November 9, 2011 | David Colberg

Aquatic Life in Swan Lake

A Museum of Natural History program led by biology professor Mark Urban explored the microscopic and other species living in the waters of UConn's Swan Lake.

Led by ecology & evolutionary biology professor Mark Urban, a small group of participants spent the afternoon of Nov. 5 exploring aquatic life in UConn's Swan Lake.

Led by ecology & evolutionary biology professor Mark Urban, a small group of participants spent the afternoon of Nov. 5 exploring aquatic life in UConn's Swan Lake.

Led by ecology & evolutionary biology professor Mark Urban, participants in a Museum of Natural History program spent an afternoon exploring aquatic life in UConn's Swan Lake. (David Colberg/UConn Photo)
Led by ecology & evolutionary biology professor Mark Urban, participants in a Museum of Natural History program spent an afternoon exploring aquatic life in UConn's Swan Lake. (David Colberg/UConn Photo)
Swan Lake is an iconic landscape element on UConn's main campus in Storrs. Its scenic characteristics provide a tranquil oasis for study and contemplation on a busy college campus.
Swan Lake is an iconic landscape element on UConn's main campus in Storrs. Its scenic characteristics provide a tranquil oasis for study and contemplation on a busy college campus. (David Colberg/UConn Photo)
The program began with participants going out in small boats in order to investigate the aquatic life and water characteristics in the center of the lake.
The program began with participants going out in small boats in order to investigate the aquatic life and water characteristics in the center of the lake. (David Colberg/UConn Photo)
Participants measured the water's transparency using a Secchi disk. Water clarity can be influenced by the amounts of phytoplankton, pollution, and sediment found at various depths.
Participants measured the water's transparency using a Secchi disk. Water clarity can be influenced by the amounts of phytoplankton, pollution, and sediment found at various depths. (David Colberg/UConn Photo)
Fishing waders, life vest, collection pans, and nets are some of the gear used in limnology, the study of inland waters.
Fishing waders, life vest, collection pans, and nets are some of the gear used in limnology, the study of inland waters. (David Colberg/UConn Photo)
Exploring the edge of Swan Lake, Doug Hughes of Storrs examines the contents of his net for signs of aquatic life.
Exploring the edge of Swan Lake, Doug Hughes of Storrs examines the contents of his net for signs of aquatic life. (David Colberg/UConn Photo)
Professor Urban identified some of the group's finds, which included phytoplankton, dragonfly larvae, damselfly larvae, and some small bluegill fish.
Professor Urban identified some of the group's finds, which included phytoplankton, dragonfly larvae, damselfly larvae, and some small bluegill fish. (David Colberg/UConn Photo)
The program concluded with a laboratory segment in the Torrey Life Sciences Building. Gus Larsen Giangrave and Cindy Larsen of Scotland, Conn., center, use a stereoscope to view different microscopic species collected from Swan Lake.
The program concluded with a laboratory segment in the Torrey Life Sciences Building. Gus Larsen Giangrave and Cindy Larsen of Scotland, Conn., center, use a stereoscope to view different microscopic species collected from Swan Lake. (David Colberg/UConn Photo)