| Abstract: | We examined stressors that have led to profound ecological changes in the Lake Ontario ecosystem and its fish community since 1970. The most notable changes have been reductions in phosphorus loading, invasion by Dreissena spp., fisheries management through stocking of exotic salmonids and control of sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus), and fish harvest by anglers and double-crested cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus). The response to these stressors has led to (i) declines in both algal photosynthesis and epilimnetic zooplankton production, (ii) decreases in alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus) abundance, (iii) declines in native Diporeia and lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis), (iv) behavioral shifts in alewife spatial distribution benefitting native lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush), threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus), and emerald shiner (Notropis atherinoides) populations, (v) dramatic increases in water clarity, (vi) predation impacts by cormorants on select fish species, and (vii) lake trout recruitment bottlenecks associated with alewife-induced thiamine deficiency. We expect stressor responses associated with anthropogenic forces like exotic species invasions and global climate warming to continue to impact the Lake Ontario ecosystem in the future and recommend continuous long-term ecological studies to enhance scientific understanding and management of this important resource. |
| Genre: | Article |
| ProdID: | 1000994 |
| Citation Author: | Mills, E. L.; Casselman, J. M.; Dermott, R.; Fitzsimons, J. D.; Gal, G.; Holeck, K. T.; Hoyle, J.A.; Johannsson, O.E.; Lantry, B. F.; Makarewicz, J. C.; Millard, E. S.; Munawar, I. F.; Munawar, M.; O'Gorman, R.; Owens, R. W.; Rudstam, L. G.; Schaner, T.; Stewart, T. J. |
| Citation Contributing Office: | Great Lakes Science Center |
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| Citation End Page: | 490 |
| Citation Issue: | 4 |
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| Citation Language: | English |
| Citation Larger Work Title: | Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences |
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| Citation Number Of Pages: | 19 |
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| Citation Phsyical Description: | p. 471-490 |
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| Citation Search Results Text: | Lake Ontario: Food web dynamics in a changing ecosystem (1970-2000); 2003; Article; Journal; Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences; Mills, E. L.; Casselman, J. M.; Dermott, R.; Fitzsimons, J. D.; Gal, G.; Holeck, K. T.; Hoyle, J.A.; Johannsson, O.E.; Lantry, B. F.; Makarewicz, J. C.; Millard, E. S.; Munawar, I. F.; Munawar, M.; O‘Gorman, R.; Owens, R. W.; Rudstam, L. G.; Schaner, T.; Stewart, T. J. |
| Citation Start Page: | 471 |
| Citation Volume: | 60 |
| Citation Year: | 2003 |
| Type: | citation/reference |
| Text: | Lake Ontario: Food web dynamics in a changing ecosystem (1970-2000); 2003; Article; Journal; Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences; Mills, E. L.; Casselman, J. M.; Dermott, R.; Fitzsimons, J. D.; Gal, G.; Holeck, K. T.; Hoyle, J.A.; Johannsson, O.E.; Lantry, B. F.; Makarewicz, J. C.; Millard, E. S.; Munawar, I. F.; Munawar, M.; O‘Gorman, R.; Owens, R. W.; Rudstam, L. G.; Schaner, T.; Stewart, T. J. |
| URL (THUMBNAIL): | http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/thumbnails/outside_thumb.jpg |
| Date Other: | Wed, 1 Jan 2003 00:00 -0600 |
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