Combining limnological and palaeolimnological data to disentangle the effects of nutrient pollution and climate change on lake ecosystems: problems and potential

摘要: Summary 1. As long-term observational lake records continue to lengthen, the historical overlap with sediment grows, providing increasing opportunities for placing contemporary ecological status of lakes in a temporal perspective. 2. Comparisons between data sets and records, however, require sediments be accurately dated accumulation rates sufficiently rapid allow precise matching data. 3. The critical role record this context is its value tracking changing impact human activity on from pre-disturbance reference through present day. 4. Here, we use range across Europe presented as case studies Special Section. The seven sites considered all possess both high-quality records. Our objective assess whether recent climate change having an their trophic particular that can disentangled changes associated nutrient pollution. 5. The palaeo-data show clear evidence beginning pollution varying mid-nineteenth century at Loch Leven early middle twentieth other sites. monitoring different degrees recovery when judged against palaeo-reference. 6. The reason limited attributed continuing high concentrations related increase diffuse loading or internal P recycling, but there some may playing offsetting If case, then ecosystems suffering eutrophication not necessarily return pre-eutrophication despite measures have been taken reduce external loading. 7. The extent which future warming might further limit such evaluated only by continued combined palaeo-records set reference.