A UVM blog Wonder Blog NR009

Day: June 19^th, 2022

Time: 7:00 A.M.

Weather: 48°F, partly cloudy with windy and frigid air

Site: Waterbury Reservoir, 44.384° N 72.774° W

Flowers/ Weeds found:

• White Champion
• Cow Vetch
• Daisy
• Common Crown vetch
• Orchard Grass
• False baby’s breath

Site Description: Heavily forested with birch and various other trees. The reservoir is lush with verdant vegetation. The vast water stretches as far as the eye can see with the Mount Mansfield mountain range overlooking it. Weeds, and flowers such as cow vetch and false baby’s breath are fully bloomed within the expansive vegetation. In between the two sides of vegetation lies a boat launch that stretches below the surface. The sun sits high above the mountains reflecting off the water. In the background loon’s call. Though it is wooded with towering trees, the boat launch is left open and exposed with no shade or protection from the elements.

Questions:

1. How widespread is the invasive species called Brittle Naiad in the reservoir?
2. What are the implications seen in the past years of aquatic invasive species?
3. What role do loons play in the ecosystem at the reservoir?
4. Are there certain areas have that euthropied/ dead zones; and if so, how can the issue be fixed?
5. Why is the invasive species (Japanese Knotweed and Brittle Naiad) such a huge problem in this body of water?
6. How does species loss effect the other species that are still within the ecosystem?
7. How will climate change and other environmental changes effect species distribution, habitats, and ecosystem function within the reservoir? 
8. What types of aquatic plants and animals are present in the reservoir?
9. Are any of the species within the lake currently endangered?
10.  What can be done to help stop the spread of aquatic invasive species in the reservoir?
11.  What is the most beneficial type of aquatic plant currently in the reservoir?
12.  Does the forest provide protection as a riparian zone does against farmland runoff?
13.  What resources would be lost if the reservoir was drained?
14.  How many invasive species currently effect the ecosystem of the reservoir?
15.  How has human influence effected the ecosystem?
16.  What parts of the ecosystem within the reservoir are most vulnerable?
17.  Is the reservoir showing signs of reaching the tipping point?
18.  Are any of the aquatic plants/ animals a key role in the reservoir invasive or hurtful to different aquatic ecosystems in Vermont?
19.  What is the total maximum daily load that the reservoir can handle?
20.  Are there any point/ nonpoint sources in this waterbody?
21.  What are the main issues/ problems that the reservoir currently faces?
22.  How does the dam effect the reservoir and its ecosystem?
23.  How does the reservoir affect the watershed/ rivers?
24.  Has the reservoir ruined any fish habitats?
25.  How quickly would the ecosystem collapse if more invasive species, both in and out of the water, were introduced into the ecosystem?

Research Question:

How will climate change and other environmental changes effect species distribution, habitats, and ecosystem function within the reservoir? 

Effect on waterbodies: Vermont is seeing an increase in average annual rainfall which is affecting stream flow, consequently causing more frequent and larger enormity of high flows. These high flows are happening more often in the later part of the year, (winter months) as a result of early snowpack thaw dates that are happening due to moderately hot temperatures. Estimates propose that warming temperatures combined with more irregular in seasonal rainfall could escalate the chance of short-term summer droughts. Stormwater runoff abundance/ recurrence and amount of runoff is another concern Vermont is facing with climate change. The magnitude of these changes in hydrological methods will hinder ecosystems to host its biodiversity and wildlife. 

Effect on habitats and species: As stormwater runoff increases in abundance, nutrient and sediment loading into waterbodies such as the reservoir will intensifies siltation and algae blooms which halts the ability of the waterbody to aid macroinvertebrates, fish, and various other aquatic organisms. As global warming continues to heat up the waterbodies, the warmer temperatures in conjunction with more nutrient loading will cause blue-green algae blooms that will damage the ecosystem. With changes in temperature, precipitation, and storm frequency changes due to climate stressors, habitat loss and species loss continues more frequently as well. As the spring temperatures continue to heat up, leafing out and plants are starting to bloom earlier than normal, along with wildlife species starting to breed and migrate sooner than ever before. Due to excessive weather events, thermal stress, parasite/ disease escalation, and habitat availably, many of the native wildlife in Vermont are finding it hard to have a home.

Source: Chapter 3 Climate Change & Conservation 2015. Vermont Fish and Wildlife. (n.d.). Retrieved June 21, 2022, from https://vtfishandwildlife.com/sites/fishandwildlife/files/documents/About%20Us/Budget%20and%20Planning/WAP2015/3.-Climate-Change-Wildlife-Conservation-%282015%29.pdf 

Conclusion:  Through this visit I was able to learn about the local plants, weeds, and flowers that the reservoir has. Along with that I was able to research the question: How will climate change and other environmental changes effect species distribution, habitats, and ecosystem function within the reservoir? From this I found out that with changes in temperature, precipitation, and storm frequency changes due to climate stressors, habitat loss and species loss continues more frequently and that stormwater runoff abundance/ recurrence along with the amount of runoff being a major concern Vermont is facing as the climate continues to change. The magnitude of these changes in hydrological methods will prevent ecosystems to host its biodiversity and wildlife. Something that caught my attention was the impact/ attention of aquatic invasive species at the reservoir. There are signs at the site which talk about how people can do their part towards protecting the waterways by making sure they are not transporting any invasive species into the waterbody. There are informational signs along with outreach/ education for the public to make sure that people know the consequences of invasive species. This is something I would like to follow up on future visits and with these visits I would like to be able to answer the following questions:

1. How widespread is the invasive species called Brittle Naiad in the reservoir?
2. What are the implications seen in the past years of aquatic invasive species? 
3. Why is the invasive species (Japanese Knotweed and Brittle Naiad) such a huge problem in this body of water?
4. What can be done to help stop the spread of aquatic invasive species in the reservoir?
5. How many invasive species currently effect the ecosystem of the reservoir?
6. Are any of the aquatic plants/ animals a key role in the reservoir invasive or hurtful to different aquatic ecosystems in Vermont?
7. How quickly would the ecosystem collapse if more invasive species, both in and out of the water, were introduced into the ecosystem?