|
2/25/2008 - In an effort to combat the Eurasian water milfoil, an invasive species that is abundant throughout Chautauqua Lake, representatives from Cornell University and Chautauqua Lake Association are combining forces to fight against further invasion.
The CLA has an ongoing six-year contract with the university to continue studying the lake and trying to cut down on the population of the Eurasian water milfoil.
''Every summer the CLA has been very visible on the lake with our machines doing what we do best — assisting the lakefront owners with shoreline cleanup and harvesting weeds to remove them from the lake,'' said Paul Swanson, CLA general manager.
Through numerous dives into the lake, Cornell research ponds manager Robert Johnson has discovered what is happening along the bottom of the lake. Johnson selected test plots for both the upper and lower basins of the lake, and officials from both organizations are hopeful the information he has documented will help provide answers on how to restore the lake to pre-Eurasian water milfoil conditions.
''Cornell provides support to Chautauqua Lake through our contract with the CLA to record yearly changes in aquatic plant growth,'' Johnson said. ''This natural biological control offers some help in limiting excessive weed growth.''
As research crews skimmed across the lake, they used a method known as ''rake-tossing'' to pinch off the top 25 centimeters of each weed stem. The samples were then put into separate bags and frozen. Johnson then dissected each stem to evaulate the same, looking for numbers and types of herbivores found.
To better understand the year-to-year changes in plant and insect herbivore abundance in Chautauqua Lake, Johnson then examines the reports by comparing yearly estimates of weevil populations since 2002. Understanding this changeability in plant and herbivore populations from year to year may aid in the overall plant management for the lake, Johnson explained.
Since the study first began, there has been a large variation in Johnson's year-to-year studies, which makes it difficult to predict populations from one year to the next. However, both the CLA and Cornell are committed to continuing the study of the lake and are hopeful to gain more knowledge from the experiments.
''This research represents just one of the many activities the CLA undertakes in its efforts to maintain Chautauqua Lake,'' said President Tad Wright. ''This effort, and other efforts such as more visible weed harvesting and shoreline cleanup, would not be possible without the generous support of the community.''
The CLA has an ongoing six-year contract with the university to continue studying the lake and trying to cut down on the population of the Eurasian water milfoil.
''Every summer the CLA has been very visible on the lake with our machines doing what we do best — assisting the lakefront owners with shoreline cleanup and harvesting weeds to remove them from the lake,'' said Paul Swanson, CLA general manager.
Through numerous dives into the lake, Cornell research ponds manager Robert Johnson has discovered what is happening along the bottom of the lake. Johnson selected test plots for both the upper and lower basins of the lake, and officials from both organizations are hopeful the information he has documented will help provide answers on how to restore the lake to pre-Eurasian water milfoil conditions.
''Cornell provides support to Chautauqua Lake through our contract with the CLA to record yearly changes in aquatic plant growth,'' Johnson said. ''This natural biological control offers some help in limiting excessive weed growth.''
As research crews skimmed across the lake, they used a method known as ''rake-tossing'' to pinch off the top 25 centimeters of each weed stem. The samples were then put into separate bags and frozen. Johnson then dissected each stem to evaulate the same, looking for numbers and types of herbivores found.
To better understand the year-to-year changes in plant and insect herbivore abundance in Chautauqua Lake, Johnson then examines the reports by comparing yearly estimates of weevil populations since 2002. Understanding this changeability in plant and herbivore populations from year to year may aid in the overall plant management for the lake, Johnson explained.
Since the study first began, there has been a large variation in Johnson's year-to-year studies, which makes it difficult to predict populations from one year to the next. However, both the CLA and Cornell are committed to continuing the study of the lake and are hopeful to gain more knowledge from the experiments.
''This research represents just one of the many activities the CLA undertakes in its efforts to maintain Chautauqua Lake,'' said President Tad Wright. ''This effort, and other efforts such as more visible weed harvesting and shoreline cleanup, would not be possible without the generous support of the community.''
For more information on Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & Living visit: www.chautauqualakehomes.com
No comments:
Post a Comment