Document Type
Article
Abstract
Restoration of mine pit lakes for recreation is going to be very important for the future of Minnesota’s Mesabi Iron Range area. As many as 250 lakes will need to be restored in the future along this 100-kilometer-long swath of mining country. Information regarding the organisms that currently inhabit these lakes is important for future restorations to be a success. The focus of this study was to identify the types of aquatic invertebrates present in pit lakes and to identify some of the factors that influence their abundance and diversity. During this study, invertebrate samples were taken along the shore of 10 pit lakes. It was found that there is a significant difference in diversity and species richness among some lakes. Increasing shoreline vegetation coverage was found to have a positive effect on species richness (P < 0.01). Increasing rock size had a negative effect on invertebrate density (P = 0.03). Increasing macrophytes abundance had a positive effect on species richness (P < 0.01) and a negative effect on diversity (P = 0.02). Substrate consisting of a glacial till had a higher species richness than substrates consisting of hard rocks uncovered by mining (P = 0.04). Hopefully, the results of this study can be used to improve these lake systems for future recreational use.
Publication Date
2021
Recommended Citation
Laurich, Jeremy, "Factors Influencing Aquatic Invertebrate Diversity in Mine Pit Lakes Along the Mesabi Iron Range" (2021). Journal of Earth and Life Science. 11.
https://pines.bemidjistate.edu/j-earth-life-sci/11
Included in
Aquaculture and Fisheries Commons, Biodiversity Commons, Biology Commons, Environmental Monitoring Commons, Laboratory and Basic Science Research Commons, Natural Resources and Conservation Commons, Population Biology Commons, Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology Commons, Water Resource Management Commons
Comments
Faculty sponsor: Dr. Andrew Hafs, Department of Biology, Aquatic Biology Program