Grant: Canada Research Chairs

High latitude cold regions are warming more than twice as fast as the rest of the planet, with the greatest warming occurring during the winter, which affects Northern freshwater ecosystems significantly. In Canada, the northern landscape is dominated by lakes, ranging in size from small tundra ponds to the extensive northern Great Lakes. These numerous lakes, estimated at over 10 million km2, collectively play a crucial role in various aspects of the ecosystem. They contribute significantly to water supply, food production, transportation, recreation, biodiversity, and climate regulation. While prior research has emphasized the unique significance of large lakes as indicators of climate change by increasing water temperatures, the rapid acceleration of climate warming is poised to impact more than just water temperatures. It will also bring about physical changes, decrease ice cover extent, and change regional winter precipitation patterns. Physical processes also have important socioeconomic implications since water and ice motion can damage coastal infrastructure, create pressure rides, impact ice roads, and affect regional weather patterns. This research focused on studying lakes’ surface and subsurface related to winter limnology and ice stressors amidst climate change. Its outcomes provide valuable services to northern water source management and winter infrastructure by supporting the collection of unique data sets on the environmental indicators and stressors, thereby addressing critical knowledge gaps in understanding how lakes and ecosystem health respond to current and future environmental change, including climate uncertainties. This research informs adaptive management strategies aimed at safeguarding Canada's water resources. The utilization of advanced technologies will revolutionize data collection, enhancing Canada's reputation as a centre for water technology innovation.