The study of Lake Aluksne ecosystem and management strategy development
Lake Alūksne is the 11th biggest lake in Latvia and it is very popular among fishermen and vacationists. Despite being in relatively good ecological condition, in recent years there have been noted negative changes in the lake’s ecosystem quality. The most alarming problems are the increasing amount of cyanobacterial blooms during the summer months and the rapid overgrowth of the embayment of Lake Alūksne. In order to assess the sustainability and biological integrity of the lake’s resources and elaborate an appropriate management strategy, a comprehensive study of the Lake Alūksne functioning should be carried out.
The Aim
To assess the ecological functioning of Lake Alūksne and to elaborate the strategy for sustainable lake management.
Our Role
IES is the principal contractor.
Results
In 2014, a multi-disciplinary group of researchers under the leadership of principal investigator Dr. Matīss Žagars carried out field surveys of nutrients, phytoplankton, zooplankton, zoobenthos, hydro-botany, and fish. The ground-penetrating radar was used to measure the depth and amount of sediments in Lake Alūksne, as a result of which, a three-dimensional sub-surface model was created. The two-year study will continue in 2015, and the findings will serve as the basis for the lake management strategy.
Project duration: 05.2014 – 12.2015
Project coordinator: Leading Researcher Dr.biol. Matīss Žagars, e-mail: matiss.zagars@videsinstituts.lv, telephone : +37164127951
Project financed by: Alūksne local municipality
Co-funded by: the Fish Fund
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