University of Manitoba Field Station. Delta Marsh. Annual Report. Number Four. 1969
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Date
1969
Authors
Delta Marsh Field Station
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Manitoba
Abstract
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.
Description
Keywords
delta marsh, manitoba, field station, ecology