BioBlitz: Shoreline Plants DNA Project on Wizard Lake
The Alberta Lake Management Society (ALMS), with the assistance of Wizard Lake Watershed and Lake Stewardship Association volunteers, conducted a "BioBlitz: Shoreline Plants DNA Project on Wizard Lake" on Saturday, July 20th, 2019, taking plant samples next to the shoreline.
Eleven volunteers and an ALMS employee using 4 boats sampled 64 locations covering the lake (see pictures below). A rake was thrown out from the boat and samples from the plants caught were put into labelled plastic bags, identifying the location of the sample. The contents of these bags have now been identified by ALMS so we know which plants grow around the lake, and whether any are an invasive species.
The outcome of the testing was shared by Bradley Peter, Executive Director of ALMS, at the WLWLSA September 14 annual general meeting.
Bradley Peter included these points in his presentation:
The result of this project is good news as it indicated no invasive aquatic vegetation in Wizard Lake.
The outcome of the testing was shared by Bradley Peter, Executive Director of ALMS, at the WLWLSA September 14 annual general meeting.
Bradley Peter included these points in his presentation:
- 64 locations on Wizard Lake's shorelines were sampled
- Northern Milfoil [Myriophyllum sibiricum] is native to Alberta Lakes
- Eurasian Milfoil [Myriophyllum spicatum] is invasive and is not found in Wizard Lake
- The increase in vegetation may well have been our weather conditions of 2019.
- Various species collected from the BioBlitz were pressed and dried and now will be sent to the University of Alberta archives to be kept on record.
- Aquatic plants are generally good for lake health
- Brad had dried Wizard Lake aquatic vegetation samples pressed and dried for attendees to view
The result of this project is good news as it indicated no invasive aquatic vegetation in Wizard Lake.
