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Researchers outline standardized brine-fly monitoring methods, report recent recovery at Great Salt Lake
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Summary
Westminster University and partners described field and lab protocols for brine-fly monitoring, reported improved fly numbers tied to recent salinity management, and announced plans to expand sites, refine lab methods, and pilot telemetry and imaging tools.
Researchers from Westminster University and partners presented a brine-fly (ephedra gracilis and related species) monitoring update to the Great Salt Lake Advisory Council tech team, describing new sampling devices, lab protocols, partnerships, and early signs of recovery in fly and microbialite communities.
Bonnie (Westminster University project lead) emphasized the flies' ecological role: "they spend, like, 6 to 9 months in the water and only a few days as an adult," and noted the species' importance to shorebirds such as Wilson's phalarope. She described a coordinated 2023 grant-funded effort to develop standardized monitoring methods, stressing that brine flies are now recognized in the 2025 Utah Wildlife Action Plan as vulnerable and a keystone species for the lake.
Field and lab methods: student presenters (Sofia Rand, Bella Willis) detailed deployment of PVC "medusas" bearing concrete or silicone artificial-substrate blocks at sites such as Ladyfinger Point on Antelope Island. Sampling ran monthly from May through October; students described field-to-lab processing steps (harvest into bags, rinsing, ethanol storage) and method refinements to reduce specimen loss and improve measurement accuracy. Planned protocol changes include using mesh bags during retrieval, adding a second boiling-water step to unfurl larvae for measurement, abandoning jar subsampling in favor of full counts, and storing specimens in 70% ethanol.
Why standardize: presenters said Great Salt Lake shoreline recession complicates sampling—medusas placed in spring were exposed by October at some sites—so next season the team will expand sampling to additional lake locations, deploy smaller angled blocks to increase retention, and add core-sediment sampling used by Mono Lake colleagues. The team credited training and method transfers from Dave Herbst (ephedra specialist) and Mono Lake partners for informing protocols.
Technology and partnerships: the group demonstrated a one-day deployment of solar-powered sondes and telemetry boxes with a Northrop Grumman team to transmit environmental data in real time and discussed integrating underwater imaging and acoustic bird monitors with telemetry stations. Bonnie said the combination of sensors and forthcoming machine-learning approaches could let researchers estimate pupal density and correlate fly metrics with local environmental parameters.
Presenters closed by inviting collaborators and volunteers to join monitoring efforts and said refined protocols and cross-lake standardization are priorities for the coming year.
