Climate-driven shifts in Lake Champlain ice cover and thermal stratification trends over the last three decades
Abstract
Northern temperate lakes are experiencing heightened regime shifts in response to climate change, including changes in oxygen and thermal regimes. In Lake Champlain, ice cover has decreased over the study monitoring period, which is expected to contribute to ecological change. The goal of our study is to understand long-term trends in thermal stratification, mixing, and algal biomass in Lake Champlain. We leverage a 30- year monitoring record of temperature and oxygen profiles and chlorophyll measurements across 16 monitoring sites to address these questions. Preliminary results indicate variability in trends across basins, where thermal layers may be warming and cooling at different rates.
Primary Faculty Mentor Name
Ana Morales
Status
Graduate
Student College
Rubenstein School of Environmental and Natural Resources
Program/Major
Natural Resources
Primary Research Category
Life Sciences
Climate-driven shifts in Lake Champlain ice cover and thermal stratification trends over the last three decades
Northern temperate lakes are experiencing heightened regime shifts in response to climate change, including changes in oxygen and thermal regimes. In Lake Champlain, ice cover has decreased over the study monitoring period, which is expected to contribute to ecological change. The goal of our study is to understand long-term trends in thermal stratification, mixing, and algal biomass in Lake Champlain. We leverage a 30- year monitoring record of temperature and oxygen profiles and chlorophyll measurements across 16 monitoring sites to address these questions. Preliminary results indicate variability in trends across basins, where thermal layers may be warming and cooling at different rates.
