Lakeshore Biodiversity: Informing a Lake Wise Approach in the Adirondacks
Timeline
February 1, 2024 to January 31, 2026Description
The project will address the problem of inadequate wildlife and water quality protection resulting from poor shoreline management by providing empirical support for the protection of lakeshores, engaging landowners in addressing the goals of the Upper Saranac Watershed Management Plan, and providing recommendations for the implementation or improvement of existing lakeshore protection measures.
In this research project, researchers will investigate the extent to which lakeshore owners are implementing beneficial shoreline practices such as the Lake Friendly Living management recommendations on Upper Saranac Lake. They will also examine how habitat characteristics on private lakeshores are associated with wildlife community characteristics and structure. Additionally, they will determine how existing regulations and/or recommendations can be improved to better protect wildlife habitat, shoreline intactness, and water quality.