I am pleased to share a new study that I worked on with Dr. Bella Oleksy (Cary Institute, @isabella_oleksy). We examined a 35-yr temperature record of Mohonk Lake and found lake stratification is getting longer + stronger, and responding to global climate trends. The paper was published in the American Geophysical Unions Geophysical Research Letters and can be found here. Here is an overview of the study and in interview with Dr. Oleksy: https://caryinstitute.org/news-insights/feature/mohonk-lake-getting-warmer-and-more-stagnant-climate-change?utm_source=Twitter…
This study was based on long-term data from @mohonkpreserve. We developed a new metric we call “mixing action” that accounts for an entire season of lake stratification including onset and mixing timing and peak stability of stratification. What drove higher mixing actions each year? In Mohonk Lake, there have been longer stratified seasons, earlier onset of stratification in the spring, and stronger water column stability. Here is a cool visualization of these trends:
Many lakes to long-term collectors of data including Dan Smiley, Paul Huth, John Thompson, Natalie Feldsine, Climate Tracker volunteers, interns, Mohonk Mountain House, and Mohonk Preserve. This is a particularly exciting paper for me because Bella was an NSF REU for SUNY New Paltz way back when I was first starting as a professor. It has been amazing to have her return to the area as a post doctoral scientist at the Cary Institute of Ecosystem studies and to work with her again on a new project!