Conclusions
The purpose of this study was to determine the type of environment the invasive algae species, Didymosphenia geminata, prefers to invade in the Yukon. A large amount of streams were sampled, where various environmental characteristics were measured as well as an observation if D. geminata was present or not. A series of statistical analyses were run to test if there were any significant differences in these environmental factors between sites that had D. geminata and those which did not. The results showed that D. geminata seems to be prefer streams that have:
Thus the distribution of D. geminata in the Yukon seems to be mainly driven by water velocity and water temperature.
- Higher water velocity - streams where D. geminata was present have a mean velocity of 0.73 m/s and the streams without D. geminata have a mean of 0.49 m/s.
- Higher water temperature - streams where D. geminata was present have a mean temperature of 9.72 °C and the streams without D. geminata have a mean of 7.44°C.
Thus the distribution of D. geminata in the Yukon seems to be mainly driven by water velocity and water temperature.
Implications for Management
Though the exact vector of transportation of D. geminata in the Yukon is not known, the most likely theory is that it is spread via the boots/equipment of fisherman travelling between Whitehorse, Yukon and Alaska. This is one of the busiest routes in the sub-Arctic and thus increases the likelihood of D. geminata spreading even further.
The results from this study give us a better idea of what kind of environment D. geminata prefers to live in, therefore giving us a better idea of where it would most likely invade. By knowing the kind of habitat D. geminata prefers, this will give managers the opportunity to identify the areas where it could potentially invade and thus focus resources and energy on those particular regions.
Examples of management strategies which have been implemented in other areas plagued with D. geminata and that would be beneficial for the Yukon include thorough cleaning protocols of equipment that have come in contact with water containing D. geminata. This strategy has had a fair amount of success in New Zealand, where a huge effort has gone into preventing the further spread of D. geminata, thus telling us that it is indeed possible to limit the environmental and economical damage that D. geminata can incur. However, it is also clear that more research is needed to come up with ways of removing this invasive species from ecosystems where it has already invaded.
There is still much more research that needs to be done in regards to understanding the biology, drivers and consequences of D. geminata. Some questions that still exist include:
The results from this study give us a better idea of what kind of environment D. geminata prefers to live in, therefore giving us a better idea of where it would most likely invade. By knowing the kind of habitat D. geminata prefers, this will give managers the opportunity to identify the areas where it could potentially invade and thus focus resources and energy on those particular regions.
Examples of management strategies which have been implemented in other areas plagued with D. geminata and that would be beneficial for the Yukon include thorough cleaning protocols of equipment that have come in contact with water containing D. geminata. This strategy has had a fair amount of success in New Zealand, where a huge effort has gone into preventing the further spread of D. geminata, thus telling us that it is indeed possible to limit the environmental and economical damage that D. geminata can incur. However, it is also clear that more research is needed to come up with ways of removing this invasive species from ecosystems where it has already invaded.
There is still much more research that needs to be done in regards to understanding the biology, drivers and consequences of D. geminata. Some questions that still exist include:
- What are the exact values for the ranges of water velocity and temperature that D. geminata prefers?
- Is there a certain velocity/temperature that D. geminata cannot grow in?
- Do nutrients (phosphorus, nitrogen, etc.) play a role in the distribution of D. geminata in the streams and rivers of the Yukon?