Distribution and Biomass of Macrophytes Growing Near Streams
North End Graywood U.S.D.A. Project Macrophyte Study Sites Experimental Controls Beds dominated by milfoil near stream outlets
Eagle Point Long Point Old Orchard Point McPherson Point Sand Point
McPherson Point Gully Long Point Long Pt. Cove Hartson Point Cottonwood Cove
Sutton Point
Macrophyte Studies Project Goals: Monitor changes in biomass and standing crop, focusing on areas dominated by Eurasian watermilfoil near streams. Establish the relationship between nutrient loading, macrophyte biomass and standing crop Characterize changes in areas associated with control and experimental watersheds to determine the effectiveness of BMPs in reducing plant growth.
Graywood Gully #1 #2 Transects #3 2-4 quadrat samples collected by divers at 1, 2, 3, 4 m Swimmer tracks the perimeter of the milfoil while boat with Trimble GPS operator follows Plants are separated by species and weighed
August 2003 Average and S.D. for all sites. Each number is average of 2-4 quadrats.
Comprehensive data set now includes four summers.
Comparison of August Biomass Over Last Three Years 2001 vs vs vs. 2003
Changes in the distribution of Eurasian Watermilfoil within individual beds such as Graywood gully 1m 2m 3m 4m Stream 1m 2m 3m 4m Central 1m 2m 3m 4m North Stations are m apart along shore NM = no milfoil
Annual Changes in Milfoil Bed Surface Area
Annual Changes in Bed Surface Area W 2001 W 2002
Annual Changes of Standing Crops in Milfoil Dominated Areas W 2001 W 2002
Relationship of Macrophyte Standing Crop to Average Daily Loading for USDA watersheds
Eagle Point Long Point Old Orchard Point McPherson Point Sand Point
Loading Prediction Curves for Long Point Cove and North Gully
Relationship of Standing Crop to Total Phosphorus Loading by Streams, Summer 2003
Progress: Better understanding of dynamic nature of milfoil growth Established possible cyclical pattern of bed growth Loading prediction curve for Long Pt. Cove Continued to document statistically significant relationship between stream loading of TP and standing crop Goals for 2004: North McMillan loading prediction curve Refine estimates of standing crops Comparison of trends in experimental and control beds Seasonal changes in sediment nutrient levels