1. Avian Botulism in the Distressed Great Lakes Dr. Brenda Moraska Lafrancois National Park Service U.S. Geological Survey Congressional Briefing Washington, DC November 18, 2011

2. Contain nearly 20% of the world’s fresh water Home to more than 35 million people “…nourish the history, culture, economy, and well-being of the people…” GLRC 2005

3. Apostle Islands Grand Portage Indiana Dunes Isle Royale Pictured Rocks Sleeping Bear Dunes

4. Great Lakes in Distress Toxic Substances Habitat and Wildlife Degradation Nearshore Health Invasive Species

6. “…there are 437 trillion quaggas in Lake Michigan alone, based on 2010 surveys. That's about 45 million quaggas for every person in Michigan.” Detroit Free Press, Oct 2, 2011

8. Botulism Background Botulism is the most significant cause of wild bird mortality worldwide Botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT/E) is the most toxic substance known to science Approximately 100,000 dead birds in Great Lakes since 2000 More than 5,000 birds at Sleeping Bear Dunes since 2006 Role of invasives?

10. Sediment Sediment Many Potential Pathways D. Blehert, USGS (2008)

11. The NPS-USGS Collaboration NPS Provides: – High profile study site – Local support for field operation – Management opportunities – “Parks for science” USGS Provides: – Broad technical expertise and tools – Commitment to sister agency needs – “Partner-driven science”

12. Botulism Project Goals Understand what drives toxin production and transfer to fish and birds Develop management options GLRI Nearshore Health Objective: “By 2014, …the number and severity of incidences of harmful algal blooms (HABs), avian botulism, and/or excessive Cladophora growth will be significantly reduced from 2008 levels.”

13. The Team & The Approach Wildlife biologists Fishery biologists Ecosystem ecologists Invertebrate biologists Microbiologists Water quality specialists Hydrographers GIS specialists Citizen scientists Whole Ecosystem Approach Multiple Disciplines Multiple Scales Multiple Tools

14. Toxin Assay Waterbird distribution and foraging From molecules… …to migratory pathways

15. Epidemiological Synthesis Lake Bottom Mapping & Sampling From the shore… …to the open water

16. Paleolimnology and Historiography Nearshore Monitoring From historical… …to contemporary

17. *Lafrancois et al. 2011 J. Great Lakes Research 37:86-91 Photo credit: National Geographic Society Progress & Discoveries Developed: – NEW toxin assay – NEW citizen science program – NEW nearshore monitoring station Discovered: – Hot spots for birds, Cladophora, and C. botulinum – Historic outbreaks linked to lake levels and temps* – And so much more!

18. Next Steps Synthesize and integrate Develop predictive ecological model Minimize mortality – Discourage toxin production – Break food web linkages – Manage bird exposure during nesting and migration

19. Collaboration!

20. Contact Brenda Moraska Lafrancois brenda_moraska_lafrancois@nps.gov 651.433.5953 x35 Watch “Little Things, Big Problems – Aquatic Invaders” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDx0tN8hUBE