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A midge-salinity transfer function for inferring sea level change and landscape evolution in the Hudson Bay Lowlands, Manitoba, Canada

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Abstract

We compared water chemistry and environmental data with midge assemblage data, using multivariate analysis to assess the environmental gradients that limit midge (Chironomidae, Chaoboridae and Ceratopogonidae) distributions in the Hudson Bay Lowlands, northeastern Manitoba, Canada. Midge remains, comprising 62 taxa, were obtained from surficial sediments of 63 ponds. Ponds were sampled to maximize the salinity gradient. Specific conductance ranged from 46 to 29,000 μS cm−1. Proximity to the coast was a principal determinant of pond salinity, with ponds closer to Hudson Bay shoreline more saline that those farther away. Multivariate analysis indicated that midge distributions have a significant relationship (\( {\text{r}}_{\text{boot}}^{2} = 0.68 \)) with salinity in the data set. This work will allow paleolimnological inferences of midge community responses to changing sea level (i.e. salinity) via isostatic rebound within the Hudson Bay Lowlands, and will provide essential limnological information to scientists and managers in a region where understanding of aquatic ecosystems is limited. One undescribed midge taxon was dominant in ponds with the highest salinities and may be a key indicator for inferring highly saline environments.

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Acknowledgments

Thanks to all who helped in the laboratory, picking nearly 4,000 sub-fossil head capsules from sediments (Kim Louden, Courtney Ek, Matthew Meehan, Kelsey Mills, Jordan Wu, Brooke McConnell, and Omar Mwangrai). We also thank the staff at the Churchill Northern Studies Centre for logistical support during this project. Thanks also to Larry Gogal and Gogal Air for the lift.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biology, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of British Columbia, Okanagan Campus, Kelowna, BC, V1V1V7, Canada

    Trapper R. Dickson & Ian R. Walker

  2. Parks Canada Agency, Natural Resource Conservation Branch, 300-300 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC, V6B6B4, Canada

    Darren G. Bos & Marlow G. Pellatt

  3. School of Resource and Environmental Management, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, V5A1S6, Canada

    Marlow G. Pellatt

Authors
  1. Trapper R. Dickson
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  2. Darren G. Bos
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  3. Marlow G. Pellatt
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  4. Ian R. Walker
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Correspondence to Trapper R. Dickson.

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Dickson, T.R., Bos, D.G., Pellatt, M.G. et al. A midge-salinity transfer function for inferring sea level change and landscape evolution in the Hudson Bay Lowlands, Manitoba, Canada. J Paleolimnol 51, 325–341 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10933-013-9714-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10933-013-9714-x

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