Introducing International Society of Limnology with IES’s experience in lake food web research

Katrit Karus, post-doctorate of the Institute for Environmental Solutions (IES) is invited to participate the 35th Congress of the International Society of Limnology to share the institute’s experience in comprehensive research on Estonian and Latvian lake food webs.

IES’s researchers have been studying 8 lakes in Latvia and Estonia for three years. Among the researched lakes are lake Riebinu, lake Auciema, lake Laukezers, lake Varzgune in Latvia and lake Akste, lake Nohipalo Valgjärv, lake Kaiavere, and lake Prossa in Estonia. Using both remote sensing and in-situ data, the researchers were able to develop a comprehensive understanding on lakes’ processes and to discover how do lakes’ food webs function. Thus, further enabling the development of research and data-based decision making for the management of lakes.

Researchers have been studying the correlation between eating habits of fish and the presence of aquatic plants in lakes that are the living environment for fish. Furthermore, researchers also study the correlation between eating habits of fish and the presence of plankton organisms that are the main food resources for larval fish. During the 35th Congress of the International Society of Limnology (SIL2021), IES’s post-doctorate Katrit Karus is invited to present the knowledge gained in this research – how aquatic macrophytes influence planktonic food web components in Estonian and Latvian lakes. SIL2021 congress will take place from the 22nd August until the 27th August, 2021 on the online platform. Find more about the agenda and registration for the SIL2021 congress here.

The research on Estonian and Latvian lake food webs is coming to an end. Research results will be used further as an important input for communication with stakeholders, as well as for future lake research studies.

Th research is a part of the project „Fish feeding conditions in lakes with different planktonic food web structure and microvegetation “(MICROFISH), No.1.1.1.2/VIAA/1/18/301. Agreement with State Education Development Agency of the Republic of Latvia No. 1.1.1.2/16/I/001. The project is financed by the European Regional Development Fund, the State budget of the Republic of Latvia and the foundation „Institute for Environmental Solutions”.

Find out more about the project here.