Evaluating the Impacts of U-Links Centre
for Community-Based Research on a Rural
Canadian County]]> Volume 26, Issue 1, Winter 2020]]> Since 2020, U-Links has partnered with Upper Stoney Lake Association (USLA), Trent University, and Fleming College to monitor and report on the lake’s benthic macroinvertebrate populations. This study is currently in year three of a proposed total of five years, after which a baseline knowledge will be reached regarding the lake’s macroinvertebrate species richness and diversity. Research spanning five years is considered long-term, and the data in such studies has a high level of validity. Macroinvertebrates serve as excellent bioindicators of overall littoral ecosystem health. With five years' worth of macroinvertebrate data, trends may be recognized and recommendations for the future can be made.
Several areas of concern make Stoney Lake a good candidate for continued research. According to E. Paleczny (personal communication, December 5, 2022), the stressors to aquatic ecosystem integrity of Stoney Lake include climate change, invasive species (e.g., Nitellopsis obtusa (starry stonewort (SSW))), decline in water quality (e.g., nutrient input, blue-green algal blooms, chemical contaminants), water level fluctuation, and development pressures (e.g., marina's, golf courses, proposed condo and tiny home developments, shoreline development, watershed scale impacts from forestry, mining and agriculture). E. Paleczny (personal communication, December 5, 2022) further stated that the synergistic effects of these stressors are resulting in rapid decline in healthy populations of aquatic species (e.g., walleye), increases in the number of species at risk (e.g., wood turtle), and increased eutrophication leading to increased occurrence and abundance of algal blooms. There are also many unseen effects including increased toxic effects on aquatic life.
Excess algae growth may be fueled by phosphorus and nutrient runoff from the golf course and cottage lawns. If algae growth increases dramatically, lake eutrophication may occur, which would have detrimental effects on animal populations. Algae blooms increase the biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) level by encouraging the growth of specific bacteria (Encyclopedia.com, 2019). A greater BOD rapidly reduces oxygen levels, which can cause fish and other aquatic animals to lose their oxygen supply.
In 2022, there were no observable impacts or changes in macroinvertebrate species presence at a lake scale, however, this study does not address localized impacts from stressors or other shifts or changes in aquatic ecosystem function. It also does not address any changes to baseline conditions prior to 2020. Increasing sampling sites where there are concerns about localized stressors such as development impacts would help to assess if there are localized impacts to macroinvertebrate populations.
]]> Biology
Ecology ]]>
Amphipods were found to be the most dominate species at each site, representing over 50% of the benthic community. Results from functional feeding group analyses revealed that all sampling sites are collector-dominated, representing almost 80% of the benthic community, and were composed primarily of Amphipods. Site 1 was found to have the highest species richness and abundance across the three sites. Sites 2 and 3 species richness and abundance are relatively similar and not far from that of site 1. Based on the results of the Hilsenhoff Biotic Index, water quality is "fair" as determined by macroinvertebrate species assemblages. Studies have found that recolonization of other macroinvertebrates was reduced when Amphipod numbers were high indicating predation or some form of competitive exclusion (Waters, 1964) which could potentially explain why there are such large numbers of Amphipods found across sites sampled on Gull Lake. It is important that factors (such as landscape-level factors such as land use/cover, surficial geology, and surface area or geographic factors such as latitude (Richards et al,. 1997)) are further looked into in order to develop the real reasons as to why Amphipods are in such high abundance within Gull Lake.
]]> Helga Sonnenberg]]> In the Municipality of Dysart et al, anecdotal records have established that roads with low foot/vehicular traffic and visibility, as well as the peripheral area of local waste disposal sites are among the most common dumping grounds within the boundaries of the municipality (Municipality of Dysart, 2021).
To mitigate the health, environmental, financial, and reputational risks associated with illegal dumping, Dysart et al developed the By-law 2021-29 to Govern the Management of Waste, which came into force and effect on May 1, 2021, replacing the previous by-law from 2006.
In order to supplement the efficacy of the new by-law, this paper will examine the risks and behaviours associated with illegal dumping, as well as provide promotion and education methods drawn from best practices enacted by other municipalities.
Approximately 320 hours of time was dedicated to the research and development of this paper. If Dysart had engaged consultants to conduct similar work, at $29 per hour, this project would have cost the municipality $9,280.]]> Compost
Environmental Science/Studies]]>
The waste management plan objectives and concerns were first identified through consultation with Abbey Gardens. The research shows that the top two most utilized landfills in each municipality are close to reaching maximum capacity in the upcoming years, therefore the need for Abbey Gardens is apparent. Based on the types of organic materials most readily available in Haliburton County three different composting systems are suggested. The systems suggested for Abbey Gardens are windrow composting, aerated static piles, and/or the Rocket.

The significance of these results also identifies information gaps and a set of future recommendations of research and projects will be presented to allow for the support and development of Abbey Gardens in the upcoming years. This paper should be utilized as a starting point to develop a sound composting system in the rural Haliburton County.
]]> Eric Sager]]> Haliburton]]> The influences of water quality on the value of waterfront properties.

]]> Judi Brouse]]> Host contact: Reid, Heather]]> Department: Geography]]> Human Geography]]> The goal of the research, which is to develop an understanding of the challenges affecting provision and access to housing in rural areas, is accomplished through the fulfillment of the following four objectives and their associated tasks: 1. Conceptualize and contextualize the issue of rural housing, assess the state of academic knowledge pertaining to rural housing; 2. Describe existing rural housing programs and policies in Ontario, understand the programs and policies that affect and target rural housing; 3. Identify community challenges and issues relating to rural housing in Haliburton County, develop an understanding of the unique challenges affecting housing in Haliburton County and the solutions that have been developed to address such challenges; and, 4. Assess local capacity (solutions) for addressing rural housing issues in Haliburton County, provide an assessment of the local capacity to deal with housing issues given the existing policies and approaches to housing issues.
]]> Host contact: Martin, Fay]]> Department: Geography]]> Environmental Vulnerability in Harcourt
Park: Tributary Identification, Refinement,
Culvert Inventory, and Risk Modelling]]> A Health promotion framework to prevent stroke among marginalized women

]]> Visible Voices: Connecting Seniors through Art-Making is an innovative expressive arts program that

connects older volunteers and isolated seniors through inter-modal art-making. Developed by

Registered Expressive Arts Consultant/Educator Fay Wilkinson, the program has been underway in

Haliburton County (Ontario) since 2008 with the support of The Arts Council~Haliburton Highlands,

Haliburton County Development Corporation, and Human Resources and Skills Development Canada:

New Horizons for Seniors Program.

]]> Visible Voices: Connecting Seniors through Art-Making is an innovative expressive arts program that connects

older volunteers and isolated seniors through inter-modal art-making. Developed by Registered Expressive Arts

Consultant/Educator Fay Wilkinson, the program has been underway in Haliburton County (Ontario) since 2008

with the support of The Arts Council~Haliburton Highlands, Haliburton County Development Corporation, and

Human Resources and Skills Development Canada: New Horizons for Seniors Program.

]]> History 
Health/Medical Studies]]>
The paper concludes with a description of the work of the Wilberforce community and surrounding area in preserving the historical building as a museum once its days of operation were over.]]> ]]>