midge-salinity transfer function for inferring sea level change and landscape evolution in the Hudson Bay Lowlands, Manitoba, Canada

We compared water chemistry and environmental data with midge assemblage data, using multivariate analysis to assess the environmental gradients that limit midge (Chironomidae, Chaoboridae and Ceratopogonidae) distributions in the Hudson Bay Lowlands, northeastern Manitoba, Canada. Midge remains, co...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of paleolimnology 2014-03, Vol.51 (3), p.325-341
Main Authors: Dickson, Trapper R, Bos, Darren G, Pellatt, Marlow G, Walker, Ian R
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal populations
Aquatic ecosystems
Ceratopogonidae
Chaoboridae
Chironomidae
Climate Change
data collection
Earth and Environmental Science
Earth Sciences
Environmental assessment
Environmental gradient
Freshwater & Marine Ecology
Geochemistry
Geology
hydrochemistry
Insects
landscapes
lowlands
managers
Marine
midges
Multivariate analysis
Original Paper
Paleoecology
Paleontology
Physical Geography
Ponds
Salinity
Sea level
Sea level changes
Sedimentology
sediments
Water chemistry
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Summary:We compared water chemistry and environmental data with midge assemblage data, using multivariate analysis to assess the environmental gradients that limit midge (Chironomidae, Chaoboridae and Ceratopogonidae) distributions in the Hudson Bay Lowlands, northeastern Manitoba, Canada. Midge remains, comprising 62 taxa, were obtained from surficial sediments of 63 ponds. Ponds were sampled to maximize the salinity gradient. Specific conductance ranged from 46 to 29,000 μS cm⁻¹. Proximity to the coast was a principal determinant of pond salinity, with ponds closer to Hudson Bay shoreline more saline that those farther away. Multivariate analysis indicated that midge distributions have a significant relationship ([Formula: see text]) with salinity in the data set. This work will allow paleolimnological inferences of midge community responses to changing sea level (i.e. salinity) via isostatic rebound within the Hudson Bay Lowlands, and will provide essential limnological information to scientists and managers in a region where understanding of aquatic ecosystems is limited. One undescribed midge taxon was dominant in ponds with the highest salinities and may be a key indicator for inferring highly saline environments.
ISSN:0921-2728
1573-0417
DOI:10.1007/s10933-013-9714-x