Ecological niche modeling of Aquatic Macrophytes in Lake Bemidji

Background/Question/Methods

During the summer of 2011 a point intercept survey was performed on Lake Bemidji, beltrami County, Minnesota to determine aquatic macrophyte abundance. This data combined with environmental factors were utilized to perform niche modeling. During the summer of 2012, a YSI mult-imeter was used to determine pH and dissolved Oxygen. Whole water samples from the same sample sites were taken to determine Nitrates and total Phosphorus. These data, along with macrophyte data from 2012 were utilized to perform another niche model.

Results/Conclusions

The model shows promise, though none of the individual environmental factors used thus far were significant. Results from these pilot models will be used to further modify methods for a final model completed in fall 2013.