A lake restoration project requires the ability to choose the best level of approach and balance the immediate problems with the long-term economies. There are three levels that can be used to restore a lake: the immediate, proximate, or ultimate. The first stage addresses the immediate problem, while those at the end address the longer-term. Once the lake restoration project has begun, it is crucial to watch the project closely over the next several years.
Lake restoration involves more than just dredging. Scientists have looked at the effects of fish and cyanobacterial growth on lakes. The journal Restoration Ecology published their findings. They also included restoring habitats to lower phosphorus contamination in lakes. Some of these techniques work well in Florida while others don't. Researchers from the University of South Florida, and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection did a review of all the techniques that were used to restore Florida's lakes.
There are many options for lake restoration. These methods are intended to restore the waterbody to its initial state to allow fishes and plants to live in it. This can be achieved by using both exterior as well as interior techniques. They use improved wastewater treatment inside to reduce the amount of external nutrients. To keep groundwater from degrading, they also employ sediment removal. It isn’t an instant fix to the problem with the lake.
For lake restoration, there are several chemical options. These treatments are ineffective at reducing the amount of sediment in the lake. Stabilization treatments include the use of metal particles coated with sticky substances to hold sediment in the bottom. These techniques should not be confused for physical efforts. While chemical treatments can't help habitat restoration, they can control the growth of invasive plants and reduce algae blooms.
The increasing urbanization of waterbodies has caused a lot of damage. They are now treated more as real estate than ecosystem services and are not recognized anymore. Many waterbodies are becoming overdeveloped, and the water quality is poor. Recent Mumbai studies have shown that flash floods can be caused by encroachment.
Waterbodies may become impurities during summer and autumn. The aquatic ecosystem is affected when impurities are present. Eutrophication can be caused by increased nitrogen levels. Eutrophication can result in fish deaths and breeding grounds for malaria-hosting insects. The organic sediments prevent beneficial bacteria from damaging them. These changes have negative effects on the ecosystem's function and water quality.
Many lakes have been damaged by excessive nutrients, especially nitrogen and phosphorus, which are important for aquatic plants and animals. The problem is compounded by urbanization, industrialization, and intensive agriculture. This excessive loading of nutrients has driven many lake ecosystems into turbid eutrophic states, and the natural recovery is slow. Luckily, there are many methods to speed up the process of lake restoration. These techniques include improving wastewater treatment and reducing external nutrients, as well as sediment removal. Additionally, these methods can help maintain the groundwater status of the lake.
