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The long-term (1979–2005) effects of the North Atlantic Oscillation on wind-induced wave mixing in Loch Leven (Scotland)

  • SHALLOW LAKES
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Abstract

We report on long-term covariation (1979–2005) between indices of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and wind speed and direction in Loch Leven. The effects of the observed variations in wind speed and direction were combined to produce modelled wave-mixed depths (Zc). Positive correlations were observed between seasonal and annual wind speeds and westerly frequency and indices of the NAO that are in line with general perception: positive NAO was correlated with stronger, more westerly winds and these correlations were strongest in winter and spring. Correlations between NAO and estimates of Zc were strongest in the most westerly exposed site in spring (r 2 = 0.701; Zcspring versus spring NAO index). On average, over a 25-year period Zc was deeper in spring and shallower in summer. Major anomalies from the 25-year seasonal means were observed in 1982, 1979, and 1991. Annual average Zc was low in the late 1970s and early 1980s (shallowest average annual Zc of 1.0 m (1984)), high in the late 1980s and early 1990s (deepest average annual Zc of 1.9 m (1990)) and moderate in recent years (up to 2005). This study has major implications for our understanding of potential climate change drivers and the related responses of shallow lake ecosystems, including alterations to littoral habitat quality and benthic–pelagic coupling.

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Acknowledgements

Thanks go to two anonymous reviewers, Prof. Brian Moss, Dr. Matthew O’Hare and Dr. Laurence Carvalho for comments leading to the improvement of this manuscript. Thanks also go to William Wilson and the staff at the Loch Leven Estates Ltd. for their continued and long-term support of limnological research at Loch Leven and for the provision of the meteorological data used in this study. We would also like to thank the Climate Research Unit, University of East Anglia for the open provision of NAO data. This study is a contribution to the European Union Sixth Framework Programme integrated Project Euro-limpacs (GOCE-CT-2003-505540) and was part funded by the UK Natural Environment Research Council.

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  1. Bryan Spears, Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Bush Estate, Penicuik, Midlothian, EH26 0QB, Scotland, UK

    Bryan M. Spears

  2. Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Lancaster Environment Centre, Library Avenue, Bailrigg, Lancaster, LA1 4AP, UK

    Ian D. Jones

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  1. Bryan M. Spears
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Correspondence to Bryan M. Spears.

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Guest editors: M. Meerhoff, M. Beklioglu, R. Burks, F. García-Rodríguez, N. Mazzeo & B. Moss / Structure and Function of World Shallow Lakes: Proceedings from the 6th Shallow Lakes Congress, held in Punta del Este, Uruguay, 23–28 November, 2008

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Spears, B.M., Jones, I.D. The long-term (1979–2005) effects of the North Atlantic Oscillation on wind-induced wave mixing in Loch Leven (Scotland). Hydrobiologia 646, 49–59 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-010-0188-9

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