Lake Simcoe: Case study for putting science into action on a stressed ecosystem

Session: 56. - Science for a Healthy Lake Simcoe

Justin Trumpickas, ON Ministry of Natural Resources & Forestry, [email protected]
Erin Dunlop, ON Ministry of Natural Resources, Trent University, [email protected]

Abstract

Lake Simcoe is the largest inland lake in southern Ontario.  There is a long history of human settlement within its watershed, and its population is rapidly growing.  The lake and its watershed provide, among other things, recreational opportunities, a source of drinking water, and habitat for many species.  However, numerous stressors, like invasive species, land use change, and nutrient loading, have caused impacts such as fisheries collapse, poor water quality, and degraded habitats.  This presentation provides a historical overview of Lake Simcoe, describing some of the major changes that have occurred to the lake, as well as the management initiatives to improve the health of the lake.  This will provide context for much of the work that will be presented later in the Science for a healthy Lake Simcoe session.  Furthermore, many of the pressures and trends on Lake Simcoe are the same as on the Laurentian Great Lakes; research on Lake Simcoe has general applicability to many large lakes. 

1. Keyword
Lake Simcoe

2. Keyword
environmental health

3. Keyword
watersheds