North Temperate Lakes

The overarching goal of this project is to understand carbon and nutrient cycles for a landscape on which terrestrial and freshwater systems are intimately connected in multiple and reciprocal ways. In the Northern Highlands region of Wisconsin, they are studying a spatially complex landscape in which water features make up almost half of the land area, with wetlands (27% of land surface) and lakes (13%) both prevalent throughout the region, interspersed in upland forests. The Ecosystem and Landscape Ecology Lab hypothesize that reciprocal interactions of terrestrial vegetation and lakes, through flows of water, organic carbon, and nutrients, are more complex than previously thought. Improved understanding of these interactions demands a combination of terrestrial and aquatic expertise, in an appropriately integrated research plan.

Eutrophication of surface waters is of increasing concern worldwide, and is the most significant water quality issue in Lake Mendota, WI. Water quality in Lake Mendota, WI has implications for human health, aquatic organisms, and recreation.