Small Boreal Forest Lakes Research Articles

Spatial variability of organic matter molecular composition and elemental geochemistry in surface sediments of a small boreal Swedish lake

Abstract. The composition of sediment organic matter (OM) exerts a strong control on biogeochemical processes in lakes, such as those involved in the fate of carbon, nutrients and trace metals. While between-lake spatial variability of OM quality is increasingly investigated, we explored in this study how the molecular composition of sediment OM varies spatially within a single lake and related this variability to physical parameters and elemental geochemistry. Surface sediment samples (0–10 cm) from 42 locations in Härsvatten – a small boreal forest lake with a complex basin morphometry – were analyzed for OM molecular composition using pyrolysis gas chromatography mass spectrometry for the contents of 23 major and trace elements and biogenic silica. We identified 162 organic compounds belonging to different biochemical classes of OM (e.g., carbohydrates, lignin and lipids). Close relationships were found between the spatial patterns of sediment OM molecular composition and elemental geochemistry. Differences in the source types of OM (i.e., terrestrial, aquatic plant and algal) were linked to the individual basin morphometries and chemical status of the lake. The variability in OM molecular composition was further driven by the degradation status of these different source pools, which appeared to be related to sedimentary physicochemical parameters (e.g., redox conditions) and to the molecular structure of the organic compounds. Given the high spatial variation in OM molecular composition within Härsvatten and its close relationship with elemental geochemistry, the potential for large spatial variability across lakes should be considered when studying biogeochemical processes involved in the cycling of carbon, nutrients and trace elements or when assessing lake budgets.

Environmental factors regulate the effects of roach Rutilus rutilus and pike Esox lucius on perch Perca fluviatilis populations in small boreal forest lakes

In this study of 18 small boreal forest lakes, the effects of abiotic and biotic factors (roach Rutilus rutilus and pike Esox lucius) on various population variables of perch Perca fluviatilis were examined. As a single variable, the gillnet catch per unit effort (CPUE) of R. rutilus was negatively related to the mean mass of small (< 200 mm) and the growth rate of young (1-2 years) P. fluviatilis. The mean mass of large (> or = 200 mm) P. fluviatilis was the highest at intermediate CPUE of R. rutilus. Redundancy analysis including environmental factors and P. fluviatilis population variables suggested that 'predation-productivity-humus' gradient affected P. fluviatilis populations by decreasing the CPUE and mean mass of small individuals but increasing these variables of large individuals. The CPUE of R. rutilus and lake area had a negative effect on small and a positive effect on large P. fluviatilis growth rate. In small boreal forest lakes, P. fluviatilis populations are affected by the partially opposite forces of competition by R. rutilus and predation by E. lucius, and the intensity of these interactions is regulated by several environmental factors.

A sedimentary record of the rise and fall of the metal industry in Bergslagen, south central Sweden

Detailed stratigraphic analyses of sediments deposited in Lake Botjarnen, a small boreal forest lake in the shield terrain of central Sweden, clearly reflect progressively increasing human impact on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems following settlement and establishment of an iron industry in the 17th century. Rising frequencies of pollen and spores from light-demanding plants provide evidence of extensive forest clearance for charcoal and timber production, which peaked in the early 20th century. An associated increase in catchment erosion is reflected by changing carbon and nitrogen elemental content and carbon–isotope composition of sediment organic matter and by increased magnetic susceptibility of the sediments. Records of air-borne pollutants (lead, zinc and sulphur) can be correlated to the development of local and regional mining and metal industry as inferred from historical accounts. Rapid recession of the iron industry led to re-forestation and recovery of the aquatic nutrient status to pre-industrial conditions over the past 100 years. The chronology of the sediment succession, which is based on 210Pb and 137Cs radionuclide data in combination with radiocarbon dating, is confirmed by historical lead pollution trends established for the region.

Changes in phytoplankton communities following logging in the drainage basins of three boreal forest lakes in northwestern Ontario (Canada), 1991–2000

The phytoplankton communities of three small boreal forest lakes (L26, L39, and L42) on Ontario's Precambrian Shield (Canada) were investigated over 10 years for possible effects of forest harvesting (logging) within their drainage basins (5 years before logging vs. 5 years after logging). During the postlogging period, higher biovolumes of several taxa were recorded, consistent with previously reported changes in nutrients, chlorophyll, light penetration, and mixing depth. Among the most dramatic changes were increases of 100 and 266% in Cyanophyceae in L39 and L42, respectively, 167% in Dinophyceae in L26, 51 and 130% in Chlorophyceae in L26 and L42, respectively, 182% in Bacillariophyceae in L26, and 53 and 73% in total phytoplankton in L26 and L42, respectively. Other effects associated with logging in the watersheds of these lakes included an increase in the numbers of taxa (in accordance with the intermediate disturbance hypothesis) and a decrease in interannual variability in phytoplankton community structure (in accordance with the ecosystem diversity–stability hypothesis). The less extensive logging of the L26 drainage basin and the maintenance of an unlogged shoreline buffer strip did not preclude apparent effects on phytoplankton comparable with some of those found in the other two lakes, where drainage basin logging was more extensive.

Littoral water temperature response to experimental shoreline logging around small boreal forest lakes

Shoreline logging did not significantly increase average littoral water temperatures in two small boreal forest lakes in northwestern Ontario, Canada. However, over the early summer monitoring period clearcut shorelines were associated with increases of 1–2°C in maximum littoral water temperature, and increases of 0.3–0.6°C in average diurnal temperature range, compared with undisturbed shorelines or shorelines with 30-m shoreline buffer strips. Comparison of simultaneous water temperatures at littoral locations with and without shoreline forest showed that increased temperatures were caused by daytime heating.

Littoral water temperature response to experimental shoreline logging around small boreal forest lakes

Shoreline logging did not significantly increase average littoral water temperatures in two small boreal forest lakes in northwestern Ontario, Canada. However, over the early summer monitoring period clearcut shorelines were associated with increases of 1–2°C in maximum littoral water temperature, and increases of 0.3–0.6°C in average diurnal temperature range, compared with undisturbed shorelines or shorelines with 30-m shoreline buffer strips. Comparison of simultaneous water temperatures at littoral locations with and without shoreline forest showed that increased temperatures were caused by daytime heating.

Initial effects of catchment deforestation around small boreal forest lakes in northwestern Ontario, Canada

(2000). Initial effects of catchment deforestation around small boreal forest lakes in northwestern Ontario, Canada. SIL Proceedings, 1922-2010: Vol. 27, No. 2, pp. 1101-1107.

Identification of novel Archaea in bacterioplankton of a boreal forest lake by phylogenetic analysis and fluorescent in situ hybridization

We report here on novel groups of Archaea in the bacterioplankton of a small boreal forest lake studied by the culture-independent analysis of the 16S rRNA genes amplified directly from lake water in combination with fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). Polymerase chain reaction products were cloned and 28 of the 160 Archaea clones with around 900-bp-long 16S rRNA gene inserts, were sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis, including 642 Archaea sequences, confirmed that none of the freshwater clones were closely affiliated with known cultured Archaea. Twelve Archaea sequences from lake Valkea Kotinen (VAL) belonged to Group I of uncultivated Crenarchaeota and affiliated with environmental sequences from freshwater sediments, rice roots and soil as well as with sequences from an anaerobic digestor. Eight of the Crenarchaeota VAL clones formed a tight cluster. Sixteen sequences belonged to Euryarchaeota. Four of these formed a cluster together with environmental sequences from freshwater sediments and peat bogs within the order Methanomicrobiales. Five were affiliated with sequences from marine sediments situated close to marine Group II and three formed a novel cluster VAL III distantly related to the order Thermoplasmales. The remaining four clones formed a distinct clade within a phylogenetic radiation characterized by members of the orders Methanosarcinales and Methanomicrobiales on the same branch as rice cluster I, detected recently on rice roots and in anoxic bulk soil of flooded rice microcosms. FISH with specifically designed rRNA-targeted oligonucleotide probes revealed the presence of Methanomicrobiales in the studied lake. These observations indicate a new ecological niche for many novel ‘non-extreme’ environmental Archaea in the pelagic water of a boreal forest lake.

Identification of novel Archaea in bacterioplankton of a boreal forest lake by phylogenetic analysis and fluorescent in situ hybridization(1).

We report here on novel groups of Archaea in the bacterioplankton of a small boreal forest lake studied by the culture-independent analysis of the 16S rRNA genes amplified directly from lake water in combination with fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). Polymerase chain reaction products were cloned and 28 of the 160 Archaea clones with around 900-bp-long 16S rRNA gene inserts, were sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis, including 642 Archaea sequences, confirmed that none of the freshwater clones were closely affiliated with known cultured Archaea. Twelve Archaea sequences from lake Valkea Kotinen (VAL) belonged to Group I of uncultivated Crenarchaeota and affiliated with environmental sequences from freshwater sediments, rice roots and soil as well as with sequences from an anaerobic digestor. Eight of the Crenarchaeota VAL clones formed a tight cluster. Sixteen sequences belonged to Euryarchaeota. Four of these formed a cluster together with environmental sequences from freshwater sediments and peat bogs within the order Methanomicrobiales. Five were affiliated with sequences from marine sediments situated close to marine Group II and three formed a novel cluster VAL III distantly related to the order Thermoplasmales. The remaining four clones formed a distinct clade within a phylogenetic radiation characterized by members of the orders Methanosarcinales and Methanomicrobiales on the same branch as rice cluster I, detected recently on rice roots and in anoxic bulk soil of flooded rice microcosms. FISH with specifically designed rRNA-targeted oligonucleotide probes revealed the presence of Methanomicrobiales in the studied lake. These observations indicate a new ecological niche for many novel 'non-extreme' environmental Archaea in the pelagic water of a boreal forest lake.

Effects of experimental clearcut logging on thermal stratification, dissolved oxygen, and lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) habitat volume in three small boreal forest lakes

Clearcut logging around three 30- to 40-ha dimictic northwestern Ontario lakes was associated with increases of 5% or less in midlake wind speed and no measurable changes in spring and fall circulation efficiency or duration of stratification. Water clarity, indexed as the depth at which photosynthetically active radiation was 1% of surface intensity, declined by 25% after 3 years. Late-summer thermoclines were about 1 m shallower in two lakes after logging, but it was not possible to exclude weather as a factor. None of the lakes showed significant declines in lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) habitat volume. A forested shoreline buffer strip around one of the lakes prevented increases in midlake wind speed but did not prevent declines in water clarity and thermocline depth.

Effects of experimental clearcut logging on water quality in three small boreal forest lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) lakes

Water quality was monitored in three 30-ha stratified headwater Precambrian Shield lakes for 5 years before and 3 years after moderate to extensive catchment deforestation. These lakes, which had water renewal times of about a decade, showed only minor changes in water quality by the third year after logging. Water quality response in a lake with moderate deforestation and intact shoreline forest was similar to that in two lakes with extensive upland and shoreline deforestation. By the second and third years after logging, May-September average volume-weighted concentrations of dissolved organic carbon, chlorophyll, total nitrogen, K+, Cl-, and Si had all increased, generally by about 10-40% over predisturbance levels, while Ca2+ and Mg2+ had declined by 10-25%. Dry weather the first year after logging was associated with temporary declines of 10-20% in dissolved organic carbon and chlorophyll.

Effects of experimental clearcut logging on thermal stratification, dissolved oxygen, and lake trout (&lt;i&gt;Salvelinus namaycush&lt;/i&gt;) habitat volume in three small boreal forest lakes

Clearcut logging around three 30- to 40-ha dimictic northwestern Ontario lakes was associated with increases of 5% or less in midlake wind speed and no measurable changes in spring and fall circulation efficiency or duration of stratification. Water clarity, indexed as the depth at which photosynthetically active radiation was 1% of surface inten - sity, declined by 25% after 3 years. Late-summer thermoclines were about 1 m shallower in two lakes after logging, but it was not possible to exclude weather as a factor. None of the lakes showed significant declines in lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) habitat volume. A forested shoreline buffer strip around one of the lakes prevented increases in midlake wind speed but did not prevent declines in water clarity and thermocline depth.

Effects of experimental clearcut logging on water quality in three small boreal forest lake trout (&lt;i&gt;Salvelinus namaycush&lt;/i&gt;) lakes

Water quality was monitored in three 30-ha stratified headwater Precambrian Shield lakes for 5 years before and 3 years after moderate to extensive catchment deforestation. These lakes, which had water renewal times of about a decade, showed only minor changes in water quality by the third year after logging. Water quality response in a lake with moderate deforestation and intact shoreline forest was similar to that in two lakes with extensive upland and shoreline deforestation. By the second and third years after logging, May-September average volume-weighted concentrations of dissolved organic carbon, chlorophyll, total nitrogen, K+, Cl-, and Si had all increased, generally by about 10-40% over predisturbance levels, while Ca2+ and Mg2+ had declined by 10-25%. Dry weather the first year after logging was associated with temporary declines of 10-20% in dissolved organic carbon and chlorophyll.

Subice layering and origin of acidic waters in a small boreal lake during the spring runoff

In a small boreal forest lake, the subice circulation of waters from five distinct origins (lake premelt water, lakeshore snowpack meltwater, ice cover meltwater, groundwater and hillslope through‐flow water) was studied during the spring melt period. A network of collared access holes was used to monitor the temperature, conductivity and pH profiles of the water column beneath the ice cover. The study also included the tracing of snowbank meltwaters and through‐flow waters with rhodamine. Conductivity and pH appeared to be efficient parameters for discriminating most of the water types considered. During the spring melt three distinct low‐pH episodes were recorded at the lake outflow. The first episode (pH 5) occurred in the early melt period; snow and ice meltwaters layered beneath the ice forming a stratum ≈20 cm thick. It moved toward the outlet under laminar flow conditions (observed average velocity, 1m/h). Two subsequent pH episodes of pH 5.3 and 5.1 were observed during the massive melt period. These episodes were due to peak flows of hillslope through flow which entered the lake and formed a layer 20–40 cm thick in the water column (observed average velocity, greater than 20 m/h). The ice cover thus not only modified the nearshore water quality by inducing thermal layering but also strongly influenced the quality of the outflow waters due to the segregation and rapid evacuation of the through flow and surface meltwaters.