NORTH AMERICAN FRESHWATER SNAILS AS PALEO ECOLOGICAL PROXIES IN CRYSTAL LAKE, OHIO

This study uses North American freshwater snails as paleo ecological proxies in the reconstruction of past aquatic ecosystems in Crystal Lake, Medway, Ohio. Crystal Lake is surrounded by approximately 500 residential homes whose property value depends upon the stability of the lake. The purpose of this study is to aid in modeling how the lake may respond to future climate change based on its response to previous climatic changes. A sediment core extracted from Crystal Lake in 2007; is thought to contain a complete sedimentary history of the lake dating back 18000 BP (carbon dated). Snail fossils were extracted from the core by sieving, identified to genus and, if possible, species. The ecology of freshwater snails is well known and thought to be highly conserved, past aquatic habitats may be inferred from several key gilled species known to occupy a preferred depth. Preliminary data indicates that Crystal Lake has remained a complex freshwater environment which has been relatively stable throughout the lake’s history. This is indicated by the continued presence of V. sincera, V. tricaranata, and V. bicarinata throughout the core. A modern ecological study of snail populations and habitats within Crystal Lake is underway. Hester-Dendy samplers have been placed in varying aquatic habitats in order to clarify species habitat preference within the lake and further aid in modeling past aquatic habitats.