Kaleigh Harrison
A study from Michigan State University (MSU) is changing how we view climate change’s impact on harmful algal blooms. Researchers examined data from over 24,000 U.S. lakes and found that the relationship between climate and algal blooms is complex. It isn’t just about temperature; human activities, environmental factors, and geographic features also shape how lakes respond to climate changes.
Traditionally, many believed that rising temperatures directly cause more algal blooms. However, MSU’s research, spanning 34 years of satellite data, tells a different story. Around one-third of the lakes showed that climate change impacted algal growth, but only 4% had lasting increases in algae. Most lakes only experienced temporary changes in algal levels.
Professor Patricia Soranno, who co-authored the study, emphasizes that these findings highlight the unpredictability of how climate affects algae. Effective management of lakes should consider local conditions instead of relying on general assumptions.
To gather this extensive dataset, MSU researchers used publicly available satellite images and machine learning. They integrated their findings with LAGOS-US, a platform detailing lake characteristics across the United States. This innovative approach offers a clearer look at long-term trends in algal growth, helping resource managers prepare for climate-related changes in freshwater systems.
Interestingly, the study revealed that lakes affected by heavy human activities, like those near agricultural runoff, show less clear connections between climate and algal patterns. Unlike pristine lakes that often react sharply to climate changes, these heavily impacted lakes tend to change gradually or not at all.
Lakes with moderate human impact were more responsive to climate factors. Those in high-altitude areas with little disturbance showed the most predictable changes due to climate. While human activity might mask certain climate effects, researchers warn that as climate change progresses, even these lakes could begin to respond more sharply, especially with shifts in rainfall patterns.
The study identified five ways lakes react to climate change, which can guide policymakers:
- Pristine lakes: These lakes show direct climate-driven changes, typically found in high, undisturbed areas.
- Moderately impacted lakes: Their responses vary based on local conditions, reflecting some effects of climate.
- Highly disturbed lakes: Human activities overshadow any climate-related changes here.
- Lakes with gradual trends: These lakes undergo long-term changes that don’t necessarily correspond with short-term climate shifts.
- Lakes with unclear patterns: Some lakes do not display consistent trends, suggesting other factors may be influencing them.
Kendra Spence Cheruvelil, another co-author of the study, stresses the need for lake management strategies to consider both climate and human influences. Understanding these interactions is vital for protecting freshwater resources.
This research shows how combining long-term ecological data with advanced analytical methods can assess climate impacts on a larger scale. The framework developed by the MSU team could be applied to other ecosystems, helping us understand how they too may respond to our changing climate.
Check out this related article: 1900 Scientists Claim ‘Climate Change Isn’t Driven by CO2’ – Discover How the Real Environmental Movement Was Hijacked!
Source linksustainability, energy efficiency, environmental leadership, ESG strategies, business trends, renewable energy, corporate sustainability, energy management
