Advanced Approach for Synoptic Monitoring of a Lake Ecosystem
175
4 Conclusions
The monitoring of the medium-sized Lake Kinneret aquatic system must take into
consideration the spatial heterogeneity of many parameters. Intensification of the
current monitoring program in Lake Kinneret by regular operation of an
underwater-towed undulating monitoring system (U-TUMS) significantly
improved the ability to identifY spatial distribution of lirnnological parameters
with moderate additional effort. U-TUMS was demonstrated as an effective tool
which may cover most of the lake area and locate the distribution of specific
phenomena and provide a simultaneous picture of three-dimensional distribution
of several lirnnological parameters. It is assumed that the observed spatial
distribution of the studied parameters reflects physical and biological processes.
Therefore, critical analysis of the collected data and its spatial distribution may
lead to a better understanding of major lirnnological processes within the lake
ecosystem. For example, the distribution picture of temperature, salinity, and
turbidity indicated the role of resuspension process from the lake floor followed
by horizontal transportation of particles.
The capabilities of the U-TUMS demonstrated in this study provided an
insight into spatial patchiness within the Lake Kinneret ecosystem. Further
understanding of the factors affecting spatial distribution referred from the
collected data could lead to improved awareness of the relationships between
external lake perturbations (i.e., management) and ecosystem attributes (e.g.,
water quality). Furthermore routine application of the U-TUMS will greatly
improve our ability to detect ecosystem changes close to real time, as well as to
formulate possible management actions to ameliorate such changes.
Acknowledgments.
Israel Water Commission financially supported this
research. The authors thank Ms. M. Shlichter for her excellent services with data
analysis and the crew members of RV Hermona: M. Hatab, Z. Rozenberg, N.
Koren, and J. Easton for their technical assistance. The purchase of U-TUMS
became available by a generous donation from IOLR-NAF.
References
Anatenucci JP, Imberger J, Saggio A (2000) Seasonal evolution of the basin-scale internal
wave field in a large stratified lake. Limnol Oceanogr 45: 1621-1638
Avnimelech Y (1980) Studies on Lake Kinneret (Sea of Galilee) watershed. Water Air Soil
Pollut 14: 451-460
Berman T (1994) The Kinneret Sea of Galilee. Ariel 98: 27-43
175
4 Conclusions
The monitoring of the medium-sized Lake Kinneret aquatic system must take into
consideration the spatial heterogeneity of many parameters. Intensification of the
current monitoring program in Lake Kinneret by regular operation of an
underwater-towed undulating monitoring system (U-TUMS) significantly
improved the ability to identifY spatial distribution of lirnnological parameters
with moderate additional effort. U-TUMS was demonstrated as an effective tool
which may cover most of the lake area and locate the distribution of specific
phenomena and provide a simultaneous picture of three-dimensional distribution
of several lirnnological parameters. It is assumed that the observed spatial
distribution of the studied parameters reflects physical and biological processes.
Therefore, critical analysis of the collected data and its spatial distribution may
lead to a better understanding of major lirnnological processes within the lake
ecosystem. For example, the distribution picture of temperature, salinity, and
turbidity indicated the role of resuspension process from the lake floor followed
by horizontal transportation of particles.
The capabilities of the U-TUMS demonstrated in this study provided an
insight into spatial patchiness within the Lake Kinneret ecosystem. Further
understanding of the factors affecting spatial distribution referred from the
collected data could lead to improved awareness of the relationships between
external lake perturbations (i.e., management) and ecosystem attributes (e.g.,
water quality). Furthermore routine application of the U-TUMS will greatly
improve our ability to detect ecosystem changes close to real time, as well as to
formulate possible management actions to ameliorate such changes.
Acknowledgments.
Israel Water Commission financially supported this
research. The authors thank Ms. M. Shlichter for her excellent services with data
analysis and the crew members of RV Hermona: M. Hatab, Z. Rozenberg, N.
Koren, and J. Easton for their technical assistance. The purchase of U-TUMS
became available by a generous donation from IOLR-NAF.
References
Anatenucci JP, Imberger J, Saggio A (2000) Seasonal evolution of the basin-scale internal
wave field in a large stratified lake. Limnol Oceanogr 45: 1621-1638
Avnimelech Y (1980) Studies on Lake Kinneret (Sea of Galilee) watershed. Water Air Soil
Pollut 14: 451-460
Berman T (1994) The Kinneret Sea of Galilee. Ariel 98: 27-43