Community Composition of Lake Zooplankton, Benthic Macroinvertebrates and Forage Fish Across a pH Gradient in Kejimkujik National Park, Nova Scotia, Canada

摘要: The composition of zooplankton, benthic macroinvertebrate (BMI) and forage fish communities 20 lakes in near Kejimkujik National Park Historic Site were evaluated as part Environment Canada’s Acid Rain Biomonitoring Program. pH study ranged from 4.3 to 6.6. Lake was positively correlated with alkalinity, calcium magnesium concentrations negatively colour, aluminium, total organic carbon nitrogen. Gradients overall BMI community richness strongly related the gradient pH, but zooplankton more other environmental parameters such elevation. Potential indicator species for future acid rain monitoring included Daphnia catawba, amphipod Hyalella azteca, pill/pea clams Pisidium casertanum ferrugineum larval water scavenger beetle Berosus. These chemical biological data provide a baseline evaluation continued effects anthropogenic deposition this acid-sensitive region Atlantic Canada.