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”THS

WATER SOILS IN RELATION
TO LAKE PRODUCTIVITY

Thesis {or the Degree of Ph. D.
MICHIGAN STATE COLLEGE

Eugene W. Roelofs
1941

 

TH

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WATER SOILS IN RELATION
TO LAKE PRODUCTIVITY

by F. nigh/I
tG’J
Eugene W3 Roelofa

 

A THESIS

Submitted to the Graduate School of Michigan

State College of Agriculture and Applied

Science in partial fulfilment of the

requirements for the degree of

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

Department of 80113
1941

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

Introduction ........................................... 1
Available plant nutrients in lake soils ................ 3
Fertilizer plots at Rose Lake .......................... 1?
Greenhouse fertilizer tests ............................ 22
A comprehensive study of four lakes .................... 25
" Methods 25
Tabulation and treatment of data ............. 27

Data presented .................................... 31
Lake Fifteen ................................. 31

Lake Twenty-two .............................. 41

Little Wolf Lake ............................. 51

Tee Lake ..................................... 59
Discussion ............................................. 69
Bottom fertility .................................. 69
Organic matter content ............................ 73

The ecology of aquatic plants ..................... 76
Relative productivity of the four lakes ........... 84
Productivity as indicated by fish growth studies .. 85
Summary ................................................ 88

Literature Cited O...OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO0.0000000000000000 91

H”
(U

INTRODUCTION

In June, 1958, an investigation of water soils in
relation to the production of vegetation in lakes was begun
by the Soils Section of the Michigan Agricultural Experiment
Station. In September of that year, the project was formally
organized with the following agencies cooperating: the State
Department of Conservation, through the Institute for Fish-
eries Research at Ann Arbor. agreed to cooperate in the study
to the extent of maintaining the author on their payroll as
a Fisheries Research Technician. and lending assistance by
.making information in their files available. and by aiding
otherwise in carrying out the investigation; the Conservation
Institute at Michigan State College assumed the responsibility
of providing field equipment and all field expenses; the Soils
Section of the college provided laboratory, greenhouse. and
office facilities.

The author is grateful to Director An S. Hazzard of
the Institute for Fisheries Research. Director L. R. Schoen-
mann of the Conservation Institute, and Dr. C. E. Miller,

Head of the Soils Section, for their part in making this
study possible through the cooperation of their respective
organizations. Gratitude is also expressed to Professor J. 0.
Veatch, who originated the project and under whose immediate
supervision the work was done. and to Dr. C. J. D. Brown of
the Institute for Fisheries Research, who assisted in out-
lining and supervising the study. The author benefited
greatly by frequent conferences with Dr. C. H. Spurway of the

Soils Section and Dr. H. T. Darlington of the Botany Depart-
ment, who checked the identification of the aquatic plants.
The growth studies of fish were made by Mr. W. C. Beckman.
Er. E. L. Cooper assisted with the more laborious field work

during the past summer.

Biologists realize that any form of life in a lake,
that is, the fish or the vegetation, is largely a product of
environment. The objective of this investigation was to de-
termine the importance of the soil factor in the environment,
so that in subsequent studies of lake productivity or perhaps
lake classification, the nature and extent of the various
bottom types in a lake may receive due consideration in the

light of their influence on the biota of that lake.

AVAILABLE PLANT NUTRIENTS IN LAKE SOIIS *

In a classification of soils a wide range of conditions
must necessarily be accommodated, particularly with regard to
moisture content. This range includes desert conditions on
one extreme and swamp or marsh conditions on the other. In
the latter group are embraced many soils which may be season-
ally inundated and are at or near the saturation point during
all seasons of the year. A complete classification should be
still more inclusive so as to include those soils which are
permanently inundated--occurring in lakes, ponds, and streams.
Veatch (10) proposed an extension of the soil taxonomic system
which included these lake—bottom soils and applied to them the
term "hydrosol".

The study of hydrosols, however, is not only the concern
of the soil taxonomist but it has attracted the interest of the
group whose objectives are to study and manage the aquatic life
in the lakes--particularly fish and the "higher“ vegetation.
The aquatic biologists, then, have recently given more atten-
tion to hydrosols in conjunction with their more comprehensive
studies of the lakes throughout the country. In our own state
this work.has been carried out by the Institute for Fisheries
Research, the research branch of the Fish Division of the State
Conservation Department. They have made, during the last
several years, reconnaissance surveys of many lakes in all
parts of the state, continuing and expanding the work pre-
viously suggested and initiated by the Land.Economic Survey.
*Vlaterial under this heading has been previously published as

a part of the thesis in the Michigan Agricultural Experiment
Station Quarterly Bulletin, Vol. 22, No. 4, May 1940, pp. 247-254.

At the outset of this investigation, it was believed
that the relationship between the hydrosols and plant growth
might be largely a matter of plant nutrient relationships, to
the same extent as it is in agricultural soils and possibly
more so since some other factors, particularly moisture con-
tent, do not fluctuate as widely in hydrosols as they do in
agricultural soils. Hence the nutrient content of hydrosols
might assume proportionately greater importance. The purpose
was, then, to determine the nature and extent of the nutrient
supply and the way in which.differences in nutrient content
are reflected by the nature and luxuriance of the plant asso—

ciations.

Another aspect of the nutrient question investigated
involved the quantitative analysis of a group of aquatic
plants for phosphorus and a comparison between the phosphorus
content of the plant and that of the hydrosol in which.the
plant was growing. Phosphorus in the plant material was de-
termined by the standard Pemberton method (I) while all soil
determinations were made by the Simplex'lethod designed by
Dr. Spurway (9) of the Soils Department of Michigan State
College. The object of this phase of the work was to learn
something of the physiology of the aquatic vegetation and to
determine the relationships between the content of a nutrient
element in the plants and that of the soil. Phosphorus was
selected because deficiencies of this element probably occur
more generally in agricultural soils than do those of other

elements.' In relation to hydrosols, Pond (6) states that

“the primary cause of retarded growth of anchored plants is
their inability to secure enough phosphorus and potassium,
and possibly other elements".

The results of these two phases of the work (the
nutrient content of a variety of hydrosols and the phos-
phorus content of aquatic plants and associated hydrosols)
are reported here, while those phases requiring further and
more intensive investigation will be reported later. .Detail-
ed field methods will be omitted. Soil samples were collect-
ed from various lake bottoms and brought into the laboratory
to be tested. Data taken at each collecting station included
the depth, pH, temperature, and turbidity of the water; a
list of the vegetation; and evidences of the degree of wave

action.

The lake-bottom.soils have been divided into five broad
types for the purpose of grouping the laboratory data. A
brief description of the types used follows:

1. Sand. Soils included under this type are those whose
outstanding characteristics are due to the sand content. Uh-
less otherwise indicated a clean, compact, light-colored sand
‘will be implied when the term is used. Sand may be found in
conjunction with.marl, peat, shells, or very finely divided
particles of organic matter. It should be realized that in-
numerable combinations of the various components may and do
occur in nature. As mentioned above, however, as long as the
characteristics due to the sand are dominant, the soils will
be included under this heading--the modifications when present

will be given in a column provided for that purpose.

2. Clay. This term is used to designate these soils
which are composed of extremely finely divided particles of
inorganic material. As such, clay is generally found as a
bluish-gray, sticky, and rather homogeneous deposit.

3. Slime. Watersoils included under this heading are
characterized by brown to black color, a semi-suspended con-
dition of the components, and offering only a limited resist-
ance to the passage of heavier objects such as sounding leads,
anchors, etc. Here again, there are many possible intergrades
between slime and the firmer deposits included under peat.
Inclusions of all sorts may occur in slime. Some of the more
common ones are marl, shells, sand, and clay. All degrees of
decomposition of the plant fragments found in the slime also
occur, giving a rather variable texture.

4. Peat. Included under this type are those soils which,
like slime, are composed of plant remains. Unlike slime, how-
ever, peat deposits are more firm and when secured with sampling
devices, relatively firm.material is received. This soil varies
with the nature of the parent plant material, environmental con-
ditions under which decomposition has occurred, and the degree
of decomposition. Three distinct divisions are recognized:

(a) fibrous--including all those deposits whose composition is
largely fragmented remains of the rooted aquatics, marsh plants,
and bog plants such as mosses, cattails, and leather leaf, (b)
woody--composed chiefly of woody material, and (c) gelatinous
or pulpy--originating from semi-microscopic forms and from

easily disintegrated rooted aquatics and characterized by a

uniform fine composition and a rather firm but gelatinous con-
sistency. Inclusions may involve marl, shells, clay, etc.

5. Earl. This type includes those watersoils whose dom-
inating characteristics are due to the marl content. Inclusions
or modifications are listed in a column describing the particular
deposit under consideration.

The series of tables (1 to 5 inclusive) gives the results

of the rapid chemical tests made by the Simplex method, which

was designed to give a rapid test for available plant nutrients
in soils. Tests for the following nutrients are possible with
this test: nitrates, nitrites, ammonia, aluminum, magnesium,
manganese, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, iron sulphates, and
chlorides. The tables presented give the amounts of some of
the more important nutrients in the five broad bottom types.
The nitrogen tests are omitted because when the sample is re-
moved from the lake and allowed to remain in the laboratory,
the state in which the nitrogen is present is undoubtedly
changed and does not simulate its condition in the lake
bottom. Hardness of the water is approximate and is express-
ed as grains per U. S. gallon.

An analysis of the data presented in these tables shows
that lake soils vary widely in plant nutrient supply.

It is significant that the extremely acid peat and the
pure, highly alkaline marl bottoms are almost completely de-
ficient in available plant nutrients, particularly phosphorus
and potassium. Observations show that lakes having a propor-

tionately large percentage of these types of bottoms are low

Table 1. Available Nutrients in Sand.

 

Soil (Air-dry)

 

 

 

Sample Modifications Water Rooted
No. or Inclusions Hard. , Plants*
H P I Ca 1g F8
p‘ ppm ppm ppm ppm ppm
2 much dark organic matter 14 7.5 ... ... 100 ... tr. 6 - b
7 abundance of shells 13 9.0 tr. 2 200 7 tr. 5 - a
15 none 13 7.5 tr. ... 100 6 ... l - a
27 none 12 708 .00 so. 200 6 10 2 - b
44 110116 ll 7 .5 o o 0 tr. 200 8 o s o 2 - b
4:5 none 1]. 6.3 0.75 so. 000 5 so. 3 "' b
60 much organic matter 8.0 ... ... 150 24 ... l - a
61 varying from dark gray 7.0 tr. ... 125 8 ... l - a

to black organic matter

 

 

63 §:::::el’able organic 8.0 175 16 3 - a
64 dark color 12 7.5 0.5 ... 175 8 ... 5 - b
65 brown color 12 7.2 0.5 ... ... 4 ... 10 - b
67 arl mixed in 12 7.0 0.5 ... ... l ... - b
68 Elack, compact 8 5.5 tr. 2O ... 6 ... - a
70 none 8 5.5 ... ... ... 4 ... ...

71 none 13 7.5 ... ... ... l ... 4 - b
'72 none ' 11 5.0 tr. 100 '7 3 - a

Range: 8 5.0 0 O 0 0 0

 

to to to to to to to
14 9.0 0.75 20 200 24 10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*The number indicates the number of plant Species growing on the corresponding
soil while the letters indicate the luxuriance of growth: a, very luxuriant
growth, b, intermediate, and c, poorly developed. This has reference to thrifti-
ness or luxuriance of growth-~not density of stand.

In the data, blanks indicate that no test was made, while the symbol (...)
means lack of response to test.

The foregoing procedures are carried out in tables 1 to 5, inclusive.

Table 2.

Available nutrients in clay.

 

Soil (Air-dry)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sample Modifications Water ooted
No. or Inclusions Hard p K Ca Mg Fe Plants

PH ppm ppm ppm ppm 19le
5 none 14 , 8.0 tr. tr. 200 7 tr. 2 - b
9 none 13 8.2 ... ... 200 35 ... 1 - b

10 none 13 9.0 tr. ... 200 40 ... ...
13 none 13 7.5 tr. ... 200 24 tr. 1 - a
16 none 13 7.5 ' ... ... 200 10 ... ...

Range: 13 7.5 o o o 7 'o

to to to to to to to

14 9.0 tr. tr. 200 40 tr.

Table 3. Available nutrients in slime.

Sample Modifications Water Soil (Air—dry) . 1Rooted
No. or Inclusions Hard P K‘ Ca M3 Fe Plants

pH PPm ppm ppm PPm PPm
none 14 8.0 tr. ... 130 ... ... 5 - b
6 none 14 7.5 tr. 2.0 175 6 tr. 5 - b
11 clay admixed 13 8.5 tr. ... 200 40 tr. 3 - a
12 marl and shells 13 8.5 tr. ... 200 24 ... 1 - a
14 none 13 7.0 tr. ... 125 10 tr. 1 - a
17 marl at depth of 2 ft. 13 7.5 ... ... 200 15 ... 4 - b
25 marl at depth of 4 ft. 7.8 tr. 5.0 200 10 tr. 6 - a
48 Green ”1°13 Shells 11 7.8 150 a 3 - b

included

54 green color, very fluid 5 5.5 ... ... ... ... 2 - c
102 marl and shells 14 8.0 1.5 ... 200 7 ... 9 - a

Range: 5 5.5 0 0 O 0 0

to to to to to to to

14 8.5 1.5 5 200 40 tr.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Table 4.

Available nutrients in peat.

lO

 

Soil (Air-dry)

 

 

 

 

Sample Modifications Water
No. or Inclusions Hard. pH P K Ca fig Fe Rooted
ppm ppm ppm Ppm ppm Plants
11.5 gelatinous, green 13 7.0 tr. ... 125 3 ... 3 - a
20 fibrous, prolific Chara
grthh’ PH Of water-8.5 13 5.5 0.5 ooo 125 14 ooo 5 - b
23 gelatinous, containing
many small Shells 8o0 1.5 ooo 200 8 ooo 3 - a
41 fibrous, containing
many small shells 18 7.6 ... ... 200 24 tr. 7 - a
47 gelatinous 11 7.0 0.5 ... 125 16 ... 4 - a
50 gelatinous 11 6.0 0.5 ... 125 ... 3 - b
52 gelatinOus 5 5.0 ooo ooo ooo ooo 3 " C
55 fibrous 5 5.0 oo- 0.. on. 8 .0. 2 - b
66 fibrous 12 6.5 tr. ... 150 20 ... 2 - b
69 fibrous 8 6.5 0.75 ... 150 10 ... 5 - a
100 fibrous, marl under shore
but not under bottom 16 . 8.0 ... ... 200 24 ... 5 - b
101 gelatinous 16 7.7 ... ... 125 7 ... -
107 fibrous 8 5.5 ooo 2.5 1.25 14 ooo 7 " a.
130 fibrous, containing marl 8.5 ... ... 200 7 ... ...
5 5.0 0 0 0 3 0
Range: to to to to to to to
18 8.5 1.5 2.5 200 24 tr.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Available nutrients in marl

ll

 

 

 

 

 

Table 5.
Soil (Air-dry)
Sample Mbdifications Watei Rooted
No. or Inclusions Hard. PH P K Ca Mg Fe Plants
ppm. ppm PPm ppm ppm
3 impure 14 9.0 tr. ooo 160 ooo ooo 2 "’ b
4 composed chiefly of
very small shells l4 8'0 °“ "' 200 "° "' 2 _ b
8 none 13 8.5 ... ... 200 7 ... l - b
18 110118 13 8o5 ooo ooo 200 8 ooo ooo
19 impure, much organic 9
matter 15 8o0 ooo ooo MOO 24 ooo 2 " b
21 none 8.0 ... ... 200 16 ... 4 - b
22 considerable organic
[flatter 708 ... ... 200 6 0.. 6 " a
24 numerous plant fibers 8.0 ... tr. 200 8 ... ...
26 none 8.0 ... ... 200 8 ... 2 - b
28 none 12 8.2 ... ... 200 4 ... 3 - c
4:0 impure 18 7.8 ... ... 200 24 ooo 4: - a
43 gelatinous peat admixed 9 8.5 ... ... 200 8 ... 5 - a
46 iYilpure 11 8.5 ooo ooo 200 8 ooo 4: - a
49 none 11 8.2 ... ... 200 8 ... 3 - c
51 none 1]. 8.5 ooo ooo 200 8 ooo ooo
9 7.8 0 0 160 0
Range: to to to to to to 0
18 9.0 tr. tr. 200 24

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12

in productivity. not only with respect to vegetation but also
with respect to plankton and fish production. Similar observa-
tions are recorded by Raymond (7) and Welch (11). Among the
other types of bottoms, there seems to be no correlation be-
tween nutrient supply and the type and luxuriance of the plant
communities. Certain plants prefer given types of soils. but
the preference seems to be based on physical characteristics,
such as firmness of the bottom and subjection to wave action,
rather than on the chemical constituency of the bottom.

Table 6 presents the results of the analysis of several
different species of aquatic plants--giving the phosphorus con-
tent as determined by the standard Pemberton method. The soils
upon which the plants were found have been tested for phosphorus
by the Simplex method and those data are also included in the
table. The reason for selecting phosphorus has been previously
mentioned. ‘

An examination of Table 6 indicates that there is a wide
variation in the phosphorus content of aquatic plants. The per-
centages of P205 range from 0.189 to 1.105.

Different species of plants growing on the same soil
absorb different amounts of phosphorus. In one case gotamogeton
mm 11folius,uénacharis. Eyriophyllum. and Eggggrwere found grow-
ing together and contained the following percentages of P205
respectively: 0.400. 0.479. 0.816. and 0.727.

A single species of plant does not show a uniform phos-
phorus content but varies widely when grown in different lake

soils, although the phosphorus content of the plant shows no

Table 6.

that of associated soils.

Comparison of phosphorus content of aquatic plants and

13

 

 

Phos- P205
. phorus i n
Lake 8011 in soil plants Plant(s) Sample
(ppm) (percent) N°°

Pine L. .
Barry Co. fibrous peat 0.0 .508 Brasenia P - 1
Pine L.
Barry Co. fibrous peat 0.0 .351 Naias P - 2
Craig L. , , Potamogeton
Branch Co. firm fibrous peat 0.5 .256 pectinatus P . 3
Craig L. fibrous peat
Branch Co. no sample taken '227 Chara P ' 4
Fish L. green gelatinous , Potamogeton
Oakland CO. peat 0'0 '534 amplifolius P ' 5
Fish L. slime too thin to .359 Brasenia P - 6
Oakland Co. get with sampler
SQuare L. gray soft gelatinous 0 0 453 Potamogeton P 7
Oakland 00. peat and marl ° ' spp., Chara '
Pleasant L. green organic slime
Oakland 00. and shells 0.0 .441 Potamogeton sp. P - 8
Pleasant L.
Oakland 00. sand 0.75 .283 Potamogeton sp. P - 9
Pond on U.S. 10, ,. .
3 mi. use-J. of sand and clay 0.0 .762 MYI‘lOPhyllum: p .. 10
Clarkston Chara & algae
Mona L. thin layer of fib- Lemna,
Muskegon Co. rous peat over sand tr. 1'098 Spirodela P ' ll
Pigeon L. semi-fluid fibrous F
Ottawa Co. peat 0.75 .757 Chara P - 12
Cook L. .
Livingston Co. brown fibrous peat 0.0 .833 Heteranthera P - 13
Bennett L. thin layer of black
Livingston Co. slime over sand 1'5 '296 Chara P ' l4
Kawbawgam.L. rown gelatinous q .
Marquette Co. peat 0.0 .363 Pontederia 410-A
Kawbawgajn L. brown gelatinous 0.0 .496 Potasnogeton 410,4?

Marquette Co.

 

peat

 

 

 

praelongus

 

l4

 

 

Table 6. Continued.
51513;}. 1:235
Lake 5011 1; soil plants Plant(s) saggfe
(Ppm) { percent )

‘Ezizugtte Co. sand 0-0 .309 Isoetes 413-3
3::Zu2tte sand 0 - O . 553 SPaI‘ganium 413-A
am 333.32%... mm
3:22;: Egfidford L. Ziifitifiius peat 0.5 .160 Chara 431-0
3:2:22 2:?dford L' ggigtiggus peat 0.5 .263 Potamogeton sp. 431-P
3:22;: 533de 1” Ziiitifiius peat 0-5 -521 Nuphar 43 -w
Man 5W
‘fi2323eite Co. sand 0'0 '219 Scirpus SP. 453-8
fizzfgmggnLéo. :élgiifigis peat '304 Vallisneria 439'C
EggggmggnLCo. gilgiiigis peat ’534 Zizania 439'R
Eiiqi:§:: 36. dark sand 0.0 .262 Nuphar 445-L
8mm
fi:::i:t::rgg.L. sand 0-0 ~491 ::;:?:§::°n 446-P
fi:::i:t::rg:,L. sand 0.0 .791 Polygonum 446-8
81:22: £5. 2:23.332; 60 .400 23:32:33: 468%
g::::: 36. Sifidgafiifiig 5.0 .479 Anacharis 468-3
Otsego L. sand, marl, 5.0 .816 Myriophyllum 468-M

Otsego Co.

 

and sawdust

 

 

 

 

15

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Table 6. Continued.
Phos- P205
. phorus i n n Sample
Lake 8011 in 8011 plants Plant(o) H‘O.
(ppm) (percent)

Otsego L. sand, marl 9 m . ‘
Otsego Co. and sawdust 5’0 '7”? naias 468-N
Buttonbush Pond clay and
St. Joseph Co. organic matter tr. '526 Polygonum 504-A
Buttonbush Pond clay and . .
St. Joseph Co. organic matter tr. .760 Utricularia 504-3
Buttonbush Pond clay and m
St. Joseph Co. organic matter tr. '788 iolypella 504'F
Buttonbush Pond clay and t 004 Potamogeton
St. Joseph Co. organic matter r. '“ natans 504‘“
Buttonbush Pond clay and "”0 Potamoaeton 04
St. Joseph Co. organic matter tr. ‘/0 obtusifolius 5 "P
Buttonbush Pond clay and a ,L .
St. Joseph Co. organic matter tr. 1'105 oagittaria 504-8
Prairie River L. 'elatinous eat
st. Josenh go find marl p 0.0 .656 Ceratophyllum 507-0
Prairie River L. gelatinous peat .
St. Joseph Co. and marl 0'0 '659 Peltandra 507-P
Silver L. sand, marl, and
washtenaw Co. organic matter tr. '189 Chara 512-0

 

16

relation to that of the lake soil. Potamogeton natagg, for
instance, contained 0.281 per cent P205 when growing on a
soil containing 3.0 p.p.m. While another sample from a
different lake contained 0.904 per cent P205 when growing
on a soil containing only a trace of phosphorus. If aquatic
plants obtain nutrients from the soil, they must have greater
extracting powers than is generally supposed since the Simple:
method is able to detect available phosphorus in concentrations
of less than 0.5 parts per million, and in many cases plants
showed a relatively high percentage of phosphorus when the cor-
responding soil failed to show even a trace by this test. How-
ever, if the nutrients were absorbed directly from the lake
water, then a very minute amount of phosphorus in the lake water
might supply the amount required by the plant for its metabolism.
It is interesting, in this connection, to note that two
floating plants, Lgmgaand Spirodela, contained a higher per-
centage of phosphorus than all of the rooted plants, except for

a sample of Sagittaria from.Buttonbush Pond in St. Joseph County.

17

FERTILIZER PLOTS AT ROSE LAKE

Following some preliminary pot tests in the greenhouse,
which were made to determine the feasibility of the use of
commercial fertilizers, it was considered desirable to make
some fertilizer applications on a larger scale and under more
natural conditions. Through the cooperation of the Game Divi-
sion of the Michigan Conservation Department, experimental
plots were constructed in the floating bog surrounding Rose
Lake in Bath Township, Clinton County, Michigan. The mat of
vegetation here is about 18 inches thick and is underlain by
varying depths of semi-fluid fibrous material of the same
nature as that comprising the bottom of Rose Lake. Excava-
tions were made during the winter, when the ground was frozen,
to a depth of three feet. Wood cribs were placed in the pools
to prevent the soft material from filling them in. Plots of
two different sizes were made-~three of 15 feet square and
nine which were ten feet square. The plots were placed 25
'feet apart.

Before adding fertilizers to the plots, it was necessary
to know the rate and amount of diffusion of salts which would
take place in order to be certain that the application of ferti-
lizer in one pool would not affect the adjoining pools. An
experiment was established in the bog to determine this. A
series of holes three inches in diameter were bored through
the surface mat at the following intervals from the hole in

which the salt was to be placed: 1, 3, 5, 10, 15, and 25 feet.

18

The salt (1500 grams of K31) was put in the end hole after a
sample of the water and soil had been tested for potassium

and found to be very low-~less than five parts per million.
Tests were frequently made to determine the amount of diffusion.
After two weeks, a slight increase occurred in the first hole--
one foot distant, while the others remained unchanged. Through-
out the period of a year, tests have indicated that the salt did
not diffuse to an appreciable extent and that applications of
soluble salts in one plot would not affect the nutrient content
of adjacent plots.

The original nutrient content of the soil was: phosphorus--
0.0 p.p.m.: potassiump-less that 5 p.p.m.; and nitrates--0.0 p.p.m.

Equivalent amounts of vegetation were introduced into each
pool. Plants used were two species of Potamogeton_and Utricularia
vulgaris.

The following treatments were made in duplicate, using
two plots as controls: 500 pounds per acre metaphosphate;

2000 pounds per acre metaphosphate: 500 pounds per acre muriate
of potash: 500 pounds per acre ammonium nitrate: and 500 pounds
per acre metaphosphate, plus 1500 pounds per acre muriate of
potash. These applications were made in May, 1939, and the
experiments are still in progress.

The plants were not harvested, but some data were ob-
tained regarding their growth. Figures 1 to 4 inclusive show
differences in growth in various pools.

Within a week, following the fertilizer applications,

algal growth.was enormous in the plots receiving a phosphorus

19

 

 

Fig. 1. One of the control plots. Water
lilies have come in naturally.

 

    
 

Plot receiving muriate of potash.
vegetation is not as abundant as
in the control plot.

 

 

Fig. 3. A plot receiving 2000 pounds per acre
of metaphosphate. Utricularia is very

 

prolific. Duckweeds naturally intro-
duced.

 

+£‘ 1. _
I ' '. ' ' O. I
fl- -1.” “t. I .‘ ‘ ..., ff. .1, “‘ 20r:1f¢1; ,‘vh. J‘;t- op . - "7.“ (WA “V?“ V /

w _ '-’i . ‘,
. " V (1': o. : - ' _
\ r‘ .I o :. ,_
.' 4 ' ' ‘1‘, . .

 

A plot receiving both metaphosphate
and muriate of potash. Vegetation
about as abundant as in Fig. 3.

21

treatment. This condition persisted for two weeks, after which
the algae were present, but not in such large quantities. The
Uticularia in_these same pools grew very rapidly and at the
end of the second season is still prolific--see Fig. 4. Duck-
weeds and water lilies have been naturally introduced.

Other treatments seemed to have little effect, since a
noticeable difference in plant growth could not be detected.

These results indicate that where definite nutrient de-
ficiencies exist, the condition can be remedied by the addition
of commercial fertilizers. However, in lakes the problem is
complicated considerably. First, it is difficult, in a lake,
to attribute the complete absence or even scarcity of vegetation
solely to nutrient deficiencies because of the presence of num-
erous other factors--probably chiefly physical in nature. The
method of application would undoubtedly require modification.
Diffusion of the nutrients into the water would occur more
rapidly in a lake where water movement occurs. Experiments
involving these problems should prove both interesting and

valuable to the fisheries biologist.

22

GREEHHOUSE FERTILIZER TESTS.

During the winter and spring of 1939-1940, a series
of fertilizer tests were made in the greenhouse. The soils
used in the tests were collected from the bottom of lakes
throughout the state and were taken from areas which seemingly
should be producing vegetation but were not. The soils were
tested for plant nutrient content and the treatments made on
the basis of the original fertility.

The soil samples were placed in 2-gallon Jars, filling
the Jar to a depth of three inches. The jars were then filled
with distilled water.

The plant used in this study was the common water-weed
(Agacharis canadengig). This species was used because it grows
rather rapidly under favorable conditions, and it develops roots
readily so that anchorage is not a problem. The fresh weight of
the plants was measured for each Jar. The plants were allowed
to grow for three days, at the end of which time the few that
had died were replaced. The fertilizers were then added. Dur-
ing the growing period of ten weeks, the Jars were kept full by
adding distilled water. Algal growths were treated with copper
sulfate, but in many cases a treatment with sufficient strength
to kill the algae damaged the plants to such an extent that
they did not recover. At the end of 10 weeks, the plants were
harvested and weighed.

Table 7 presents the results from the experiment. It

is interesting to note that some applications produced enormous

2:5“

increases in growth over the control. Others seemed to produce
conditions very favorable to algal growth, with the result that
the Anacharis_was either choked out or killed by copper sulfate
treatments. In one case--soil 479-othe treatment seemed to in-
hibit algal growth.

From the practical standpoint, it may be important to
point out that the majority of the large increases were ob-
tained by using natural materials as fertilizers. The addi-
tion of an acid muck to highly alkaline marl bottoms lowers
the reaction and probably makes available some nutrients which
are unavailable in a strongly alkaline condition. Additions
of marl to acid soils seems to give the same response in plant
growth by reversing the conditions of reaction and availability
of plant nutrients. Earl and muck or peat are plentiful in the
state, and if the productivity of lakes can be increased by
artificial means, it seems that these two sources of fertiliz-
ing material should prove valuable. It must be pointed out,
however, that in some cases actual nutrient deficiencies may
occur, and that in these cases, additions of commercial fertil-

izers may prove to be the solution.

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m.s swuoooa
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.389... tsetse assets Mm Essa .1. Sea

25

.A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY OF FOUR LAKES

During the summer and fall of 1940, a detailed study
was made on four lakes in the northern part of the Lower
Peninsula onKichigan. The objective here was to study the
natural distribution of vegetation in different lakes, and
to determine the importance of water soils in the ecology of
the larger aquatic plants.

Lakes were chosen from this part of the state for two
reasons: first, the Hunt Creek Experiment Station of the
Institute for Fisheries Research, located at Lewiston, made
an excellent headquarters since all of the lake conditions
desired could be found within a radius of 10 or 12 miles:
second, the problems of private ownership of surrounding
lands and that of conflict with sportsmen and resort owners

are less intense in the northern part of the state.

Methods .

The methods used in this investigation are essentially
the same as those used for similar studies by'Wilson (12) on
Sweeney Lake, Wisconsin, and Rickett (8) on Green Lake, Wis-
consin. Transects were arbitrarily chosen on the basis of
natural shoreline zones or types, assuming that opposite a
uniform/shoreline, there is a corresponding uniform zone of
off-shore vegetation. These transects extend from the shore
through the zone of vegetation. In the lakes studied, the

vegetation never extended to a depth exceeding six meters.

26

Plant and soil samples were collected along the tran-
sects with the Peterson dredge, which gives perhaps a better
quantitative sample than do other available sampling devices.
Samples were taken at depth intervals varying from one-fourth
to one meter, depending on the degree of slope of the bottom--
the steeper the slope, the larger the interval.

The entire sample, plants and soil, was discharged
into a large pan. The plants were transferred to a wire bas-
ket hanging over the side of the boat, washed, packeted in
wax paper, and preperly labeled. .A sample of the soil was
placed in glass jars provided for that purpose, and each jar
labeled. These samples were taken into the laboratory for
further study and treatment. See Fig. 5 for field equipment.

In the laboratory, each plant sample was separated
into species: each species sample was washed free from de-
bris, drained and blotted to remove the excess water, and
then carefully weighed. An index card was filled out for
each species, recording the transect, collecting station
within the transect, depth, and fresh.weight. Dry weights
were not measured, chiefly due to lack of time and space.
Ioreover, since the larger aquatic plants, with a few ex-
ceptions, do not vary over eight or ten percent in water
content, it seems that taking both fresh and dry weights is
impracticable. If, for any lake, the total weed crOp is
desired on a dry weight basis, one needs only to multiply
the fresh weight figures by 12 or 13% since the plants
average 87% or 88% water. Using this technique on the

data from the Green Lake, Wisconsin, study,'the result is

27

probably not different enough to warrant the additional labor.
In this lake, the total crop is given as 13,002,500 kg. fresh
weight and 1,527,900 kg. dry weight. Twelve percent of
13,002,500 is 1,560,300. If considering only the emergent
plants, the factor used would have to be increased because
emergent plants contain a lower percentage of water.

The soil samples were tested for reaction: and avail-
able phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and iron. These tests
were made with the Simplex Soil-testing System designed by
Dr. C. H. Spurway (9). Briefly, this consists of making a
.135 D. acid soil extraction from each sample, dividing the
extracted solution into 1 cc. portions, and using colori-
metric tests for each nutrient. The acid extraction is used
as an arbitrary means of determining the readily soluble
salts in the soil and it is believed that these salts are
available to the plant. The results of the analyses were
recorded an index cards, together with the information re-
garding the collecting station and a description of the soil.

A small sample of each soil was oven-dried at 110° C.
for organic matter determinations. The hydrogen peroxide

I method was used to determine the organic matter.

Tabulation and treatment gfrggggz
The discussion will be restricted to the methods in-
volved in tabulating the data rather than a presentation of
the results.
In all computations, except that of the frequency of

occurrence and relative abundance of various plant species

28

on different soil types, the method used was the same. The
transects were divided into zones on the basis of depth of
water. Zone 1 includes all readings between the shore and
a depth of one meter (0 - l m.); zone 2, those between one
and three meters (1 - 3 m.): and zone 3, from three meters
through six meters (3 - 6 m.).

Since the number of samples varied, the measurements
from each zone were averaged. Plant weights, then,are ob-
tained as the mean weight per sample. These means were
converted into grams per square meter, kilograms per hectare,
and, to give the maps (Figs. 8b, 12b, 16b, and 21b) more
popular usage, into pounds per acre.

Total yields were computed by multiplying grams per
square meter by the area (in square meters), which was ob-
tained from.a large base contour map.

The average yield by zones (Figs. 9, 13, 17, 22, and
24) was determined on the basis of the total yield and the
total area of the zone.

Fertility and organic matter determinations of soils
were averaged by zones; the mean reading was used in all
calculations.

In Tables 10, 13, 15, and 19, showing the frequency
of occurrence and relative abundance of plant species on
different soil types, the individual plant and soil samples
were considered.

- The derivation of the fertility figure or nutrient

content warrants explanation. On the basis of some 3,200

29

tests, it was found that each of the nutrients occurred in
quantities within a given range--this range varying with
each.e1ement. In deriving a standard fertility figure,
each element received equal weight or importance. Using

a factor, based on the highest reading for that element,
the nutrient could be properly proportioned. The following
table illustrates:

Standard
laximum. Equiv. (ppm) Equiv.
Nutrient Value (ppm) Factor Value Reading Value
Phosphorus 2.5 8 20 1.5 12.0
Potassium. 20.0 1 20 6.0 6.0
Calcium 200 * 1/10 20 75.0 7 .5
Iron 40.0 t 20 15.0 7.5

Maximum.nutrient content -- 80 E.C. of sample 33.0
*In marl samples the calcium.content is greater than 200 ppm.
Exact readings would require dilution of the soil extract--a
process requiring more time than was available. Moreover, it
is doubtful that calcium.in excess of 200 ppm. adds to the
fertility of the bottom.

The value of the figures obtained by this method and
other possible methods will be discussed later.

In tables dealing with plants, some species which occur
in the list of plants for a given lake are omitted. In such
cases there were not enough data to warrant the inclusion of
those species which are omitted.

When a species was observed but not taken in a sample,

it was recorded as a trace (tr.).

 

 

Fig. 5.

 

Stern of boat with field equip-
ment in place.

30

31

The outlines and contours of the maps in this manu-
script were obtained from maps furnished by the Institute

for Fisheries Research.

Data Presented.
The data will be presented for each lake individually,

with a general discussion following.

LakgpFifteen: ‘Situated in sections l4, l5, and 22 of
Briley Township, Montmorency County.

This lake occupies an 88 acre basin in the Thunder
Bay River valley, the river flowing through the western
part of the lake. The basin lies in a rather narrow strip
of outwash plain situated between two moraines of the Port
Huron system. The lake margin is swampy around practically
the entire circumference (Fig. 8a). The swamp or bog is
underlain by marl at a depth varying from three to fifteen
feet. The lake is still a marl-producing lake--pebble marl
being unusually abundant.

The lake basin is characterized by a narrow shoal,
which is terminated abruptly by a rapid ”drop-off". See
Figure 8a for further hydrographic information.

The water in Lake Fifteen is clear and relatively hard;
it measures 18 grams calcium carbonate per U. S. gallon.

Twenty-one species of plants (Table 8) are repre-
sented in the lake.

Table 9 shows the distribution of the flora with re-

gard to depth. Zone 1 (the area between the shore and the

32

one-meter contour) contains 36.4% of the total vegetation.
The plants comprising the bulk of the flora in Zone 1, in
order of their abundance, are ghgggigp,, Nuphar_advena, and
gygiophyllum heter0phyllum.

In Zone 2 (the area between the l and 3-meter con-
tours) g9 heterophyllum,.Chara_§p,,,Potamogeton amplifoliug,
g. gggteriformis, and smaller amounts of other species com-
prise 46.6% of the total crop.

The vegetation in Zone 3 (the area between the 3 and
6-meter contours) accounts for 17.0% of the total crop; the
chief contributing species, in order of their abundance, are
E. heterophyllum, g. zosteriformig, and ghaga‘gp.

The distribution of the flora with respect to bottom
types is shown in Table 10.

The relationship between yield of plants, the organic
matter content of the bottom, and the nutrient content of the
bottom is shown in Figure 9.

The density of the vegetation and the bottom types
occurring in the lake are given in Figures 8b and 8c res-

pectively.

33

 

 

 

Fig. 6. View showing the uniformity of the
east shore of Lake Fifteen.

 

 

 

Fig. 7. A protected bay at Transacts A.& B.
Picture taken in May. In July and
August, vegetation here is abundant.

LAKE FIFTEEN

    
 

1,100 ft.
30816: Baa!!! 7*
4 Swamp J Thunder Bay R.
/ I
I /,‘ a
/ r/A\“ \
\
/ /— /'\ \ \
/ // \
Grass marsh

  
  

Thunder Bay R‘ ,4 Spruce, Poplar . ~, G
and tamrack , ' HT
\‘ ‘\ )’

< \ (\W

, .. \

,Q> / \\ \\\| ‘

.‘\\\ I W ‘.
\—————o IA / 1’ ‘ \’
/ \
/ /‘ 3
\ 9 /
-\_———\“_/ / II/
A ' - x / (:4 é
*:~ _/\ ,
B C \\“_,;I

Spruce Swamp

Fig. 88.. Map showing contours (in meters) and

transects along which samples were collected.

  

...~

  

 

LEGEND

2000 to “000

EST]
Less than 100
r‘7—-—7—
LAZTJ m
100 to uoo #000 to 5000
047/153 m
Moo to 1000 5000 to 16000
16000 to 32000

*:“rT“
’37 A

xiii/f x 12.2...
1000 t0 9000

Over 32000
Map showing vegetation density in lbs. oer

 
   
      

.t‘ \
. a
.

      
    
  

..
O
A

       

  
    
      
     

  

‘0

.V

 

9.2.9
L

 

     

e...

L

 

 

0.

  
 
  

fizz...

   
 

 
      

  
    
   
 
 

  
 

0
.0
.e""'
0.

0:0.
0"
1.0,. ’.

  
  

  

C
'0
I

 

  

       

 

 

I.
.0.
0"

 

0;.
' e

I

 
 

 

'1
e
'e

       
    

            
 

 

O

 

 

I
.0
e

 

   
    

e
e .
D

O.

   

Fig. 8b.

36

 

LEGEND PP
M
D--delta denosits
S--sand
M--mar1 y

PPT—nuloy neat

Fig. 80. Map showing bottom types.

Table 8. Plants Occurring in Lake Fifteen.

Carex lasiocarpa

Carex rostrata
Ceratophyllum demersum
Chara spp.

Dulichium arundinaceum
Iziyriophyllum heterophyllum
Kaias flexilis

Nuphar advena

Nymphaea odorata
Potamogeton amplifolius

P. angustifolius

P. filiformis var. borealis
P. foliosus

P. interior

P. natans

P. pectinatus

P. praelongus

P. zosteriformis

Scirpus acutus

Typha latifolia

Utricularia vulgaris var.
americana

Sedge

Sedge

Coontail

Muskgrass; Stonewort

Three-way Sedge

Water Milfoil

Bushy Pondweed

Yellow Water Lily

White Water Lily

Large-leaf Pondweed; Bass Weed
Pondweed

Pondweed

Leafy Pondweed

Pondweed

Floating-leaf Pondweed

Sago Pondweed
Whitestem.Pondweed;'Muskie weed
Flat-stemmed Pondweed
Hardstem.Bulrus

Common Cattail

Bladderwort

 

38

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Table 9. Total Weight and Percentage of Each Species by Zones.
Lake Fifteen
Zone 1. Zone 2. Zone 3. Total
Species Height % Weight 92'. weight 3% Weight
kg. kg. kg. kg.
Carex lasiocarpa 529 1.7 529
Chara spp. 17,715 56.4 5,639 14.0 2,748 18.1 26,102
Kyriophyllum.heterophyllum 4,423 14.1 23,601 58.5 ,592 56.7 36,616
Naias flexilis 387 1.2 396 1.0 783
Euphar advena 5,663 18.0 1,175 2.9 6,838
Potamogeton amplifolius 1,638 5.2 4,185 10.3 41 0.3 5,864
P. angustifolius 291 0.9 263 0.7 554
P. interior 111 0.4 190 0.5 301
P. natans 62 0.2 120 0.3 182
P. pectinatus 278 0.9 278
P. praolongus tr. --- 644 1.6 644
P. zostoriformis 210 0.7 3,301 8.2 3,275 21.6 6,786
Scirpus acutus 71 0.2 71
Typha latifolia 26 0.1 26
Utricularia vulgaris 7 0.0 799 2.0 806
Total -------------------- 31,393 40,313 14,656 86,380
Percent of Grand Total in
each Zone --------- 36.4 46.6 17.0

 

39

TableJIL. Frequency of Occurrence and Relative Yield of Certain

Plant Species on Different Bottom Types.l Lake Fifteen

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bottom Type.
Species M PP S,M 'M,Pr PP,D,M S,M,PP
Carex lasiocarpa 75* I
b 25**
Carex rostrata <1 25* 75* _
Ceratophyllum.demersum T 50* 50*
Chara spp. —) 25** 1* 5* 9** l** 3***
i 18** 38***
Dulichium arundinaceum T 45* 55*
myriophyllum.heterophyllum. 12* 2** 4* 12** 1*
2** 17** . 5o***
Naias flexilis 2* 9* 40* 4* ’
‘ 45**
Nuphar advena - 9* 40* 15* 1* 2*
33**
Potamogeton amplifolius iv 2* I 6* 55* 1*
L 37**
P. angustifolius . 4* 1 [ 72* 1* 8*
' 15**
P. interior 45* 33*
22**
P. natans 16* 84*
P. pectinatus . ‘ 67*
' 33***
P. praelongus . 3* 17* ‘ 80*
. 2* 33* 4*
P. zosteriformis . 40**
21***
Scirpus acutus 95*
5**
..... 1. .. ..‘d-M H ..
Typha latifolia 100*
Utricularia vulgaris 4* 55* 18* V 15*
10**

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1 Frequency of occurrence on each bottom type stated in percent of total number
of collections of given species. Relative yield: *, less than 300 gms./ sq.
meter; **, 300 to 1000 gms./ sq. meter; ***, over 1000 gms./ sq. meter.
Bottom types: Me-marl; PP--pulpy peat; S--sand; D--detritus.

Example: 100% of the collections of Carex lasiocarpa were taken from a sand
and marl bottom; 75% of the collections measured less than 300 gms.
per square meter, 25% measured between 300 and 1000 gms./sq. meter.

Fifi. 9. Graphs showing aVerage yield of plants
(kg./ hectare-—————), percentage of organic mutt.r in

bottom (.~_.__), and Intrien. content of bottom (___._)

by zones in Lake Fifteen.

r"O O
‘1 .

21' .5 /

{3:500 ...-—-—-———- ’-

14000

123000 ,/

 

Zones 1 2 3

41

*IgéEDTwentyfpwg: Situated in section 22 of Vienna Town-
ship, MOntmorency County.

This lake is a good example of a "kettle" type, occupy-
ing a basin of 109 acres in the Port Huron moraine. Its
shores rise rather abruptly so that only a narrow wave-built
terrace is found. Exception to the above occurs along the
south side for a short distance and in the bay constituting
the western end of the lake.

The filling in of this large bay was undoubtedly
hastened, or perhaps may be accounted for, by the existence
of a large sawmill there in the lumbering days.

The shoreline is characterized by fallen trees and an
accumulation of logs, sticks, and all manner of debris.

A list of the plants is given in Table 11.

Table 12 shows the distribution of the flora with re-
gard to depth. In Zone 1, the most abundant plants are, in
order: 22飧,3 ., Nymphaea odorata, and Potamogeton EflPll'
folius. In Zone 2, they are: Chap; gp., P. obtusifolius,
and g. amplifolius, and in Zone 3, _I_’_. amplifoliusand g.
obtusifolius comprise the total crop.

Zone 1 produces 16.0% of the total crop; Zone 2 pro-
duces 42.2%; and Zone 3 produces 41.8% of the total.

Figures 12a, 12b, and 120 give the maps of the lake

corresponding to those of Lake Fifteen.

*The land surrounding Lake Twenty-two is owned by the
Kneeland-Bigelow Lumber Company. Their permission for
access to the lake is greatly appreciated.

The relationship of plants to different bottom types
is given in Table 13. Figure 13 shows the graphs or curves
for yield, organic matter content of the bottom, and the

nutrient content of the bottom by zones.

 

 

Fig. 10. A swampy shoreline.

42

 

 

 

A rather steep, wooded shoreline,
characteristic of the east and
northwest sides of the lake.

43

LAKE TWENTY-TWO

600
Scale: in:

 

    

Maple

Fig. 12a. Lisp showing contours
(in meters) and transects along

which samples were collected.

     

Fig. 12b.

LEGEND

[" ‘1.

Less than 100
F1411; '
100 to 400

400 to 1000

m m

1000 to 2000 16000 to 32000

 

Map showing vegetation density in lbs. oer A.

45

   

(
) PF .5, U
.1 {9
pp \ i
j 5
(
,3. “’" LEGEND
6
<5) D—~woody detritus
/Q d--herbaeeous detritus
’0 S--send
G-«gravel

B~—bou1ders
C--Chara marl
PP—-eulny oeet

Fig.12c. Map showing bottom types.

47

Table LL. Plants Occurring in Lake Twenty-two.

Carex Lasiocarpa

Chara spp.
Dulichium.arundinaceum
Eleocharis palustris
Equisetum.fluviatile
Eriocaulon septangulare
MyriOphyllum.heterophyllum
Nymphaea odorata
Potamogeton amplifolius

P. gramineus var.

P. g. var. graminifolius
f. myriophyllus

P. obtusifolius

P. pusillus
Sagittaria latifolia
Scirpus acutus
Sparganium.eurycarpum

Typha latifolia

Sedge

iuskgrass; Stonewort

Three-way Sedge

Creeping Spike Rush

Horsetail; Securing Rush
Pipewort

Water Milfoil

White Water Lily

Large-leaf Pondweed; Bass Weed

Variable Pondweed

Variable Pondweed
Pondweed

Pondweed

Duck Potato; Arrowhead
Hardstem.Bu1rush

Bur Reed

Common Cattail

I‘l‘flltliilIIIKIll

 

Table 12. Total Weights and Percentage of Each Species by Zones

0'

Lake Twenty-two

 

48

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Zone 1. Zone 2. Zone 3.
Species Total
Weight <7. Weight % Weight 7. Weight
kg. kg. kg. kg.
Chara spp. 8,844 40.7 40,192 69.8 tr. 49,036
Eleocharis palustris 138 0.6 138
Equisetum fluviatile 316 1.5 316
Eriocaulon septangulare 803 3.7 803
Nymphaea odorata 5,412 24.8 tr. 5,412
Potamogeton amplifolius 4,762 21.9 7,086 12.3 36,074 63.3 47,922
P. gramineus var. gramini- "
folius f. myriophyllus 200 0.9 297 0.5 497
P. obtusifolius 753 3.5 8,854 15.4 20,951 36.7 30,558
P. pusillus 1,164 2.0 1,164
Scirpus acutus 104 0.5 104
Sparganium eurycarpum 418 1.9 418
Total -------------------- 21,750 57,593 57,025 136,368
Percent of Grand Total in
each zone ------ 16.0 42.2 41.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

Table 13. Frequency of Occurrence and Relative Yield of Certain

49

Plant Species on Different Bottom Types.l Lake Twenty-two.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bottom Type
Species S S,D PP PP,C S,G
Carex lasiocarpa 65* 35*
Chara spp. 2* 6** 12**
80***
Eleocharis palustris 87* 13*
Equisetum fluviatile 80* 15* 5*
Eriocaulon septangulare 66* 4*
30**
Hymphaea odorata 72*
18**
Potamogeton amplifolius 2* 6* 5**
12*** 75***
P. gramineus var. gramin- 2* 7* 87*
ifolius f. myriophyllus 4**
P. obtusifolius 33*
57**
P. pusillus 65*
35**
Sagittaria latifolia 25* 75*
Scirpus acutus 45* 24* 3*
22** 6**
Sparganium.eurycarpum 85*
10**
Typha latifolia 90* 10*

 

 

 

 

 

 

l

marl.

For explanation of table, see Table 4.

Bottom types: S—-sand; D--detritus; G--grave1; PP--pulpy peat; C--chara

 

‘

13.1 . Graphs snowing QVQPnge yield (hf./ hcct,
percentage organic matter (————-—), and nutrient

contrnt (—-——-—7 by zones in lake Twenty-two.

/
v30 /
/
/
// ...
10
70 I]: /'/
/
“JO 5) /
,/
50 In /
/ I,
/
(0 ” /'/
t I“ /

5000 ///
4000 ,
3000

2000

H
(.0110 S l

to
(A

51

Litt1e_Wolf Lake: Located in sections 34 and 35 of Albert

 

 

Township, Montmorency County, and sections 2 and 3 of Greenwood
Township, Oscoda County.

This lake is unique in that it is composed of two basins,
separated only by a narrow channel in which the water does not
exceed a depth of 18 inches. The two basins differ widely, in
that one is deep and contains little vegetation, while the other
is shallower and rich in vegetation. The entire lake is 87 acres.
Other information concerning the hydrographic aspect of the lake
may be found in Fig. 16a.

A rapid lowering of the water level--a phenomenon which
has attracted considerable attention in recent years-~19 an in-
teresting feature of this lake, as well as of many others in
the surrounding, level outwash plain. In Little Wolf Lake,
boat-docks have been left high on the shore as the water re-
ceded. The outlet, which formerly flowed into Big Wolf Lake
and several years ago was capable of accommodating a boat
equipped with an out-board motor, no longer functions during
any part of the year. The small bay at Transect K3, formerly
a favorite bass-fishing spot for the local sportsmen, is now
dry and has grown up to marsh grasses.

Only two definite types of shorelines are present. A
sand beach extends around nearly the entire lake. See Fig. 14.
Exception occurs in the vicinity of Transect F, where a gravel
pavement has been formed. See Fig. 15.

The data for this lake have been tabulated in figures
and tables corresponding to those of the two lakes discussed

previously.

 

 

 

 

Fig. 14.

 

A wave-swept sand beach as found
around nearly the entire lake.

 

 

Fig. 15.

 

Gravel pavement situated in the
vicinity of Transect F.

52

53

.popooaaoo

oael.neflas¢u goamh.wcoas anaconda» use
. ._\ w n \//./x

hunches adv announce madness mam asmH .mfim
.--: ,. e
._ . \h, 1 .

In

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as .eew

\\. ..
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see .. .
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“a” \s / / .4 4. % “OHUOW
\\\ // t 1
“x \\ ,, V uni he: Seas

 

LEGEND

é

Sixéfi
i1")!

11..

2' . O
shifi?

2'
£82

Y

1000 to 2000
i

a.

2000 to uooo

O
C)
rvir'rr"
. i: k *
; CU \\
; .c* 4
: .+>. i
t m ‘ .
L... m L.
o
k. -4
>.
,‘Y'
69
e
06x

100 to 400

 

 

 

 

 

400 to 1000

 

4000 to 5000

3000 to 16000

per A.

Man showing vegetation density in lbs.

Fig. 16b.

54

55

.mmemp Seneca madsomm 062

uses measocnwm

 

Humans:
mamcasonnnm
am>mamsnw
cadmium
mzuaap¢CIIo
szomq ..
1‘ .fil
e wit
n./
x 4 be. 0 .W.
0 .0
Q
-xx xx»
.. n 0
x ./m
...... t /, \\\-\ala
M a\ Al‘ .I Q \\
r
r t m
r. x
x S

.omH

N‘ «K

A")

.uwm

Table 14. Plants Occurring in Little Wolf Lake.

Chara spp.
Hyriophyllum.heterophyllum
Naias flexilis

Nuphar advena

Nymphaea odorata
Potamogeton gramineus var.
P. praelongus

P. natans

Scirpus acutus

TableIUS. Frequency of Occurrence and Relative Yield of Certain

Muskgrass; Stonewort

WaterIMilfoil

Bushy Pondweed

Yellow Water Lily

White Water Lily

variable Pondweed

Whitestem Pondweed

Floating-leaf Pondweed

Hardstem.Bu1rush

Plants on Different Bottom Typesl.

Little WOlf Lake.

 

56

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bottom Type
Species S,M S,G S,G,Mf S,B,G S,PP S,D S,M,D PP,M
Chara spp. 16* 4* 16* 2* 2* 4* 11* 4*
33** 8**
."n ' t J r * 65*
Lyriophyllum.heterophyllum 12 23**
54*
Nymphaea odorata 33**
13***
4** 6** 5**
Potamogeton praelongus 87***
1 Bottom Types: S--sand, M--marl, G--grave1, B--bou1ders, PP--pu1py peat,

D--detritus

For explanation of table, see Table 4.

 

57

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Table 16. Total Weights and Percentage of Each Species by Zones.
Little Wolf Lake
Zone 1. Zone 2. Zone 3.
Total
Species Weight % Weight % Weight % Weight
kg. kg. kg. kg.
Chara spp. 2,254 22.1 1,341 2.5 245 3.5 3,840
myriophyllum.heterophyllum. 847 8.3 2,347 4.3 3,194
Naias flexilus 2,214 21.7 6,370 11.7 664 9.6 9,248
Nymphaea advena 3,862 37.7 3,862
Pbtamogeton praelongus 1,038 10.2 44,225 81.5 6,003 86.8 51,266
Total -------------------- 10,215 54,283 6,912 71,410
Percent of Grand Total in
each zone --------- 14.3 76.0 9.7

 

 

 

 

 

t‘ufv
c I~ .u)
«16 «f

23000

100.0

 

Zones

V

4 ... , .. I V -
' “‘71",'\"u wen! ~r.’ :o .1? )1. p \ ~"' -- 1d . x Y» . -L
-_ . U- ki‘)llul LIAA\7oCl‘1k. dunks- LA;,{4 _ .L'ul I .1. ,0 ABC U 0

‘r t’: ‘0 I'\ 1"" -(J 'v“‘;‘-. ~i . .1 v“.{ L‘L'r ‘ ‘3‘ '
')-I<.L.1.o.1 c L/lL,L1.'L...\ 1.11.011" (— -— —), £1301 Illiti‘l-nnt

content (— —) 12* 2:01.05 in Little Joli“ Lake.

|'-‘
(‘0
C23

58

59

13g Lake: Sections 2, 3, 10, and 11 of Greenwood Township,
Oscoda County.

This lake occupies a 210 acre basin in a relatively
flat outwash plain area. Due to its peculiar shape, it has
an unusually long shoreline as well as a wide variety of
shoreline types. These vary from swampy margins to rather
steep shores, and from extremely soft bottoms to gravel and'
boulder shorelines. As a consequence, the plant zone is very
irregular and variable, resulting in a greater number and
variety of plant species than any of the other lakes.

Due to the extent of the gradually sloping sand shore-
line, a dense growth of sedges and bulrushes prevails. (See
Figure 20.) As a result, this is the only lake in which
Zone 1 produces a greater quantity of vegetation than do
Zones 2 and 3. (See Table 18)

The data are presented in the same manner as are those

of the other three lakes.

 

Fig.'18.

 

 

A steep shoreline with coarse gravel
bottom. Characteristic of entire east
side of the main body of the lake.

60

 

 

Fig. 19.

Fig. 20.

 

A swampy margin-~at the north end
of the lake.

 

A gently sloping shoal with a zone
of bulrushes and sedges. This type
of margin characterizes the long
narrow arm composing the southeast
part of the lake.

61

 

 

 

 
  

*1: ,
b .L a .

“"

Oak, Aspen

TEE LAKE
A

00 t. .
Scale= GEE-3;: ;

Oak

Man showing contours (in meters) and transects along which samples were collected.

21a.

 

 

 

 

 

p2
Q

 

 

  

LEGEND

{ ‘ " ' “ ‘ " "'v r'v_ 7,1 '.IN,.'51_"§' "7n
‘ I V. I- ’ ’l “I N ‘F *i‘
I

Lees thehuioo 2000 to 4000

V /4 genera-WWW
. ,/ / ‘ I A ‘

100 to 400 4000 to 8000

V72 / ' ' -’“J i .

400 to 1000 8000 to 16000 '- ‘
gggyCYVJnvfl

1000 to 2000 16000 to 32000 f.
e "

 

' 4.4... 0. 3,5/ , y .. ..‘e.

’ Q I - I t' .
I. I . I a (I, :5. ’.. . .1"
O Q \X K'1£.I(‘.(.)‘“ .. O
' 1' u' N 1K3, [yr/5173.

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d’.’

Fig. 21b. Map showing vegetation density in lbs. per A.

   

 

   

   

 

 

  
 
 
 
 
   
   
   

‘ LEGEND

‘\

// S--sand

/ b-«gravel
5 h--mar1
PP--yulpy peat
FP--fibrous peat
(f)~-ser.i-f1tid bottom

F'P 213. Map showing bottom tLpes.

- L).

   

 

 

 

64

 

 

 

65

Table 17. Plants Occurring in Tee Lake.

Calla palustris

Carex lasiocarpa

Carer Pseudo-Cyperus
Ceratophyllum demersum
Chara spp.
Cladium.mariscoides
Dulichium arundinaceum
Eleocharis palustris
Equisetum.f1uviatile
Eriocaulon septangulare
Iris versicolor

Lemna minor
myriophyllum.heterophyllum
Naias flexilis

Nuphar advena

Nymphaea odorata
Potamogeton amplifolius
P. angustifolius

P. gramineus var. graminifol-
ius f. longipedunculatus

P. g. g. f. myriophyllus
P. g. g. f. terrestris
P.‘natans

P. praelongus

P. pusillus

P. zosteriformis
Sagittaria latifolia
Scirpus atrovirens
Scirpus acutus
Sparganium.minimum

Typha latifolia

Water.knmn

Sedge

Sedge

Coontail

huskgrass; Stonewort
Twig Rush

Three-way Sedge

Creeping Spike Rush
Horsetail; Securing Rush
Pipewort

Blue Flag

Lesser Duckweed

Water Milfoil

Bushy Pondweed
Yellow'Water Lily

White Water Lily
Large-leaf Pendweed; Bass Weed

Pondweed

Pondweed

Pondweed

Pondweed

Floating-leaf Pondweed
Whitestem.Pondweed
Pondweed

Flat-stemmed Pondweed
Duck Potato; Arrowhead
Bulrush
Hardstem.Bulrush

Bur Reed

Common Cattail

 

 

66

 

 

 

 

 

Table 18. Total Weights and Percentage of Each Species by Zones.
Tee Lake
Zone 1. 55 Zone 2. Zone 3.
% Total
Species ' Weight % ‘ Weight % ‘ Weight % Weight
0' i s. : Lg. 1 kg.
Carex lasiocarpa 8,8161 6.9 1 i I 8,816
Chara spp. 549 0.4 E 77i 0.1 192 57.1 1 818
Cladium.mariscodies I 14,952 11.6 ‘ 3 f 14,952
Dulichium arundinaceum 275 0.2 ( t 275
Eleocharis palustris | 4,090) 3.2 : I 5 4,090
Eriocaulon septangulare 10,708? 8.3 i ! 10,708
Naias flexilus 15,207 10.5 < 13,845! 11.0 ' ' f 27,052
Nuphar advena 4,595 5.8 E v i , 3' 4,595
Nymphaea odorata 3,968 3.1 ' 3,968
Potamogeton amplifolius 2,069 1.6 3 63,420 50.3 i , 65,489
P. angustifolius 774; 0.5 g 574: 0.5 g * 1,348
P. gramineus var. gramini- ' ‘
folius f. myriophyllus i 1,274 1.0 54: --- 1,328
P. natans E 22,077,17.5 905; 0.7 1 22,982
P. praelongus i 10,945: 8.5 45,552; 55.9 ' 800 29.5 57,107
P. pusillus 1 155; 0.1 1,641 1.3 1,735 163.6 £ 3,531
P. zosteriformis ) 515 --- 514 0.2 g 555
Scirpus acutus i 27,014 21.0 . ' 27,014
Typha latifolia 2,730 2.1 2,730
Totals ------------------- 128,350 125,192 2,727 257,259
Percent of Grand Total in ‘
each zone --------- 49.9 -g[ 49.1 1.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Table 19. Frequency of Occurrence and Relative Yield of Certain

Plants on Different Bottom Types.l Tee Lake.

67

 

Bottom.Types

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Species S PP S,G S,PP
Carex lasiocarpa 20* 5* 15*
25** 35**
Chara spp. 48* 8* 44*
Cladium.mariscoides 12* 4* 30*
54***
Eleocharis palustris 75* 12*
10** 3**
Equisetum.f1uviatile 75* 8* 17*
Eriocaulon septangulare 67* 4* 4*
25**
Naias flexilis 18* 22* 4**
48**
8***
Nuphar advena 87*
l3**
Nymphaea odorata 65* 13*
22**
25*
Potamogeton amplifolius 2* 33**
40***
P. angustifolius 2* 95* 7*
P. gramineus var. gramini-
folius f. myriophyllus 13* 87*
8* 20*
P. natans 4** 22**
40***
4* 15* 4*
P. praelongus 56**
21***
17*
P. pusillus 33**
50***
P. zosterifonnis 95*
5**
17* 2*
Scirpus acutus 43** 13**
25***

 

 

 

 

 

1 Bottom types: S--sand; PP--pu1py peat; G--grave1.

For explanation of table, see Table 4.

l.

 

nu C‘
53L...)

6000

4500

3000

1500

Zones

.i‘. Graph

C‘
L.)

lowing averafe yield (cr./ hect.

percentage organic matter (-....-), and nutrient

content

(_____

x
"I

by zones

1‘0

Tee Lake.

68

69

DISCUSSION

In addition to the presentation of the quantitative
data, a discussion of some important ecological problems is
warranted. These problems are reviewed in the light of, and
with constant reference to, the data already presented.

Bottom_Fertility:

Before a discussion of fertility is undertaken, the
term requires definition. The common definition is--the
ability of a soil to produce vegetation, if seeded. Hence,
the more vegetation a soil produces, the more fertile is the
soil. In other words, soil fertility can only be measured
in terms of its productivity. Fertility, then, embodies all
of the factors responsible for plant growth.

Fertility in lake soils, when considered from this
viewpoint, becomes extremely complicated. There is no way
to measure total fertility except by determining the plant
yield, since fertility implies plant production. In such
event, there must be a direct correlation between fertility
and plant yield.

In this study, the term "fertility" is used in a re-
stricted sense. The phase of fertility studied was the
nutrient content of the soils. As described previously,
this included a determination of the supply, in readily
soluble form, of four elements, namely, phosphorus, potassium,
calcium, and iron. It was assumed that these are the most im-
portant nutrients, and that if a correlation existed between

nutrient content and plant production, it would be revealed

70

by this method. Further studies may show that other elements
are important. Perhaps the minor soil elements such as boron,
copper, zinc, and manganese have an active role in lake soil
fertility. Pond (6) concludes, from a study of six aquatic
plant species, that "the primary cause of the retarded growth
of anchored plants is their inability to secure enough phos-
phorus and potassium, and possibly other elements".

Due to the quantity of data accumulated in this study,
it became necessary to apply statistical methods. In order
to do this, some means of expressing the nutrient content by
a single figure had to be devised. This has been described
previously. The validity of the method is subject to question.
All the elements were given equal weight or importance. This
was done because our knowledge of the physiology of aquatic
plants has not progressed sufficiently so that we are able
to say that one element is more important than any other.

Another question which might arise in this connection
is, "Does an increased nutrient content necessarily result
in increased fertility?" It is possible that an increase of
a given element beyond a certain point might prove toxic
rather than beneficial. But in the soils tested, it is not
likely that any element has been toxic. It is possible,
however, that the depressing effect of the high calcium con-
tent, in Lake Fifteen, on the solubility of the other nutri-
ents has resulted in a much lower nutrient content figure

than would otherwise be the case.

71

The chief objection to the method is that the figure
itself gives no information regarding the individual constit-
uents. Table 20 shows the mean nutrient content by zones,
as well as the individual constituents. The table bears out
the truth of the opening statement of the paragraph.

Still another weakness is the fact that the figures
from one lake can not be compared with those of another. For
example, all of the nutrient content figures for Lake Fifteen
are higher than those of the first two zones of Lake Twenty-
two, and yet in the writer's opinion, the soils in Lake
Twenty-two are better from the standpoint of nutrient content
because they have enough calcium to supply the plants' needs,
and they have a higher content of the other three elements.
However, when considering one lake at a time, or comparing
values within a single lake, the method is difficult to imp
prove upon since, in every case, a higher figure means better
conditions for plant growth from the standpoint of nutrient
content. It is the writer's belief that this system, or any
system embracing tests for several elements, can not be ap-
plied in comparing different lakes because, as this study
points out, lakes vary widely in total nutrient content from
one another while soils within a given lake tend to vary much
less markedly. See Table 20.

An attempt was also made to determine whether or not
the test for any single element might prove to be an index
of the nutrient content. An examination of the data indica-

ted that if such an index existed, it would be the phosphorus

Table 20. Individual Constituents of Nutrient Content*.

Lake Zone Phosphorus Potassium Calcium. Iron Nutrient
PPma Ppm. ppm. ppm. Content
L. Fifteen .14 1.1 200 0.0 24.5
.46 1.1 200 0.0 24.7
3 .80 3.4 200 0.0 29.8
Le Twenty-t0“) .74: 4.6 17.3 1.95 13.2
.85 4.4 47.7 1.77 16.9
1.80 11.0 58.0 3.00 32.7
Little VJOlf Lo 1 018 9.4 188.0 0.65 30.0
.04 6.5 200 0.0 26.8
.18 10.7 182.0 0.71 30.7
Tee L. 1.00 4.9 25.2 12.33 21.6
.72 5.2 39.9 13.57 21.7
.59 4.6 27.5 14.00 19.0

* See text for determination of nutrient content figure.

73

determination. Table 21 shows the correlation coefficients
between phosphorus and nutrient content. While a significant
correlation exists in the majority of cases, it is not likely
that phosphorus could be used as an index. The difficulty
again is that, while there is a correlation within a single
lake, a phosphorus content of a given amount in one lake does
not mean that the same amount in another lake has the same
corresponding value. For example, in Table 20, a phosphorus
content of .46 ppm. in Zone 2 of Lake Fifteen has a corres-
ponding nutrient content value of 24.7, while in Zone 2 of
Little Wolf Lake, a phosphorus reading of .04 ppm. has a
corresponding nutrient content of 26.8. On the other hand,
there seems to be a relationship between the readings or
measurements within a single lake. However, a large number
of measurements would have to be taken in order to determine
whether or not, for a given lake, phosphorus could be used
as an index. Hence, it would be advisable to assume that it
could not be used, and to proceed with the more complete ex-
amination as used in this study.
OrganicHHatterIContent:

Organic matter in a lake bottom is extremely important
from the standpoint of carbon dioxide production. Brown (3)
believes that the plants, by being rooted, show greater
growth chiefly because they are held closer to the supply of
carbon dioxide and can utilize it before it is taken out of
solution by algae, marl precipitation, etc. Bourn (2) takes

a median position between Pond and Brown by concluding that

Table 21.

and yield (N.C.--Y.), phosphorus content and yield (P.~4Y.),
organic matter and yield (0.M.-4Y.), phosphorus content
and nutrient content (P.--N.C.), and organic matter and

nutrient content (O.N.-—N.C.).

Lake

Lake Fifteen

Lake Twenty-two

Little WOlf Lake

Tee Lake

Zone N.C.--Y.

.371**

.572
.500

.738
.725
.693

None
None

None

None
None

None

P. '"[e

.315**

.499
.644

.699
.705
.569

None
***

***

None
None

None

0 .111. ”-Ye

.978
.789
.389**

None
None

.480**

.449**
.609
.580

None
.694

None

*Correlation coefficients between nutrient content

PO--IIOCO

.742
.781
.546

.859
.913
.814

None
***

***

.580
None

None

.675
.640

None

None
None

None

None
None

None

None
None

None

* The correlation coefficients are based on the averages from.measure-
Each average represents

ments in each transect in each zone.
from 3 to 5 measurements.

** Correlation coefficients not statistically significant.

*** Not sufficient data for statistical analysis.

74

O 0111. ...-PI 0 C e

75'

"while a deficiency of carbon dioxide is found to be an import—
ant factor limiting the growth of aquatic plants, --a constant
supply of carbon dioxide does not eliminate the difference
between plants rooted in soil and those merely anchored in
solutions“.

Organic matter determinations were made by the hydrogen
peroxide method. While this method is considered unsatisfactory
in agricultural soils work because it does not determine total
organic matter but rather, the more easily decomposed organic
matter, it is believed to be entirely satisfactory for use on
lake soils. Since bacteria in a lake are concentrated at the
bottom soil-water interface, and since organic matter is con-
stantly accumulating, only the more easily decomposed organic
matter is in a position to be decomposed. Hence a better
picture of what might be termed the “effective organic matter“--
that available for carbon dioxide production--is obtained by the
hydrogen peroxide method than by methods which give total
organic matter.

Organic matter not only functions as a source of carbon
dioxide, but also as a source of nutrients. Statistical
analyses. however, do not show a significant correlation co-
efficient between organic matter and nutrient content. except
in Zones 1 and 2 of Lake Fifteen. The reason for the correla-
tion here is probably due to the fact that an accumulation of
organic matter reduces the effect of the calcium ion in
rendering the other elements unavailable. In other words. in

a mixture of marl and organic matter, the nutrients are avail-

76

able from the organic matter whereas in the marl they are
present in a relatively insoluble form. No reason for the
lack of a significant correlation in the other lakes can be

offered at present.

T_h_e_ Ecology gfqfluatic giants:

The study of plant distribution in lakes has received
some attention in this country and in EurOpe. Our knowledge
of the factors involved, however, is far from being complete.
Any study along this line adds to the fund of general informa-
tion and perhaps aids in correlating the results of the
scattered workers.

The present study dealt with plant distribution in re-
lation to depth, bottom, type, bottom fertility, and organic
matter content of the bottom.

Figure 23 summarizes the distribution of plants in the
four lakes with regard to depth. The total weights, as given
in this figure, do not reflect the actual productivity of the
bottom since the zones vary in size. When considered on a
yield per unit area basis, the result is quite different.

Figure 24 shows the average yield by zones, in the four
lakes. Here it will be noted that in three of the lakes, Zone
2 is the most productive. There is also a wide variation
between lakes. This variation is probably exaggerated, how-
ever, due to the fact that nearly all of the plants in Lake
Fifteen were coated with a fine marl or lime deposit which
could not be washed off; consequently, the weights of these

samples were affected considerably. Hence, Lake Fifteen is

77

e of Vegetation

J
Tron tables 5, 0, 10, a 13.

Total weights and percentan

0.
u-JI .

Fig.

zone 0

in each

a

 

 

 

f. X?
F/////////////////////////////// A fl fl fl//////

 

a
WV///MV/////////VVV/V%/////////A/W///V/////

mmlm

 

W////V/////fl//fl//,/

flmmmm

 

 

WflWWHWV///V//fl/////,

 

%

DMMWOVVVVVVOQOQOOOC/

 

 

eictt
Percent

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

.m w
.., a D W
7////////////
a E
O 0 0 w 0 O O O
8 7 6 A. IU Ou l
T T l x .r i i w 4 i . i i.
a J O O 0 O 0 O O C O
we AU MW MW .0 AU “w no no
a m m m m m m m m m. m m m
w Wu.— H l (u 8 r/ 6 5 Au no 2 l

70

On

Zone

T80 1.31:0 0

Little
’olf L

22

Lake

1.8120 15

78

 

we

.../w

 

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6 t
+5

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COO
QOO F"
900
000 >-

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l

coco
6000 L

H
OJ
C
7
5

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‘1 ll: 3 1 .1
l I ..

 

 

-_-._.1..,w.--,-m I

on 1

 

gone

 

C
he

.‘9
/
£J

no
3000 L
ooo

W.

79

not as productive as the graphs indicate, but it is undoubt-
edly more productive than any of the other lakes.

It is interesting to note that Lake Fifteen produces
the smallest crop, and yet, on the basis of yield per unit
area, is the most productive. The reason, of course, is that
the plant zone is relatively small but the vegetation is dense
where it is able to grow.

In Lake Twenty-two, a very productive Zone 3 is found.
The shape of the basin is believed to be largely responsible.
A gradually sloping bottom is found around a good share of the
lake; this is usually accompanied by greater growth in deeper
waters. This phenomenon undoubtedly is an important factor in
determining the total productivity of a lake.

Table 21 shows the results of a statistical analysis
pertaining to yield as influenced or related to the nutrient
content and organic matter content of the bottom. In Lake
Fifteen there is not a significant correlation in Zone 1
between nutrient content and yield, while there is in Zones
2 and 3. Wave action, which is severe in this lake, is
likely responsible for inhibiting vegetative growth in Zone 1.
Wherever organic matter has an opportunity to accumulate,
however, vegetation gets a "foot-hold" and grows well. In
Zone 5, of course, the organic matter content is high and
rather uniform so a significant correlation does not exist.

In Lake Twenty-two, there is a good correlation be-
tween nutrient content and yield, whereas there is not

between organic matter and yield, chiefly because the

80

organic matter content is rather uniformly high. In Little
Wolf Lake, however, where there is a lower average organic
matter content, there is a correlation between the organic
matter and plant yield.

From a consideration of the data presented, it can be
pointed out again that the distribution of vegetation is the
result of the interplay of many factors. Physical factors
are, in the opinion of the writer, of primary importance.
Wave action, where it is extreme, prevents plants from grow-
ing abundantly, in spite of the possible available nutrients.
Deeper water generally means a.more fertile bottom, from the
standpoint of nutrient content. But again, light penetration
and perhaps temperature inhibit plant growth. The consistency
of the bottom.is important from.the standpoint of the rooting
ability of the aquatics. Organic matter content, considered
both physically and chemically, is important, and determines
the nature and quantity of plant growth under certain con-
ditions.

In a lake with a sand or marl bottom, such as is found
in Little'Wolf Lake and Lake Fifteen, respectively, an addi-
tion or accumulation of organic matter in a region of suitable
depth has a very noticeable effect on plant growth. This is
undoubtedly due to a change in consistency of the bottom, the
production of carbon dioxide, and the release of plant nutri-
ents.

On the other hand, if the organic matter reaches a

certain limit, it seems that the further addition of organic

81

matter has little or no effect. This explains why, in Lake
Twenty-two, there is no correlation between organic matter
and plant yield.

This same principle seems to apply in relation to
nutrients. A deficiency of any one nutrient may retard
plant growth, but addition or presence of a small amount
of the same nutrient will give a substantial increase. Addi-
tion beyond a given point will have no effect, until so much
has been added that toxicity results. Referring back to the
Rose Lake plots, the addition of 500 pounds per acre of phos-
phorus fertilizer yielded excellent growth; the addition of
2000 pounds per acre yielded no better. This proves a phos-
phorus deficiency, which was previously indicated by chemical
tests, and its remedy by the addition of phosphorus.

Another phase of the ecology of aquatic plants is the
relation between various species of plants and their growth
on different bottom.types. Tables have been presented for
each lake to show the distribution of vegetation with respect
to bottom type, and also with respect to depth of water. It
may be pointed out that for most plants, there is one, or pos-
sibly two, bottom types on which.the plant is found most fre-
quently and in the greatest abundance. The same is true for
depth--the majority of plant species tend to be concentrated
in one depth zone.

An examination of separate items reveals some inter-
esting facts which are obscured in condensed and summarized

data. It is found that a given type of bottom, Which a plant

82

occupies most frequently, is generally situated or located at
the depth at which the given plant usually grows. This brings
up the question, then, "Does the plant 'prefer' that type of
bottom, or does that bottom Just happen to occur at the depth
which the plant 'prefers'“?

This question has received attention in the past. Lakes
in England have been studied by Pearsall (5) and Misra (4).
They have both pointed out the different kinds of vegetation
associated with different bottom soils, and have worked out
plant successions beginning from rock bottoms and continuing
through the dominantly organic bottoms. In their discussion
of plant succession, the general trend is to consider success-
ion the result of chemical and physical changes in the bottom.
This is undoubtedly the case, but it seems that too much
emphasis has been placed on the chemical nature of the bottom,
and not enough/the physical nature of the bottom or the other
components of the water soil profile as prOposed by Veatch
(10), chiefly the nature of the aqueous horizon. This horizon
constitutes a major part in the environment of aquatic plants;
the lake bottom--accumulative horizon--serves, in some cases.
merely for anchorage. The parent material--the original lake
bottom--functions in plant distribution only when the accumu-
lative layer is absent or very thin, so that roots penetrate
through it'to the parent material.

While most of the work is being done on the lake bottoms,
the above conception of the soil profile must not be neglected

because the chemical and physical nature of the water above

83

the bottom.are equally as important, in the ecology of aquatic
plants, as is the type of bottom.

There are few, if any, lakes in the Southern Peninsula
of Michigan which are as primitive as some of the lakes studied
in England by Pearsall and Hisra. There are few lakes, for in-
stance, whose bottom is 70 percent rocky to a depth of thirty
feet. In the lakes studied, however, almost all conceivable
bottom.types are represented, ranging from a clean sand or marl
to those Which are highly organic and semi-fluid in consistency.

As pointed out above, most plants are found more fre-
quently on a given type of bottom.than on others. But, it
seems that plant distribution is affected more by physical
factors than by those that are chemical, since a careful study
of the data from.the four lakes fails to show any indication
of a consistent "preference” on the part of any plant with re-
gard to the chemical nature of the bottom as determined by the
method used. The writer's inference is that physical factors,
wave action in particular, determine to a large extent the
distribution of bottom types in the portion of the lake in
which vegetation can be produced. The bottom types, then,
together with the active physical forces, determine the dis-
tribution of the vegetation. Under conditions of extreme
wave action, this force plays a more active role in plant
distribution than does the type of bottom; under such condi-
tions, 3 wide variety of bottom types will not be formed,
except as the parent material varies. When conditions with

respect to wave action are less pronounced and temperature.

84

depth, and light penetration are adequate, the character of
the bottom.type occupies the determinant role in plant dis-
tribution. Factors involved here are: nutrient content,
when one or more plant food elements approach the point
where they are either deficient or toxic; consistency of the
bottom, determining the penetrability by roots; and organic
matter content of the bottom, which affects the consistency
and the nutrient content as well as the production of avail-

able carbon dioxide.

Relative productivity ‘pp_f__1_t_lge__p_f_g_u_r__l._a_k_e_§:

As pointed out by Welch (11), an adequate index of pro-
ductivity has not been determined. Total vegetation was con-
sidered but did not prove satisfactory. Perhaps, however, a
consideration of the yield per acre, figuring the entire lake,
together with the percent of the lake which produces vegetation,
would give a fair index to the productivity.

The following table summarizes the information suggested

 

above: 1.. 15 L22 fififiv ‘ Te: L.
Area (acres) 88 109 87 210
% productive bottom. 31 48 54 52
‘Yield/acre of lake (lbs) 1,220 2,750 1,780 2,695

’“Shoreline develOpment 1.4 2.0 1.75 5.4

’*The shoreline development is the ratio between the circumfer-
ence of the lake and the circumference of a circle having the
same area as that of the lake. This measurement is considered
to be of value because it indicates the relative amount of
shoreline and shallow water, which is important biologically.

1|...le .bi'b'llnl!!|...'b’uis.lflh51f N

85

From.these data it might be concluded that Tee Lake
and Lake Twenty-two would be the most productive. Little
Wolf Lake has a higher percentage of the bottom producing
vegetation but the average yield is lower and the shoreline
development is less. Lake Fifteen would be considered the
least productive, in spite of its being most productive on
the basis of the average yield of the vegetation zone.

(Fig. 24) A
On the basis of shoreline development, Tee Lake would

probably rank higher than Lake Twenty-two.

groductivity“35hindicatggwpwaighmgrowth‘studies:

Productivity, to the fisheries biologist, is naturally
measured by the production of fish. Hence, an attempt was
made to determine the growth rate of the fish in the four
lakes. Unfortunately, large enough samples of fish could
not be taken in the fall of the year to make a satisfactory
study. However, the data obtained will be presented since
they at least may be indicative of the actual condition in
the lake. See Table 22.

Indications are that the perch in Lake Twenty-two are
growing much faster than are those in any other lake. The
data on bluegills is rather scant but it is interesting to
note the difference in growth between the two basins of
Little Wolf Lake. Although only one specimen was taken
from any age group in the north basin, there were no speci-
mens from.the corresponding groups in the south basin which

reached the length of the north basin specimen. If this

86

condition exists generally, it reveals a contrast undoubtedly
brought about by the difference in the two basins. since the
north basin is shallow and rich in vegetation while the south
basin is deep and contains little vegetation. It is doubtful
that migration occurs through the shallow channel between the
two basins.

Here work on the comparison of the fish production in
these four lakes would prove extremely interesting and valu-
able. It would be an Opportunity to learn whether or not
there is a direct relationship between the amount or extent
of the vegetation and fish production. The data presented
here may be indicative, and do agree for the most part with
the pepular viewpoint, which is often fairly accurate. Lake
Twenty-two is considered by far the best perch-fishing lake
in the vicinity; Tee Lake is a popular bass and bluegill lake,
and sizable catches are reported; Little Wolf Lake is fairly
popular for its bluegills; Lake Fifteen attracts fewer anglers

than do the others and the catches are reported to be very

small.

87

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88

SUMMARY

A study has been made of water soils in relation to
the productivity of lakes. Reconnaissance studies were first
made on bottom soils from lakes throughout the state. Pot
tests were made to determine the effect of fertilizing materi-
als on plant growth; these were followed by similar tests on
plots at Rose Lake. The final phase of the investigation con-
sisted of a comprehensive study of the soils and vegetation of
four lakes in the northern part of the Lower Peninsula.

Conclusions reached as a result of the work are:

1. As shown by the Rose Lake plots, definite nutrient de-
ficiencies may occur in lake soils, and these deficiencies can
be remedied by the addition of fertilizer. ‘Modification of
the method of application would probably be necessary for lake
improvement work.

2. The greenhouse tests show that the addition of fertil-
izing materials, in some cases, favors the growth of algae to
such an extent that they interfere with the growth of the
higher plants. It is doubtful that the problem.would be as
acute in lake work as it is in the greenhouse, but there would
be competition for nutrients between algae and the higher
aquatics.

3. The study of four lakes shows a variety of conditions
and an attempt has been made to interpret or understand the
importance of various factors and their effect on lake pro-

ductivity.

89

4. On the basis of the fertility tests, it is found that
the average nutrient content of the bottom soils varies con-
siderably between different lakes, and that the method used.
can not be safely applied in comparing different lakes but is
quite satisfactory in evaluating the comparative fertility of
the soil samples from.the same lake.

5. There seems to be no single test which will serve as a
satisfactory index to the nutrient content of the bottom soils.
6. Lakes vary in plant distribution; Zone 2 is generally

the most productive of vegetation, however.

7. Plant distribution is governed largely by physical fact-
ors, including shape of the basin, wave action, light penetra-
tion, and consistency of the bottom. Under conditions of low
nutrient content or low organic matter content, there is a
direct relationship between these factors and plant yield, but
when there is a relatively high organic matter content and
nutrients are available in sufficient quantities, changes in
these two factors do not result in corresponding changes in
plant yield.

8. Bottom type distribution is determined to a great ex-
tent by wave action; the character of the bottom, together
with the other active physical forces, then control the plant
distribution. The extent to Which the bottom type or other
factors influence plant distribution varies locally.

9. Although there is no satisfactory index of productivity

in lakes, from the standpoint of the fisheries biologist,

indications are that a consideration of the shoreline deveIOp-
ment; the percent of the bottom producing vegetation; and the
average yield of vegetation, considering the entire lake, will

give a fair index to the productivity.

90

1.

2.

3.

5.

7.

8.

10.

11.
12.

91

LITERATURE CITED

1955. ‘Methods of analysis. Assoc. of Official Chemists.
Washington, D. C. ‘

Bourn, W. S. 1952. Ecological and physiological studies
on certain aquatic angiosperms. Cont. of Boyce Thomp-
son Institute for Plant Research. 4: 425-496.

Brown, W. H. 1915. The relation of the substratum to the
growth of Elodea. Philippine Jour. of Sci.. C. Bot.
83 1-200

Hisra, R. D. 1958. Edaphic factors in the distribution
of aquatic plants in the English lakes. Jour. of
Ecology. 26: 411-451.

Pearsall, W. H. 1926. Dynamdc factors affecting aquatic
vegetation. Proceed. of the International Congress
of Plant Sciences. 4 (1): 667-672.

Pond, H. R. 1905. Biological relation of aquatic plants
to the substratum. U. S. Commission of Fish and
Fisheries. Doc. 566.

Raymond, E. R. 1957. .A limnological study of the plankton
of a concretion-forming marl lake. Trans. of the Am.
Microscopical Soc. 56 (4): 405-450.

Rickett, H. W. 1924. A quantitative study of the larger
aquatic plants of Green Lake, Wisconsin. Trans. of
the Wisconsin Acad. of Sciences, Arts, and Letters.

Spurway, C. H. 1958. Soil testing. Mich. Agri. EXp. Sta.
Tech. Bul. 152.

Veatch, J. O. 1951. Classification of water soils is
prOposed. Mich. Agri. Exp. Sta. Quart. Bul. 14 (1):
20-25 0

Welch, P. S. 1955. Limnology. McGraWAHill Co., New York.

Wilson, L. R. 1957. A quantitative and ecological study
of the larger aquatic plants of Sweeney Lake, Oneida
County, Wisconsin. Bul. of the Torrey Bot. Club.

64: 199-208.