Research summary
Lakes, streams and wetlands are linked to watersheds, and changes that occur across the landscape can affect water quality in these aquatic ecosystems. In particular, rising temperatures, shifting precipitation patterns and declining snow cover can alter how nutrients cycle through land (terrestrial) and aquatic ecosystems. As Canada Research Chair in Environmental Influences on Water Quality, Dr. Nora Casson seeks to better understand how human activities influence water and nutrient cycling and ultimately affect streams, wetlands and lakes in forested systems.
She and her research team are conducting intensive, targeted, field-based sampling in northwestern Ontario to better understand controls on carbon and nutrient transport through forested catchments. They are also contextualizing this field-based data and examining watershed controls on water quality across geographic gradients. Their findings will help predict the effects of climate change and inform decisions aimed at mitigating the negative impacts on water quality.