Contributions to science and policy
The whole-ecosystem analysis of biogeochemical processes operating
within the TLW has and continues to result in major advancements in
water and ecosystem science, with important contributions to Canadian
and international policy on air pollution and air quality issues, water
resource management, sustainable forest management guidelines and
practices, and climate change assessment and adaptation. TLW research
results have contributed to the development of the Canada-U.S. Air
Quality Agreement in 1991 and ongoing contributions to agreement
progress reports and Canadian Acid Rain Assessments, Canada-Ontario
Agreement on Water Quality and Canada-United States Great Lakes Water
Quality Agreement, Forest Management Guidelines in Ontario and other
jurisdictions, and a Blueprint for Forest Carbon Science in Canada. TLW
science is also providing input to other high profile policy issues
related to cumulative effects, drinking water treatability and ecosystem
resilience to climate change. Since its establishment two hallmarks of
the TLW study have been the focus on long-term research and
collaboration with other research sites from across North America and
the world. Numerous cross site comparison studies (e.g., Creed, Beall,
Clair, Dillon & Hesslien, 2008; Hazlett et al., 2020; Kerr et al.,
2012; Lawrence et al., 2015; Mitchell et al., 2010; Watmough et al.,
2005) have placed the results from the TLW in context with other sites
with different forest and soil types, climates and disturbance
conditions. These comparisons facilitate a more comprehensive
understanding of forest ecosystem processes and an ability to make
broader science inferences and policy decisions from the interpretation
of the research results.
Continuous long-term assessment of ecosystem function is necessary to
track the effects of natural and anthropogenic disturbances on forests,
and to assess mitigation or adaptation policies implemented by
government and industry. As examples, research from the TLW has
demonstrated that the re-measurement of ecosystem parameters over long
time periods is required to evaluate the efficacy of pollution control
policies, and that the initial effects of forest management can be
maintained for a prolonged period after harvesting (e.g., Beall, Semkin
& Jeffries, 2001; Buttle, Webster, Hazlett & Jeffries 2018; Hazlett et
al., 2020). Only through long-term funding commitment by governments and
other partners will we achieve a comprehensive understanding of how
disturbances to forested landscapes impact ecosystems services;
therefore, informing rigorous science-based sustainable management of
these environments.
More than 400 scientific publications have resulted from the work at
TLW, including many national, North American and international
cross-site syntheses. This research has also led to the training of
highly qualified future science professionals through MSc and PhD
projects and theses. Public outreach is another important component of
the TLW; every year tours and training are provided to high school,
college, universities, researchers, managers and policy makers.
A full list of publications from the TLW can be found in at:
https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/turkey-lakes-watershed-study/publications.html,
which covers publications in 12 different categories: Site Overview,
Atmospheric/Meteorology, Forest/Understory, Soils, Soil Pore
Water/Ground Water, Lakes, Water Birds, Fish and Aquatic Communities,
Modelling and Remote Sensing, Internal Reports and Theses.