Changes in ice phenology on polish lakes from 1961 to 2010 related to location and morphometry

• Published in: Limnologica Vol. 53; pp. 42 - 49
• Main Authors: Choiński, Adam, Ptak, Mariusz, Skowron, Rajmund, Strzelczak, Agnieszka
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier GmbH 01-07-2015
• Subjects: Freshwater; Ice cover; Lake ice; Lake location; Lake morphometry; Multivariate analysis; Poland; Lake ice; Lake morphometry; Multivariate analysis; Lake location; Ice cover
• ISSN: 0075-9511; 1873-5851
• DOI: 10.1016/j.limno.2015.05.005

Observations of lake ice at the shore, complete ice cover, ice duration, ice thickness and other measures for 18 Polish lakes were collected for the 50 year period (1961–2010). Average ice dates in early winter became later: first appearance of ice along shore 2.3daysdecade−1 and complete ice cover 1.2daysdecade−1 while complete ice cover disappeared earlier (5.6daysdecade−1) as did last ice at the shore (4.3daysdecade−1). The duration of ice cover decreased by 5.6daysdecade−1 and average ice thickness declined by 6.1cmdecade−1. The magnitude of these values for individual lakes decreased from eastern to western Poland. This geographic gradient is likely related to regional atmospheric circulation because in winter this part of Europe is strongly affected by continental air, an influence that is greater in the east. A multivariate redundancy analysis (RDA), used in order to examine the dependence of ice measures on lake physical properties and location, indicated longitude and altitude as key factors explaining lake ice dynamics such as the disappearance of ice and ice cover, ice cover duration and thickness. Lake volume and average depth influenced mostly the appearance of ice and ice cover.