Climate change has affected many ecosystems. There are ecosystems that are especially vulnerable to this condition. Lakes are highly susceptible to climate change, and that is why scientists and environmentalists are concerned about.
Scientists are studying Lake Champlain to find out the effects of climate change on the lake. This is especially in relation to algae that has increased in the area. As algae increases, water quality has become an issue for the lake.
Asim Zia, a professor at the University of Vermont and the lead author of the study has said that the lake is more sensitive to climate change than earlier thought. New intervention methods would have to be made for the lake. The ten researchers from the University of Vermont has been joined by one from Dartmouth College, and they said that the EPA's approach to climate change could compromise the lake.
In the EPA's assessment, phosphorous' increase in the lake would be modest even under climate change. The modeling done by the researchers though shows that the EPA's approach might not be enough and that it underestimates to effects of climate change on the lake. As co-author and University of Vermont professor Chris Koliba noted, more effort would have to be done in order to protect the lake.
The new model that has been made by the researchers take into account greater effects of climate change on the lake, according to the University of Vermont's site. These effects include land changes, the buildup of phosphorus over time plus other factors that are the result of climate change. The model shows what might happen to Lake Champlain up until 2040.
Some of the models see more phosphorus being deposited over time, which could lead to land management problems and water quality issues, as Science Daily reports. This could later on lead to more algae on the lake as well as poor water quality.
The new model that has been made would hopefully be used as a tool to help manage the lake in years to come. By being able to manage it, other lakes highly susceptible to climate change could also be managed, and possibly have better outcomes. Managing climate change might become easier, as scientists make an enzyme that is more efficient in using carbon dioxide.
