Dilemma: Globally, many plants and animals live in or depend on shallow lakes like the Catamount lakes. A changing global climate may promote faster succession from a lake to wetland to terrestrial ecosystem. When shallow lakes undergo succession, aquatic plants and animals can lose essential habitat. Some people are concerned about the loss of the Catamount lakes and the life they support, claiming that the stability, integrity, and beauty of the local ecosystem depends on preserving the Catamount lakes. Other people argue that the Catamount lakes should be allowed to undergo natural succession and not be preserved as they are currently.
1. Explain how a changing climate might influence the rate of succession of the shallow Catamount lakes.
The effects of climate change are likely to increase the rate of succession in the two Catamount lakes. The two lakes currently exist in a clear vegetated state. More frequent and severe storms that are a potential effect of climate change can disrupt submerged vegetation and turn clear lakes into a eutrophic state. Such changes would increase the rate of succession on eutrophic lakes by increasing sediment from dead organic matter (Moss, 2011). However, as the lakes currently exist in a clear state, I will focus on the effects of climate change on the rate of succession in clear lakes.
The rate of clear lake succession is increased primarily through increased evaporation rates. As water evaporates, shallow lakes, like those located at the Catamount Center, recede until they become wetlands and then terrestrial ecosystems. The two main factors that increase evaporation rates are reduced albedo and snowmelt (Wang et al., 2018). In general, climate change is causing increased temperatures and drought. Increases in temperature and drought exacerbate reductions in albedo and snowmelt. Albedo is the amount of light or radiation reflected by a surface. Water absorbs more solar radiation and has a lower albedo than ice. Increasing temperatures reduce the duration that the Catamount lakes are covered in ice and ultimately lower the average albedo of the lakes. This reduction in albedo increases the evaporation rate of water. Additionally, increasing temperatures and drought caused by climate change reduce the winter snowpack and thus reduce spring snowmelt. This increases evaporation and decreases water inputs back into the lake (Wang et al., 2018). Through decreases in albedo and snowmelt, climate change increases lake evaporation, which speeds up the rate of succession.
2. Do you think that the loss of the Catamount lakes and the species they support would be harmful to the local ecosystem? Why or why not?
The loss of the Catamount lakes would decrease biodiversity and negatively impact the local ecosystem. While the Catamount lakes are not native to the Catamount Mountain Campus, they significantly increase biodiversity and positively impact the local ecosystem. If the Catamount lakes became meadows, the local ecosystem would adapt but result in decreased diversity factors like species richness and evenness. Increased species diversity is positive for the local ecosystem as it can increase its resilience and resistance to the effects of climate change (Chapin, 2000). The Catamount lakes support a diverse array of plants that can only survive in a riparian ecosystem. The presence of the lakes makes life possible for many grasses, wildflowers, and shrubs like willow. Loss of the lakes would reduce water availability and create a hostile environment for many species in the riparian ecosystem around the two lakes. Species richness positive correlates with primary production rates and nutrient retention (Chapin, 2000). If the lakes were to become meadows, the aquatic ecosystem would be lost, and there would be repercussions to the biodiversity of the broader local ecosystem.
In addition to plant life, the Catamount lakes support various animals that live within and around the lakes. The disappearance of the lakes would eliminate many aquatic animals such as water boatman, caddisflies, mayflies, and dragonflies. The absence of these macroinvertebrates impacts other animal populations that consume them, such as birds. Loss of the Catamount lakes would significantly impact the current food web and species dynamics at the Catamount Mountain Campus. All the animals that live around or visit the local ecosystem interact with the Catamount lakes directly or indirectly. While the local ecosystem would eventually settle into a new normal, the loss of the two lakes would most certainly decrease species richness. Ultimately a decrease in biodiversity would harm the local ecosystem and its ability to resist future effects of climate change.
3. Do you think that preserving shallow lakes like the Catamount lakes and the species they support are important to humanity? Why or why not?
Humans and nature are interdependent. An argument could even be made that humanity and the environment are inseparable. Thus, what is important for environmental sustainability should be meaningful to humanity. The quality of human life decreases with environmental degradation. Preserving shallow lakes like the ones at the Catamount Mountain Campus increases ecosystem health and diversity, as discussed in question 2. Preserving healthy ecosystems is important for human physical and mental health. A healthy environment and diverse ecosystems help resist the harmful effects of climate change (Chapin, 2000). Climate change causes more frequent and severe weather events that endanger infrastructure and human lives. Thus, preserving biodiversity and healthy environments such as the Catamount lakes is often in the best interest of humanity and public health.
In addition, the preservation of shallow lakes such as the Catamount lakes is crucial for mental health. The recreational and aesthetic values that can be derived from shallow lakes can be healing for people’s mental health. Shallow lakes provide a space for activities such as swimming, boating, fishing, camping, and can serve as artistic inspiration. All these activities can provide for meditative experiences that allow individuals to relax and reflect. Recreating in nature is proven to have positive mental health outcomes, specifically anxiety and stress reduction (Lackey, 2019). In a time where a global pandemic exacerbates mental health concerns in all people, especially children, pristine environmental spaces can provide much-needed solace. The mental and physical health benefits of time spent in natural spaces indicate that preserving shallow lakes is vital to the health of humanity.
4. What actions would you suggest to preserve shallow lakes like the Catamount lakes? Would you help to take these actions? Why or why not?
I would advocate for actions that preserve the clear vegetated state of the lakes and reduce the extent of climate change. To preserve the clear vegetated state of the lakes, I would actively advocate against actions that risk nutrient loading and promote vegetation management that reduces sediments. Many agricultural practices involve phosphorus and nitrogen-rich materials such as fertilizers. Proximity to shallow lakes risks contamination of the lakes and nutrient loading. High nutrient levels can destabilize clear vegetated lakes and turn them into a eutrophic state. I would advocate against developments near shallow lakes that risk contamination and, subsequently, nutrient loading. Direct sewage contamination in shallow lakes can have a similar effect and convert lakes from a clear vegetated state into a eutrophic state.
I suggest that individuals living around shallow lakes be proactive in maintaining their waste management systems. To reduce sediment runoff into shallow lakes, which speeds up the succession process, I recommend introducing grasses that effectively decrease soil erosion around the perimeter and, ideally, at the lake's tributary. In the tributary, where a stream flows into a lake, sediments from the larger watershed can seep into shallow lakes. Intentional vegetation management can reduce sediment inputs and slow the rate of lake succession. All these actions are most effective at a local level, and I would follow my suggestions for any shallow lakes that I live near.
As discussed in question 2, many effects of climate change undermine the preservation of shallow lakes. While no individual actions can reverse the effects of climate change, I suggest that individuals wanting to preserve shallow lakes embody and advocate for a respectful relationship between humanity and the environment. I am committed to adopting personal behavior changes that reduce my carbon footprint and contributions to exacerbating climate change. I am also committed to environmental education that informs young people of the urgency around environmental issues and their power to solve them.
5. Some human values favor preserving the Catamount lakes. What values do you see most in support of preserving the Catamount lakes? What values do you see least in support of preserving the Catamount lakes?
Multiple human values influence how people interact with the environment. Some of these values include but are not limited to aesthetic, ecological, economic, educational, and recreational values. Aesthetic values describe the importance of beauty that is found in nature. Valuing healthy ecosystems and sustainable environmental processes would be included in ecological values. The importance of money and the ability for natural resources to contribute to an economy describes economic values. Educational values are attributed to opportunities to learn in and about nature. Finally, recreational values highlight how environments can support fun pastimes, activities, and sports.
To some extent, all of these values may benefit from preserving the Catamount lakes. The values that most support the preservation of the lakes are recreational, aesthetic, and educational. There are many activities for people to do on and around the lake that support recreational values. Preserving the lakes adds to the beauty of the landscape and supports aesthetic values. Numerous learning opportunities are provided by the lakes and surrounding riparian ecosystem and contribute to the lakes' educational values. On the other hand, there may be significant educational values of performing tests and research on the Catamount lakes that would undermine their preservation. In my opinion, ecological values could be used to argue against preserving the lakes. The Catamount lakes are human-made; therefore, the ecological value could align with returning the environment to its natural state. Additionally, the economic value would not support the preservation of the Catamount lakes if it required continued funding. This value would instead support some development endeavor to earn income from the lakes. Ultimately, most values can be argued to support the preservation of the Catamount lakes.
6. How would you empower learners to take action on issues like this?
I believe it is effective to use environmental education to empower individuals to engage in environmental action on issues like this one. Environmental education can reach learners in both formal and informal education settings. As an environmental educator, I would empower learners in a formal educational setting through curriculum around local environmental issues. Learning about issues that impact my students' lives will help them foster a deep understanding of the issues and their social implications. However, environmental education must go beyond formal school settings to reach more diverse learners. One example of how this could be done with the issue of the Catamount lakes is by hosting a community event at the Catamount Mountain Campus. The event could allow all people from Woodland Park and the area surrounding the Catamount lakes to recreate for a day at the lakes. In addition, providing educational opportunities like a nature walk would create a space for locals to learn about issues facing the lakes.
No matter the setting, it is essential to help people become personally invested in the issue and make actions as easy as possible. Motivating individuals to want to act significantly increases their likelihood of engaging in action. One effective method to increase their motivation is highlighting how individuals are already invested in the issues or increasing their connection to the location of the issue. My previous examples of studying local issues or inviting individuals to enjoy the Catamount lakes would effectively increase personal connections with environmental issues. Additionally, one should identify ways to involve others and ethically teach learners how to engage in action. Not knowing how to take action or the time it takes to organize can be barriers to environmental action. Identifying what people can do, such as donating to an environmental cause or attending a protest, will increase their chance of participating in some form of action. When hoping to engage people in environmental action, it is vital to include learners in formal and informal education settings, provide opportunities to develop personal connections with the issues, and reduce barriers that prevent environmental action.
Works Cited
Chapin, F. S., Zavaleta, E. S., Eviner, V. T., Naylor, R. L., Vitousek, P. M., Reynolds, H. L., . . . Hobbie, S. E. (2000). Consequences of changing biodiversity. Nature, 405(6783), 234-242.
Lackey, N. Q., Tysor, D. A., McNay, G. D., Joyner, L., Baker, K. H., & Hodge, C. (2019). Mental health benefits of nature-based recreation: A systematic review. Annals of Leisure Research, 24(3), 379–393. https://doi.org/10.1080/11745398.2019.1655459
Moss, B. (2011). Allied attack: Climate change and eutrophication. Inland Waters, 1(2), 101–105. https://doi.org/10.5268/iw-1.2.359
Wang, W., Lee, X., Xiao, W., Liu, S., Schultz, N., Wang, Y., Zhang, M., & Zhao, L. (2018). Global Lake evaporation accelerated by changes in surface energy allocation in a warmer climate. Nature Geoscience, 11(6), 410–414. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41561-018-0114-8