Summer 2021 • Issue 10
Climate‑Change Impacts
Published August 2021
This issue on Climate-Change Impacts examines the multifaceted stresses reshaping Great Lakes ecosystems and draws critical parallels with other vulnerable global water bodies. It explores how diminishing ice cover and rising deepwater temperatures are altering Lake Michigan's seasonal rhythms, while broader analyses reveal how remote sensing can track freshwater lakes' contributions to the global carbon cycle. The content also investigates the specific risks posed to aquatic invasive species by shifting climates and human demographics, offers strategies for effective climate communication, and looks beyond North America to understand how ancient lakes and arid-region systems like Lake Turkana are adapting to intensifying environmental changes.
Features
A glance at the world's largest permanent desert lake
Rising temperatures and dam projects threaten Lake Turkana, requiring adaptation.
On thin ice
Warming winters cause lakes to lose ice cover, threatening ecosystems.
Responding to stresses facing the Great Lakes region in a changing climate
Climate change impacts include rising temperatures, extreme weather, and algal blooms.
Place, knowledge, and change
Addressing climate change requires centering Indigenous Peoples and their knowledge.
Understanding climate change in the world's ancient lakes
Ancient lakes face unique vulnerabilities to climate change and pollution.
Departments
Bob Heath
Bob Heath bridged biophysics and ecology to advance Great Lakes research.
Ariana Uwaibi
Ariana Uwaibi uses genomics to study toxin genes in algal blooms.
Rupert Kindersley
Rupert Kindersley advocates for water quality and aquaculture reform.
Best practices in Great Lakes climate communication
Five best practices help communicate climate change impacts to communities.
Long-term NOAA GLERL dataset shows warming of Lake Michigan's deepwater temperatures
NOAA's dataset shows Lake Michigan's deep waters are warming.
Vulnerability to aquatic invasive species under human population and climate change
Climate change and population growth will alter invasive species risk in Ontario.
Remoting sensing explores freshwater lakes' role in global carbon cycle
Satellite data reveals the role of large lakes in the global carbon cycle.
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Issues Archive
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Legal Frameworks
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Collaborative Research
Winter 2023 • Issue 16
Long-term Research
Fall 2022 • Issue 15
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Summer 2022 • Issue 14
Biodiversity
Spring 2022 • Issue 13
Ecosystem Approach
Winter 2022 • Issue 12
Winter Research
Fall 2021 • Issue 11
Climate‑Change Impacts
Summer 2021 • Issue 10
Community Science (Citizen Science)
Spring 2021 • Issue 9
Community Service
Winter 2021 • Issue 8
Indigenous Knowledge
Fall 2020 • Issue 7
Pandemic, Conference Highlights
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Arts and Science
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International Collaboration
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Technology
Fall 2019 • Issue 3
Science and Policy
Summer 2019 • Issue 2
Lakes Letter Redux
Spring 2019 • Issue 1