Abstract

Land use/land cover was interpreted from historical aerial photographs for selected watersheds in Dane County, Wisconsin. Photography from the 1930s, 1960s, and 1990s were interpreted, resulting in land use/land cover data for three time periods.

Abstract

Roads map of Vilas County, Wisconsin.

Abstract

Building locations in Vilas County, Wisconsin.

Abstract

Wetlands boundaries and type codes, from the first version of the Wisconsin Wetlands Inventory (WWI). NOTE: Due to license restrictions, please contact NTL Information Management for access.

Abstract

Watershed boundaries for 52 individual lakes in the NTL-LTER Northern Highlands Lake District, merged into a single GIS layer.

Abstract

Land use/land cover was interpreted from historical aerial photographs for riparian buffer zones surrounding 50 lakes in Vilas County, Wisconsin. Photography from the 1930s, 1960s, and 1990s were interpreted, resulting in land use/land cover data for three time periods. Mapping changes in land use/land cover in the riparian buffer zones surrounding lakes in Vilas County, Wisconsin Note: Where riparian zones of two lakes overlap, polygons representing both lakes' buffers are present. Thus, while the area measurements for individual lakes are correct, they cannot be used for calculations over the entire study area because overlap areas will be counted twice.

Abstract

Land use/land cover was interpreted from historical aerial photographs for riparian buffer zones surrounding 50 lakes in Vilas County, Wisconsin. Photography from the 1930s, 1960s, and 1990s were interpreted, resulting in land use/land cover data for three time periods. Mapping changes in land use/land cover in the riparian buffer zones surrounding lakes in Vilas County, Wisconsin Note: Where riparian zones of two lakes overlap, polygons representing both lakes' buffers are present. Thus, while the area measurements for individual lakes are correct, they cannot be used for calculations over the entire study area because overlap areas will be counted twice.

Abstract

Land use/land cover was interpreted from historical aerial photographs for riparian buffer zones surrounding 50 lakes in Vilas County, Wisconsin. Photography from the 1930s, 1960s, and 1990s were interpreted, resulting in land use/land cover data for three time periods. Mapping changes in land use/land cover in the riparian buffer zones surrounding lakes in Vilas County, Wisconsin Note: Where riparian zones of two lakes overlap, polygons representing both lakes' buffers are present. Thus, while the area measurements for individual lakes are correct, they cannot be used for calculations over the entire study area because overlap areas will be counted twice.

Abstract

Coarse woody debris (CWD) is an important, but often neglected, component of lake ecosystems. It is ecologically valuable because it creates littoral habitat complexity but it is susceptible to manipulation by riparian process, in particular removal by property owners. The objective of this study is to determine the spatial scales at which human and environmental factors contribute to coarse woody debris input and output dynamics. Coarse woody debris, boat docks, and riparian trees (with the potential of becoming CWD) around the five lakes of the NTL-LTER site (Trout Lake, Allequash Lake (north basin), Sparkling Lake, Crystal Lake, and Big Muskellunge Lake) were measured in 1996 and 1997. CWD was defined as logs: > 2 m length, > 15 cm diameter, mostly submersed in lake, < 25 m from shore, and < 2 m water depth. Locations were determined as average of > 30 dGPS positions. Numbered aluminum tags were attached to each log to facilitate the long-term study of CWD. Return visits to Sparkling and Trout Lakes in 1997 found some tags had been removed by ice or vandals. Heavier tags were attached to these logs. The 1997 re-survey and tag check was not complete.

Abstract

Coarse woody debris (CWD) is an important, but often neglected, component of lake ecosystems. It is ecologically valuable because it creates littoral habitat complexity but it is susceptible to manipulation by riparian process, in particular removal by property owners. The objective of this study is to determine the spatial scales at which human and environmental factors contribute to coarse woody debris input and output dynamics. Coarse woody debris, boat docks, and riparian trees (with the potential of becoming CWD) around the five lakes of the NTL-LTER site (Trout Lake, Allequash Lake (north basin), Sparkling Lake, Crystal Lake, and Big Muskellunge Lake) were measured in 1996 and 1997. Shorelines were characterized using a qualitative shoreline development index (SDI). The index included: (1) developed and devoid of riparian trees (i.e. lawn, boat launch), (2) few widely spaced trees, (3) some riparian trees and some understory, (4) substantial forest cover, and (5) undeveloped and heavily forested. All 5 lakes were surveyed in June/July 1996. Endpoint positions were determined by greater than 30 dGPS points. Shoreline data were subsequently divided into 10 m segments.