There are several different kinds of lake management, some of which are proactive and work to prevent problems before they happen, while others respond to specific conditions. Here are a few examples of aggressive lake management methods. The first is proactive management, which involves reducing excessive nutrients that fuel nuisance algae growth. Another is reactive management, which focuses on preventing symptoms.
Controlling nuisance algal growth
If you’re experiencing a problem with lake algae, likely, you’ve already heard about the benefits of algae control. Depending on the species, algae can be both beautiful and harmful. However, despite their beauty, algae can make your lake experience less pleasant. The first step to taking care of lake algae is determining what’s causing it. To know which species are causing the problem, you need to identify and count problematic algae. Using an algaecide can also decay harmful algae blooms, which are toxic to fish and plants. However, this isn’t the only option, and algaecides have many long-term adverse effects on lake ecology.
Algae can grow in both fresh and saltwater lakes. They can be harmful to animals because they can deplete dissolved oxygen. The blooms also produce biotoxins that are harmful to humans and wildlife. Unfortunately, many people don’t understand how important it is to combat this problem. Fortunately, several effective lake management for controlling nuisance algal growth in lakes are available.
Stratification
Stratification is a crucial process and feature of lakes. This separation of layers of water supports differential water quality at different depths. Stratification can affect the types of algae, rooted plants, bugs, and fish. It may also control watershed inputs by allowing warm water near the surface and light organic matter to suspend at intermediate depths. This phenology has implications for lake management and research. Thermal processes cause stratification. Warmer lakes experience thermal stratification. This results in a layer of water that is less dense than the layer underneath it. In temperate lakes, this process is called autumn turn-over. While mixing hypolimnion with a mixed water body can be beneficial for increasing oxygen content, there are drawbacks and risks associated with this practice. Stratification in lakes is a complex topic.
Natural restoration
There are several factors to consider when selecting a lake restoration method. The first step is to understand the problem and compare potential solutions. Modeling is a powerful tool for assessing environmental issues and can help determine which method is best suited for a particular situation. Because the range of lake restoration methods is so wide, a combination of different strategies may be the best approach.
A central question of applied limnology is whether lakes can be restored to maintain water quality, fisheries, and other societal benefits. These questions must be addressed at many scales and based on sound evidence. Unfortunately, so many lakes have declined that even a modest restoration effort will be insufficient to prevent further degradation. In these cases, it will be necessary to devise social mechanisms to make the decision.
Monitoring water quality
Lakes have a diverse range of hydrological phenomena. These phenomena are intricately interconnected, making it challenging to measure anyone without understanding the others. However, monitoring one process can help natural resource managers determine which ones need more attention and how to deal with them. A variety of methods are available to measure water quality in lakes. Learn about them and how they impact the environment.
Phytoplankton: These tiny shrimp-like organisms convert sunlight into plant tissue. Their composition gives a general indication of the nutrient content of a lake. Using this information, limnologists can prepare strategies to control algae growth, a common problem in lakes. Monitoring cyanobacteria is essential because of its role in nuisance blooms, and excessive amounts can indicate a lack of nutrients or algae.
Monitoring for eutrophication
One of the key steps to monitoring eutrophication in lakes is identifying when a lake is at risk. In the case of a lake, intense chlorophyll activity occurs mainly during the summer, autumn, and October. Therefore, the intensity of the chlorophyll concentration is indicative of eutrophication outbreaks. However, it is not always possible to determine the eutrophication status of a lake in a particular time frame.
Eutrophication affects aquatic ecosystems around the world. It is a major cause of impaired coastal marine and freshwater ecosystems. Human activities have increased the amount and rate of eutrophication. Moreover, eutrophication is a major cause of water pollution, affecting several ecosystems, including lakes.
