The Lake Ice Continuum Concept: Influence of Winter Conditions on Energy and Ecosystem Dynamics. Issue 11 (15th November 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cavaliere, E.; Fournier, I. B.; Hazuková, V.; Rue, G. P.; Sadro, S.; Berger, S. A.; Cotner, J. B.; Dugan, H. A.; Hampton, S. E.; Lottig, N. R.; McMeans, B. C.; Ozersky, T.; Powers, S. M.; Rautio, M.; O'Reilly, C. M.
• Is Part Of: Journal of geophysical research. Volume 126:Issue 11(2021)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2021-11-15
• Subjects: winter -- lakes -- ice -- energy -- ecology -- biogeochemistry; Geobiology -- Periodicals; Biogeochemistry -- Periodicals; Biotic communities -- Periodicals; Geophysics -- Periodicals; 577.14
• DOI: 10.1029/2020JG006165
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2169-8953

Abstract

Abstract: Millions of lakes worldwide are distributed at latitudes or elevations resulting in the formation of lake ice during winter. Lake ice affects the transfer of energy, heat, light, and material between lakes and their surroundings creating an environment dramatically different from open‐water conditions. While this fundamental restructuring leads to distinct gradients in ions, dissolved gases, and nutrients throughout the water column, surprisingly little is known about the resulting effects on ecosystem processes and food webs, highlighting the lack of a general limnological framework that characterizes the structure and function of lakes under a gradient of ice cover. Drawing from the literature and three novel case studies, we present the Lake Ice Continuum Concept (LICC) as a model for understanding how key aspects of the physical, chemical, and ecological structure and function of lakes vary along a continuum of winter climate conditions mediated by ice and snow cover. We examine key differences in energy, redox, and ecological community structure and describe how they vary in response to shifts in physical mixing dynamics and light availability for lakes with ice and snow cover, lakes with clear ice alone, and lakes lacking winter ice altogether. Global change is driving ice covered lakes toward not only warmer annual average temperatures but also reduced, intermittent or no ice cover. The LICC highlights the wide range of responses of lakes to ongoing climate‐driven changes in ice cover and serves as a reminder of the need to understand the role of winter in the annual aquatic cycle. Plain Language Summary: Millions of lakes worldwide freeze during winter. The formation of lake ice dramatically alters lakes by isolating them from their surrounding landscape and atmosphere. The thickness and optical qualities of ice and snow regulate the amount of solar radiation entering lakes, while shielding them from wind energy. Consequently, lake ice is an important factor regulating physical mixing dynamics within lakes, and structuring vertical thermal and chemical gradients. Although organisms from bacteria to fish have adapted to the winter environment, we lack a comprehensive understanding of how variation in lake ice cover conditions affects fundamental ecosystem processes or food web structure. Here, we combine a synthesis of the current literature with three novel case studies to develop the Lake Ice Continuum Concept as a framework for understanding how key aspects of the physical, chemical, and ecological structure and function of lakes vary along a continuum of energy inputs mediated by winter climate. This framework is useful for understanding changes associated with seasonal ice dynamics and for predicting how lakes may respond to climate change. Key Points: Many lakes experience ice cover, yet there are no general frameworks for understanding responses to differing ice and snow conditions The Lake Ice Continuum Concept is a framework representing how lake ecosystems vary along a continuum of energy inputs mediated by winter We present a new approach for characterizing lakes within a landscape context and for testing our knowledge of changing winter climates