You are here:
Long term records of lake clarity as an indicator for final ecosystem goods and services of lakes
Citation:
Hollenhorst, T., T. Angradi, AND M. Pearson. Long term records of lake clarity as an indicator for final ecosystem goods and services of lakes. SETAC North America, Minneapolis, MN, November 12 - 16, 2017.
Impact/Purpose:
Lake water quality assessments are often based on biophysical indicators not explicitly or quantifiably linked to the ecosystem services from which humans directly benefit. Examples of biophysical indicators include nutrient or chlorophyll concentration in the water column, or measures of water clarity. Lakes provide many ecosystem services, especially cultural ecosystem services including such as recreation: swimming and boating. Water clarity is an indicator that is of direct relevance to humans. Changes in water clarity will then likely effect intermediate and ultimately final goods and services. We reviewed available long-term records of lake clarity within a framework developed for linking water quality and well-being for improved assessment and valuation of ecosystem services. This information could be used by lake managers, watershed planners or other decision makers wishing to incorporate ecosystem services in their deliberations. Long term data sets will be crucial to developing clear linkages between lake clarity and changes in final ecosystem goods and serves.
Description:
We reviewed available long-term records of lake clarity (via secchi disc readings) as an indicator of final ecosystem goods and services of lakes. Lake water quality assessments are often based on biophysical indicators not explicitly or quantifiably linked to the ecosystem services from which humans directly benefit. Examples of biophysical indicators include nutrient or chlorophyll concentration in the water column, or measures of water clarity. Lakes provide many ecosystem services, especially cultural ecosystem services including such as recreation: swimming and boating. Water clarity is an indicator that is of direct relevance to humans. Changes in water clarity will then likely effect intermediate and ultimately final goods and services. Available data sets and the need for long term data, are discussed in this context of understanding the links between lake clarity and ecosystem services.