RECRUITMENT OF HEXAGENIA MAYFLY NYMPHS IN WESTERN LAKE ERIE LINKED TO ENVIRONMENTAL VARIABILITY.

The article discusses the study on the possible link between burrowing mayfly recruitment and periods of intermittent stratification for the years 1997-2002. In order to predict stratification, a simple model was developed using surface temperature, wind speed and water column data from 2003. It was then used to observe episodes of stratification in past years for which water column data are unavailable. The results of the study suggest that even relatively brief periods of stratification can result in loss of larval mayfly recruitment through the effects of hypoxia.