Our research showed that understanding the nutrient requirements of benthic algae & invertebrates enables us to predict the effects of low-level eutrophication in mountain rivers.
In response to this research, Parks Canada developed leadership targets for phosphorus in wastewater and five treatment facilities were upgraded.
These upgrades resulted in significant restoration of ecological integrity in the Athabasca, Bow and Emerald Rivers. Parks Canada has continued to fund associated monitoring and research.
Bowman, M.F., P.A. Chambers and D.W. Schindler. 2007. Constraints on benthic algal response to nutrient addition in oligotrophic mountain rivers. River Research and Applications 23: 858-876.
Bowman, M.F., P.A. Chambers, and D.W. Schindler. 2005. Epilithic abundance in relation to anthropogenic changes in phosphorus bioavailability and limitation in mountain rivers. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 62:174-184.
Bowman, M.F., P.A. Chambers, and D.W. Schindler. 2005. Changes in the stoichiometric constraints on epilithon and benthic macroinvertebrates caused by low-level eutrophication of mountain rivers. Freshwater Biology 50: 1836-1852.