis on Lake Trout repatriation) and native zooplankton biodiversity.

April Laflamme
Project Title: The effects of road salt on anti-predatory defences of wood frogs 
​Summary: Amphibians around the world are experiencing declines due to many factors including habitat degradation. Application of road salt is causing salinization of wetlands ecosystems. Increased salinity can have negative consequences on amphibians such as frogs. I will be focusing on whether salinity has an impact on the anti-predatory defences of wood frogs (Lithobates sylvaticus). These defences comprise of a behavioural component (altered swimming behaviour - burst swimming), and a morphological component (increased tail length and depth). I will also be looking at whether salinity affects size at metamorphosis.  

---

Ashley Grew
Project Title: Interactive effects of anthropogenic stressors on Northern Clearwater Crayfish, Faxonius propinquus, carapace physiology 
​Summary: Freshwater ecosystems are undergoing major transformations as environments change due to anthropogenic stressors. Two prominent sources of aquatic ecosystem stress are declining calcium concentrations [Ca2+] and climate warming. These stressors could be contributing to crayfish population declines throughout Ontario, and while these stressors have been studied individually, their interactive effects on freshwater ecosystems are largely unknown. My study focuses on the interactive effects of ambient water [Ca2+] declines and rising temperatures on the physiology of Northern Clearwater Crayfish (Faxonius propinquus), the smallest and most common native crayfish species in southern Ontario. By examining F. propinquus carapaces, I hope to determine whether rising temperatures exacerbate the physiological impacts of low ambient water [Ca2+]. ​

Erin Ford
Project Title: Effects of the Rate of Salinization on Freshwater Zooplankton Communities 
Summary: Summary:  Salinization of freshwater due to road salt runoff is a major ecological concern in many northern temperate lakes, especially in urban areas. Zooplankton are small crustaceans that act as primary and secondary consumers in aquatic food webs and have been shown to be greatly impacted by salinization. Springtime temperatures and freeze-thaw patterns can cause large variation in the rate of road-salt runoff that is entering lake systems. My project will compare the impacts of one concentration of salt that is introduced abruptly or gradually into a system. The project will use mesocosm experiments to examine how zooplankton community structure, functional diversity, and grazing patterns are influenced. 
Email:  [email protected] ​

Justin Gross
Project Title:
​Summary:


​

---

Undergraduate Thesis Students

Sophie Mably
 Project: ​Studying changes in macrophytes and coarse woody debris abundance and variation, in response to lakeshore residential development on Devil Lake.

Abbie-Rose Forde
​Project: Studying changes in macrophytes and coarse woody debris abundance and variation, in response to lakeshore residential development on Devil Lake.

Ben Berman 
Project Title: Friends or Enemies: Investigating the Impact of Community Structure on Daphnia Stress Tolerance 
Summary: Primary consumers are essential organisms in aquatic ecosystems, distributing primary producer energy to upper trophic level species. Unfortunately, these creatures are highly sensitive to contamination, with anthropogenic pollution being a major contributor. Biologists have united to pursue working out the root problems to this issue. Experiments frequently concern algae grazer species, including small crustaceans of the genus Daphnia, and their response to toxicity. Typical investigations consist of specimen stress exposure in either isolated vessels or group zooplankton mesocosms. Minimal consideration addresses if specimen living conditions may impact obtained results. My research intends to bridge this knowledge gap, subjecting solo isolated, intraspecific populations, and interspecific communities of Daphnia to an equivalent chloride gradient. Fitness results will determine if habitat conditions influence treatment tolerance. A better comprehension of interspecific and intraspecific community.

---

Lab Volunteers 

Alex Brandt
Anna Pasila
Ava Di Tiero

---

Lab Dog

​Birch
Working hard on her puppy training, Birch's day to day involves playing, sitting for treats, sleeping, and more playing with her new Arnott Lab family!

♥Honourable Mention♥

​​Hank
Special pup who loved to sleep, eat lots of treats, and spread happiness!