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| I hitched up my waders and prepared to enter Mono Lake’s alkaline waters. I was struck once again by the lake’s magical, undersung beauty. Surrounded by the jagged peaks of the Sierra, Mono is a nestled gem of alkali flies, birds, brine shrimp, and tufa. I felt very fortunate to have the opportunity to study the alkali fly populations at such an incredible place and now realize how quickly Mono Lake taught me about its simple, yet important ecosystem. |
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I accumulated a great deal of information about this special place from my studies with Dave Herbst of the Sierra Nevada Aquatic Research Laboratory and our work with the alkali fly. When I first learned I would be assisting with biological research during the summer, I was ecstatic. But I mistakenly envisioned the alkali fly as a house fly, complete with its attractions to humans and rotting meat.
In truth, the alkali fly is a charming creature and could not care less about humans. In fact, it much prefers the company of thousands of other flies. I was able to see this little critter up close as I spent about three weeks counting eggs, larval instars, pupae, and adults. They are brown, black, and white depending on their age and are actually quite beautiful.
The alkali fly goes about its unobtrusive business of eating algae and being a crucial food source for migratory birds. Since so many birds rely on the fly as a protein and caloric source, studying the alkali fly provided an indication of the overall health of Mono Lake’s ecosystem.
For example, a little bird called the phalarope (now my favorite bird) flies non-stop from northern Canada to Mono Lake. This avian wonder feeds for a couple of weeks on the plentiful alkali flies until it can hardly lift itself out of the water. Then, it begins another journey and flies non-stop to South America. Mono Lake is the phalarope’s only fuel stop!
Our experiment’s purpose was twofold. We tried to
evaluate the ecological situation by taking a population
census, and we also ran a pilot experiment. Our sampler
had six different types of artificial substrates attached
to PVC pipes. We wanted to see which type of substrate
the fly preferred to pupate on, so that when Dave studies
fly populations next
year, he will know
which substrate was colonized with comparable densities
to natural substrates and which artificial substrate was
the easiest to remove and process. Our small strips of
fiberglass screen won the contest hands down, and Dave
will probably use them next year.
I feel fortunate that I was able to see the entire scientific process. I built the samplers, deployed them in the field, collected data, processed the samples, and counted thousands of bugs! Field work is a hard, but rewarding experience. I spent hours drilling cement, sawing PVC, and cutting fiberglass screens. Sometimes we went on very long, hot hikes. Such adventures have benefits, however: I saw the most incredible sunset of my life, and we visited places that only the gulls seem to explore. I had never been to Mono Lake previously. Now the lake’s presence has made a permanent mark on who I am, and I am glad that I was introduced to her majesty by the alkali fly.
Carol Heinz worked for the Committee as an intern in 1997. She’s currently studying hard at Whitman College.
Return to Winter 1998 Newsletter
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