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! |
MSc Students
April Laflamme
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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: ford.e@queensu.ca |
Undergraduate Students
Ella Stewart
Undergraduate Thesis Student Project Title: The effects of salt on D. pulicaria life history traits, trade-offs, and survival Summary: Large amounts of road salt are entering fresh water systems and the toxicity of salt is affecting how species mortality, growth, and reproduction. I exposed D. pulicaria iso-females from six lakes to a range of sub-lethal to near-lethal chloride concentrations for 21-days to examine trade-offs in life history traits, including clutch size, days to first brood, and 21-day mortality. No trade-offs were found among life history traits, however all variables were negatively affected by chloride although there was high variation among the six populations of D. pulicaria indicating multiple factors contribute to salinity tolerance. Differences among and between zooplankton populations should be reviewed so future water quality guideline can be region specific. |
Justin Gross
Undergraduate Thesis Student Project Title: Potential for rapid evolution and adaptation to anthropogenic change through standing genetic variation Summary: Human activities, such as freshwater salinization, have triggered unprecedented, rapid environmental changes that both directly and indirectly represent a significant threat to biodiversity. Consequently, ecosystem services are likely to suffer. In rapidly changing environments, organisms must exhibit rapid adaptive responses to ensure population persistence. Daphnia pulicaria, a keystone species, has demonstrated the capacity for rapid evolution. However, when testing for evolved tolerance, studies have typically used single genotypes to represent entire populations, overlooking potential genetic variations within these populations. My project aims to determine the potential for evolution through genetic variation using in-lab toxicity testing chloride tolerance on multiple genetically distinct Daphnia pulicaria, from the same population replicated on four lakes of varying salinities. |
SWEP Students
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Lab Dog
♥Honourable Mention♥
Hank
Special pup who loved to sleep, eat lots of treats, and spread happiness!
Special pup who loved to sleep, eat lots of treats, and spread happiness!