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Cascade project at North Temperate Lakes LTER - High Frequency Data for Whole Lake Nutrient Additions 2013-2015

High frequency continuous data for temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, chlorophyll a, and phycocyanin in Paul, Peter, and Tuesday lakes from mid-May to early September for the years 2013, 2014 and 2015. Inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus were added to Peter and Tuesday lakes each year while Paul Lake was an unfertilized reference.

Cascade project at North Temperate Lakes LTER - Daily Chlorophyll Data for Whole Lake Nutrient Additions 2013-2015

Daily chlorophyll for surface water samples in Paul, Peter, and Tuesday lakes from mid-May to early September for the years 2013, 2014 and 2015. Inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus were added to Peter and Tuesday lakes each year while Paul Lake was an unfertilized reference.

Little Rock Lake Experiment at North Temperate Lakes LTER: Zooplankton length 1988 - 1998

The Little Rock Acidification Experiment was a joint project involving the USEPA (Duluth Lab), University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, University of Wisconsin-Superior, University of Wisconsin-Madison, and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Little Rock Lake is a bi-lobed lake in Vilas County, Wisconsin, USA. In 1983 the lake was divided in half by an impermeable curtain and from 1984-1989 the northern basin of the lake was acidified with sulfuric acid in three two-year stages. The target pHs for 1984-5, 1986-7, and 1988-9 were 5.7, 5.2, and 4.7, respectively. Starting in 1990 the lake was allowed to recover naturally with the curtain still in place. Data were collected through 2000. The main objective was to understand the population, community, and ecosystem responses to whole-lake acidification. Funding for this project was provided by the USEPA and NSF. Zooplankton samples are collected from the treatment and reference basins of Little Rock Lake at at two to nine depths using a 30L Schindler Patalas trap (53um mesh). Zooplankton samples are preserved in buffered formalin and archived. Data are summed over sex and stage and integrated volumetrically over the water column to provide a lake-wide estimate of average length of organisms for each species.

North Temperate Lakes LTER Regional Survey Water Color Scans 2015 - current

The Northern Highlands Lake District (NHLD) is one of the few regions in the world with periodic comprehensive water chemistry data from hundreds of lakes spanning almost a century. Birge and Juday directed the first comprehensive assessment of water chemistry in the NHLD, sampling more than 600 lakes in the 1920s and 30s. These surveys have been repeated by various agencies and we now have data from the 1920s (UW), 1960s (WDNR), 1970s (EPA), 1980s (EPA), 1990s (EPA), and 2000s (NTL). The 28 lakes sampled as part of the Regional Lake Survey have been sampled by at least four of these regional surveys including the 1920s Birge and Juday sampling efforts. These 28 lakes were selected to represent a gradient of landscape position and shoreline development, both of which are important factors influencing social and ecological dynamics of lakes in the NHLD. This long-term regional dataset will lead to a greater understanding of whether and how large-scale drivers such as climate change and variability, lakeshore residential development, introductions of invasive species, or forest management have altered regional water chemistry. Color is measured in water samples that are filtered in the field through 0.45 um nucleopore membrane filters. A spectrophotometer is used to quantify color in the lab as absorbance (unitless) at 1 nm intervals between the wavelengths of 200 and 800 nm. Absorbance data are considered suspect for values greater than 2.

North Temperate Lakes LTER Regional Survey Water Chemistry 2015 - current

The Northern Highlands Lake District (NHLD) is one of the few regions in the world with periodic comprehensive water chemistry data from hundreds of lakes spanning almost a century. Birge and Juday directed the first comprehensive assessment of water chemistry in the NHLD, sampling more than 600 lakes in the 1920s and 30s. These surveys have been repeated by various agencies and we now have data from the 1920s (UW), 1960s (WDNR), 1970s (EPA), 1980s (EPA), 1990s (EPA), and 2000s (NTL). The 28 lakes sampled as part of the Regional Lake Survey have been sampled by at least four of these regional surveys including the 1920s Birge and Juday sampling efforts. These 28 lakes were selected to represent a gradient of landscape position and shoreline development, both of which are important factors influencing social and ecological dynamics of lakes in the NHLD. This long-term regional dataset will lead to a greater understanding of whether and how large-scale drivers such as climate change and variability, lakeshore residential development, introductions of invasive species, or forest management have altered regional water chemistry. The regional lakes survey in 2015 followed the standard LTER protocol for standard water chemistry and biology. Samples were taken as close to solar noon as possible. Seven lakes had replicates performed, which were chosen at random.

North Temperate Lakes LTER Regional Survey Zooplankton 2015 - current

The Northern Highlands Lake District (NHLD) is one of the few regions in the world with periodic comprehensive water chemistry data from hundreds of lakes spanning almost a century. Birge and Juday directed the first comprehensive assessment of water chemistry in the NHLD, sampling more than 600 lakes in the 1920s and 30s. These surveys have been repeated by various agencies and we now have data from the 1920s (UW), 1960s (WDNR), 1970s (EPA), 1980s (EPA), 1990s (EPA), and 2000s (NTL). The 28 lakes sampled as part of the Regional Lake Survey have been sampled by at least four of these regional surveys including the 1920s Birge and Juday sampling efforts. These 28 lakes were selected to represent a gradient of landscape position and shoreline development, both of which are important factors influencing social and ecological dynamics of lakes in the NHLD. This long-term regional dataset will lead to a greater understanding of whether and how large-scale drivers such as climate change and variability, lakeshore residential development, introductions of invasive species, or forest management have altered regional water chemistry. Zooplankton samples were taken at approximately the deepest part of each lake, via a vertical tow with a Wisconsin net. Count of individuals and presence absence data for all lakes in study region are provided here.

North Temperate Lakes LTER Regional Survey water temperature DO 2015 - current

The Northern Highlands Lake District (NHLD) is one of the few regions in the world with periodic comprehensive water chemistry data from hundreds of lakes spanning almost a century. Birge and Juday directed the first comprehensive assessment of water chemistry in the NHLD, sampling more than 600 lakes in the 1920s and 30s. These surveys have been repeated by various agencies and we now have data from the 1920s (UW), 1960s (WDNR), 1970s (EPA), 1980s (EPA), 1990s (EPA), and 2000s (NTL). The 28 lakes sampled as part of the Regional Lake Survey have been sampled by at least four of these regional surveys including the 1920s Birge and Juday sampling efforts. These 28 lakes were selected to represent a gradient of landscape position and shoreline development, both of which are important factors influencing social and ecological dynamics of lakes in the NHLD. This long-term regional dataset will lead to a greater understanding of whether and how large-scale drivers such as climate change and variability, lakeshore residential development, introductions of invasive species, or forest management have altered regional water chemistry. Water temperature and dissolved oxygen profiles were taken on sampling days.

Spatial heterogeneity of within-stream methane concentrations North Temperate Lakes LTER, 2014

Streams, rivers, and other freshwater features may be significant sources of CH4 to the atmosphere. However, high spatial and temporal variabilities hinder our ability to understand the underlying processes of CH4 production and delivery to streams and also challenge the use of scaling approaches across large areas. We studied a stream having high geomorphic variability to assess the underlying scale of CH4 spatial variability and to examine whether the physical structure of a stream can explain the variation in surface CH4. A combination of high-resolution CH4 mapping, a survey of groundwater CH4 concentrations, quantitative analysis of methanogen DNA, and sediment CH4 production potentials illustrates the spatial and geomorphic controls on CH4 emissions to the atmosphere.

North Temperate Lakes LTER: Trout Lake Spiny Water Flea 2014 - present

Beginning in 2014, 30 meter vertical tows with a special zooplankton net were collected in Trout Lake specifically for the invasive Bythotrephes longimanus (spiny water flea). The net has a 400 micrometer mesh with a 0.5 meter diameter opening. Individuals are simply counted, and density is determined to be the number of individuals divided by the total water volume of each tow. 

North Temperate Lakes LTER: Northern Wisconsin boater survey, 2010 - 2012

Understanding public perceptions of the importance of environmental issues is crucial for gauging support for management activities. This survey assess the importance boaters placed on 16 water issues in a lake-rich region of northern Wisconsin. Sociodemographic characteristics, recreation specialization, place attachment, and attitudes concerning aquatic stewardship and invasive species management were then used to predict class membership. While anglers were most concerned about fishing quality, sightseers identified lakeshore development and loss of natural habitat. Groups also differed in their socio-demographic and attitudinal characteristics. The priorities of each group were substantially different from those of the overall sample. Accounting for differences in stakeholders’ environmental concerns may improve public involvement in water management initiatives by allowing managers to identify common concerns and prioritize important issues among multiple groups.

Biocomplexity at North Temperate Lakes LTER; Coordinated Field Studies: Chemical Limnology 2001 - 2004

Chemical Limnology data collected for Biocomplexity Project; Landscape Context - Coordinated Field Studies Replicate chemical samples were pumped from the surface water (0.5m depth) and secchi depth was recorded at each lake. Temperature/dissolved oxygen profiles were taken throughout the water column at one meter intervals on all lakes. For more detail see the Water Sampling Protocol. Sampling Frequency: During 2001, temperature/dissolved oxygen profiles and secchi depths were taken twice during the stratified summer period. Chemistry samples were only taken once during the 2001 stratified period. From 2002 through 2004, all chemical and physical water samples were taken once during June (or resampled during the stratified period if June samples were bad). All lakes in which color, DIC/DOC, and chlorophyll samples were taken in 2001 were resampled in 2002 due to error in collection and/or analysis. Number of sites: 62 Vilas County lakes were sampled from 2001-2004 (approximately 15 different lakes each year).

Cascade Project at North Temperate Lakes LTER – High-resolution Spatial Data for Whole Lake Experiments 2018 - 2019

Spatial measurements of water quality from Peter and Paul lakes in 2018 and 2019. In 2019, inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus were added to Peter Lake daily to cause an algal bloom while Paul Lake was an unmanipulated reference lake. In 2018, both lakes were sampled 1 time per week, while in 2019 lakes were sampled three times per week. Measurements were taken using the FLAMe sampling platform (Crawford et al. 2015, Environmental Science and Technology 49:442-450), which was driven in a grid pattern and recorded GPS coordinates and water measurements at 1Hz to create high resolution spatial maps.

Biocomplexity at North Temperate Lakes LTER; Coordinated Field Studies: Color 2001 - 2004

Biocomplexity at North Temperate Lakes LTER; Coordinated Field Studies: Fish Individual 2001 - 2004

Fish Data collected for Biocomplexity Project; Landscape Context - Coordinated Field Studies. The eight sportfishes of concern in this dataset; Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Bluegill-Pumpkinseed hybrid, Largemouthbass, Smallmouthbass, Rockbass, Walleye, and Yellowperch, are the only species for which standard metrics (length (mm) and weight (g)) were taken. All other fish were identified to species and counted. Sampling Frequency: annually Number of sites: 58

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Cascade Project at North Temperate Lakes LTER: Aquatic heatwave effects on chlorophyll 2008-2019

Temperature and chlorophyll data were collated from multiple datasets to identify the effects of aquatic heatwaves on phytoplankton in three north temperate lakes, Peter Lake, Paul Lake, and Tuesday Lake between 2008 and 2019. Heatwaves were identified using a water temperature model constructed from temperature data from Sparkling Lake and Woodruff Airport between 1989 and 2022. Heatwave characteristics, water color, nutrients, grazing, and lake stability data are included to relate chlorophyll response to heatwaves to other conditions associated with a set of whole-lake experiments. The food web of Peter Lake was manipulated with largemouth bass additions between 2008 and 2011. Nutrient additions were made to Peter Lake and Tuesday Lake between 2013 and 2015, and again in Peter Lake in 2019. Paul Lake was always maintained as an unmanipulated reference lake. Full descriptions of the experiments can be found in Szydlowski et al., "Aquatic heatwaves increase surface chlorophyll concentrations in experimental and reference lakes."

Biocomplexity at North Temperate Lakes LTER; Coordinated Field Studies: Secchi Disk Depth 2001 - 2004

North Temperate Lakes LTER: Alkaline Phosphatase Activity in Lake Mendota 2000 - 2001

Parameters characterizing the alkaline phosphatase activity of Lake Mendota. Samples were collected at one station in the deepest part of each lake from an integrated sample of the epilimnion. Sampling Frequency: fortnightly during ice-free season - every 6 weeks during ice-covered season Number of sites: 1

North Temperate Lakes LTER: Summary of Microbial Activity 2000 - 2002

Summary of Microbial Observatory data from the bacterial production, planktonic respiration and alakline phosphatase activity databases, plus bacterial cell counts from epifluorescence microscopy using DAPI cell stain. Information on integrated sample depth and incubation temperature is also included Sampling Frequency: fortnightly during ice-free season - every 6 weeks during ice-covered season Number of sites: 4

Microbial Bacterial Production in Lakes at North Temperate Lakes LTER 2000 - 2002

Net production of bacteria passing a 70 micron mesh, or bacteria passing a 1 micron mesh, calculated incorporation of 3H labeled leucine into cell proteins. Method based on microcentrifuge method of Smith, David C., and Farooq Azam. 1992. A simple, economical method for measuring bacterial protein synthesis rates in seawater using 3H-leucine, Marine Microbial Food Webs 6(2):107-114. Nanomolar treatments refer to leucine concentration for calculation of isotopic dilution and necessary leucine concentration to saturate uptake into bacterial cells. For a good example on how to calculate isotopic dilution see Pace. Michael L., and Jonathan J. Cole. Primary and bacterial production in lakes: are they coupled over depth? Plankton Research 16(6):661-672. Sampling Frequency: fortnightly during ice-free season - every 6 weeks during ice-covered season Number of sites: 4

Microbial Bacterial Respiration in Lakes at North Temperate Lakes LTER 2000 - 2002

Lake Mendota, Madison, Wisconsin. Bacterial respiration of bacteria passing a 70 micron mesh. Based on bacterial growth efficiency determined empirically on bacteria production and oxygen depletion on microbes passing a 1 micron mesh. All samples from integrated sample of epilimnion to thermocline or 12 meters, which ever was more shallow. Method based on Roland, F. and J. J. Cole. 1999. Regulation of bacterial growth efficiency in a large turbid estuary. Aquatic Microbial Ecology 20:31-38 Sampling Frequency: fortnightly during ice-free season - every 6 weeks during ice-covered season Number of sites: 1