Delta Marsh Documents and Reports

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Delta Marsh Field Station Annual Report Number 7,1972
(University of Manitoba, 1972) Gee, Dr J.H
During the past year the University Field Station was used actively for research and teaching. To meet increased demands in both these areas, facilities were improved for greater accommodation. Mr. Barry Wallis joined the staff in summer as Executive Assistant to the Director and his presence has increased the efficiency of the operation of the Station. Research The long-term objective of our research program is to provide a better understanding of the dynamics of the marsh ecosystem. Ten research projects were carried out; of these six were continued from last year and four new studies were initiated. Dr. Emil Kucera completed his study on the population ecology of white-tailed deer and a report has been prepared providing much-needed information necessary for the management of deer in a marshland environment. Don Bernard and Marty Quaye were awarded M.Sc. degrees for their respective studies on shiners in Lake Manitoba and nematode parasites in frogs and toads. Both Sandy Macaulay and Floyd Phillips, working on Ph.D. programs, have finished their field studies at the Station and expect to complete their projects in 1973. Research projects received support from the Department of Mines, Resources and Environmental Management (Research Branch), National Research Council of Canada, Ducks Unlimited, Canadian Industries Limited and the University of Manitoba. Staff and Utilization of Facilities The Station was used for 409 resident weeks and 3,747 meals were served. The following staff, students and summer assistants were present for all or part of the year: Faculty Dr. J. M. Shay, Director (to July) Dr. J. H. Gee, Acting Director (from July) Dr. K. W. Stewart, Department of Zoology Dr. E. Kucera, University Field Station (January-May) Facul ty (continued) Dr . L. Mottus , University Field St ation (June -October) Graduate Students S. Bates , Department of Zoology A. J . Macaulay, Department of Botany E. E. Mowbray , Department of Botany E. Pip , Department of Botany F. Phillips, Departmen t of Botany M. Quaye, Department of Zoology J . Pearn , Depa rtment of Botany Research and Summer Assistants J . Evans , Research Assistant L. Bond , Research Assistant T. Jichuk, Research Assistant B. Foley, Summer Assistant G. Connor, Summer Assistant Permanent Staff B. Wallis , Executive Assistant B. A. Huyghe , Secretary N. Mulder , Manager G. Mulder , Housekeeper I. Garnham , Cook Informal seminars were given by staff and graduate students throughout the summer. The Field Station is now available for year-round use and I feel it has a great potential for research and teaching in winter. In January and February 1973 Dr . E. E. Moodie from the University of Winnipeg brought out his ecology class for a two-day field course and I took the third year ecology class out over a three-day period. In addition, there was an Extension Division course on Human Survival given over three days . During these two months alone , the Station was used for 57 resident weeks . There is a strong demand for education in winter ecology and much-needed research at this time of year can be carried out from the Field Station . Its use in these areas should be actively promoted .
Open Access
The University of Manitoba Field Station Delta Marsh 1971 Annual Report Number 6
(University of Manitoba (DELTA MARSH), 1971) Shay, J.M.
This year saw a wide range of research and teaching at the Station and consequently heavy demands on the facilities. Eight projects were undertaken, four continued froin the previous year and four new studies were initiated. The first group included investigations of habitat and food use by white-tailed deer; the relationship between evapotranspiration in PhJr..a..gmUe6 and water table fluctuations; the ecology of the hardand soft-stem bulrush (Sc£npU6 aQutuh and S. validU6) and the effect of the Assiniboine Diversion on the southern end of Lake Manitoba. New research projects covered an equally wide range of topics, namely: life cycle studies of two nematodes (Rhabdi~ sp.) in frogs and toads; a survey of soil and water fungi in the marsh; the effect of fire on P~agmUe6 and the mapping of lakeshore vegetation. It is a pleasure to acknowledge the continued financial support from the Department of ' Mines, Resources and Environmental Management, the National Research Council, Ducks Unlimited, Canadian Industries Limited and the University of Manitoba. In addition, this year two of our summer assistants were supported by the Opportunity for Youth program. We were pleased to welcome two other researchers: Mrs. C. H. Nelson, who spent three days continuing her work on downy ducklings, and Dr. B. J. Richardson, who collected blood samples from redbacked voles and deer mice for enzyme studies. Four projects were concluded in 1971. T. O. Acere was awarded an M.Sc. for his stickleback population study, while D. Bernard and D. Brown should complete their M.Sc. theses in the spring of 1972. Dr. J. Wright's ecological study of benthic fauna has yielded a wealth of information, particularly with respect to the effects of freezing on invertebrates. His publication should be in press in the near future. The importance of winter research is also emerging from the white-tailed deer studies of Dr. E. Kucera. Our long-term objective is to obtain an understanding of the dynamics of the marsh ecosystem, and each project brings it a little nearer. The Station was used for 334 resident-weeks. The following staff, graduate students and techni ci ans were present for a 11 or part of the summer: Faculty Dr. J. Gee (Zoology) Dr. E. Kucera (University Field Station) Dr. J. M. Shay (Director) ' Graduate Students A. J. Macaulay (Botany) E. E. Mowbray (Botany) J. Pearn (Botany) F. Phillips (Botany) M. Quaye (Zoology) Station Staff Mr. N. Mulder Mrs . G. Mulder Mrs . I. Garnham Miss P. Wickstrom Summer Assistants T. Cantlon G. Connor R. Gray R. A. Janusz L. Landreth D. Paton R. Scarth Informal seminars were given by the staff and graduate students, and we were glad that members of the Delta Waterfowl Research Station joined us and also reciprocated the invitation .
Open Access
The University of Manitoba Field Station Delta Marsh 1973 Annual Report Number 8
(University of Manitoba, 1973) Shay, J.M.
Introduction The University Field Station has taken on a dual role by maintaining both an active research program and providing educational services to University students, high schools and the general public. If natural resources like the Delta Marsh are to be maintained and managed to yield their maximum benefits, basic ecological information must be gathered and its significance disseminated as widely as possible. By combining research and education, the Station endeavors to meet these objectives. During 1973 the Station increased its already active program in research and teaching. For example, it was used for 454 resident weeks, an increase of 11% over 1972. The participants included: Staff Dr. J. Gee (Acting Director) Dr. J. M. Shay (Director) J. Evans (Botany) Dr. ' G. Robinson (Botany) Dr. C. Tudorancea (Zoology) Assistants M. Danielson M. Knight W. Lysack L. Nostedt M. Rayner P. Simonson H. Smart T. Wallis Graduate Students S. Bates (Zoology) G. Girman (Botany) N. Hooper (Botany) R. McArthur (Zoology) E. E. Mowbray (Botany) G. Mutch (Zoology) E. Pip (Botany) Support Staff B. Wallis (Administrator) N. Mulder (Manager) G. Mulder (Housekeeper) I. Garnham (Cook) Our facilities were used for short periods by Dr. M. Aleksiuk (Zoology), Dr. T. Booth (Biology Teaching Unit), Dr. R. Green, R. Pauls and T. Stewart (Zoology) in relation to their research. We were pleased to welcome Dr. C. Tudorancea (Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest) who joined the staff as a Post-doctoral Fellow in April to study benthic fauna in Lake Manitoba. His investigations will continue until September 1974.
Open Access
The University of Manitoba Field Station Delta Marsh 1975 Annual Report Number 10
(University of Manitoba, 1975) Shay, J.M.
Introduction Over the years there has been a steady increase in use of the Station. In 1969, for example, we reported 265 resident weeks of occupation; in 1975 this had risen to 555 with a daily average of 15 from April until midSeptember, while use continued throughout the year for short courses and ongoing research. Participants included faculty,graduate students, those taking regular University and Summer Session courses, Continuing Education programs and High School ecology field trips. One of the advantages of the Field Station is that it brings together people with a diversity of backgrounds and interests. Staff Dr. J. M. Shay (Director) Dr. M. Aleksiuk (Zoology) Dr. T. Booth (B.T.U.) Dr. J. Gee (Zoology) Dr. R. E. Longton (Botany) Dr. D. Punter (Botany) Dr. S. Sealy (Zoology) Dr. J. M. Stewart (Botany) Dr. H. E. Welch (Zoology) Summer Assistants C. Day (Zoology) L. Girling (Botany) M. Jungbauer (Zoology) J. Pearson (Zoology) R. Scarth (S.T.E.P.) D. Soprovich (Zoology) R. Wade (Botany) W. Wade (Botany) Graduate Students D. Busby (Zoology) P. Goossen (Zoology) D. Hood (Zoology) N. Hooper (Botany) R. MacArthur (Zoology) R. MacCharles (Zoology) G. Mutch (Zoology) E. Pip (Botany) M. Rayner (Botany) Support Staff B. Wallis (Administrator) I. Garnham (Cook, April ,May June, Sept.) R. Hooper (Domestic Asst.) S. Kennedy (Domestic Asst.) D. Klippenstein (Domestic Asst.) E. Longstreet (Cook July) G. Mulder (Cook Aug., Sept.) N. Mulder (Manager) N. Rodd (Maintenance Asst.) Research Fourteen research projects were in progress during 1975. In their second or final year were the studies of muskrat thermodynamics; striped skunk winter ecology; post-breeding dispersal of ring-billed gulls; epiphytes on aquatic macrophytes :; Chen.opoc.Uum ecology and grazer-aquatic plant interrelationships. New projects included studies of the breeding biology, and feeding ecology of yellow warblers; interaction of the endocrine system and parasite fauna of the red-winged blackbird; copepod parasites of saugers and walleyes; the ecology of the bullhead, and temporal succession in beach fungi. Two long term studies: ecology and productivity in Phnagmiteb and protozoan and he l minth parasites of frogs and toads were continued, these are outlined in the University Field Station Annual Report No.9, 1974. Summaries and progress .reports for the projects, except those on fungi and Phnagmiteb, are included l ater in this Report . Our warm congratulations to three graduate students who have successfu l ly completed their studies. The Ph . D. thesis of Floyd S. Phillips is entitled liThe Rel ationship between Evapotranspiration by Phnagmiteb c.ommu.tU.-6 Trin.and Water Table Fluctuations in Delta Marsh, Manitoba". Glen Girman was awarded an M.Sc., his thesis being on liThe Effects of a Number of Herbicides upon Photosynthesis and Heterotrophy of Naturally occurring Algal and Bacteral Communities in Delta Marsh,Manitoba" and Susan Eddy received an M.Sc. for her thesis on "Population of the Leopard Frog Ran.a p.<.p.<.en..6 p.<.p.<.en..6 Schreber at Delta Marsh, Manitoba.
Open Access
The University of Manitoba Field Station Delta Marsh 1982 Annual Report Number 17
(University of Manitoba, 1982) Barclay, R.M.R; Sealy, S.G; Shay, J.M.; Sheridan, M.T
The University Field .Station continues to be an active focus for research and teaching. It serves the needs of field courses, workshops, seminars and short courses and increasing use by researchers. These varied contributions make the Field Station a vital unit in the University's academic program. 1982 was certainly a successful season . Staff Dr. Jennifer M. Shay Dr . Robert M.R. Barclay Support Staff Mr. Ken May Mrs. Diane May Mr . George Cosens Ms. Adele Vust Ms . Lucia Flynn Ms. Joyce Kendrick Faculty Dr . Tom Booth Dr . J .Bruce Falls Dr . Jack Gee Dr. Gordon G. C. Robinson Dr. Spencer G. Sealy Graduate Students Gloria Biermann Gordon Goldsborough Dan Guinan Heidi den Haan Andrew Horn Tawfik Muhsin lain Suthers June Tugwood P. L. Wlong Project Assistants Barbara Beaver Friederike Schneider Melissa Todd Christina Zarowsky 1982 PERSONNEL Director Resident Biologist Caretaker Cook/Housekeeper Summer Assistant Summer Assistant Administrative Clerk (January to August) Administrative Clerk (from August) Department of Botany Department of Zoology , University of Toronto Department of Zoology Department of Botany Department of Zoology Department of Zoology Department of Botany Department of Zoology Department of Zoology Department of Zoology, University of Toronto Department of Botany Department of Zoology Department of Zoology Department of Biology, Lakehead University Department of Zoology Department of Botany, NSERC Summer Scholar Department of Zoology Department of Zoology , University of Toronto Research Don Thompson completed hi s MSc. thesis and has begun a Ph.D. program in the Department of Pla nt Science . Fifteen research projects were undertaken , five by faculty members, four by Ph.D. candidates, five by ~1 Sc. candidates and one by an NSERC Summer Scholar . Project titles and inve stiga t ors are given below : Barclay , R.t·1. R. Ph.D. Pohajdak, G. C. den Haan , H. Falls, J .B. Ph.D. Goldsborough , G. Guinan , D. Horn, A. Muhsin, T. Schneider, F. Sealy , S. G. Ph.D. Shay, J .M. Ph . D. Suthers , I . ~1. Tugwood, J . Wong, P.L. Foraging behavior of the insectivorous bats at Delta Marsh Dynamics of foraging and food resource use in a community of nesting birds (Ph . D. candidate) Patterns of fall migration and molt in wood warblers (MSccandidate) . Song matching in western meadowlarks . An investigation of t he influence of herbicides upon algal communities. (MSc candidate) Foraging strategy of house wrens . (MSc candi date) Graded signals in the song repertoires of western meadowlarks . (P h.D . candidate) Mycological studies of select ed salt marsh succulents . (Ph.D. candidate ) An investigation of colonization of submerged surfaces by diatoms. (NSERC Summer Scholar) Population structure in birds in the dune ridge community . Dynamics of breeding in a passerine bird communi ty . A Phragmites australis. dominated community three years after spring , summer and fall burning . Distribution and reactions to hypoxia of some marsh -dwelling fish. (MSc candidate) Habitat variables affecting host - nest selection by the brown-headed cowbird. (MSc candidate) Studies of the acuarioid nematod es of waders and rails. (MSc candidate) The Annual Seminar was held on January 23rd 1982 with progress reports given by faculty and graduate students . Dr . Bruce Batt , from the Delta Waterfowl Research Station , gave a paper on their Marsh Ecology Re search Program .
Open Access
University of Manitoba Field Station. Delta Marsh. Annual Report. Number Four. 1969
(University of Manitoba, 1969) Delta Marsh Field Station
The University Field Station had another successful season and fifteen research projects were undertaken during the summer. They included:--popu1ation and productivity studies in algae and emergent marsh species; nitrification processes in marsh soils; the relationship between evapotranspiration in Phragmites and water table fluctuations; ecological studies on benthic fauna; factors determining mollusc distribution; population dynamics of Brook Sticklebacks; comparative ecology of two species of Shiner; internal helminths of two amphibian species; reproductive biology of Forster's Tern; territory in the Yellow Warbler, seasonal energy balance in the muskrat; geomorphic, sedimentological and stratigraphic investigations of the area between Portage la Prairie and Lake Manitoba and groundwater studies in the Delta area. We had the pleasure of visits from a number of distinguished scientists from various parts of the world. The Department of Anthropology held a field course for one month and groups from Botany and Zoology stayed at the Station for shorter periods of time. The following staff, students and technicians spent all or part of the summer at the Field Station: FACULTY J. M. Walker G. G. C. Robinson J. Wright C. T. Shay R. M. Green GRADUATE STUDENTS T.O. Acere (Zoology) H. Bauer (Psychology) D. Bernard (Zoology) D. Brown (Botany) L. H1ynka (Zoology) M. Fenton (Earth Science) D. Lutchman (Earth Sdence) M. McNicholl (Zoology) F. Phillips (Botany) SUMMER ASSISTANTS W. Dentry L. Hendzel T. Hochbaum J. Leberdensky P. Lemon K. Machniak R. Moyshenko T. Sulymko G. Vascatto J. Yarysz C.K. Yeung The first project started in early April, and from then until mid-September the accommodation was used for 265 resident-weeks with 4,269 meals being served! There are two projects continuing throughout the winter. Seminars A weekly programme of seminars and films was held in June July and August , and we were privileged to hear lectures from Dr . L. Rudescu (Roumania), Dr . R. Nero (Manitoba Museum of Man and Nature), Dr . R. Miller (Yale University) , Mr . L. Gray (Water Control and Conservation , Department of Mines and Natural Resources), Dr . J. M. Walker (Botany, University of Manitoba), Dr . E. S. Burch (Anthropology, University of Manitoba), Dr. G. G. C. Robinson (Botany, University of Manitoba), Dr . D. Schindler (Fisheries Research Board, Winnipeg), and Dr . G. Brunskill (Fisheries Research Board, Winnipeg). We welcomed the participation of members of the Delta Waterfowl Research Station at these seminars and appreciated their invitation to attend the two-day Seminar on "Spacing Mechanisms in Waterfowl" and their July and August seminar series. At the 3rd November Seminar fifteen research summaries were presented, including reports from Mr . F. Austin and Mr. P. Ould, graduate students in the Department of Zoology who carried out their work at the Delta Waterfowl Research Station. The seminar attracted about 80 people, promoted discussion and is now well established as an important part of the Field Station programme . Brief summaries of most of these projects form the major part of this Annual Report. Courses Anthropology 76.662 A small Archaeological Field School led by Prof. C. T. Shay of the Department of Anthropology was held during the month of July. The class surveyed for archaeological sites in the area and spent two weeks excavating a small campsite on the Bell Estate. The campsite, located on a small beachridge, yielded stone artifacts and pottery dating between 1300-1600 A. D. We would like to extend to Mr. P. Ward our appreciation for permission to excavate this site and for helpful assistance throughout the course. Comparative Chordate Zoology 22.220 and Plant Kingdom 1.220 Dr . G. Ross and Dr. B. Young respectively spent useful days at the Field Station with their students. Introductory Ecology (Botany 1.336 and Zoology 22 . 334) Three sections each of 3 1/2 days duration were organized by Drs. J. Gee, J. M. Stewart. J. M. Walker and J. F. Wright, assisted by Mr. D. Bernard. Two sections were held in Registration Week and one the following weekend. During the course, the students were introduced to a variety of habitats, sampling techniques and methods of assessing environmental parameters, which give an insight into the structure and functioning of ecosystems . 2 Plant Ecology 1.452 Drs. J. M. Stewart and J. M. Walker organized a weekend course in Plant Ecology with emphasis upon ordination and sampling techniques as an aid to plant community description. Advanced Taxonomy 1.442 Dr. R. Longton conducted a weekend course during which intensive collecting of critical groups from a range of habitats was undertaken. The collections were for analysis later in the term. Marsh Ecology 1.721 The Marsh Ecology course spent a weekend at the Station with Drs. J. M. Stewart and J. M. Walker, and examined the plant communities =rom the lakeshore to the forested ridge and from the wet meadow to the marsh. Materials were collected for plant and soil analysis, calorific determinations, etc. Visitors We had the pleasure of visits from members of a number of other Universities and institutions: Dr. T. Pritchard (Nature Conservancy, U.K.), Dr. D. Bellamy (Durham), Dr. L. Rudescu (Bucharest, Rumania), Dr. K. Patalas (Freshwater Institute), Dr. Bilden (Macdonald College), Dr. D. Pimlott (Toronto), Dr. G. Ross (Southern), the members of the Board of Trustees of the North American Wildlife Foundation, Dr. B. Kendrick (Waterloo), Miss V. Humphreys (National Museum, Ottawa) Miss M. Dwyer (National Parks, Ottawa), Mr. E. Carp (International Wildlife Research Bureau), Dr. A. Johnson (Hendrix College), the members of the 11th Delta Waterfowl Research Station Seminar, Dr. G. MacLachlan (McGill), Dr. J. Burnett (Glasgow), Dr. H. Dale (Guelph). Special Events There were three events worthy of special mention. On August 14th, Dr. H. H. Saunderson officially opened the new laboratories at the Station, when we were happy to be joined by friends from the University, Provincial Government and others. A tour of the facilities and displays by graduate students helped to make the day a memorable one. The Biology Division Picnic in July was the occasion for a gathering of more than eighty for a beach celebration which became the merrier when driven indoors by rain. Perhaps the marathon social event was a barbeque supper for the 128 participants at the International Coregonid Conference on August 27th, accompanied by suitable musical revelry. 3 Buildings During the winter and spring two cottages were built east of Mallard Lodge and Murrays Cottage was renovated . The transformation of the latter was completed with the assistance of graduate students armed with paint brushes and permitted the building to be used for the Archaeology Field Course. The Bell House was converted into a laboratory by Dr. Robinson and Dennis Brown. However, despite this increase in facilities, the basement of the lodge was in constant use as a laboratory. A site plan and survey was prepared during September to enable future expansion to take place on an orderly basis. I would like to express appreciation for the efforts the Provincial Government made to acquire for the Field Station two housing units from the Macdonald Airfield. These will be brought to Delta during the winter and will provide the laboratory and living accommodation which is essential if an expanding programme of research and teaching is to be carried out at the Field Station. General We are grateful for the opportunities afforded to us to use the Bell Estate for various projects and for the friendly co-operation extended to us by the members of the Delta Waterfowl Research Station. Thanks are also due to the Portage Country Club for allowing us to use their property for study' purposes. To all departments of the Provincial Government upon whose jurisdiction we impinge, warm thanks are extended for their many kindnesses. I would like to thank all the staff for their help during the season and look forward to an even more successful year in 1970.

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