Zooplankton in Offshore Lake Ontario during Intensive Sampling Years 2003 and 2008: Results from the LOLA (Lake Ontario Lower Foodweb Assessment) Program.

This data package must be uncompressed for use. In addition to the data described above, it includes an Ecological Metadata Language (EML) record, which describes in considerable detail the contents of the data table(s), methods, usage rights, and other information. All users of these data are strongly encouraged to review this EML record.Intensive sampling of the offshore waters of Lake Ontario occurs on a five-year cycle. The 2003 and 2008 binational sampling program is known as the Lake Ontario Lower foodweb Assessment (LOLA). Research cruises were conducted in spring (April), summer (July or August) and fall (September) along several north-south transects. This data package includes epilimnetic (surface layer) and whole water column measurements for zooplankton size (mm), density (#/m3) and biomass (mg dry weight/m3) by species for each site. Veliger size and density from these tows are included as a separate file. Other trophic indicators measured during this program include nutrients (total phosphorus, dissolved silica), water clarity (secchi depth), dissolved oxygen, chlorophyll a, and an assessment of phytoplankton, the microbial food web and the benthic community.For LOLA 2003, EPA grant CR-83209001 to Cornell University and a Canada Ontario Agreement (COA) from Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR). For LOLA 2008, EPA funded project under Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) “Evaluation of the current status of the Lake Ontario ecosystem.