Classification Of Lakes Research Articles

Methane emission from high latitude lakes: methane-centric lake classification and satellite-driven annual cycle of emissions

Methane (CH4) is emitted from lakes by several processes: bubbles released from bottom sediments that reach the atmosphere (ebullition); spring release of CH4 trapped in bubbles in and under the ice during fall freeze (bubble release), and diffusion of CH4 from sediments to the surface. Each of these emission routes is highly variable over space and time, and episodic in the extreme, making reliable measurements difficult to carry out. However, lakes are receiving increasing interest for their important contribution to global CH4 emissions. Their area, distribution and emissions respond to interannual and longer-term climate fluctuations and close to half the world’s lake area is in high northern latitudes that are experiencing rapidly-warming temperatures and lengthening thaw periods. We report on a new spatially-explicit data set of lakes > 50°N, classified with methane-relevant criteria. The seasonality of daily CH4 fluxes is driven with satellite observations of thaw timing and duration. We found that observed thaw seasons are 10–30% shorter than those assumed in previous studies. The area of lakes is 1,095 × 103 km2 and total CH4 emission is 13.8–17.7 Tg CH4 year−1: 11.2–14.4 Tg via diffusion and ebullition and 2.6–3.3 Tg from spring release of CH4 stored in bubbles in winter lake ice. This novel suite of data and methodologies provides a unique framework to model CH4 emission from lakes under current, past and future climates.

Connectivity and complexity of coastal lakes as determinants for their restoration – A case study of the southern Baltic Sea

To understand functional mechanisms and ecological conditions of the Baltic coastal lakes (BCL) for the need of their restoration, the current state of knowledge on environmental, ecological, and evolutionary processes responsible for biological diversity is presented. This has allowed the classification of coastal lakes along the southern Baltic Sea coast as freshwater, transitional, and brackish ones. Principles of their functioning are explained here on the basis of the theory of alternative stable states in shallow lake ecosystems (brackish vs. freshwater) separated by adaptive cycles (transitional lakes).Successful concepts for the design and application of restoration of degraded coastal aquatic ecosystems is conditioned by both marine and terrestrial factors. Thus, the restoration plans of the southern Baltic coastal lakes, contrary to freshwater inland lakes, require some specific criteria to be applied due to (i) various connectivity of lakes with the sea, (ii) intrusion of seawater of low salinity as well as (iii) genetic heterogeneity of lake basins. Awareness of these findings makes it possible to trace and predict the threats posed to coastal lakes, as well. As an example, recommendations on the holistic restoration of Lake Jamno are presented. The presented data is useful for determining the state of preservation and methods of management of coastal aquatic habitats under high human pressure.

Lake types and their definition: a case study from Denmark

ABSTRACT In the EU Water Framework Directive, lakes are classified into different types primarily on the basis of morphological and chemical characteristics. Lake type definition is not trivial because the different lake types may require different nutrient loading reduction targets to achieve the goal of at least “good” ecological status. Using data from 770 Danish lakes, we illustrate some of the problems associated with classification. In Denmark, 16 potentially different lake types are defined using an alkalinity boundary of 0.2 meq/L, a colour boundary of 60 mg/L Pt, a salinity boundary of 0.5‰, and a water mean depth boundary of 3 m. However, all classification variables showed considerable seasonal and interannual variation. Most lakes with a mean depth <3 m were polymictic, but stratification depended on lake size, complicating simple classification according to depth. Conditional inference tree analyses defined relatively clearly delineated groups of macrophytes, phytoplankton, and fish based on species presence, thereby confirming the relevance of using lake type classification. Alkalinity and salinity were the 2 most important factors and defined alkalinity split points at 0.07 and 0.76 meq/L and salinity split points between 0.5‰ and 4‰. However, with a few exceptions, the individual taxa occurred over a broad range of lake characteristics. Lake classification may be necessary for management reasons, but the absence of well-defined boundaries among lake types and a large natural variability in morphological and chemical characteristics urge cautious decisions when defining targets for external nutrient loading reduction for the various lake categories.

A hydrogeomorphic and condition classification for Maine, USA, lakes

Deeds J, Amirhbahman A, Norton SA, Bacon LC. 2020. A hydrogeomorphic and condition classification for Maine, USA, lakes. Lake Reserv Manage. 36:122–138. The water quality of lakes is influenced by natural landscape features, anthropogenic watershed activities, and local-scale characteristics of lake basins. Lake assessment for water quality standards is enhanced by a lake classification framework that allows for comparison of lakes of similar types and the creation of benchmark water quality values from reference lakes. Conventional lake classifications, such as those based on trophic state alone, commonly do not incorporate the natural features of the landscape or lake-specific characteristics that influence lake condition. We present a hydrogeomorphic (HGM)-based lake classification, tested with linear mixed effects modeling, to determine which natural features of lakes and their watersheds show the greatest influence on lake condition. A priori classification schemes were created for model testing using combinations of various HGM features. Model strength was evaluated based on ability to predict mean lake total phosphorus and specific conductivity values. Aggregated Level IV Ecoregions stratified by 2 categories of maximum lake depth offered the most robust lake classification. We defined condition classes of reference, intermediate, and altered lakes based on the gradient of developed watershed area that is unique to each lake class. This approach to lake classification has implications for any region or study, as HGM variables relevant to the population of lakes of interest may be tested for efficacy in a variety of schemes to suit the goals of the classification.

Chlorophyll a relationships with nutrients and temperature, and predictions for lakes across perialpine and Balkan mountain regions

ABSTRACTModel-derived relationships between chlorophyll a (Chl-a) and nutrients and temperature have fundamental implications for understanding complex interactions among water quality measures used for lake classification, yet accuracy comparisons of different approaches are scarce. Here, we (1) compared Chl-a model performances across linear and nonlinear statistical approaches; (2) evaluated single and combined effects of nutrients, depth, and temperature as lake surface water temperature (LSWT) or altitude on Chl-a; and (3) investigated the reliability of the best water quality model across 13 lakes from perialpine and central Balkan mountain regions. Chl-a was modelled using in situ water quality data from 157 European lakes; elevation data and LSWT in situ data were complemented by remote sensing measurements. Nonlinear approaches performed better, implying complex relationships between Chl-a and the explanatory variables. Boosted regression trees, as the best performing approach, accommodated interactions among predictor variables. Chl-a–nutrient relationships were characterized by sigmoidal curves, with total phosphorus having the largest explanatory power for our study region. In comparison with LSWT, utilization of altitude, the often-used temperature surrogate, led to different influence directions but similar predictive performances. These results support utilizing altitude in models for Chl-a predictions. Compared to Chl-a observations, Chl-a predictions of the best performing approach for mountain lakes (oligotrophic–eutrophic) led to minor differences in trophic state categorizations. Our findings suggest that both models with LSWT and altitude are appropriate for water quality predictions of lakes in mountain regions and emphasize the importance of incorporating interactions among variables when facing lake management challenges.

Water-Quality Classification of Inland Lakes Using Landsat8 Images by Convolutional Neural Networks

Water-quality monitoring of inland lakes is essential for freshwater-resource protection. In situ water-quality measurements and ratings are accurate but high costs limit their usage. Water-quality monitoring using remote sensing has shown to be cost-effective. However, the nonoptically active parameters that mainly determine water-quality levels in China are difficult to estimate because of their weak optical characteristics and lack of explicit correlation between remote-sensing images and parameters. To address the problems, a convolutional neural network (CNN) with hierarchical structure was designed to represent the relationship between Landsat8 images and in situ water-quality levels. A transfer-learning strategy in the CNN model was introduced to deal with the lack of in situ measurement data. After the CNN model was trained by spatially and temporally matched Landsat8 images and in situ water-quality data that were collected from official websites, the surface quality of the whole water body could be classified. We tested the CNN model at the Erhai and Chaohu lakes in China, respectively. The experiment results demonstrate that the CNN model outperformed widely used machine-learning methods. The trained model at Erhai Lake can be used for the water-quality classification of Chaohu Lake. The introduced CNN model and the water-quality classification method could cover the whole lake with low costs. The proposed method has potential in inland-lake monitoring.

Grazing Potential—A Functional Plankton Food Web Metric for Ecological Water Quality Assessment in Mediterranean Lakes

Grazing potential (GP, in % day−1) was estimated for the plankton communities of 13 Greek lakes covering the trophic spectrum, in order to examine its sensitiveness in discriminating different classes of ecological water quality. Lakes with high GP values exhibited high zooplankton biomass dominated by large cladocerans or/and calanoids while lakes with low GP values had increased phytoplankton biomass and/or domination of small-bodied zooplankton indicating intensive fish predation. GP successfully distinguished among ecological water quality classes (estimated using the phytoplankton water quality index PhyCoI) indicating its potential use as a metric for ecological water quality assessment. As a next step, PhyCoI index was modified to include GP as a metric in order to enhance the phytoplankton-based ecological status classification of lakes incorporating zooplankton as a supporting factor. The PhyCoIGP successfully assessed the ecological water quality in accordance with PhyCoI classification whereas it was significantly correlated with the eutrophication proxy TSISD based on Secchi Depth. Thus, we propose to use the modified phytoplankton index PhyCoIGP for monitoring the ecological water quality of lakes.

Flexible Classification of Wisconsin Lakes for Improved Fisheries Conservation and Management

AbstractSuccessful fisheries management practices developed for one ecosystem can often be used in similar ecosystems. We developed a flexible lake classification framework in collaboration with ~100 fisheries biologists for improved fisheries conservation management in Wisconsin, USA. In total, 5,950 lakes were classified into 15 lake classes using a two‐tiered approach. In tier‐one, lakes were clustered into “simple” and “complex” sportfish assemblages. In tier‐two, lakes were further clustered using accumulated degree days, water clarity, and special cases. We focus on temperature and clarity because these factors often drive fisheries change over time—thus a lake's class can change over time. Lake class assignments were refined through a vetting process where fisheries biologists with expert knowledge provided feedback. Relative abundance, size‐structure, and growth rates of fishes varied significantly across classes. Biologists are encouraged to utilize class interquartile ranges in fisheries metrics to make improved fisheries assessments. We highlight hard‐won lessons from our effort including: (1) the importance of co‐developing classification frameworks alongside fisheries biologists; and (2) encouraging frameworks where lakes can shift classes and fisheries expectations over time due to factors like climate change and eutrophication.

Land cover classification and change detection analysis of Qaroun and Wadi El-Rayyan lakes using multi-temporal remotely sensed imagery.

The Qaroun Lake, Wadi El-Rayyan, and Wadi El-Hitan are some of the most promising ecotourism destinations in Egypt due to their natural mineral resources, wildlife, and biodiversity in addition to their historic heritage that dates back to the age of The Pharos. These natural resources should be managed and maintained without affecting the needs of future generations. Land use/land cover change is the most important factor in causing biodiversity loss. Accordingly, the objectives of this study are to identify, quantify, and model future land cover changes using remote sensing and GIS techniques. To fulfill the objectives of the study, a hybrid image classification is employed using the combination of unsupervised and supervised classification methods to detect land cover types. Post-classification comparison is used to map changes in land cover between 2000 and 2017. Markov model is applied to analyze, predict, and simulate future land cover changes from 2017 to 2050. This is in order to safeguard against the adverse effects and negative consequences of land cover changes, preserve the natural resources, and consequently achieve goals of sustainable development. The outcome of this study can provide policy makers and urban planners with the required information regarding the status of the environment and subsequently reduce pressure on natural resources in order to facilitate conservation planning and sustainable development.

A review of the defining chemical properties of soda lakes and pans: An assessment on a large geographic scale of Eurasian inland saline surface waters

The aim of this study is to evaluate the definition of water chemical type, with particular attention to soda brine characteristics by assessing ionic composition and pH values on a large geographic scale and broad salinity (TDS) range of Eurasian inland saline surface waters, in order to rectify the considerable confusion about the exact chemical classification of soda lakes and pans. Data on pH and on the concentration of eight major ions were compiled into a database drawn from Austria, China, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Russia, Serbia, and Turkey. The classification was primarily based on dominant ions exceeding an equivalent percentage of 25 (> 25e%) of the total cations or anions, and the e% rank of dominant ions was also identified. We identified four major types: waters dominated by (1) Na-HCO3 (10.0%), (2) Na-HCO3 + CO3 (31.4%), (3) Na-Cl (45.9%), and (4) Na-SO4 (12.7%), considering only the first ion by e% rank. These major types can be divided into 30 subtypes in the dataset, taking into account the e% rank of all dominant ions. The major and subtypes of soda brine can be divided into “Soda” and “Soda-Saline” types. “Soda type” when Na+ and HCO3– + CO32– are the first in the rank of dominant ions (> 25e%), and “Soda-Saline type” when Na+ is the first in the rank of dominant cations and the sum of HCO3– + CO32– concentration exceeds 25e%, but it is not the first in the rank of dominant anions. Soda-saline type can be considered as a separate evolutionary stage between Soda and Saline types respect to the geochemical interpretation by saturation indexes of brines. The obtained overlapping ranges in distribution demonstrate that a pH measurement alone is not a reliable indicator to classify the permanent alkaline “soda type” and various other types of temporary alkaline waters.

Kolme kertomusta järviemme tilasta

Finland is officially marketed as a land of a thousand clean lakes, but people’s concerns on negative trends is common. We used questionnaires and interviews to gather information on people’s experiences on how lakes have been changed, and compared the experiences with limnological research results and administrative lake classifications. Both human observations and limnological evidence detected negative changes in lake ecosystem quality during the past 30-50 years, whereas the administrative lake classification considered lakes to be mainly in good/excellent quality. In addition, small lakes with severe ecosystem changes reported by people, were seldom covered by classification. People’s observations and limnological measurements revealed independent and identical information on the trends in water quality, whereas much of the official lake classification is based on inadequate data and lack of observations on lake littoral areas. Thus, we suggest that people’s everyday experiences should be collected and analyzed more systematically in lake quality assessment processes.

Classification of glacial lakes using integrated approach of DFPS technique and gradient analysis using Sentinel 2A data

It is important to identify and locate glacial lakes for assessing any potential hazard. This study presents a combination of semi-automatic method Double-Window Flexible Pace Search (DFPS) and edge detection technique to identify glacial lakes using Sentinel 2A satellite data. Initially, Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI) has been used to identify water and non-water areas, while DFPS and Edge detection technique has been used to identify an optimum threshold value to distinguish between water and shadow areas. The optimal threshold from DFPS process is 0.21, while threshold value of gradient magnitude using edge detection process is 0.318. The number of glacial lakes identified using the above algorithm is in close agreement with previously published results on glacial lakes in Gangotri glacier using different techniques. Thus, a combination of DFPS and edge detection process has successfully segregated glacial lakes from other features present in Gangotri glacier.

CRITERIA OF THERMAL CLASSIFICATIONS OF LAKES

Since the early twentieth century limnological literature has presented numerous classifications of lakes. Most frequently these classifications refer to genetic systematization. In the latter half of the twentieth century new divisions of inland water bodies were introduced with respect to mictic, trophic and thermal properties. These proposals, however, make up a very diverse and scattered material, particularly due to the considered criteria. The author of this article decided to verify opinions and criteria of these systematisations to provide a better understanding of the problem.

Hydrological network and classification of lakes on the Third Pole

The intensity and form of changes in closed lakes, upstream lakes and outflow lakes on the Third Pole (TP) differ based on their drainage mode. Researchers’ insufficient understanding of the hydrological networks associated with lakes hampers studies of the relationship between lakes and climate. In this study, we establish a comprehensive hydrological network for each lake (>1 km2) on the TP using 106 Landsat images, 236 Chinese topographic maps, and SRTM DEM. Three-hundred-ninety-seven closed lakes, 488 upstream lakes and 317 outflow lakes totaling 3,5498.49 km2, 7,378.82 km2, and 3,382.29 km2, respectively, were identified on the TP using 2010 data. Two-hundred-thirty-four closed lakes were found to not be linked to upstream lakes. The remaining 163 closed lakes were connected to and fed by the 488 upstream lakes. The object-oriented analyses within this study indicated that more rapid changes occurred in the surface extent of closed lakes than in upstream lakes or outflow lakes on the TP from 1970 s to 2010. Furthermore, the water volume of the examined closed lakes was almost nine times greater than that of the upstream lakes from 2003 to 2009. All the examined closed lakes exhibited an obvious water volume change compared to the corresponding upstream lakes in the same basin. Furthermore, two case studies illustrate that the annual and seasonal dynamics associated with the changes in closed lakes may reflect climate change patterns, while the upstream lake dynamics may be more controlled by the lakeshore terrain and drainage characteristics. The lake inventory and hydrological network catalogued in this study provide a basis for developing a better understanding of lake response to climate change on the TP.

A lake classification concept for a more accurate global estimate of the dissolved inorganic carbon export from terrestrial ecosystems to inland waters

The magnitude of lateral dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) export from terrestrial ecosystems to inland waters strongly influences the estimate of the global terrestrial carbon dioxide (CO2) sink. At present, no reliable number of this export is available, and the few studies estimating the lateral DIC export assume that all lakes on Earth function similarly. However, lakes can function along a continuum from passive carbon transporters (passive open channels) to highly active carbon transformers with efficient in-lake CO2 production and loss. We developed and applied a conceptual model to demonstrate how the assumed function of lakes in carbon cycling can affect calculations of the global lateral DIC export from terrestrial ecosystems to inland waters. Using global data on in-lake CO2 production by mineralization as well as CO2 loss by emission, primary production, and carbonate precipitation in lakes, we estimated that the global lateral DIC export can lie within the range of {0.70}_{-0.31}^{+0.27} to {1.52}_{-0.90}^{+1.09} Pg C yr−1 depending on the assumed function of lakes. Thus, the considered lake function has a large effect on the calculated lateral DIC export from terrestrial ecosystems to inland waters. We conclude that more robust estimates of CO2 sinks and sources will require the classification of lakes into their predominant function. This functional lake classification concept becomes particularly important for the estimation of future CO2 sinks and sources, since in-lake carbon transformation is predicted to be altered with climate change.

New insight into defining the lakes of the southern Baltic coastal zone.

There exist many classification systems of hydrographic entities such as lakes found along the coastlines of seas and oceans. Each system has its advantages and can be used with some success in the area of protection and management. This paper aims to evaluate whether the studied lakes are only coastal lakes or rather bodies of water of a completely different hydrological and hydrochemical nature. The attempt to create a new classification system of Polish coastal lakes is related to the incompleteness of lake information in existing classifications. Thus far, the most frequently used are classifications based solely on lake basin morphogenesis or hydrochemical properties. The classifications in this paper are based not only on the magnitude of lake water salinity or hydrochemical analysis but also on isolation from the Baltic Sea and other sources of water. The key element of the new classification system for coastal bodies of water is a departure from the existing system used to classify lakes in Poland and the introduction of ion-"tracking" methods designed to identify anion and cation distributions in each body of water of interest. As a result of the work, a new classification of lakes of the southern Baltic Sea coastal zone was created. Featured objects such as permanently brackish lakes, brackish lakes that may turn into freshwater lakes from time to time, freshwater lakes that may turn into brackish lakes from time to time, freshwater lakes that experience low levels of salinity due to specific incidents, and permanently freshwater lakes. The authors have adopted 200mg Cl-dm-3 as a maximum value of lake water salinity. There are many conditions that determine the membership of a lake to a particular group, but the most important is the isolation lakes from the Baltic Sea. Changing a condition may change the classification of a lake.

Effect of the north Atlantic oscillation on water level fluctuations in lakes of northern Poland

The paper presents an analysis of correlations between water levels in Polish lakes and the rate of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) in the years 1976-2010. The detailed analysis of the spatial variability of the effect of NAO on water levels in lakes concerned 19 lakes with statistically uniform hydrometric material. Two matrices were obtained for each of the lakes, composed of 156 coefficients of correlation calculated between monthly water stages and monthly and seasonal NAO indices. They provided the basis for performing two variants of classification of lakes by Ward’s method. Four typological classes were distinguished for each variant. It was determined that stronger correlations occur in the case of water stages in lakes with seasonal than those with monthly NAO indices. The strongest effect of NAO on water stages is observed in the winter-spring period. Spatial variability of the effect has been recorded, resulting from the climatic conditions of a given region. Lakes located in the south-western part of the studied area constitute an evidently separate group. In the negative phase of NAO, they are distinguished by higher water stages in the winter-spring period. This may be associated with more frequent thaws during winters, and increased supply to lakes in the period.

Glacier and glacial lake classification for change detection studies using satellite data: a case study from Baspa basin, western Himalaya

Using high-resolution Google EarthTM images in conjunction with Landsat images, the glaciers and lakes in the Baspa basin are classified to explore the recent changes. A total number of 109 glaciers (187 ± 3.7 km2) are mapped and subsequently classified as compound valley glaciers, simple valley glaciers, cirques, niches, glacieretes and ice aprons. The compound and simple valley glaciers contribute 67.1 ± 1.3% and 19.8 ± 0.3% to the total glacier cover of the basin. Similarly, a total number of 129 glacial lakes (0.360 ± 0.007 km2) are identified. From 1976 to 2011, the compound valley glaciers have lost a small area of 10.3 ± 0.03% at a rate of 0.41 ± 0.002 km2 a-1, whereas the niche glaciers have lost higher area of 40.1 ± 0.001% at a rate of 0.04 ± 0.0001 km2 a-1. Change detection of two benchmark glacial lakes revealed a progressive expansion during recent decades. The Baspa Bamak proglacial lake has expanded from 0.020 ± 0.0004 km2 (2000) to 0.069 ± 0.001 km2 (2011). Due to the complete loss of source ice, another glacial lake has expanded from 0.09 ± 0.001 km2 (1994) to 0.10 ± 0.002 km2 (2011). During the study period, the mean annual temperature that is Tavg, Tmin and Tmax have increased significantly at the 95% confidence level by 1.5 oC (0.070 °C a-1), 1.8 oC (0.076 °C a-1) and 1.6 oC (0.0071 °C a-1) from 1985 to 2008. However, the precipitation has decreased significantly from 1976 and 1985 to 2008.

The typology of Polish lakes after a decade of its use: A critical review and verification

The abiotic typology of Polish lakes, compliant with the requirements of the EU Directive 2000/60/EC (Water Framework Directive), was developed in 2004 under the commission of the Ministry of the Environment. Based on the combination of the obligatory typological criteria from Annex II of the WFD and one additional factor, all Polish lakes larger than 0.5km2 were assigned to 13 abiotic types. This typology reflected the diversity of abiotic conditions and was assumed to be tested and validated for its ecological relevance on the basis of biological data obtained thereafter. The first ten years of its application proved the high usability of this typology for lake classification of ecological status on the one hand, while on the other hand, it allowed to gather experiences and to detect deficiencies and errors considered in the verification process. In 2015, the abiotic typology of Polish lakes was verified. Above all, verification involved an analysis of the justification of lake eco-regional division and refinement of water stratification criteria, as these two issues have been questioned in the current typology. Data on physicochemical properties, phytoplankton, macrophytes and benthic diatoms obtained from the state lake monitoring conducted in the years 2007–2013 were used to verify the ecological relevance of the typological criteria. Typological criteria used in the verified lake typological scheme were essentially the same as those used in 2004. However, the number of lake types has been reduced from the previous 13 to seven, mainly due to the withdrawal from the lake division based on eco-regions. Moreover, the more specific criteria for determining the water mixing type were established. The new lake typology is expected to be implemented in routine monitoring and water management in Poland in the forthcoming River Basin Management Plan 2021–2027.

Use of Satellite and In Situ Reflectance Data for Lake Water Color Characterization in the Everest Himalayan Region

This study applied remote sensing techniques to the study of water color in Himalayan glacial lakes as a proxy of suspended solid load. In situ measurements gathered in 5 lakes in October 2014 during satellite data acquisition enabled the characterization of water reflectance and clarity and supported image processing. Field data analysis led to a distinction between 3 water colors and a consequent lake water color classification on a regional scale from Landsat-8 data previously corrected for atmospheric and adjacency effects. Several morphometric parameters (lake size and shape, distance between lake and glacier) were also computed for the lakes thus classified. The results showed spatial and temporal variations in lake water color, suggestive of relationships between glacier shrinkage and the presence of brighter and more turbid water. A finer-scale analysis of the spatial variability of water reflectance on Chola Lake (based on GeoEye-1 data captured on 18 October 2014) showed the contribution of water component absorption from the inflow. Overall, the findings support further research to monitor Himalayan lakes using both Landsat-8 and Sentinel-2 (with its improved resolutions).