PCLake+: A process-based ecological model to assess the trophic state of stratified and non-stratified freshwater lakes worldwide

Annette B.G Janssen,Sven Teurlincx,Arthur H.W Beusen,Mark A.J Huijbregts,Jasmijn Rost,Aafke M Schipper,Laura M.S Seelen,Wolf M Mooij,Jan H Janse

doi:10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2019.01.006

Abstract

The lake ecosystem model PCLake is a process-based model that was developed to simulate water quality based on ecological interactions in shallow, non-stratifying lakes in the temperate climate zone. Here we present PCLake+, which extends the PCLake model to cover a wide range of freshwater lakes that differ in stratification regime and climate-related processes. To this end, the model was extended with a hypolimnion layer that can be invoked and configured by forcing functions or by simple built-in empirical relationships that impose stratification. Further adjustments to the original PCLake model have been made with respect to the calculation of 1) light irradiation in the water column, 2) evaporation processes and 3) phenology of macrophytes. The simulation output of PCLake+ for different types of lakes complies well with generally accepted limnological knowledge, thus holding promise for future contributions to ecological theory and application to lakes around the globe.

Highlights

Earth has over 117 million lakes with a surface larger than 2000 m2 (Verpoorter et al, 2014)
Water quality assessment of lake ecosystems is critical in understanding the development of algal blooms and in preventing them
In case of a stratifying lake the model was configured according to the schematization in Fig. 2, with the water column being divided into an epilimnion and a hypolimnion separated at mixing depth

Summary

Introduction

Earth has over 117 million lakes with a surface larger than 2000 m2 (Verpoorter et al, 2014) These lakes are of major importance for ecosystem services like drinking water, food and human health (Paerl and Otten, 2013). Environmental pressures such as eutrophication, global warming, land use change and overexploitation affect lake ecosystems and endanger the provision of these ecosystem services (Raworth, 2017; Rockström et al, 2009). Water quality assessment of lake ecosystems is critical in understanding the development of algal blooms and in preventing them. A modelling approach is needed for lake water quality assessment of lake ecosystems at a global scale (Mooij et al, 2019)

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion