Due to decreased ice duration and increased evaporation rates with the changing climate, shallow lakes are likely to become even shallower, which may increase light penetration and foster vegetation growth (Woolway, 2020). The resulting vegetation sequesters nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorous) that algae use to grow, preventing algal blooms that hinder the clarity of the lake. When clarity is maintained by the nutrient sequestration by macrophyte uptake, more light can reach the plants, reinforcing their growth. This positive feedback loop creates a stable, clear state that is unlikely to become eutrophic without significant changes (Sheffer, 2009). (Lake Paper-4, 2021)
|
Recognizing Interconnections
|
Below Basic Systems Literacy
|
Basic Systems Literacy
Biodiversity is also a major signifier of a healthy lake. The final important component of a healthy lake according to Moss (2007) is connectivity between systems, as he states “A lake does not exist as an isolated system. It depends on organic matter washed in from the catchment through the inflow rivers for part of its productivity. The surrounding wetlands may be crucial for fish and invertebrate life histories” (p. 2). (Lake Paper-3, 2020) |
Intermediate Systems Literacy
Humans are just as much a part of the local ecosystem as any other beings, and are not separate from the effects of an unhealthy environment. An example of this would be if the Catamount lakes were polluted instead of preserved. Not only would this harm the animals, as the dirty water and trash would kill them, it would also support a bigger leech population, making the lakes impossible to use for recreational or educational purposes. Extra nutrients inside the lakes could also lead to eutrophication, which cannot be reversed. This impacts the function of the lake and its aesthetic qualities, leading to a lack of revenue for state parks whose draw is shallow lakes. (Lake Paper-2, 2021) |
Identifying Feedback
|
Basic Systems Literacy
|
Intermediate Systems Literacy
According to Scheffer, Hosper, Meijer, Moss, and Jeppesen (1993), the equilibrium between bi-stable states is explained by positive feedback loops. Submerged vegetation growth requires sunlight to be able to penetrate for photosynthesis, therefore lakes with high levels of turbidity are less likely to have vegetation since the sunlight cannot reach the bottom. Higher levels of vegetation limit the growth of algae by discharging allelochemicals and outcompeting algae for nutrients. The result of this cycle is clearer water. (Lake Paper-2, 2019) |
Understanding Systems at Different Scales
|
Below Basic Systems Literacy
I would empower learners to take is to carry a trash bag with them whenever they recreate in forests to remove litter and trash from forests. This is a very pragmatic and easy thing to do for many people who recreate in forests, and if we all did it, we wouldn’t need to do it because forests would be clean and free from litter. (LESA-4, 2020) |
Basic Systems Literacy
|
Intermediate Systems Literacy
Furthermore, the warmer climate likely leads to less annual fixed water (glacier, snow, etc.) available for the steady inflow to the lakes in spring, when combined with increasing lake evaporation rate, causing lower lake level and surface water extent. Overall, the warmer climate is likely accelerating the succession of the shallow Catamount lakes. (LESA-1, 2021) |
Differentiating Types of Stocks and Flows
|
Basic Systems Literacy
Dissolved oxygen can be increased by aquatic plants, which release oxygen into the water through photosynthesis, as well aeration from atmospheric oxygen. Lake temperature can also affect the dissolved oxygen concentration, as colder temperature water holds more oxygen. Lake temperature can be increased by incoming solar radiation heating lake surfaces, the depth of the lake, and the lake turbidity. (Lake Paper-3, 2020) |
Intermediate Systems Literacy
One specific invasive species that may influence the biodiversity of Catamount’s forest is the mountain pine beetle. Research has shown that a mountain pine beetle epidemic has induced widespread tree mortality rates in Rocky Mountain National Park (Diskin et al., 2011). As climate change continues to influence drought conditions in Colorado and as invasive species are increasingly mobilized due to human activity, there is potential for a mountain pine beetle epidemic here at Catamount. This potential epidemic may additionally predispose the Catamount montane forest to the harmful effects of wildfires and conflagrations that seem to become all the more common in Colorado. (LESA-4, 2020) |
Understanding Dynamic Behavior
|
Basic Systems Literacy
It is difficult to determine if the Catamount lakes are feeling the effects of climate change based on the data collected. To successfully look at these lakes, a study would have to be done over time measuring different indicators of lake health including nutrients, structure, biodiversity, and extent of the littoral zones. (Lake Paper-3, 2020) |
Intermediate Systems Literacy
This might cause a shift in animal behavior and possibly a loss of species diversity in the Catamount property. Although in the long run the ecosystem would be able to bounce back and recover from the significant loss because the lakes were not there to begin with. However, short term results could be detrimental and the animals that live in the lake would most likely die and the plants surrounding the lake that require a lot of water survive would decline as well due to the loss of immediate water. (LESA-4, 2019) |
Incorporating Systems Thinking into Policies
|
Basic Systems Literacy
There are micro-level actions we can take individually through being mindful and disciplined. In terms of our daily habits, wasting less water during cooking, cleaning, showering, etc. would reduce the demand for water supply from freshwater resources like the shallow lakes, thus indirectly helping to preserve them. (LESA-1, 2021) |
Intermediate Systems Literacy
One of the safer routes would be to implement check dams around the gravel slopes of the lake. Check dams would prevent erosion, limiting the addition of sediment into the lake. Sedimentation into the lake is already an issue due to the steep slopes surrounding the lake. Check dams would also restrict the addition of nutrients. A high nutrient content in the lake encourages algae growth and inhibits the sunlight from reaching aquatic plants, leading to a higher likelihood of eutrophication of the lake. Excess oxygen productivity often results in eutrophication when an overabundance of plant nutrients results in algal blooms and therefore higher levels of turbidity (McCulloch, n.d.). (LESA-3, 2019) |