The Great Lakes’ Declining Ice Coverage – Sky Bulletin
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Researchers at Michigan Tech University have noted a significant change in their ability to study the delicate wolf population of a Lake Superior island this winter, as the lack of ice on the Great Lakes forced them to abort a planned seven-week survey. Typically reliant on the lake’s ice to land their ski plane, scientists found the usually icy expanse alarmingly open due to an unseasonably warm winter.
With climate change as a driving factor, the impact of these increasingly ice-free winters on the world’s largest group of freshwater lakes is a matter of urgent study. Scientists are concerned that a host of theorized consequences could follow, including detrimental effects on fish species, intensified erosion along shorelines, dangerous algae blooms, and obstacles in shipping due to sediment accumulation in harbors.
Assistant Professor Trista Vick-Majors, an aquatic ecosystems researcher at Michigan Tech, points out the pressing need for data to foresee how these changes might unfold across the Great Lakes’ ecosystems.
This winter has been exceptional in its warmth, evidenced by record highs globally and local anomalies like Chicago experiencing 70-degree weather and Wisconsin’s unusual February tornadoes.
Typically, ice coverage on the Great Lakes—which are as vast as the U.K.—reaches its height in mid-February. However, data from the Great Lakes Ice Tracker website shows that this year, ice coverage was at a mere 3%, a stark comparison to historical maximums of up to 91%.
Though concrete data is scarce, theories are abundant on what an absence of winter ice might mean for the lakes. Warming lakes could lead to earlier and more severe algae blooms, affecting tourism and public health. Diminished ice cover could also impact the lakes’ thermal stratification, with potential implications for aquatic life like plankton and ramifications for the fish that rely on them. This, in turn, would matter to both commercial fishing and prices in the marketplace.
Commercial fisherman Charlie Henrikson has noted changes in his fishing schedule due to the unusual conditions, and like many, he’s concerned about the implications of reduced ice, including altered shipping seasons and increased erosion.
Although the lack of ice presents challenges, it has also presented an opportunity for scientists like Vick-Majors to initiate new research efforts. She and her colleagues from across the region are now engaged in a winter-specific data collection initiative despite the chilling temperatures and open waters, determined to inform management and conservation strategies for the beloved Great Lakes.
FAQ
- How does a lack of ice impact fish in the Great Lakes?
Without ice, lakes warm up faster in the spring which can lead to thermal stratification and less oxygen for organisms like plankton. Since fish such as whitefish and lake trout feed on plankton, their populations could decline, affecting commercial fishing and consumer prices. - Are there positive effects of having less ice on the Great Lakes?
Some, such as extended fishing seasons and longer shipping seasons, can be seen as beneficial. However, these are balanced by increased risks, including storm damage to fishing gear and the need for ships to reduce cargo to navigate lower lake levels. - What is being done to study the impacts of decreased ice coverage on the Great Lakes?
Scientists like Trista Vick-Majors are spearheading efforts to collect winter-specific data to better understand and compare the changes relative to summer data, involving researchers from across the region.
Conclusion
The declining ice coverage on the Great Lakes due to climate change raises serious ecological, economic, and cultural concerns. While scientists are currently limited in their capacity to comprehensively predict the full range of impacts, research initiatives are underway to gather crucial data during these ice-free periods. Stakeholders such as commercial fishermen and local residents are already noting the changes and preparing to adapt to this new reality. It’s imperative that we continue to monitor and study these trends to responsibly manage and preserve the Great Lakes for future generations.
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