Limnology 101

Photo courtesy of onlinedegree.com

You’ve heard of oceanography, the study of oceans. And marine biology, the study of marine life. But you may be less familiar with limnology, the study of lakes. Limnologists working in this important field help advance scientific research about lake ecosystems, making huge contributions to the environments we love so dearly. Today, we’re taking a broad look at the field as a whole.

What is Limnology?

Limnologists who work for the State Hygenic Lab collect samples in a creek near Dewitt, Iowa. The researchers are Todd Hubbard (brown hoodie), Mark Johnston (white beard tan hat), Kyle Skoff (red beard), and Mike Birmingham (green shirt).

In short, limnology is the study of lakes. It’s closely related to the field of oceanography, which together with limnology, comprises the study of all aquatic ecosystems. While lakes are often the primary focus of this discipline, that’s not all that’s covered. The field of limnology includes all inland waters, including lakes (both salt lakes and freshwater lakes), rivers, wetlands, reservoirs, streams, and groundwater. If the word sounds confusing, that’s because it originates from the Greek word limne, meaning marsh or pond. Although people have been investigating lakes since ancient history, the field as an organized discipline was founded in 1892 by F.A. Forel, a Swiss scientist. He aimed to create a discipline for aquatic science that integrated studies of different types of lakes.

Where Do Limnologists Work?

Photo by Sigmund on Unsplash

Limnologists work in both academia and applied work. In other words, some limnologists spend time conducting scientific experiments while others apply scientific knowledge to the “real world.”  In academia, limnologists engage in scholarly research including observational, comparative, and experimental studies. These scientists may also teach at colleges and universities, often near bodies of water. For instance, the University of California- Santa Barbara, ESF, and Western Michigan University are all water-proximal schools known for their limnology programs. In applied work, limnologists may lend their expertise to federal organizations like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or the National Park Service to help government bodies make scientifically informed policy decisions. They may also engage in consultation work in the private sector or at an environmental consulting firm. 

What Do Limnologists Study?

Photo courtesy of Grand Canyon University

Anything and everything about lakes! Limnologists investigate a wide variety of lake-related questions, and most limnologists have a specific specialty. For instance, they may study features of running water or key differences between lakes in various climates. Limnologists may also help answer questions like “How are lakes formed?” “How do lakes recover from coastal disasters?” and “What are the historical trends in ice coverage on lakes?” This type of research is normally conducted at academic institutions, often within an environmental science department, by limnologists with master’s or doctoral degrees. For instance, the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Center for Limnology and the University of Minnesota’s Limnological Research Center actively engage in scholarly research on these topics.

Why is Limnology Important?

Photo courtesy of Certified Wildlife Habitat

The field of limnology is integral to the well-being of lakes, reservoirs, rivers, and other non-oceanic ecosystems. Without this increasing body of knowledge about lakes, we would know far less about how to take care of our lakes. Specifically, limnology plays a major role in wildlife habitat protection, water use and distribution, water pollution control, and many other facets of lake sustainability. As lake lovers, we have a lot to learn from these scientists about the maintenance and care of these beautiful bodies of water. For more information about this important field, check out the International Society of Limnology and ALSO (Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography). And as always, we hope you continue to appreciate and enjoy the natural beauty of your lake area!

How Climate Change is Affecting Your Lake House

Photo courtesy of YouMatter

On the Lake Homes Realty Blog, we often cover how to handle inclement weather at your lake house. Whether it’s snowheat, or extreme weather in general, we understand how nature’s elements can impact lake property more than traditional real estate. But what about the slow, seemingly irreversible changes in overall global weather patterns? Yes, we’re talking about climate change.

These gradual changes in our earth’s environment may be harder to recognize, but they still impact your lake property. To understand more, we talked with Katie Severance, realtor and author of an upcoming book: “The Brilliant Home Buyer: Buying a Home in the New Economy.” Armed with her extensive real estate work and personal experience on Lake George, she shared her expertise on how climate change is affecting your lake house.

What is Climate Change?

Photo courtesy of NASA – Global Climate Change

It’s been more than 50 years since the Stanford Research Institute first spoke about climate change. In 2021, climate change continues to be a heavily discussed topic among environmentalists, businesses, politicians, and families at dinner tables. There’s a lot to understand about climate change, but in short, climate change is a detrimental phenomenon that refers to the significant changes in average weather conditions across the globe. 

A significant part of climate change is global warming, the increase in average global temperature due to excess carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere. These increased CO2 levels trap heat within the atmosphere, making the earth hotter. This process is also known as the “greenhouse effect.” Here in the U.S., the burning of fossil fuels for electricity and gas emissions for transportation are two huge contributors to the greenhouse effect.

What Does Climate Change Mean for Lakes?

Photo courtesy of Pinterest

Climate change operates like a domino effect. When global temperatures rise, it affects every component of the natural world. With bodies of water specifically, rising temperatures cause Antarctic ice caps to melt and ocean levels to rise. Besides water level, hotter air means more powerful hurricanes, more frequent droughts, and heavier rainfall. In freshwater systems specifically, this can mean increased flooding and sediment erosion, both of which can affect your shoreline. It also impacts lake stratification, which in turn, is detrimental to the homeostasis of aquatic life. 

Although the exact impact of climate change on your lake house will vary based on your region, the two biggest things to keep in mind for your lake property are wind and water. For water specifically, consider both water quality and water table. “You want to know how the water table and water quality have been impacted in the last five years,” Katie says. “One of the ways to learn this information is to get the lake association’s minutes from their meetings if they meet monthly.” She also adds that talking to a local insurance broker could be helpful since they know your specific insurance needs.

How Can I Protect My Lake Home?

Photo courtesy of Northern Lights Landscapes

As climate change continues to worsen, your lake home’s likelihood of avoiding floods becomes more precarious. Katie adds, “Now more than ever, when you go to buy a property, you need to get flood insurance.” By law, realtors need to disclose to buyers whether their home is in a flood zone. But just because your home isn’t in a flood zone doesn’t mean you should neglect insurance. 

Looking at FEMA maps, asking for an elevation certificate, and ensuring that your house is on the highest soil point can all help protect your home from flooding. “Water is lazy,” Katie says. “It goes to the place that’s easiest to run to.” As such, make sure your gutters slope away from your house. The basement is also important to consider. Katie recommends installing both a French drain and a sump pump to ensure that your basement won’t flood. 

As lake homeowners, we’re proclaimed lovers of nature. That said, it’s on us to do our part in protecting the planet from the continued effects of climate change. In addition to protecting your property, check out these resources to make more green decisions in your own life.

5 Rarest Freshwater Fish in the World

Photo courtesy of Native Fish Coalition.

As lake homeowners, many of us love fishing. Whether you fish to eat or catch and release, nothing beats the joy of reeling in a freshwater fish. However, many fish –perhaps even in your home lake — could be endangered.

According to The Telegraph, a third of freshwater fish are facing extinction. Water pollution, overfishing, and loss of habitat are some factors that cause this population decline to happen. As a result, many freshwater fish have been declared critically endangered. As of 2020, these five species are some of the world’s rarest freshwater fish.

Chinese Paddlefish

Photo courtesy of CGTN.

Last seen in 2007, the Chinese Paddlefish is likely the world’s rarest freshwater fish. Native to the Yangtze River in China, its long protruding nose makes it one of the world’s longest freshwater fish.

Unfortunately, this fish’s status is unknown, and many scientists think it could be extinct due to human activity. In part, their disappearance was caused by the construction of a dam that split their population. According to new research from 2020, the species is likely extinct.

Although there’s always the possibility that a species thought to be extinct are still alive somewhere, researchers say it’s unlikely for the Chinese Paddlefish. 

Damba Mipentina

Photo courtesy of Art.com.

These cichlid fish are native to river basins in Northern Madagascar. A small number of this species have been bred in captivity; no one has seen this fish in its home waters since 2011.

Part of the reason for its decline (in addition to overfishing and pollution) is the introduction of the invasive Asian Snakehead fish, a non-native species. Fortunately, public institutions like the London Zoo have incorporated captive breeding programs to help save this population from extinction. 

Alabama Sturgeon

Photo courtesy of USGS.

As it turns out, one of the world’s rarest freshwater fish is native to Alabama’s rivers. If you’re an avid angler at your lake house, you’ve probably heard of sturgeon. But did you know that they are critically endangered?

Of all the sturgeon subspecies, the Alabama Sturgeon is exceedingly rare. In 2000, the Fish and Wildlife Service declared it critically endangered, and in the past ten years, only three people have reported seeing one. Despite fears of its extinction, scientists in 2016 discovered its DNA in the Alabama River – restoring hope that this fish is still alive and thriving. 

Diamond Darter

Diamond, Darter, Crystallaria cincotta – National Geographic

The diamond darter is endemic to the Elk River in West Virginia, meaning that this population only exists in this location. Diamond Darters used to thrive throughout the Ohio River watershed until the dam construction changed the population’s habitat.

On the Elk River, coal mining and oil and gas drilling have contributed to this population’s decline. Now, the exact number of remaining species is unknown. However, scientists do know that in the past 30 years, only 19 of these fish have been caught. If you were to see one, its translucent body, small size, and slender shape would make it difficult to recognize.

Devil’s Hole Pupfish

Photo courtesy of nature.org.

These small blue fish are native to Devil’s Hole, a limestone cave lake in Nevada’s Death Valley National Park. Endemic to this small cave lake since the Ice Age, the Devil’s Hole Pupfish live in the smallest geographic range for any vertebrate species. Because of this, it’s always been one of the world’s rarest freshwater fish (never more than 553), but now, its count marks only 35 fish. 

However, there is some hope for their conservation. Ash Meadows Conservation Facility created an artificial environment to replicate Devil’s Hole and breed these fish to restore the population. When diving beetles were found eating the eggs, scientists developed a new strategy in 2018, raising the eggs in a separate lab. Now with more Devil’s Hole Pupfish in the lab than in the wild, some conservationists are optimistic about restoring this population.  

For more information on preserving freshwater species, check out governmental and nonprofit environmental organizations like FreshWater Life, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the National Wildlife Federation

Sustainable Scapes: Environmentally Friendly Landscaping Solutions

Photo courtesy of The Lily Pad Cottage.

Imagine your dream landscape in the backyard of your lake house. Maybe the freshly cut grass is a vibrant shade of green, your flowers and shrubs are perfectly manicured, and a sprinkler is installed to keep everything looking fresh. However, this vision of a perfect green space may not actually be sustainable. Andrew Gabries, the owner of Go Green Lawn and Pest Control, warns, “A yard that looks good but isn’t healthy is difficult to maintain.” Despite the green grass appeal, it’s best to design an environmentally friendly landscape. Fortunately, there are several solutions to creating a beautiful — and eco-friendly — backyard at your lake house.

Reduce Water Use

Photo courtesy of Evergreen Turf.

Despite long showers and multiple dishwasher runs, most residential water usage is concentrated outside the home. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, a typical American household uses 320 gallons of water per day. Further, 30% of this amount is used for outdoor purposes like landscaping. In dry climates like the Southwest, this number increases to 60%. Simply put, this common practice is wasteful.

In contrast to popular opinion, you don’t need to water grass daily. By watering less, utilizing hardscapes, and planting artificial grass, you can reduce the amount of water waste at your home. At the end of the day, even though bright green grass might look ideal, grass with slight brown tones is healthier. 

Choose Native Plants

Planting non-native flowers and shrubs may add a fun, exotic flair to your garden. However, they are not likely to flourish without manually engineering the environment. This is not helpful for environmentally friendly landscaping. Pablo Solomon, environmentalism leader and science consultant for the U.S. Department of Education, advises, “Whenever possible, use local natural plants and trees in your landscaping. This will reduce watering and dependence on herbicides or pesticides.” For example, lupines and willowherbs are native to Lake George in New York, while crown beards and evening primroses will grow naturally at Lake Lanier in Georgia. If you aren’t sure which plants are native to your lake area, the National Wildlife Federation created an interactive Native Plant Finder tool to help.

Reconsider the Lawnmower

Photo courtesy of The Wall Street Journal.

Although many lake homeowners have a standard gas lawn mower on hand at their properties, these tools emit fuels that can be toxic to the environment. Further, at a lake property, landscaper Steve Ambrose comments, “These fuels can easily float in the air and into the lake as vapor, even if you are far above the water.” Luckily, there are several environmentally-friendly alternatives to the traditional gas lawnmower. Solomon advises gardeners to “use hand tools if your time and health allow. You not only help the environment but stay in shape as well.” 

However, if you don’t have the time or physical capabilities for hand tools, electric mowers are another great environmentally friendly solution. Ambrose adds, “Electric maintenance equipment saves on fossil fuels and pollution, but also cuts down enormously on noise pollution.” You may even consider investing in an automatic electric mower. With this tool that essentially functions as a Roomba for your landscape, there’s no need to expend energy. It’s also best to mow the lawn at midday, just after the morning dew has set in, and the grass can dry and heal throughout the day before nighttime. 

Don’t Spoil the Soil

Many gardeners add chemicals to their soil to foster plant growth. However, these chemicals are rarely necessary and negatively impact the environment. If you’re unsure, you can test the soil in your backyard to see if chemicals are needed. If it turns out that your soil needs some fertilizer, opt for a natural choice such as adding mulch to plant beds. Ambrose comments, “I would stick to entirely organic naturally occurring fertilizers and see if the soil that is directly next to the lake can go unfertilized.” Gabries compares a landscape to your own food intake as a human: “The more organic products you consume, the better the results tend to be.”

Why Go Green?

Photo courtesy of bluegrasslawn.com.

For any homeowner, choosing environmentally friendly landscaping techniques benefits wildlife, reduces air and soil pollution, and creates less work for you as a gardener. However, lake homeowners specifically have a greater calling to go green. Ambrose explains, “Lakeside properties are a lot harder to be environmentally friendly with, but the responsibility is far greater. Usually, a house on a lake has water access, but the water actually belongs to the state. You will need to be careful to be a good citizen.” So, next time you think about turning on the sprinkler or the gas lawn mower, keep in mind that a perfectly polished lawn doesn’t always equate to sustainability. When it comes to landscaping, aim for natural beauty. Your plants will thank you. 

Why Lakes Are Superior to Beaches

At LakeHomes.com, we aren’t shy about being crazy about lake real estate. We are Lake Homes Realty, after all, so the freshwater fanfare comes with the territory. But there seems to be an ongoing rivalry that mentions our bread and butter by name.

Lakes or beaches? Grassy waterfronts or salty, sandy shores? When it comes down to the choice between lake living and beach bumming, it’s all about personal preference.

To be fair, beaches have their perks. The sight, sound and smell of white-crested waves lapping on the shore at sunset; towering palm trees swaying in the wind; strong, unpredictable gusts of wind that whip sand into your food, hair and unfortunately, bathing suit. Yes, beaches are nice.

But we’re here to give you a few reasons why lakes are simply superior. And yes, that pun is intended.

The Sea Eats Everything

Reason No. 1 to stay away from beachfront real estate: the sea eats everything. Saltwater and metal do not get along. As a matter of fact, they’re mortal enemies.

Moisture, salt and oxygen are a lethal combination for metal objects like boat engines and can cause more kinds of damage than mere rust. Saltwater eats away at metals, weakening them and causing them to eventually fall apart at the seams.

In fact, it consumes metal five times faster than freshwater. Add to that the humid, salty air of the sea, and you’ve got yourself a front row seat to corrosion at a rate 10 times faster than you’d find in freshwater environments.

Aside from the corrosion of various metals by seawater, ocean bacteria are also notorious for consuming iron, turning it to rust. What can this mean for you? Maintenance, maintenance and more maintenance, which is another way of saying expense, expense, expense.

Living on the beach involves an ongoing fight against the elements to keep your expensive possessions like boats, outdoor furniture, exterior lighting fixtures — even laptops and washing machines — from wasting away while you watch.

And then there’s always land erosion. Having a beautiful beachfront home with a stunning view is nice until you realize the water gets closer and closer to your house each year because the sea eats everything, including the shoreline.

That new boat you spent years saving for? Hurricane don’t care. We hope you are adequately insured because you’ll need it. Play it safe and buy a lake home.

And we won’t even bring up climate change and how it is destroying the value of coastal property more and more every year. Changing sea level is not an issue on the lake.

A Tale of Two Environments

When it comes to the differences in lake and ocean environments, it really depends on the type of person you are.

Beach volleyball or backyard barbecue? Nostalgic rope swings or adventurous deep-sea fishing?

If you think you prefer sand and surf, here’s a head’s up. Public beaches have extensive restrictions — which can vary depending on which beach you go to — on what you can and cannot do on them.

Do you like drinking beer or soda from glass bottles? Don’t go to the beach. Want to bring man’s best friend along for a day in the sun? Dogs usually aren’t allowed on the beach. Want to cookout, or grill, by the water? Not at the beach you don’t, because the beach police frown upon open fires. There are beaches don’t even allow kayaks, windsurfing or inflatable toys.

In some places, kite flying is restricted. Swimming in certain areas is restricted. Jet skis? In many cases, restricted.

Careful not to fall asleep to the sound of waves under the night sky, because even sleeping isn’t always allowed.

Sunbathing, volleyball, building sand castles and other typical beach activities are fun, but admittedly don’t offer much by way of outdoor adventure. Unless, of course, surfing is your activity of choice. But for those of us who aren’t water-walking Olympians, there are lakes.

For starters, you can quite literally do whatever you want. Some lakes are within state parks and have recreational restrictions, sure, but for most people the lake is in the backyard.

Grill out and drink beer or soda from real glass bottles. Have a fun bonfire with friends or start a campfire for the night without worrying that an authority figure in a golf cart will arrive to rain on your parade.

Instead of boating miles and miles out into the water to go fishing, cast a line from the comfort and privacy of your own dock.

You can sunbathe, too, but there’s also kayaking, paddle boarding, hiking and canoeing. Lake homes are situated in a variety of different environments, which means there’s something for everyone. From the towering evergreens and mountains of Idaho to the waterfront vineyards of Vermont and Upstate New York, we’ve got you covered.

Lakes also tend to stay relevant year-round. Beaches turn into ghost towns as soon as the temperature drops, but it’s easy to find a lake that is a hot spot in all four seasons. In some areas, like Lake Michigan and Lake George in New York, you can enjoy cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, ice-fishing and sledding in the winter. Have you ever tried cross-country skiing at the beach? It is very unpleasant.

Wildlife and scenery in lake environments are extremely diverse, which spells good news for everyone from hunters and biologists to painters and photographers. You just can’t take in the beauty of colorful fall foliage on the shores of the Pacific.

Precious little animals like ducks, swans, bunny rabbits and deer are spread across the landscape, whereas the sea has everything from volatile seagulls that steal your sunglasses to deep-sea fish with no eyes and razor-sharp teeth who routinely consume prey 10 times their size.

But go enjoy the beach if that’s your thing! We promise not to hold it against you. It’s just that we felt the need to weigh in on this debate since we are the lake experts.

The beach has its perks, sure, but the benefits of lake living far outnumber them. So at the end of the day, you should just play it safe and buy a lake home.