Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Rocky Mountain CESU

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The US Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center (NOROCK), is offering a funding opportunity to understand the complex interactions between invasive lake trout and their impacts on entire fish communities and aquatic food webs, with the intent to use this information to develop robust models to predict invasion risk and vulnerability for planning and mitigation. The project will additionally evaluate changes in aquatic food webs associated with lake trout suppression and imperiled bull trout conservation translocations of native bull trout in Grace Lake. The objectives of this research effort will be the following: 1) Assess food web changes associated with lake trout invasion in five (5) lakes with varying degrees of lake trout impacts; 2) Assess the food web effects of continued aggressive control measures to reduce lake trout in Quartz and Logging Lakes; 3) Assess food web changes associated with bull trout conservation translocation activities in Grace Lake; and 4) Use the combined information and data to develop and deliver data driven decision support tools for long-term adaptive management of GNPâ¿¿s bull trout and native aquatic biodiversity. To achieve the objectives, a quantitative analysis of food web structure and trophic linkages will be required for lakes impacted by lake trout invasion and removal or bull trout introduction.

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