Download Lesson 7 Mono Lake Ecoscenario monolake

FRONT
PLANKTONIC ALGAE
BENTHIC ALGAE
Genus: Dunaliella
Genus: Anabaena
Species: salina
Size: 20 µm (micrometer) or 0.02 mm
Range: Hypersaline lakes
Species:
Size: 1–10 mm (0.04–0.4 in.) long
Range: Fresh water, soil, oceans, and hypersaline lakes
COYOTE
EARED GREBE
Genus: Canis
Genus: Podiceps
Species: latrans
Size: 60 cm (23 in.) tall at shoulder; 9–23 kg (20–50 lb.)
Range: Throughout North America in all habitats; rarely found in
the Arctic
Species: nigricollis
Size: 30–33 cm (12–13 in.) long
Range: Coastal and alkaline lakes; migrates between California
and Pacific Ocean
BACK
BENTHIC ALGAE
ECOSCENARIO: MONO LAKE
PLANKTONIC ALGAE
ECOSCENARIO: MONO LAKE
Natural History: Benthic algae form mats of filaments attached
to lake bottoms and shores. They prefer cold water, 1–6ºC
(34–42ºF).
Natural History: Planktonic algae float in the upper levels of the
water. They prefer cold water 1–6ºC (34–42ºF). They can live in
a wide range of salinity, from 3.5% (seawater) to 30%.
Food: Produced through photosynthesis
Food: Produced through photosynthesis
Predators: Brine flies
Predator: Brine shrimp
Reproduction: Large increases in populations (blooms) occur in
fall when there is less predation and environmental conditions
are right.
Reproduction: Large increases in populations (blooms) occur in
fall when there is less predation and environmental conditions
are right. Reproduction can be sexual or asexual.
Abiotic Impact: Productivity is affected by light intensity,
temperature, salinity, and oxygen and carbon dioxide levels.
Abiotic Impact: Productivity is affected by light intensity,
temperature, salinity, and oxygen and carbon dioxide levels.
Photo: M. I. Walker, Photo Researchers, Inc.
© 2004 The Regents of the University of California
© 2004 The Regents of the University of California
EARED GREBE
Photo: Y. Tsukii, Laboratory of Biology, Hosei University
ECOSCENARIO: MONO LAKE
Natural History: Eared grebes can be found at Mono Lake yearround, but are most abundant July through September. During
the day they never leave the lake to get fresh water. They get
water from the bodies of brine shrimp.
Food: Mostly insects, such as brine flies, and crustaceans, such
as brine shrimp
Predator: Coyotes
Shelter: Nests on floating grass mats in marshy regions
Reproduction: One brood of three to five eggs per year,
occasionally a second brood
Abiotic Impact: Temperature and light levels trigger seasonal
migration.
COYOTE
ECOSCENARIO: MONO LAKE
Natural History: Coyotes live in small family groups. They are
nocturnal hunters and call, or sing, at dusk to announce the hunt and to
communicate with other members of the family pack or neighboring
packs. They also sing to be heard after summer rainstorms and at the
full Moon.
Food: Omnivores, coyotes will eat anything from fresh meat to cactus
fruit to roadkill. They hunt small animals such as rabbits, rodents,
snakes, birds, grasshoppers, and crickets. They hunt very young deer,
elk, antelope, and bison. They also eat mesquite beans, seeds, and
tender plant shoots and will scavenge for any food they can get,
including garbage and carrion.
Predator: Wolves
Shelter: A den that is scent-marked and protected, found within a
larger hunting territory. Coyotes scratch the ground as a visual marker.
Reproduction: Mating occurs during February and March, and pups
are born in April and May. Pups stay in the den unless it is disturbed by
predators or humans. If disturbed, the mother will immediately move
the pups to a safer location. Most pups stay with their mother until the
winter, but some stay to help with the new litter the following year. The
life span of coyotes in the wild is about 15 years. Only 5–20% of pups
survive.
Human Impact: Coyotes can easily adapt to the presence of humans
and can even live in cities. They can be legally hunted in some areas.
Photo: Mono Lake Committee
Photo: Adam Jones, Photo Researchers, Inc.
© 2004 The Regents of the University of California
© 2004 The Regents of the University of California
FRONT
CALIFORNIA GULL
CASPIAN TERN
Genus: Larus
Genus: Sterna
Species: californicus
Size: 50–58 cm (20–23 in.) long
Range: Alkaline lakes and coastal areas from British Columbia
to San Diego
Species: caspia
Size: 48–58 cm (19–23 in.) long
Range: Coastal and alkaline lakes; migrates from Canada to
California
WILSON’S PHALAROPE
SNOWY PLOVER
Genus: Phalaropus
Genus: Charadrius
Species: tricolor
Size: 23 cm (9 in.) long
Range: Alkaline lakes, central Canada, and northern plains of
United States to South America
Species: alexandrinus
Size: 13–17 cm (5–7 in.) long
Range: Coastal and alkaline lakes; migrates between North and
South America
BACK
CASPIAN TERN
ECOSCENARIO: MONO LAKE
CALIFORNIA GULL
ECOSCENARIO: MONO LAKE
Natural History: Caspian terns in the Mono Lake region fish in
the freshwater streams entering the lake. They hover over the
water and plunge in to catch fish. They can be found in the
region from April through September.
Natural History: Gulls arrive at Mono Lake in April and stay
through July.
Food: Fish, insects, and other birds' eggs or young chicks (such
as California gull)
Predator: Coyotes, raccoons, weasels, and Caspian terns
Predator: Coyotes and California gulls
Shelter: Caspian terns nest among the California gulls on sandy
and rocky island beaches. Nests are shallow depressions of dry
grass. In 1991 there were only six mating pairs at Mono Lake.
Reproduction: One brood of two or three buff-spotted eggs per
year. Chicks stay with both parents through the winter.
Food: Brine shrimp, brine flies, garbage, other bird eggs (such
as Caspian tern and snowy plover), and carrion
Shelter: Nests are hollows on the ground, lined with dead grass.
California gulls usually nest on islands with large flocks of other
gulls and terns.
Reproduction: Eggs are laid in May and hatch in June. By
August parents and young leave for wintering regions.
Abiotic Impact: Temperature and light levels trigger seasonal
migration.
Abiotic Impact: Temperature and light levels trigger seasonal
migration.
Photo: Jeffrey A. Spendelow, USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
© 2004 The Regents of the University of California
Photo: Teri Dannenberg
© 2004 The Regents of the University of California
SNOWY PLOVER
WILSON’S PHALAROPE
ECOSCENARIO: MONO LAKE
Natural History: Plovers are found in flocks. They spend
summer months at Mono Lake before migrating to South
America for the winter.
Food: Brine flies and other aquatic insects
Predator: Coyotes are the main predators, but California gulls
will feed on the eggs.
Shelter: Nests are on barren gravel or sand ridges 1–1.5 km
(0.6–1 mi.) from the shoreline and lined with grass and shell
fragments.
Reproduction: Breeding occurs March to October. One brood of
two or three black-spotted buff eggs per year are incubated and
raised by both parents.
Abiotic Impact: Temperature and light levels trigger seasonal
migration.
ECOSCENARIO: MONO LAKE
Natural History: Female Wilson's phalaropes lay their eggs in
the northern United States and Canada and begin to migrate into
the Mono Lake area in June. They leave the males to incubate
their eggs and raise the chicks in the north. Males arrive into
the Mono Lake area a few weeks later, followed by the newly
fledged juveniles, who must find their way on their own. After
feeding for 4–6 weeks, until they are almost too fat to fly, they
continue their migration to South America. They fly at night and
can travel almost 5000 km (3100 mi.) in 3 days.
Food: Brine shrimp and brine flies
Predator: Coyotes
Shelter: Nests are in a grass-lined depression near water.
Reproduction: One clutch of four pale buff and brown-spotted
eggs per year. The males incubate the eggs and raise the
chicks.
Abiotic Impact: Temperature and light levels trigger seasonal
migration.
Photo: Mono Lake Committee
© 2004 The Regents of the University of California
Photo: Mono Lake Committee
© 2004 The Regents of the University of California
FRONT
RED-NECKED PHALAROPE
BRINE FLY
Genus: Phalaropus
Genus: Ephydra
Species: lobatus
Size: 18–20 cm (7–8 in.) long
Range: Alkaline lakes, North American tundra to South America
Species: hians
Size: About 1 cm (0.5 in.) long
Range: Worldwide in alkaline lakes and brine ponds
BRINE SHRIMP
HALOBACTERIA
Genus: Artemia
Genus: Halobacterium
Species: monica
Size: About 1 cm (0.5 in.) long
Range: Worldwide in alkaline lakes and brine ponds
Species:
Size: Approximately 0.5–1.0 µm (micrometer)
Range: Brine ponds and alkaline lakes
BACK
BRINE FLY
ECOSCENARIO: MONO LAKE
RED-NECKED PHALAROPE
Natural History: Brine flies live about 1 year.
Food: Benthic algae
Predator: Eared grebes, phalaropes, California gulls, plovers,
terns, and fish
Shelter: Larvae live on the bottom of alkaline lakes and brine
ponds, grazing on benthic algae. Adults swarm the surface of
the lakeshore.
ECOSCENARIO: MONO LAKE
Natural History: Red-necked phalaropes migrate into the Mono
Lake area in August from Canada with newly fledged juveniles.
There they feed on the abundant brine flies and brine shrimp for
2–4 weeks. When they are almost too fat to fly, they continue
their migration to South America. They fly at night and can
travel almost 5000 km (3100 mi.) in 3 days.
Reproduction: Produces two to three clutches each year.
Clutch size is 20–50. The female attaches herself to an air
bubble and dives to the lake bottom to lay her eggs.
Food: Brine shrimp, brine flies, and aquatic vegetation at the
surface
Abiotic Impact: Temperature affects rate of development.
Shelter: Nests are in the marshy tundra and consist of
depressions hollowed out on the ground.
Predator: Coyotes
Reproduction: One clutch of two brown-spotted eggs per year.
The males incubate the eggs and raise the chicks.
Abiotic Impact: Temperature and light levels trigger seasonal
migration.
Photo: Mono Lake Committee
© 2004 The Regents of the University of California
HALOBACTERIA
Photo: Mono Lake Committee
© 2004 The Regents of the University of California
ECOSCENARIO: MONO LAKE
Natural History: Halobacteria contain bright red pigment. They
can survive in dry conditions for years. Food preserved in salt
from brine ponds will spoil, because the halobacteria decompose
it.
Food: Halobacteria feed on dead matter and wastes.
Predator: Filter feeders such as brine shrimp
Shelter: All surfaces near and in salt water
Reproduction: Splits hourly into two identical cells
Abiotic Impact: Reproduction is affected by temperature levels.
BRINE SHRIMP
ECOSCENARIO: MONO LAKE
Natural History: In the spring, millions of brine shrimp eggs
hatch and attract birds that feed on them.
Food: Planktonic algae and bacteria
Predator: Eared grebes, phalaropes, and California gulls
Shelter: Brine shrimp swim and float with water currents in
alkaline lakes and brine ponds.
Reproduction: Each female can lay thousands of eggs. There
can be two (possibly three) generations a year. Early-season
eggs hatch the same year. Late-season eggs sink to the bottom
and hatch the next spring. Eggs can withstand being dried for
up to 3 years.
Abiotic Impact: Salinity, water, and temperature levels affect
hatching rates.
Photo: Wanner, Photo Researchers, Inc.
© 2004 The Regents of the University of California
Photos: Mono Lake Committee
© 2004 The Regents of the University of California