Evaluating terrestrial-aquatic linkages in the Canadian Rocky Mountains: Eiffel Lake and Sentinel Lake, Banff National Park

This study examined if nutrient loading of phosphorus-rich pollen into small mountain lakes has a significant impact on lake productivity. Increased pollen input into lakes due to changes in vegetation (e.g. , timberline advance) may increase lake production. Deteriorated pollen was recorded for frozen and freeze-dried sediment samples to determine if storage method effects pollen preservation. There were no strong relationships between pollen accumulation rates (PAR) and pigment concentrations for Sentinel Lake and Eiffel Lake. A lagged response of pigment concentrations to increased PAR was illustrated for Eiffel. Examination of pollen ratios and stomata suggests recent timberline advance for Eiffel, but pollen ratios were a poor indicator of timberline for Sentinel. Sediment storage methods did not play a significant role in differential preservation of pollen grains. Further investigation of the potential effect of PAR on lake productivity is required because timberline advance may alter lake productivity through increased pollen input.