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?

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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!

5 Reasons Not to Feed Wildlife

Photo courtesy of Sheila Fitzgerald via The Bulletin

It’s a quintessential image — a sunny day, a lake full of ducks, and families with children feeding pieces of bread to the animals. This idea may seem completely harmless; after all, the animals are happy, you get closer to nature, so what’s the problem? However, before you toss your leftovers towards the lake, consider these five reasons that feeding wildlife may not be the best idea.

You Could Get Injured

Photo courtesy of Sky News

Besides putting up bird feeders during the winter months, you should steer clear of feeding any wildlife. Instead, animals should be observed from a safe distance. This is especially crucial with larger animals with lake habitats such as deer and elk. In 2018, one woman in Cortlandt New York suffered several injuries from attempting to feed a male white-tailed deer. For many of these animals, humans are seen as a threat, and your approaching them with food could provoke a defensive attack. By staying back and watching them, you’re keeping yourself safe and minimizing any disturbance of nature.

Animals Could Get Injured

Photo courtesy of Gothamist

Besides the risk of human injury, feeding wildlife leaves animals more vulnerable to injury and fatalities as well. In general, animals are most safe in their natural wild habitats where they can steer clear of risks that accompany proximity to humans. One of the biggest risks is roads — one of the major causes of wildlife mortality is being hit by a moving vehicle. When feeding wildlife, many people encourage animals to come close to roads, cross roads, or enter parking lots. Although it’s done under the guise of helping animals, this coercion actually  leaves these creatures more exposed to danger.

Human Food Isn’t Healthy For Animals

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Many people assume that by feeding wildlife, you’re helping the animals get their nutrients for the day. When animals are used to foraging for food, they might appreciate a nice meal from a human. But while the ducks by the shoreline may look like they’re enjoying those breadcrumbs, their digestive system tells a different story. Animals do not need “people food” to survive, and their bodies aren’t built to absorb it. Over time, this can have disastrous consequences. When animals rely on human food, they might become dependent on people to survive, thus making them more vulnerable to humans in general — including those who mean harm. Their natural fear of people, which often helps them stay alive, should be preserved.

There are Public Health Concerns

Photo courtesy of East Idaho News

Public health concerns are another key reason why you shouldn’t feed wildlife. Although human food is bad for wildlife, animals will tend to gravitate towards the most convenient food source available. If people are readily throwing bread crumbs, animals will follow the source. Over time, large groups of animals will clamor for the next piece of bread, creating “hangout” groups. But when too many animals are in one place, the chances of disease transmission to both humans and other wildlife increases. Plus, the overcrowding and competition for food elevates risk of fighting and injury among the same species.

What Can You Do Instead?

Photo courtesy of National Park Service

The impulse to feed wildlife makes sense. As nature-lovers, we want to see wildlife up close and in-person. However, there are other ways to have contact with wild animals that don’t cause harm. You could search local animal rehabilitation centers near your lake area. Volunteering is a great way to get involved in helping local species! You can also benefit wildlife by planting native plants in your backyard that fosters the ecosystem. At the end of the day, just remember that wild animals are just that — wild. As such, it’s our job to observe and appreciate them safely from a distance.

Fall Lake Activity: Spotting Wildlife

Photo courtesy of nps.org.

With winter just around the corner, we’re all trying to squeeze in the remaining months of enjoyable weather. In particular, autumn is the perfect time to enjoy the great outdoors at your lake house.

There’s Halloween and Thanksgiving’s seasonal charm, an array of beautiful fall leaves, and there’s exciting wildlife to spot. The next time you’re lounging in an Adirondack chair in your backyard this season, keep an eye out for these creatures!

Squirrels and Chipmunks

Wild chipmunk in a Boreal forest, North Quebec, Canada.
Photo courtesy of eekwi.org.

Perhaps one of the most common creatures you’ll find at your lake house is the squirrel. Squirrels are one of the quintessential animals of fall. They spend the entire season preparing for the long winter ahead. This preparation means “fattening up” and burying acorns all across your property. Once winter hits, you’ll find them digging up the acorns that they stashed in October.

Squirrels have the uncanny ability to smell their buried acorns beneath a foot of snow. What’s in store for the nuts they forget? They’ll eventually become trees in your backyard!

Peregrine Falcons

Photo courtesy of fieldmuseum.org.

During autumn, spotting wildlife is not too difficult due to the influx of migrating birds heading south for the winter. One migratory species is the Peregrine falcon. Able to fly up to 200 miles per hour, these majestic birds are the fastest animal on earth.

Each fall, Peregrines travel to South America, and typically, they take a short break in South Florida before crossing the Gulf of Mexico on the remainder of their trip. If you own a lake house in the southern U.S., it’s worth making a Florida Keys trip to watch peak migration during October. Make sure to bring your binoculars! 

Monarch Butterflies

Photo courtesy of wkms.org.

Birds aren’t the only creatures that you’ll find migrating this season. According to the International Union for Conservation and Natural Resources, the monarch butterfly migration northward from Mexico each spring is a “threatened phenomenon.” Despite this endangered state, you’re still likely to spot these stunning butterflies on their journey back to Mexico in October. By November and December, they’ll have settled down, so be sure to enjoy them while you can!

Beavers

Photo courtesy of boredpanda.com.

One advantage of spotting wildlife on the lake is getting double the possibilities of sightings with land and water creatures. During the fall, you may find adorable families of beavers around the shoreline of your lake or another nearby body of water. More than likely, they’ll be busy gnawing at a tree to build their dams.

It’s no wonder beavers are known as “nature’s engineers” as they’re masterfully skilled at constructing habitats. If you’re lucky enough to spot one, be sure to keep a safe distance. If you notice them slap their tail on the water, it’s a sign you’re too close.

Elk

Photo courtesy of Explore Big Sky.

If you own a lake house in the American west, you may be fortunate enough to spot an elk. These massive animals (the largest animal in the deer family) enjoy mountainous areas such as Yellowstone National Park. However, some elk herds have been found in more wooded areas.

If you’re hoping to find an elk during your next outdoor adventure, a piercing bugling noise may reveal this creature’s presence. During the fall mating season, male elk let out these high-pitched calls to attract females. October is part of peak bugling season, so keep your ears open! 

Although we are in the midst of a pandemic, it’s provided an optimal time for lake-lovers like us to observe the natural world around us. Spotting wildlife at your lake house is a fun, timely hobby for the whole family. All you need is a camera, a pair of binoculars, and a keen sense of observation!

Fun Wildlife Family Activity at Your Lake – Can You Find These Animals?

Time spent on the lake provides priceless entertainment and education for those searching for fun wildlife near the water. For an engaging family activity, see if you can spot any of the animals on our fun wildlife lake list.

Cowscow in water

While cows are normally found grazing fields near small ponds they are occasionally spotted on larger lakes.

This particular cow was spotted on Logan Martin Lake in July of 2016.

Cows are the largest domesticated mammalia.

Bullfrogs

Bullfrogs are amphibians. They eat creepy, crawly bugs but are not dangerous to larger species.

These creatures of land and water live in lakes, slow streams and ponds. The bullfrog is the largest of frogs in North America and make a deep loud call which is amplified by their internal vocal sac.

Bull frogs live predominately in the water but can be seen at the edge or on stumps and rocks in moist areas. You will find they are more active during the night.

Turtles

Turtles range in species and sizes. Most turtles are not dangerous, but snapping turtles can take off a finger so stay at a safe distance if you do not know which type of turtle is near you.

They eat bugs and small fish. Turtles spend most of their time in the water but can be seen on land as well.

Ducks

two ducks on rocks

Ducks are one of the easiest animals to spot around lakes and ponds. While they are fun wildlife to observe,  they will snap at you if you get too close.

Their hissing is an interesting sound, but it is a warning that they feel threatened and you should back away.

If you are visiting a campground or live on the lake, ducks are typically more friendly and love to gather as you throw popcorn or pieces of bread.

Beavers

Beavers are natural dam builders. You can find their handy work all around lakes and rivers where they have built dams as their shelters.

They live their lives in the water and are amazing swimmers.

These fury animals should be left alone, but are amazing to watch at work and swim.

Deer

Deer are elegant, graceful creatures that love cool, clear water for drinking. Deer run extremely fast and jump really high when spooked, so try to be quiet when you see them.

These beautiful animals are majestic and docile. In areas that humans visit often like campgrounds and homes on the lake, they become used to humans and may not spook as easily.

If you have a home on the lake, you can plant clover to get the deer to graze near your home. When they venture close to eat your clovers, you will get a great view of your fun wildlife semi-pet deer.

 

Raccoonraccoons on logs over the water

Raccoons are the thieves of the wild, they are rambunctious and fun to watch but can be troublesome for trashcans that tip over easily.

Some raccoons become so used to humans that they will make eye contact then go about their business.

Raccoons may bite if you get too close, so keep a safe distance when observing.

They only come out at night, so if you see a raccoon during the day, call animal control as this raccoon may be ill and dangerous.

For More Fun Wildlife Information

To read about more fun wildlife on lakes Environmental Education for Kids has numerous interesting facts. And check out our article, “Have Fun Exploring The Lake With Geocaching” for another family activity to try!