Long-term ecosystem studies in the Bay of Quinte, Lake Ontario, 1972–2008: A prospectus

Authors

  • Charles K. Minns Great Lakes Laboratory of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, P.O. Box 5050, 867 Lakeshore Road, Burlington, ON, L7R 4A6
  • Mohiuddin Munawar Great Lakes Laboratory of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, P.O. Box 5050, 867 Lakeshore Road, Burlington, ON, L7R 4A6
  • Marten A. Koops Great Lakes Laboratory of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, P.O. Box 5050, 867 Lakeshore Road, Burlington, ON, L7R 4A6
  • E. Scott Millard Great Lakes Laboratory of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, P.O. Box 5050, 867 Lakeshore Road, Burlington, ON, L7R 4A6

Keywords:

eutrophication, recovery, monitoring, science, sustainability

Abstract

Project Quinte can best be described as a long-term ecosystem study of the Bay of Quinte, Lake Ontario. Starting in 1972, Project Quinte was initially established to study the whole ecosystem effects of controlling phosphorus loadings in a eutrophic ecosystem. Since then, the Bay of Quinte ecosystem has experienced reduced nutrient loads, climatic events that changed the dominance of fish species, multiple invasions by non-native species, a resurgence of macrophytes, and increasing annual temperatures. Through this, the Bay of Quinte has gone from a study site to a Great Lakes Area of Concern to now the prospect of being delisted. The data that Project Quinte has assembled since its inception represents a unique opportunity to examine how ecosystems function, and the papers presented in this special issue provide evidence of the scientific and management benefits of careful long-term monitoring of ecosystem structures and processes.

References

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Published

2011-02-28

Issue

Vol. 14 No. 1 (2011): Ecosystem Health and Recovery of the Bay of Quinte, Lake Ontario

Section

Research article

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