Grant: Discovery Grants Program - Individual

Canada contains 60% of the world's lakes, 85% of which are small (<100 ha) and shallow. This research focuses on the investigation of the environmental sensitivity of these lakes to both short and long term climate change. This study will be carried out in Nova Scotia where lakes provide drinking water for over 500,000 people and are a significant hydroelectrical and recreational resource (estimated $70 M/year). They are also essential habitat for several species at risk including the Blanding's Turtle and the Atlantic Whitefish. There is much concern regarding water quality and habitat stability in these lakes, especially in light of predicted climate change. Lake sediment cores will provide information on how these lakes responded to past climate change. The physical and chemical properties of these lakes will be investigated to better understand why they exhibit a wide range of responses to both long and short term climate change. This research will also apply advanced computer modelling techniques to develop predictive models of the thermal structure of lakes. This technique has the potential to substantially reduce the time required to collect meaningful datasets for modeling and risk assessment. Much of the research will be concentrated in the Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve. The core protected area includes an extensive complex of lakes with natural ecosystem structure, processes and functions intact. The proposed research will result in a significant advancement in understanding how small shallow lakes will adjust to changing climate. Small lakes are understudied systems and do not respond as ""big"" lakes do to known drivers of ecosystems change. Their large numbers and wide distribution enhance their value as regional paleoclimate repositories. This research will provide prioritization and monitoring techniques that can be applied internationally to facilitate effective lake, reservoir and impoundment management. New technologies will be developed that will facilitate inexpensive data acquisition and reduce the monitoring time required to produce meaningful datasets.