A recent study suggests that the algae population in the Great Bear Lake in the Northwest Territories has undergone significant changes due to climate change since the early 2000s. The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) journal, highlights the impact of increased ice-free days and rising air temperatures on the restructuring of algal communities in large northern lakes like Great Bear.
According to John Smol, a biology professor at Queen’s University and co-director of the Paleoecological Environmental Assessment and Research Lab (PEARL), the alterations in algae types could lead to winners and losers in the ecosystem. The research, based on core samples from various parts of Great Bear Lake, reveals a transformation from shallow-water algae to open-water varieties.
The study also compared findings from Lake Hazen and Great Slave Lake in the N.W.T. Smol noted that despite the immense size of these lakes, which should lead to slower changes due to thermal inertia, all three lakes have exhibited significant shifts in recent years.
Reid Stoyberg, an environmental scientist and fishing guide at Plummer’s Arctic Lodges, emphasized the importance of continued research to understand the implications of these ecological changes on species like ciscoes, baitfish, and invertebrates in Great Bear Lake. Stoyberg highlighted the need to monitor and adapt to ensure survival in the dynamic and demanding environment of the lake.
The study underscores the need for further investigation to assess the long-term effects of these algae population shifts on the food chain and ecosystem dynamics in Great Bear Lake.
