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Integrating Perspectives to Understand Lake Ice Dynamics in a Changing World
Author(s) -
Sharma Sapna,
Meyer Michael F.,
Culpepper Joshua,
Yang Xiao,
Hampton Stephanie,
Berger Stella A.,
Brousil Matthew R.,
Fradkin Steven C.,
Higgins Scott N.,
Jankowski Kathi Jo,
Kirillin Georgiy,
Smits Adrianne P.,
Whitaker Emily C.,
Yousef Foad,
Zhang Shuai
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of geophysical research: biogeosciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2169-8961
pISSN - 2169-8953
DOI - 10.1029/2020jg005799
Subject(s) - limnology , cryosphere , temporal scales , lake ecosystem , environmental science , physical geography , ecosystem , sea ice , ecology , climatology , oceanography , geography , geology , biology
Ice cover plays a critical role in physical, biogeochemical, and ecological processes in lakes. Despite its importance, winter limnology remains relatively understudied. Here, we provide a primer on the predominant drivers of freshwater lake ice cover and the current methodologies used to study lake ice, including in situ and remote sensing observations, physical based models, and experiments. We highlight opportunities for future research by integrating these four disciplines to address key knowledge gaps in our understanding of lake ice dynamics in changing winters. Advances in technology, data integration, and interdisciplinary collaboration will allow the field to move toward developing global forecasts of lake ice cover for small to large lakes across broad spatial and temporal scales, quantifying ice quality and ice thickness, moving from binary to continuous ice records, and determining how winter ice conditions and quality impact ecosystem processes in lakes over winter. Ultimately, integrating disciplines will improve our ability to understand the impacts of changing winters on lake ice.