Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER)/NTL007: Crayfish in North Temperate Lakes Primary Study Lakes

LTER - Long-Term Ecological Research Program/North Temperate Lakes (NTL)

LTER/NTL007 [Summary adapted from the LTER Core Data Set Catalog]:

LTER core data include catch in cylindrical traps baited with beef liver. Traps are placed at fyke net locations in seven study lakes (Allequash, Big Muskellunge, Crystal, Sparkling, and Trout lakes, and unnamed lakes 27-02, and 12-15). Individuals are identified to species and counted. In Trout Lake more detailed surveys are conducted each August to track distribution of the invading species Orconectes rusticus. Additional data sets consists of pre-LTER sets (initiated in late June 1972) gathered by Capelli (Ph.D. dissertation) and Lorman (Ph.D. dissertation). Most of pre-LTER data is detailed distribution in Trout Lake, and community composition in other area lakes.

The North Temperate Lakes (NTL) site is affiliated with the Center for Limnology at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. The NTL site focuses its research on north temperate lake ecosystems in the Northern Highland Lakes District of Wisconsin. The Northern Highland Lakes District, has an area of approximately 10,000 sq. km. and has one of the highest concentrations of lakes in the world. Lakes range in size from 0.1 to 1,500 ha, in depth from 1 to 33 m, and in fertility from oligotrophic to eutrophic. Other representative limnological conditions include: rainwater dominated, groundwater dominated and drainage lakes; dystrophic lakes; lakes with varved sediments, winterkill lakes, temporary and permanent forest ponds, and reservoirs. Lakes are influenced by strong seasonality and are usually ice covered from late November to late April. Lakes within the Northern Highland exhibit near-natural water quality conditions. Nearly 80% of the land area and two-thirds of the lake frontage are protected.

Information about LTER is also available at 'http://lternet.edu/'