Involving local students to analyse the Alūksne Lake’s food-chain

On the 12th of October the scientists from the Institute for Environmental Solutions and the Latvian Institute of Aquatic Ecology invited students from Maliena Primary School and Beja Primary School to carry out research of the Alūksne Lake’s food-chain together and enlighten how climate change can bring negative effects on the lake’s ecosystem.

To detect the ecological condition of the Alūksne Lake and assess a potential impact of climate change effects on the lake, in 2015 scientists began a detailed survey of its food-chain.  To stress the human responsibility towards environment and demonstrate the research methods that show the whole picture of the lake’s ecology, the scientists introduced the local youngsters to participate the latest research stage.

Students alongside scientists carried out detailed survey of the Alūksne Lake’s food-chain. There were six stages of the survey: fish sampling; sample weighing and measuring; analysis of content of fish stomachs; phytoplankton and zooplankton observation through microscopes; and analysis of shellfish behaviour.

As a part of the Project CyCLE, scientists will carry out research in the Alūksne Lake and Lake Burtnieks until May, 2016. Research results will be publicly available on the Project web-site and in the municipalities’ offices. The Project is supported by European Economic Area (EEA) financial mechanism and co-financed by the IES and LIAE.

The Project web page