New Publication: Impact of Gravel Highways on Arctic Lake Ecosystems: A Collaborative Study by ReSEC & Freshwater Ecology Lab

In a recent study from Freshwater Ecology Lab (Department of Biology at Laurier), in collaboration with the ReSEC group, investigated the impact of gravel highways on water quality and invertebrate communities in Arctic lakes. The research focused on lakes along the Dempster and Inuvik-Tuktoyaktuk Highways in Canada’s Northwest Territories. Despite concerns about road dust affecting lake ecosystems, the study found no significant differences in water quality or invertebrate communities based on proximity to the roads. However, the team identified notable differences between boreal and tundra ecozones, with water quality and lake morphometry having a more substantial influence than road proximity. This research highlights the importance of understanding environmental impacts on Arctic freshwater systems as infrastructure development in the region increases.

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