Grant: Discovery Grants Program - Individual

Freshwater ecosystems are globally imperiled due to multiple anthropogenic stressors such as habitat destruction, invasive species, pollution, and climate change. In order to restore and protect freshwaters from further degradation, we need to improve our understanding of freshwater ecosystem function, including adaptation and resilience to environmental impacts. One component of inland waters that has not been well studied with respect to its range of ecological function is the benthic primary-producer matrix (BPPM). Situated at the intersection of the photic and benthic zones in lentic water bodies (i.e., ponds, lakes, wetlands), the BPPM is a complex biological assemblage dominated by submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) and/or algal mats (e.g., metaphyton). The structure of the BPPM is analogous to a forest in terrestrial ecosystems, whereby it not only provides a source of energy to the food web, it also provides resources and habitat for a variety of organisms, from invertebrates to fish. Additionally, BPPM architecture may play a key role in nutrient cycling by regulating the biogeochemical processes that control nutrient dynamics and fate. This proposed research program aims to address key knowledge gaps related to the role of the BPPM in lentic freshwater ecosystems, with a particular focus on how anthropogenic stressors serve as modifiers of BPPM structure and biogeochemical function across ecosystem type (i.e., pond, lake, and wetland). Conversely, we will investigate how BPPM in aquatic systems can modulate the impacts of environmental stressors, such as water quality mitigation. Three main research objectives will be pursued: (1) Characterize BPPM structure in lentic inland waters in relation to ecosystem type, trophic status, water quality, land-use and invasive macrophyte species; (2) Ascertain how BPPM modulates benthic habitat conditions over space and time; and (3) Assess how multiple stressors alter BPPM community diversity and function. When completed, the proposed research program will have fulfilled its main goal of elucidating important aspects of the BPPM's functional role across temperate lentic waterbodies, especially its response to environmental stressors and ability to mitigate or dampen the effects of environmental change in these systems. New knowledge generated from this research program will have important implications for freshwater conservation efforts in Canada and other temperate regions by informing policy makers and managers about the essential role of BPPM in aquatic ecosystem health and resilience.