A Landscape-Level Analysis of Physical, Chemical, and Biological Characteristics of 41 Arctic Lakes Near Toolik Lake, Alaska, U.S.A.

• Main Author: Chalfant, Brian A.
• Other Authors: Gillings School of Global Public Health, Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Pfaender, Frederic K., Wetzel, Robert G., Weiss, Charles M.
• Format: Master Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 2004
• Subjects: Arctic; Alaska
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.17615/b4cr-ab30; https://cdr.lib.unc.edu/downloads/qf85nd25r?file=thumbnail; https://cdr.lib.unc.edu/downloads/qf85nd25r

Complex relationships among landscape features, lake geomorphology, lake water chemistry, and trophic structure determine productivity in many aquatic ecosystems. A more complete understanding of interactions between watershed and lake characteristics will be necessary to accurately predict the response of these ecosystems, particularly sensitive high latitude lake ecosystems, to future climatic conditions and to develop informed management strategies to minimize the impact of increasing recreational use. Regionalized landscape-level studies, such as this study of 41 arctic Alaskan lakes, reveal present, baseline relationships of in landwater bodies. These studies provide a framework for regionalization and a mechanism to compare lakes across the landscape, allowing better predictions and data management decisions. The relationships of landscape-level variables to present-day lake physical, chemical, and biological characteristics yield a powerful historical view of the limnological legacy of glacial land formation processes. Master of Science in Public Health