Compilation of Wet-to-Dry Weight Ratios of Great Lakes Benthic Organisms for Long-Term Monitoring

Session: Poster session

Morgan Zyzik, Great Lakes Center at SUNY Buffalo State, [email protected]
Lyubov Burlakova, Great Lakes Center at SUNY Buffalo State , [email protected]
Alexander Karatayev, Great Lakes Center at SUNY Buffalo State, [email protected]

Abstract

Assessment of invertebrate biomass is an important component of quantification of secondary production, energy budgets, and trophic dynamics in aquatic ecosystems. Biomass of benthic invertebrates has historically been measured using different methods, including wet weight (measured directly), dry weight, and ash free dry weight (also measured directly or estimated from lengths-to-weight equations), etc. Conversion coefficients often vary even for the same species among and within lakes, and seasonally within the same site. We reviewed numerous literature sources and online data on wet-to-dry weight and wet-to-ash free dry weight conversion ratios and compiled a database for species of benthic invertebrates found in the Laurentian Great Lakes.  In cases when weight ratios for species were unavailable, we used ratios for higher-level taxa. These data will assist in the conversion of benthic biomass currently recorded by U.S. EPA’s Great Lakes National Program Office Monitoring Program as wet weight into ash free dry weight. Conversion of data into similar format is essential for the analysis of the long-term dynamics of benthic species, understanding their ecological role, as well as for ecosystem and community modeling. 

1. Keyword
benthos

2. Keyword
monitoring

3. Keyword
data acquisition

4. Additional Keyword
biomass