NEWS The Arctic is warming three times faster than the global average and contains some of the world’s most valuable freshwater resources. Researchers will now investigate how climate change is affecting some of the world’s most pristine lakes and which ecosystems are at risk of being fundamentally altered.
Ann-Kristin Bergström, Professor at the Department of Ecology, Environment and Geoscience.
ImageAnders Jonsson“We are already seeing changes in Arctic lakes, but we still know too little about which lakes are the most vulnerable and why some appear to be more resilient than others. To answer these questions, we will combine field studies and experiments with statistical analyses and modelling,” says Ann-Kristin Bergström, Professor at the Department of Ecology, Environment and Geoscience at Umeå University.
Arctic lakes are important for both nature and society. They serve as sources of drinking water and habitats for fish species such as trout and Arctic char. At the same time, the Arctic is being strongly affected by climate change, rapidly altering conditions in these lakes.
Researchers are already observing signs of warming, browner waters and changes in nutrient availability. There is also concern that these changes could affect biological production in the lakes and increase the risk of harmful cyanobacterial blooms. Despite this, knowledge remains limited about how Arctic lakes are likely to develop in the future.
The new research project, led by Professor Ann-Kristin Bergström, will investigate how climate change affects productivity in Arctic lakes and the occurrence of cyanobacteria. The aim is to identify which lakes and regions are at risk of major change and which may be able to withstand these impacts.
The research team will bring together knowledge from several fields of research - combining field studies and experiments with statistical analyses and modelling - to gain a better understanding of the processes that govern lake development in a warmer climate.
The findings will provide a stronger scientific basis for the future protection and management of Arctic lakes, some of the world’s most valuable freshwater environments.