Effects of Salinity on Microbialite‐Associated Production in Great Salt Lake, Utah

Organosedimentary structures (microbialites) cover ~20% of the south arm of the hypersaline Great Salt Lake (GSL). Photosynthetic microbial mats associated with microbialites support secondary production in GSL, including that of brine shrimp (Artemia). However, the effects of predicted increases in lake salinity on the primary and secondary production of microbialites and Artemia, respectively, are not known. Here, we show that salinities >20% significantly influenced microbialite microbial community composition, abundance, and productivity and Artemia survivability. Results indicate that increased salinity affects primary and secondary production, which could have negative effects on higher ecological compartments dependent on these species, including migratory birds. Photo credit: Melody Lindsay. Photo credit: Melody Lindsay. Photo credit: Melody Lindsay. Photo credit: Melody Lindsay. These photographs illustrate the article “Effects of salinity on microbialite‐associated production in Great Salt Lake, Utah” by Melody R. Lindsay, Rachel E. Johnston, Bonnie K. Baxter, and Eric S. Boyd published in Ecology. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecy.261