Ecology of Frozen Lakes: A Global Collaboration
For decades, scientists assumed that when a lake freezes over, biological productivity slows dramatically — that winter ice effectively puts lake ecosystems “on pause.” But emerging research is challenging that long-held belief.
Recent studies from lakes around the world show that significant algal growth can occur beneath ice cover. Even in cold, low-light conditions, algae — the base of the aquatic food web — can remain active. This winter productivity means that entire lake food webs, from microscopic organisms to higher trophic levels, may continue functioning in ways we are only beginning to understand.
At the same time, climate change is shortening the duration of ice cover in many regions. Lakes are freezing later, thawing earlier, or in some cases not freezing at all. These shifts raise critical questions:
- How will reduced ice cover alter winter productivity?
- What happens to food webs adapted to under-ice growth?
- How will changing seasonal cycles affect water quality and ecosystem stability?
To answer these questions, researchers from around the globe are collaborating, sharing data, and coordinating studies across diverse lake systems. TERC scientists are leaders in this international effort, identifying priority issues, collecting under-ice data from lakes worldwide, and synthesizing knowledge to place local observations in a broader, global context.
An important component of this initiative is training the next generation of scientists to conduct safe, effective research on ice-covered lakes. Working on frozen surfaces requires specialized skills, equipment, and safety protocols — knowledge that is being shared across institutions and countries.
This global frozen-lake research program exemplifies TERC’s commitment to understanding freshwater watersheds at multiple scales. By connecting Lake Tahoe and other regional systems to worldwide scientific networks, TERC ensures that local management decisions are informed by the best available global science — helping communities prepare for a future of rapidly changing freshwater ecosystems.
Learn more here: Winter Limnology Network
For more information, email Stephanie Hampton @ UC Davis.