The Kirkwood lab studies the diversity and function of aquatic ecosystems along natural to increasingly human-modified landscapes. We study a broad spectrum of surface waters, including lakes, wetlands, rivers, creeks, and stormwater ponds. For all habitat types, research focuses on the base of the foodweb (i.e., bacteria, algae, zooplankton, macroinvertebrates, and macrophytes). Algal biotechnology is another facet of research in the Kirkwood lab, and aims to discover useful applications for algae in biofuel production, carbon sequestration, and wastewater treatment.
We are grateful to the Michi Saagiig (Mississauga Anishinaabeg) including Scugog Island First Nation and Curve Lake First Nation for their support, partnership, and collaboration in our studies on their traditional lands and waters.
Quick Research Links:
We are grateful to the Michi Saagiig (Mississauga Anishinaabeg) including Scugog Island First Nation and Curve Lake First Nation for their support, partnership, and collaboration in our studies on their traditional lands and waters.
Quick Research Links:
- Google Scholar publications list
- Researchgate profile
- Orcid profile
- Kirkwood Lab Youtube Channel
Aquatic Ecosystem Diversity and Function in the Land Between Ecotone
The Land Between (TLB) ecotone is a unique region of geological transition from limestone-dominated to granite-dominated bedrock in south-central Ontario. This transition zone is a geological mosaic that supports a high degree of biodiversity in both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Initial studies by the Kirkwood lab documented and characterized lakes representing gradients in pH, alkalinity and nutrients, as well as shoreline development. Current research by graduate student Emily Hassal is looking at how natural and anthropogenic gradients in water quality and land-use influence energy and nutrient dynamics in the lower aquatic foodweb.
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Assessing the Impact of the Non-Native Invasive Species Nitellopsis obtusa (Starry Stonewort) in Ontario Lakes
Nitellopsis obtusa (starry stonewort) was first introduced into the Great Lakes Basin by way of the St. Lawrence River in the early 1970s. However, it has only been over the last decade that reports of invasion into inland lakes in North America have occurred. In 2015, N. obtusa was first reported in Ontario inland lakes such as Lake Simcoe and Lake Scugog. Graduate alumnus Dr. Tyler Harrow-Lyle documented the distribution of N. obtusa across south-central Ontario and determined the biogeographical drivers of N. obtusa invasion, as well as its impacts to biological communities and ecosystem function. Graduate student Flavia Breje is currently developing an eDNA surveillance assay for N. obtusa, and will build on past research efforts to better understand the interactions and dynamics between native and non-native macrophytes in Ontario.
Research Partners
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Understanding Nearshore Water Quality and Biotic Integrity in the Kawartha Lakes using a Community Science Approach
The Kirkwood Lab has implemented community-science (formerly called "citizen science") based research projects in Lake Scugog (2017-2019) and in the Kawartha Lakes (Balsam, Cameron, Sturgeon, and Pigeon) targeting the nearshore zone (https://kawarthanearshore.weebly.com/). Community science volunteers recorded field observations, collected water samples at the end of a dock, and then those samples were brought to the lab at Ontario Tech for analysis. Graduate student alumna Dr. Erin Smith oversaw this project as part of her doctoral research program. Currently, the lab has shifted gears to work in collaboration with researchers at the University of Ottawa, Toronto Metropolitan University and Carleton University to assess the efficacy and impacts of different aquatic vegetation removal strategies in the Kawartha Lakes (Lake Scugog and Canal Lake). Current partners include Parks Canada and Kawartha Conservation.
Past and Present Research Partners Related Publications:
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Lake Scugog: A Lake in Transition
Lake Scugog is a large headwater-lake that flows into the Trent-Severn Waterway (TSW) system. The aquatic macrophyte community in Lake Scugog has undergone significant changes over the last decade, including periodic population collapses of the non-native invasive macrophyte Eurasion Watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) and its hybrid with a native milfoil species. In recent years, more non-native taxa have established in the lake, and in particular, the macroalga Starry Stonewort (Nitellopsis obtusa) has emerged as a dominant member of the community. Coupled with changes in water quality, N. obtusa poses a significant threat to the long-term health of the sport fishery in Lake Scugog. As part of a long-term research initiative, the Kirkwood Lab has been monitoring water quality and the lower aquatic foodweb community since 2016. Establishing a long-term monitoring program will allow us to assess ecological changes in Lake Scugog over time, particularly as it relates to climate change.
Research Partners: Related Publications
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Diversity and Function in Urban Aquatic Systems
Aquatic ecosystems are directly impacted by human activities on the landscape, yet the relative impacts can vary by landscape and land-use type. The Kirkwood lab has been studying aquatic systems located in watersheds influenced by shifting land-cover and land-use type for over a decade, with a particular emphasis on the effects of urbanization to water quality and biotic community structure. An array of aquatic systems have been studied, including stormwater ponds, creeks, wetlands and the Lake Ontario nearshore zone. Past studies include: (1) an examination of the microbial diversity and capacity of different urban wetland types to tolerate and biodegrade contaminants; (2) characterization of stormwater management ponds along a vegetation gradient; and (3) studies of the prevalence of fecal bacteria and antibiotic resistance in Cladophora glomerata mats along an urbanization gradient in Lake Ontario. Currrent studies are focused on coastal wetlands influenced by urbanization and the role of aquatic plants in stormwater management ponds.
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Biotechnological applications of algae
Most experts now deem algae as the biomass factories of the future. To improve the economic and environmental viability of large-scale algal production, efforts are being directed towards "value-added" processes and products such as biofuels, nutraceuticals, and wastewater treatment. In the Kirkwood Lab, we have focused on isolating and characterizing algae from degraded environments such as stormwater ponds and municipal wastewater treatment systems to assess their potential as wastewater-grown feedstock. Future work aims to assess the tolerance and sustainability of algae in mixed communities to varying wastewater conditions, as well as their efficacy in enhancing wastewater treatment while increasing yields of bioproducts.
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Funding Agencies
Current
Past
Current
- Ontario Ministry of Environment, Conservation, and Parks
- Natural Science and Engineering Research Council (NSERC)
- New Frontiers in Research Fund
- Mitacs
Past
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Matters
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) is the foundation of our group's activities and aspirations. We actively work against anti-black and anti-indigenous racism, and actively work to decolonize our research. Classes and research labs should be safe spaces. Students of any gender identity, racialized group, or sexual orientation can feel free and safe to come to Dr. Kirkwood in confidence regarding any type of personal harassment.
You are not alone.
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) is the foundation of our group's activities and aspirations. We actively work against anti-black and anti-indigenous racism, and actively work to decolonize our research. Classes and research labs should be safe spaces. Students of any gender identity, racialized group, or sexual orientation can feel free and safe to come to Dr. Kirkwood in confidence regarding any type of personal harassment.
You are not alone.