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F2.4 Freeze-thaw freshwater lakes
Book chapter   Open access   Peer reviewed

F2.4 Freeze-thaw freshwater lakes

Richard Kingsford, Stefan Bertilsson, L Jackson, Belinda J Robson and David Keith
The IUCN global Ecosystem Typology 2.0: Descriptive profiles for biomes and ecosystem functional groups, p.114
IUCN
2020
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Abstract

Freshwater ecology Assessment and management of freshwater ecosystems
The majority of surface of these lakes is frozen for at least a month in most years. Their varied origins (tectonic, riverine, fluvioglacial), size and depth affect composition and function. Allochthonous and autochthonous energy sources vary with lake and catchment features. Productivity is highly seasonal, sustained in winter largely by the metabolism of microbial photoautotrophs, chemautotrophs and zooplankton that remain active under low light, nutrients, and temperatures. Spring thaw initiates a seasonal succession, increasing productivity and re establishing complex trophic networks, depending on lake area, depth, connectivity, and nutrient availability.

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