GBA - Summer 2019

7 ≥ www.georgianbay.ca GBA UPDATE Summer 2019 The McMaster researchers will also be assessing the inland vernal pool wetlands and the coastal wetlands affected by last summer’s fire in Henvey Inlet. They have carried out similar post-forest fire research in Alberta and will apply what they learned to Georgian Bay. Their first objective will be to collect water quality samples to determine if further algal blooms such as occurred last fall (see photo) are likely to happen again. The concern is that with snow melt and rain, all the ash from the burned trees and vegetation will wash into the vernal pools. These high levels of nutrients could lead to algal blooms, which could in turn harm frog, turtle and salamander eggs. Once they have assessed the risk, they will determine if anything can be done to stop the blooms. The team will be starting out early in the season to initiate their research. They are grateful to everyone who has assisted so far with this project, including GBGLF Board member and Key River cottager Jerry Smitka, local GBA/ KRAA cottagers and Key River Lodge. These important projects will take considerable effort to coordinate and fund. We cannot do this without your help. Visit our website for more information at www.georgianbaygreatlakesfoundation.com Classified Landsat 8 satellite image of the Parry Sound fire (summer 2018), showing severity classes determined with the difference Normalized Burn Ratio method. Map has been produced by Prabha Rupasinghe, PhD candidate in the lab of Dr. Pat Chow-Fraser, Department of Biology at McMaster University, for use in this publication. Vernal pool with algal bloom post summer 2018 forest fire. Source: Jerry Smitka Georgian Bay Great Lakes Foundation (GBGLF) is an Ontario registered not-for-profit affiliated with the federally registered charity Huronia Community Foundation. GBGLF’s mission is to engage highly respected scientists to undertake relevant research and provide solutions in support of Georgian Bay’s water levels, wetlands, fisheries, and aquatic invasive species control. Blanding’s turtle. Source: Anishinabek News