New research about environmental stressors of the Great Lakes
has pinpointed areas of concern for waters in the north country.
The study, conducted by researchers from the University of
Michigan, indicates that northern Lake Ontario faces issues from
invasive species, fishery operations, runoff from land and in
some areas toxic chemicals in the water. A map of local waters
showed the area as highly stressed. However, J. David Allan, a
professor and one of the lead researchers of the study, said the
mapping showed stress levels relative to other areas on the
lakes, and by itself was not a measure of the lakes
environmental state. Its one of those glass is half full, glass
is half empty type of framings you have to make, he said. The
study, Joint Analysis of Stressors and Ecosystem Services to
Enhance Restoration Effectiveness, was completed as researchers
analyzed the lakes health on dozens of different factors, which
then were filed into seven categories such as aquatic health,
invasive species and toxic chem