Assessing the seasonal impacts of stream warming on biofilm biomass, reach-scale metabolism, and nutrient uptake
The goal of this project is to explore the effects of elevated water temperature on stream ecosystem function. As the impacts of climate change become increasingly evident, projections indicate that average stream temperatures will rise by 1-6˚C by the end of the century, potentially leading to complex effects on ecosystem function. To effectively manage freshwater quality, it is crucial to understand how rising temperatures influence key stream ecosystem functions such as nutrient uptake and metabolism.
This project will be conducted at the experimental streams at the Notre Dame Linked Experimental Ecosystem Facility (ND-LEEF). We will compare nutrient uptake and stream metabolism in streams that are warmed (+2.5˚C below ambient) to streams that are cooled (-2.5˚C below ambient). This project will be lead by graduate students Mitchell Liddick and Ryan Meyer and builds on prior studies at ND-LEEF (https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1029/2024JG008259)
Professor Tank has mentored more than 50 undergraduate students from Notre Dame and other schools. Many of those students have completed senior thesis and contributed to publications as part of their work in the Tank Lab prior to going on to complete graduate degrees. The Tank Lab is a great place to explore your interests, develop fundamental research skills, and to decide whether a career in research is right for you.