Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Tianying Shi, Yongcan Chen, Hong Zhang, Haoran Wang, Zhaowei Liu
Summary: The study investigates the methods of restoring and maintaining clear-water state in shallow lakes. It finds that controlling non-point source pollution and regulating water levels are crucial management measures for preserving the stability of the aquatic ecosystem. This research provides scientific support for the management of shallow lakes.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2023)
Article
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Mohamed Ismaiel Ahmed, Kevin Shook, Alain Pietroniro, Tricia Stadnyk, John W. Pomeroy, Charlotta Pers, David Gustafsson
Summary: In this study, a variable contributing area algorithm is implemented in the HYdrological Predictions for the Environment (HYPE) model and evaluated in the Canadian prairies. The modified model shows significant improvements in simulating the streamflows of two prairie basins in Saskatchewan, Canada. With the inclusion of the HDS algorithm in HYPE, the global HYPE modelling community can now simulate an important hydrological phenomenon, previously unavailable in the model.
ENVIRONMENTAL MODELLING & SOFTWARE
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Hui Li, Chunlei Song, Liu Yang, Hangdao Qin, Xiuyun Cao, Yiyong Zhou
Summary: This study reveals that the pathways and mechanisms of phosphorus supply vary in different water regimes, being influenced by factors such as dominance of algae or macrophytes, exogenous P input, and the role of phosphorus-solubilizing bacteria.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Katerina Sumberova, Ondrej Vild, Michal Duchacek, Martina Fabsicova, Jan Potuzak, Marketa Frankova
Summary: This study investigated macrophyte and diatom assemblages and environmental factors in a large hypertrophic fishpond in Southern Bohemia, Czech Republic. Water level fluctuations and distance from large inflows were identified as key factors shaping the structure of diatom and macrophyte assemblages. The findings may serve as a basis for predictive model constructions in similar water bodies facing climate change.
Article
Ecology
Alice Nadia Ardichvili, Nicolas Loeuille, Vasilis Dakos
Summary: Ecosystems under stress can exhibit abrupt and irreversible responses through tipping points. This study examines the possibility of bistability emerging through evolution by natural selection along resource gradients, using shallow lakes as an example. The model suggests that competitive asymmetries along opposing resource gradients may allow bistability to emerge, but under restrictive conditions, indicating the potential role of eco-evolutionary dynamics in alternative stable states.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Maria Borrego-Ramos, Frederic Rimet, Eloy Becares, Sail Blanco
Summary: Diatoms are excellent bioindicators due to their genetic variability influenced by physical, chemical, and geographical variables. This study analyzed the epiphytic diatom communities in ponds and found significant phylogenetic signals that differ among genera. The results highlight the importance of considering molecular and ecological characters to describe new diatom species and provide insights for diatom-based conservation and monitoring programs.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hanxiao Zhang, Shouliang Huo, Rong Wang, Ze Xiao, Xiaochuang Li, Fengchang Wu
Summary: The study investigates the regime shifts in cyanobacterial and eukaryotic algal communities in a large shallow lake over a century, providing important insights into the roles of hydrologic regulation and nutrient loading in the temporal successional dynamics of a shallow lake ecosystem. The evidence from empirical state indicators and ecological network analyses reveals non-random associations among algal taxa across time, with two regime shifts identified in the 1970s and 2000s.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Luis J. Gilarranz, Anita Narwani, Daniel Odermatt, Rosi Siber, Vasilis Dakos
Summary: Lakes are important indicators of global change, and understanding their stability and dynamics is crucial for studying ecosystem changes. In this study, we conducted a global assessment of regime shifts and stability in lakes, finding that some lakes exhibit tipping points and instability, which are influenced by population density and economic development.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Kelsey Vitense, Mark A. Hanson, Brian R. Herwig, Kyle D. Zimmer, John Fieberg
Summary: This study developed an integrated modeling framework to classify states and quantify transition risk in ecosystems exhibiting alternative stable states, helping inform conservation and management strategies. For shallow lakes, it was found that clear lakes were more likely to transition to turbid states as total phosphorus levels increased and submerged vegetation decreased.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sam Zipper, Ilinca Popescu, Kyle Compare, Chi Zhang, Erin C. Seybold
Summary: Non-perennial rivers and streams are becoming more widespread, and the stability of streamflow in wet and dry conditions is unclear. An investigation in the Arkansas River (USA) revealed that groundwater levels are the primary control over the hydrological regime, and stabilizing feedbacks among upstream inflows, stream-aquifer interactions, climate, vegetation, and pumping create alternative wet and dry stable states.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xiaoxin Zhang, Yujun Yi, Yuanxin Cao, Zhifeng Yang
Summary: Excessive nutrient loads can decrease the resilience of ecosystems, leading to significant changes in their structure and function. This study used the PCLake model to simulate the dynamics of the food web in Lake Baiyangdian under different phosphorus loads and calculated food web stability. The results demonstrated a strong correlation between food web stability and the ecosystem's response to phosphorus loads, suggesting that food web stability can serve as an indicator of state transitions in real lake ecosystems. Key functional groups, such as diatoms and zooplankton, were found to have a significant impact on food web stability, and their interaction strength also played a crucial role. Our study highlights the importance of food web stability in characterizing ecosystem resilience and suggests its potential as a tool for lake ecosystem management.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Biao Li, Lina Wang, Huabing Li, Jingya Xue, Wenlei Luo, Peng Xing, Qinglong L. Wu
Summary: This study investigated the dynamics of diazotrophic community in a freshwater lake undergoing nutrient enrichment. The results revealed a shift from heterotrophic to autotrophic diazotrophs induced by total phosphorus enrichment. Diazotrophic Cyanobacteria dominated the community under high phosphorus levels, leading to a decline in diazotrophic biodiversity. Additionally, the dominance of diazotrophic Cyanobacteria facilitated phytoplankton growth and strengthened positive feedback between phytoplankton and phosphorus.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Thomas A. Davidson, Carl D. Sayer, Erik Jeppesen, Martin Sondergaard, Torben L. Lauridsen, Liselotte S. Johansson, Ambroise Baker, Daniel Graeber
Summary: The relationship between shallow lake chlorophyll-a and nutrient enrichment is not in line with the theory of alternative stable states. This study combines empirical data and simulations to show that a predictable linear relationship between nutrient concentration and chlorophyll-a becomes evident when observed over a longer time period (>3 years), suggesting the absence of alternative stable states.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yuqiang Tao
Summary: Regime shifts from a vegetated state to a turbid state have been found to impact the burial ability of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in sediment, with higher hydrophobic PAHs showing a stronger decrease in burial ability. This study provides insight into the fate and potential risks of hydrophobic organic contaminants (HOCs) in waters affected by eutrophication-induced regime shifts.
Article
Plant Sciences
Haojie Su, Rong Wang, Yuhao Feng, Yanling Li, Yun Li, Jun Chen, Chi Xu, Shaopeng Wang, Jingyun Fang, Ping Xie
Summary: This study presents empirical evidence of critical regime shifts and hysteresis in a subtropical Chinese lake, showing the impacts of climate warming, eutrophication, and trophic cascade effects by fish stocking. Early warning signals were found detectable in both collapse and recovery trajectories, improving predictive ability. Management practices should focus on slowing down climate warming and weakening fish predation pressure to enhance nutrient reduction effectiveness in lake restoration efforts.
JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Brianna M. Loeks-Johnson, James B. Cotner
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2020)
Article
Water Resources
Stephen D. Sebestyen, Meghan Funke, James B. Cotner
Summary: Peatlands are a dominant source of dissolved organic matter in catchments, despite limited understanding of peatland DOM degradation and the vulnerability of peatlands to climate change. This research shows that peatland-derived DOM has significant effects on downstream DOM biodegradability, even in catchments where upland area is larger than peatland area.
HYDROLOGICAL PROCESSES
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mark B. Edlund, David J. Jude, Thomas F. Nalepa
Summary: The decline of Diporeia species in the Great Lakes may be attributed to competition for food resources with dreissenid mussels, resulting in changes in food selectivity. Studies indicate significant shifts in Diporeia diet after the invasion of zebra and quagga mussels, leading to declines in Diporeia populations.
JOURNAL OF GREAT LAKES RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Education & Educational Research
Michael R. Wierda, Janet R. Hygnstrom, Natalie Hoidal, Thia Walker, Jessica Wilburn, Robin Tutor Marcom, Dean Herzfeld, Kay Sargent, Kerry Richards, Rachel Maccini, Candace Bartholomew
Summary: An ad-hoc group of Extension pesticide safety educators collaborated to address the lack of training and infrastructure for respirator compliance, hosting programs of varied audiences and formats over the years. Through realizing errors and shortcomings, gaining knowledge, and learning lessons, they summarized these lessons with links, resources, and suggestions for the implementation of similar efforts by Extension professionals.
JOURNAL OF EXTENSION
(2021)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Sarah A. Spaulding, Marina G. Potapova, Ian W. Bishop, Sylvia S. Lee, Tim S. Gasperak, Elena Jovanoska, Paula C. Furey, Mark B. Edlund
Summary: Consistent identification of diatoms is crucial for their study, but achieving taxonomic consistency among observers is challenging. Developing a content creation community dedicated to providing free taxonomic, ecological, and image-based data can help address these issues and benefit diatom researchers.
Article
Environmental Sciences
E. Cavaliere, I. B. Fournier, V. Hazukova, G. P. Rue, S. Sadro, S. A. Berger, J. B. Cotner, H. A. Dugan, S. E. Hampton, N. R. Lottig, B. C. McMeans, T. Ozersky, S. M. Powers, M. Rautio, C. M. O'Reilly
Summary: Millions of lakes worldwide experience the formation of lake ice during winter, impacting the transfer of energy, redox processes, and ecological community structure. However, there is a lack of understanding about how these effects vary in response to different winter climate conditions. Global climate change is driving ice-covered lakes towards warmer temperatures and reduced ice cover, emphasizing the need to understand the role of winter in the annual aquatic cycle.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-BIOGEOSCIENCES
(2021)
Letter
Limnology
Matthew J. Wersebe, Mark B. Edlund, Lawrence J. Weider
Summary: This study examines the effects of salinization on lake Daphnia populations by analyzing the sediment ephippia archive of a small urban lake near St. Paul, Minnesota. The results show that there were modest changes in the flux of ephippia and all three key Daphnia functional groups remained throughout the salinization period. Surprisingly, the body size of Daphnia pulicaria consistently increased contrary to expectations. These findings highlight the nuanced effects of salinization in hard-water lakes and call for further research on the overall impacts on Daphnia assemblages.
LIMNOLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Mark B. Edlund, Joy M. Ramstack Hobbs, Adam J. Heathcote, Daniel R. Engstrom, Jasmine E. Saros, Kristin E. Strock, William O. Hobbs, Norman A. Andresen, David D. VanderMeulen
Summary: Evidence suggests that boreal-lake ecosystems are undergoing rapid changes due to climate warming, with variable ecological responses. Paleolimnological analysis revealed significant shifts in diatom communities and increased carbon and biogenic silica burial. The historical response of algal communities indicates that physical characteristics of lakes and watersheds can predict sensitivity to climate change.
Editorial Material
Environmental Sciences
James B. Cotner, Stephen M. Powers, Steven Sadro, Diane McKnight
Summary: Our changing climate is affecting freshwater ecosystems, particularly in winter. Lakes, wetlands, and rivers at high latitudes are experiencing shorter periods of ice cover, while lower latitudes systems are seeing open water conditions throughout the winter. These changes impact gas exchange, metabolism, and other processes in the water. There is a need for further research to understand the effects of changing winters on freshwater systems.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-BIOGEOSCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Limnology
James B. Cotner, N. J. Anderson, Christopher Osburn
Summary: An oxygenated atmosphere changed life on Earth and increased decomposition rates, but there are some freshwater aquatic systems where dissolved organic carbon (DOC) accumulates to high concentrations. This study examines several Greenland lakes and identifies the role of photochemical and microbial degradation processes in the recalcitrance of DOC.
LIMNOLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Geography, Physical
Euan D. Reavie, Katya E. Kovalenko, Mark B. Edlund, Joy M. Ramstack Hobbs
Summary: By examining the diatom record from 109 lakes, we found that the diatom assemblages went through four periods of reorganization, and were impacted by stressors such as agriculture or climate change. Shallow and deep lakes showed variations in their taxonomic character and historical changes in diatom assemblages, but the amount of change was not specifically related to contemporary agricultural or in-lake nutrient status. Lake depth is a major factor in determining how lakes respond to stressors and manifest changes in primary producers. Lake- or ecoregion-specific considerations will continue to inform lake management. The recent reorganization of diatom assemblages is likely the result of multiple concurrent stressors including climate change and non-native species infestations.
PALAEOGEOGRAPHY PALAEOCLIMATOLOGY PALAEOECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Joy M. Ramstack Hobbs, Adam J. Heathcote, David D. VanderMeulen, Mark B. Edlund
Summary: Protected or remote lakes can also be impacted by human activities and various stressors. This study used diatoms as indicators to examine ecological changes in lakes from national parks in the US Great Lakes region, and found that changes in water temperature and mixing were the main drivers of these changes.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jesse Anderson, Andrew Paterson, Catherine Eimers, Reza Valipour, Arthur Zastepa, Caren Binding, Adam Heathcote, Mark Edlund
Summary: This introductory paper outlines eleven research articles included in this special section, focusing on phosphorus sources, lake and watershed modeling, and insights into cyanobacterial and harmful algal blooms (cHABs) in Lake of the Woods (LoW). The paper concludes with a roadmap for future transboundary water quality management, addressing remaining research gaps and future monitoring needs.
JOURNAL OF GREAT LAKES RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Vivian M. Wauters, Natalie Hoidal
Summary: Collaboration between farmers and other farm support professionals is crucial for food systems transformation. This study examines the use of collaborative learning processes, such as wisdom dialogues and horizontalism, by public and non-profit professionals in their collaborations with a group of immigrant farmers. Support and continued opportunities for learning are critical for facilitating continued use of wisdom dialogues and horizontalism to address different conceptions of equity and equality, and for developing intentional and mutually beneficial collaborations.
FRONTIERS IN SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS
(2022)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Mark B. Edlund, David R. L. Burge, Norman A. Andresen, David D. Vandermeulen, Jeffery R. Stone, Bart van de Vijver
Summary: Semiorbis genus, established in 1966 by R.M.Patrick, is characterized by arcuate valves, short eunotioid raphe branches, well-developed external costae with spine-like projections, absence of rimoportulae, and a broader dorsal mantle. New populations of Semiorbis were discovered in different locations including the central USA, New Jersey (USA), and Nunavut (Canada), with one new species described as Semiorbis eliasiae, one identified as Semiorbis rotundus, and one representing a North American population of Semiorbis hemicyclus.