Ecosystem services of Lake Erie: Spatial distribution and concordance of multiple services

Preliminary analysis to estimate the spatial distribution of benefits of P load reduction: Identifying the spatial influence of phosphorus loading from the Maumee River (USA) in western Lake Erie

“…The spatial analysis performed in this paper suggests that reductions in cyanobacterial biomass would occur across slightly more than half of the western basin but mainly in offshore areas. Reductions in cyanobacterial biomass in those areas will no doubt improve conditions for a variety of ecosystem services (Allan et al, 2017). On the other hand, there are many important ecosystem services likely affected by these cyanobacterial blooms that occur in areas where we observed only weak associations with TBP (Allan et al, 2017).…”

“…Reductions in cyanobacterial biomass in those areas will no doubt improve conditions for a variety of ecosystem services (Allan et al, 2017). On the other hand, there are many important ecosystem services likely affected by these cyanobacterial blooms that occur in areas where we observed only weak associations with TBP (Allan et al, 2017). Thus, some ecosystem services affected by cyanobacteria will likely see minimal improvement from decreasing spring TBP load.…”

“…Sites 1 and 2 were selected based on the results of the above regression analysis and correspond, respectively, to (a) a site where TBP loads were weakly associated with cyanobacterial abundance and (b) a site where TBP loads were strongly associated with cyanobacterial abundance. Site 3 was selected due to its particular importance for ecological services provided by Lake Erie (e.g., fresh water; Allan et al, 2017; MEA, 2003). Sites 1 and 2 are also associated with ecosystem service provision including shoreline aesthetics (site 1), recreational services (sites 1 and 2), recreational fishing (sites 1 and 2), and provisioning services (sites 1 and 2).…”

“…Lake Erie also provides many ecosystem services to the surrounding human communities (Allan et al, 2017). Ecosystem services are the benefits that humans obtain from ecosystems (MEA, 2003), and examples include drinking water, commercial fishing, water purification, and many related to tourism or recreation (see examples for Lake Erie in Allan et al, 2017).…”

“…Lake Erie also provides many ecosystem services to the surrounding human communities (Allan et al, 2017). Ecosystem services are the benefits that humans obtain from ecosystems (MEA, 2003), and examples include drinking water, commercial fishing, water purification, and many related to tourism or recreation (see examples for Lake Erie in Allan et al, 2017). Many of these benefits are concentrated in nearshore areas and the areas surrounding tributary inputs (Braden, Taylor, et al, 2008; Braden, Won, et al, 2008; Elliott & Whitfield, 2011; Larson et al, 2013).…”