Human Dimensions

Water quality impacts from human activity are predicted to worsen as anthropogenic climate change continues. Unfortunately, the agencies and research institutions tasked with managing these issues have limited resources that curtail the scope of water quality monitoring conducted across the Basin. The results are stark gaps in available water quality data, a persistent barrier to the early warnings and investments needed to ensure short and long-term community resilience across the region. Fortunately, Great Lakes residents feel a powerful sense of connection to their water resources. Local organizations have been harnessing this energy to power “Citizen,” "Community," or “Volunteer” science groups that monitor water quality across the Basin for years. Dozens of groups regularly sample creeks, rivers, and shorelines across the Great Lakes region to support local water resource management. Volunteer science has immense potential to deepen our capacity to protect our water resources. However, lack of standardized data collection methods as well as limited organizational visibility have often meant that volunteer-collected data is not adequately considered in water governance, management, planning, research, and advocacy conversations at multiple scales. Despite these challenges, volunteer groups are finding ways use their data to drive community resilience to water quality challenges and drive local stewardship and enjoyment of our Great Lakes. Some groups are leveraging technology to improve the credibility and usability of their data. Others are organizing regional collaborations to share best practices and pursue greater collective impact. This session will focus on highlighting these success stories of Community Science in Action. Chaired by:Max Herzog, Cleveland Water AllianceGabrielle Parent-Doliner, Water Rangers

Science & Management

The Lake Erie States Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana and the Province of Ontario, in partnership with their federal governments, developed domestic action plans (DAPs) in 2018 to meet binational phosphorus load reduction targets for Lake Erie, outlining significant on the ground actions across the basin to reduce harmful algal blooms, hypoxia and nuisance algae. Robust binational science and extensive collaboration are the pillars of the DAPs. This session brings together practitioners, researchers and knowledge bearers to share the latest science and incorporate traditional knowledge and management insights to support actions that can effectively reduce phosphorous loads to Lake Erie. We welcome abstract submissions about interconnected dimensions related to the health of ecosystems and communities. Session sub-topics may include:1. Synthesis of the science, models and innovative approaches for DAP implementation.2. Research linking source reduction actions in rural and urban communities to phosphorus load reductions and handling uncertainty through adaptive management.3. Indicators or metrics (new or revised) to track phosphorus load reduction progress in the tributary streams, watershed, and lake.4. Outreach and engagement for DAP implementation, and knowledge sharing with the Lake Erie basin community, including disadvantaged communities.5. Strengthening DAP inclusivity, including diverse communities and traditional ways of knowing. We will invite a panel of diverse voices to hear about policy and science supporting DAP actions, share their knowledge and experiences, and the session will close with a panel discussion about how the resource management community can improve knowledge sharing under the DAPs. Chaired by:Sandra Kosek-Sills, Ohio Lake Erie CommissionMichelle Selzer, Michigan Dept. of Agriculture and Rural DevelopmentKristen Arnold, Indiana Dept of Environmental ManagementNgan Diep, Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks

Physical & Biogeochemistry

This session’s focus is on the physical limnology of the Great Lakes and other lakes of the world. Papers are solicited dealing with field, modeling, experimental and laboratory studies of physical processes in lakes and coastal regions (surface waves, internal waves, currents, turbulence, stratification, ice, sediment transport, etc.) ranging in sizes from small, to medium and large. Chaired by:Jason Olsthoorn, Queens UniversityMathew G Wells, University of Toronto David J Cannon, Cooperative Institute for Great Lakes ResearchYi Hong, Cooperative Institute for Great Lakes Research

Microbial Communities & cHABs

The Great Lakes- the world's largest freshwater system- play a vital role in supporting the diverse ecosystems and services relied on by the human populations lining it’s shorelines. They are the lifeblood of our society, providing recreational and drinking water resources, and represent a fundamental resource deserving of our collective stewardship through a One Health lens. These precious water bodies face unprecedented anthropogenic challenges, notably due to climate change, changes in land-use, pollution from wastewater, agricultural runoffs, and antibiotic residues, and ultimately eutrophication. Even though microbial communities are fundamental players of biogeochemical transformations, their roles in aquatic processes are often the missing piece to be able to understand and predict how aquatic ecosystems will respond to disturbances. For instance, microbes are involved in the occurrence of harmful algae blooms via nutrients cycling, in carbon budget through synthesis and mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions, sediment biogeochemical/redox cycling and in a human health lens due to the fate and transport of pathogens (including those harboring antimicrobial resistance) all of which collectively impact the Great Lakes ecosystem health. Therefore, a better understanding and investigation of the role of microbial communities in ecosystem processes are key to bridging the different compartments of the ‘one health’ concept. We invite contributors who work on any aspect of microbial processes to assess ecosystem health in the Great Lakes. We want to foster interdisciplinary discussions and encourage collaborations between researchers, local communities, policymakers, and practitioners. Chaired by:Sophie Crevecoeur, Environment and Climate Change Canada Thomas Reid, Environment and Climate Change Canada

Science & Management

This session will highlight interjurisdictional and multi-disciplinary approaches to research and management of natural resources in Great Lakes connecting waters. Presentations and subsequent publication in a special issue of the Journal of Great Lakes Research will provide the scientific community with updates on status and concerns of water quality, contaminants, foodwebs, fish populations, and habitats. Presentations will emphasize connecting waters of the Great Lakes including the St. Marys River between lakes Superior and Huron, Straits of Mackinac between lakes Michigan and Huron, St. Clair-Detroit River System including the St. Clair River, Lake St. Clair, and the Detroit River connecting Lake Huron and Lake Erie, the Niagara River between lakes Erie and Ontario, and the St. Lawrence River connecting Lake Ontario to the Atlantic Ocean. Historically, these systems possessed pristine water quality and resources that supported Indigenous Nations communities and offered numerous archipelagoes, reefs, embayments, wetlands, and tributaries that provided vast amounts of functional habitat for fish and wildlife. The riparian lands adjacent to these channels were desirable to European settlers who required water for transportation and industry, which over time, resulted in degraded water quality and habitat due to development, urbanization, industry and associated pollutants, barriers and flow regulation, and channel modification. Healthy relationships with resources in connecting waters involves interjurisdictional cooperation and collaboration. This session will highlight the research and management activities related to restoration successes and provide suggestions for continued recovery efforts. Chaired by: Edward F Roseman, US Geological Survey Great Lakes Science CenterRobin L DeBruyne, US Geological Survey Great Lakes Science CenterKatie Stammler, Essex Region Conservation AuthorityMichael Twiss, Algoma University

Science & Management

Adaptive management of the Great Lakes requires hydroclimate data for (1) testing water management alternatives under a range of hydroclimate conditions, (2) making decisions based on predicted hydroclimate conditions over varying time horizons, and (3) understanding and communicating impacts of hydroclimate activities and the ability and/or limitations of water management to address these impacts. The long history of binational water management along with modeling complexities resulting from the vast surface areas of the lakes, their interaction with the regional climate, and data discontinuities that result from combining observations and models from both sides of the border have resulted in a unique evolution of hydroclimate data, models, and their applications to water management. We seek presentations that describe advancements in hydroclimate data and models for use in Great Lakes adaptive management. In addition to submissions describing advancements in the hydroclimate science for the Great Lakes, we look for contributions that highlight the potential applications of hydrologic, hydraulic, atmospheric, and data science models to decision support and communication of the ability and/or limitation of water management strategies to mitigate impacts. We also welcome presentations that highlight the research gaps in hydroclimate science that might be narrowed in the coming years due to advancements in data availability and modeling efforts. This session is a continuation of the Great Lakes - St. Lawrence River Adaptive Management Committee’s effort to identify research priorities to advance adaptive management for the Great Lakes. Chaired by:Lauren Fry, NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory Frank Seglenieks, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Canadian Centre for Inland WatersDeanna Fielder, USACE - Detroit District

Ecosystem Types--Wetlands & Waterways

From small streams to large rivers, tributaries and connecting channels provide a crucial link among terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. These systems are dynamic, and understanding their internal processes often requires an interdisciplinary approach. To that end, this session seeks submissions that explore the role of tributaries as an interface between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, as connections between aquatic systems both great and small, and as important drivers of coastal and open lake processes. Topics can include, but are not limited to, biodiversity, biogeochemistry, harmful algal blooms, ecosystem services, habitat availability, geomorphology, nutrient and sediment dynamics, and international policy. Chaired by:Laura T Johnson, Heidelberg UniversityNathan Manning, Heidelberg UniversityColleen Cosgrove, Heidelberg University

Human Dimensions

Information and data exchange are essential for collaborative research and management projects. Modernizing communication and data management practices using available technology can help improve data integrity, allow for faster information sharing, and reduce decision-making time lags. In this session we want to highlight ways to integrate innovative technology and tools into project workflows to provide collaborative solutions. We invite presentations on digital data workflows, unified databases, open data, novel approaches to collaborative data collection, and new initiatives that tackle issues related to data management. Chaired by:Jess Bowser, US Fish and Wildlife ServiceRyan Brown, University of ToledoJacob Cochran, US Fish and Wildlife Service

Special Session

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (NOAA GLERL), we invite presentations highlighting significant papers, data products, models and forecasts or other scientific achievements of NOAA GLERL, cooperative institutes, and partners. Presentations may highlight the development of these products and their impact. Topics of interest might include Great Lakes hydrodynamic models and forecasts, hydrology, long-term data sets, observing systems and technologies, long-term ecological research programs, harmful algal blooms, invasive species, remote sensing, or other influential areas of research. Speakers may be past or present GLERL affiliates, collaborators, or anyone with an interest in GLERL’s science. Chaired by: Mark D Rowe, NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research LaboratoryGabrielle Farina, Jamison Professional ServicesCraig A Stow, NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research LaboratoryCasey M Godwin, Cooperative Institute for Great Lakes Research, University of Michigan

Physical & Biogeochemistry

The majority of large lakes worldwide have winter periods that make up a significant portion of their annual temporal cycle (4-6 months). Despite this, conditions in the winter water column are generally perceived to be a period of biological dormancy and persistence rather than growth. In contrast to the summer season, winter limnology has been routinely ignored in scientific discussions, causing the winter water column to be referred to as a “black box” when it comes to its limnological understanding. Yet, we know biology does not stop in the presence of ice, there are communities uniquely adapted to these conditions. The field of winter limnology has recently undergone a revitalization: a multitude of large-scale winter-spring surveys have been conducted in recent decades. This session aims to elucidate the physical, chemical, and biological phenomena within lakes, rivers and other freshwater systems during winter at the intersection of anthropogenic impacts and climate change. Winter conditions in these freshwaters are rapidly changing. For example, over the past several decades, the Laurentian Great Lakes have experienced a significant decrease in the extent / duration of ice cover. However, we know little about how this effects the winter water column. Given ice cover across global freshwaters is expected to decline (or disappear entirely) by the end of this century, there is a pressing need to identify how climate change is altering these systems. To address these knowledge gaps, this session invites submissions on all aspects of winter limnology in large freshwater systems. Chaired by:Brittany N Zepernick, Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee KnoxvilleArthur Zastepa, Environment and Climate Change CanadaLeon Boegman, Environmental Fluid Dynamics Laboratory, Queen's UniversityHunter Carrick, Department of Biology & Institute for Great Lakes Research, Central Michigan University

Advances in Large Lakes Science, Technologies & Innovations

The Great Lakes represent a significant environmental, economic, and social resource, despite the relatively sparse high-resolution and high-accuracy of benthic maps for the region. Traditional approaches to benthic mapping heavily rely on sparse data, can be time-consuming, and may only be sparsely updated through time, and often for smaller project areas. Advances in hardware, software, and research processes provide opportunities to improve our ability to more effectively and accurately develop high-resolution maps for stakeholders throughout the region. This session highlights developments and advances in techniques and technology for high-resolution benthic mapping throughout the Great Lakes, including but not limited to long-range platforms and sensors, new analytical techniques for evaluating historical and new data sources, and ongoing regional mapping efforts. We encourage presentations spanning a wide range of space and time scales, from localized to lake-wide case studies and projects. Mapping the Great Lakes directly contributes to effective use and management of the entire Great Lakes for all persons. Chaired by:Phillipe Wernette, USGSBrandon Krumwiede, NOAAHans VanSumeren, Northwestern Michigan College

Physical & Biogeochemistry

Record high lake levels during the late 2010s led to accelerated erosion of coastal landscapes, such as beaches, bluffs, and dunes, throughout the Laurentian Great Lakes, threatening water quality and essential infrastructure and ecosystem services. The unique coastal processes on the Great Lakes are understudied relative to marine environments and there is a need to expand our knowledge on the range of spatiotemporal controls and patterns of coastal erosion and sediment transport pathways within littoral cells. In the coming decades, littoral cell dynamics are likely to be further modified by anthropogenic impacts (e.g., shoreline armoring) and climate change (e.g., reduction in lake ice timing and extent) making it critical to develop scenario based coastal management strategies to ensure the longer-term sustainability of important economic and natural resources across the basin. The aim of this session is to highlight on-going research on coastal processes and historic trends or modelled projections of shoreline erosion. Studies that examine the impact of coastal processes on water quality (e.g., harmful algal blooms and hypoxia) and beach safety, flood hazards to at-risk property and infrastructure, effects on wetland ecosystems, nature-based solutions, and coastal management policies are particularly welcomed. The goal is to highlight the current state of knowledge on coastal system dynamics and provide a broad forum to discuss insights and strategies to mitigate the impact of coastal erosion on the health of Great Lake ecosystems and communities. Chaired by:Alex Smith, University of Windsor Ethan Theuerkauf, Michigan State University Cary Troy, Purdue University Chin Wu, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Microbial Communities & cHABs

Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) are a central node of water quality, caused by both watershed and in lakes stressors and in turn stressing many ecosystem processes and human activities. This session will share recent advances related to all aspects of Great Lakes HABs, both causes and consequences. We especially invite presentations that span multiple HABs systems or interdisciplinary approaches, as well as presentations addressing: (1) Physics and ecology of bloom dynamics; (2) Toxin production, detection, and treatment; (3) Health risks of algal toxins and exposure routes; (4) Socio-economic and cultural impacts of blooms; (5) Watershed nutrient sources and management; and (6) other related topics. Chaired by:Mary Anne Evans, USGS - Great Lakes Science CenterChris Winslow, Ohio Sea Grant College ProgramNicole Zacharda, Great Lakes Commission

Pollutants

Communities around the Great Lakes region are being differentially exposed to an extensive suite of chemicals of emerging concern (CECs). As scientists advance their understanding of mechanistic questions such as a given CEC’s mode of action, movement through food webs, and/or treatment options, there is a need to similarly understand other fundamental aspects of CEC exposure. This includes the socioeconomic impacts of CECs, particularly in context of the diverse communities in the Great Lakes region. For example, particular treatment options may be highly effective from a biological standpoint but cost-prohibitive to implement in a given location; the most effective strategies to communicate risks associated with exposure to CECs may differ within or between communities; and sharing how community members can and should navigate exposure to the full suite of CECs, particularly without eroding trust in scientists or other decision makers such as public health professionals, can present a challenge. In this session, we expect to feature research surrounding socioeconomics, risk communication, and/or behavior relating to risks and exposure to CECs. We welcome talks related to any CEC in the Great Lakes region, including (but not limited to) microplastics, pharmaceuticals and personal care products, pesticides & fertilizers, PFAS and PFOAs, and PBDEs. Chaired by:Amanpreet Kohli, Purdue University, Illinois-Indiana Sea GrantCarolyn J Foley, Purdue University, Illinois-Indiana Sea GrantSarah A Zack, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Illinois-Indiana Sea GrantGavin Dehnert, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wisconsin Sea Grant