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Abstract Delaney McCullough, Ms. Mary Elger- Lonzarich, Dr. Joe Rohrer, and Dr. Dave Lonzarich Department of Biology University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Delaney McCullough, Ms. Mary Elger- Lonzarich, Dr. Joe Rohrer, and Dr. Dave Lonzarich Department of Biology University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Aquatic mosses are a poorly studied, but conspicuous component of aquatic plant communities in deeper water lakes. Earlier work by our lab uncovered a rich and potentially diverse assemblage of mosses in Pine Lake, among the deepest and clearest water lakes in Wisconsin. This study was undertaken for the purpose of characterizing the diversity and distribution of aquatic mosses in Pine Lake, and to add identification features to the Pine Lake Field Guide. Locations for point-intersect sampling were achieved by using both a UTM and bathymetric map. From each site, we collected a bottom sample with a remote sampler and measured water depth, temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH and carbon dioxide. Collections were made from 67 sites ranging in depth from 9 to 21 meters, and mosses were found in 16 of those sites, to a maximum depth of 13.6 meters. We encountered the four previously documented moss species along with a new one, Sarmentypnum exannulatum. All but one sampling site collection contained more than one moss species, suggesting that these species have overlapping requirements for temperature, light, pH and carbon dioxide. Further exploration of this study would be ideal to expand our knowledge of why the mosses are present.. A Preliminary Study of Deep Water Aquatic Mosses Materials and Methods I thank the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs for supporting this research, and Learning & Technology Services for printing this poster. I thank the homeowners on Pine Lake for all of their support and interest. I also thank Zach Nonn and Caleb Novak for their hard work. Finally, I thank Mary Elger-Lonzarich for the opportunity to conduct such a rewarding research project and, Dr. Joe Rohrer for his endless help and enthusiasm. Acknowledgements Sampling depths began at 31 feet. I established sampling zones based on depths after consulting previous data that noted known aquatic moss habitats. My zones were zone C = 31-40ft, zone D = 41-50ft, zone E = 51-60ft, zone F = 61-70ft and zone G = 71+ft. Field sampling initiated in early July 2013 and continued into the month of August. In the field: A 0.3-ft 3 Eckman dredge collected the moss HACH Hydrolab collected water temperature (C), dissolved oxygen (DO), pH and depth (m) A horizontal Van Dorn water sampler In the laboratory: Moss samples processed Water samples titrated to Sampling depths began at 31 feet. I established sampling zones based on depths after consulting previous data that noted known aquatic moss habitats. My zones were zone C = 31-40ft, zone D = 41-50ft, zone E = 51-60ft, zone F = 61-70ft and zone G = 71+ft. Field sampling initiated in early July 2013 and continued into the month of August. In the field: A 0.3-ft 3 Eckman dredge collected the moss HACH Hydrolab collected water temperature (C), dissolved oxygen (DO), pH and depth (m) A horizontal Van Dorn water sampler In the laboratory: Moss samples processed Water samples titrated to Results Fontinalis antipyreticaFontinalis sphagnifolia Drepanocladus aduncus Calliergon giganteum Sarmentypnum exannulatum Discussion The first goal of reassessing the moss species in Pine Lake was accomplished. Out of the 67 sampling sites, mosses were found in 16 of them, to a maximum depth of 13.6 meters. In doing so, a formally undocumented moss species in the lake was found; Sarmentypnum exannulatum. All but one sampling site contained more than one moss species, and the areas where mosses were present seemed to be concentrated in the lower and middle left of the lake. This suggested that the different species have overlapping requirements for temperature, light, pH, and carbon dioxide. The secondary goal of adding key traits for easy identification for each moss will be completed with the next edition of the Pine Lake Field Guide. The creation of a map showing moss disruption found in this study is currently under way. Water samples taken via the horizontal Van Dorn were titrated, but calculations to conclude the CO 2 concentrations were not completed, thus further analysis of this variable is needed. More data collection at points within depths of 9 to 13.6 meters would prove valuable to gauge more precise distribution patterns of the mosses. Due to the nature of this preliminary study, there are many different ways to go and continue on and, I hope to see it done so. Goals The primary goals of this study are to generate a comprehensive moss species list and to explore the factors that contribute to the distribution of aquatic mosses in Pine Lake. The secondary goals are to find easily identifiable field traits that could be added to the Pine Lake aquatic plant guide, and to create a map of the current distribution of the different moss species of Pine Lake. Overall, I hope that this study will become the basis for a future extensive and comprehensive examination of this amazing discovery.