What was the impact of climate change on Lake Ontario?

What was the impact of climate change on Lake Ontario?

• A. Increased tourism
• B. Higher fishing yields
• C. Changes in water levels and temperature affecting ecosystems
• D. Reduction of invasive species

Answer: (C)

The impact of climate change on Lake Ontario is primarily observed through changes in water levels and temperature, which significantly affect the region’s ecosystems. As temperatures rise, there are shifts in the thermal stratification of the lake, affecting the distribution of fish and other aquatic life. Warmer waters can lead to altered breeding cycles and a potential decline in indigenous species that are adapted to cooler conditions. Additionally, fluctuations in precipitation patterns and the melting of ice can result in variable water levels, which can impact habitats such as wetlands that are crucial for biodiversity. These changes can also influence nutrient cycles, leading to issues like algal blooms that can further disrupt the ecosystem. The other options do not capture the critical ecological impacts attributed to climate change. For instance, while increased tourism or higher fishing yields might seem plausible responses to climate change, they do not directly address the fundamental ecological changes happening in Lake Ontario. Similarly, the reduction of invasive species is not a consistent outcome of climate change; often, changing conditions may actually favor invasive species over native ones.

The impact of climate change on Lake Ontario is primarily observed through changes in water levels and temperature, which significantly affect the region’s ecosystems. As temperatures rise, there are shifts in the thermal stratification of the lake, affecting the distribution of fish and other aquatic life. Warmer waters can lead to altered breeding cycles and a potential decline in indigenous species that are adapted to cooler conditions.

Additionally, fluctuations in precipitation patterns and the melting of ice can result in variable water levels, which can impact habitats such as wetlands that are crucial for biodiversity. These changes can also influence nutrient cycles, leading to issues like algal blooms that can further disrupt the ecosystem.

The other options do not capture the critical ecological impacts attributed to climate change. For instance, while increased tourism or higher fishing yields might seem plausible responses to climate change, they do not directly address the fundamental ecological changes happening in Lake Ontario. Similarly, the reduction of invasive species is not a consistent outcome of climate change; often, changing conditions may actually favor invasive species over native ones.