Factors influencing shorebird use of managed and unmanaged saline lakes in Saskatchewan

Naturally saline lakes are highly productive ecosystems that support a wide variety of species and are of commercial value for sodium sulphate production used as detergents and other commercial products. Saskatchewan contains the most saline lakes in all of Canada, and many of these lakes are critical staging habitat for migratory shorebirds that rest and refuel on brine shrimp prey. An active sodium sulphate mine at Chaplin Lake, SK controls water levels in sub basins that are apparently beneficial to the brine shrimp and shorebirds. Our project aims to find out what factors are important for the brine shrimp and shorebird populations at Chaplin Lake and how they vary over space and time and in relation to the mine’s water management. In this project, interns will assess shorebird abundance at multiple saline lakes in Saskatchewan to better inform their management and protection and will identify factors that affect bird use through measures of water quantity and quality. Information will be useful for operations on Chaplin and other saline lakes to provide data on optimal water levels and conditions necessary to maintain both commercial production and shorebird populations in a changing climate.

Faculty Supervisor:

Christy Morrissey;Ann McKellar

Student:

Partner:

Nature Conservancy of Canada;Saskatchewan Mining and Minerals Inc

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Arts, entertainment and recreation; Mining; Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

University of Saskatchewan

Program: