Kawagama lake Calcium Decline Mitigation Cost Benefit Analysis

Kawagama lake Calcium Decline Mitigation Cost Benefit Analysis

Samantha Dunlop

Kawagama Lake Cottagers Association

Dr. Shaun Watmough, Trent School of the Environment

4855

2020

on-line

Kawagama Lake, Haliburton County

Environmental Science

Calcium is a vital nutrient for plant growth and ecosystem function, both aquatic and terrestrial. The decline of calcium in lakes and soils is occurring in watersheds across the boreal shield, as a result of acid deposition and land use practices such as silviculture. The decline of calcium is concerning because it can cause major changes to food webs and ecosystem functioning. Nutrient contents in catchment soils are connected to the levels seen in lakes through interactions between soil surfaces and surface waters in the riparian zones of watersheds, as well as the biological, geological, and meteorological processes occurring throughout the watershed.
In response to the concerns over calcium decline expressed by members of the KLCA, a literature review was conducted in 2019 to raise awareness for the mechanisms, consequences, and mitigation options of calcium decline. Building on that momentum, this study seeks to assess the current state of calcium pools in the Kawagama Lake watershed and make recommendations for mitigation efforts.

Trent University