- Email: [email protected]
Large Lakes-A Vital Resource and International Heritage
J. Great Lakes Res. 8(3):377 Internat. Assoc. Great Lakes Res., 1982
EDITORIAL LARGE LAKES-A VITAL RESOURCE AND INTERNATIONAL HERITAGE
The Journal of Great Lakes Research is increasing its emphasis on research on all large lakes of the world. The Journal will continue to publish articles on the Laurentian Great Lakes and their basins, but will consciously seek to publish more papers pertaining to many of the other large natural or man-made lakes of the world. Researchers studying large lakes have a common bond, and much can be gained by sharing knowledge on these unique systems. As discussed in this issue's Feature Article, the relatively few lakes with surface areas of 500 km 2 or greater contain nearly 90 percent of the world's surface water supply. These lakes, if only by virtue of the water they hold, constitute a very valuable resource. It is appropriate that a journal be dedicated to the multi-disciplinary research that is required to properly understand and manage such important ecosystems. As an important resource, large lakes fulfill a key role in the economy and overall wellbeing of mankind. They are used for many purposes, such as for recreation, fishing, transportation, cooling water, and waste assimilation. Some lakes are important sources of minerals and petroleum (Lake Maracaibo in Venezuela is a prime example). Many large lakes are particularly valuable as a source of drinking water and as a source of water for manufacturing. Large lakes, such as those of East Africa, also may be a life sustaining source of irrigation water. Many large lakes are shared by several countries (e.g., Europe's Lake Constance and Africa's Lake Victoria) and have influenced the history and culture of their geographic region. Further, many large lakes have special aesthetic appeal. North America's Lake Superior, the largest fresh water lake in terms of area, and Asia's Lake Baikal, the world's deepest lake, are prime examples of especially beautiful lakes. Most of the world's reserve of surface fresh water, except for glaciers and permanent snow cover, is contained in large lakes. Therefore, as quality fresh water becomes more and more scarce in many parts of the world, the value of large lakes will undoubtedly increase in the future. But the full value of these freshwater resources will only be realized if their quality is sustained. It is vital from a purely economic sense to maintain or improve the quality of the world's large lakes. This can only be achieved through careful and dedicated research. From a scientific perspective, large lakes are special. Many, such as Lake Titicaca in South America, have relativy good water quality. They also tend to be limnologically unique relative to small lakes-different research questions, requiring different experimental techniques, are frequently encountered in the study of large lakes. Further, many of the limnological perceptions developed while studying small lakes do not apply to large lakes. For example, the classical concept of eutrophication, originally developed for small lakes, does not strictly apply to many large lakes. In the years ahead I hope the Journal of Great Lakes Research will contribute even further to the science and management of large lakes. I invite researchers throughout the world to submit papers to us that add to the collective knowledge of large lake ecosystems. - William C. Sonzogni
377
EDITORIAL LARGE LAKES-A VITAL RESOURCE AND INTERNATIONAL HERITAGE
The Journal of Great Lakes Research is increasing its emphasis on research on all large lakes of the world. The Journal will continue to publish articles on the Laurentian Great Lakes and their basins, but will consciously seek to publish more papers pertaining to many of the other large natural or man-made lakes of the world. Researchers studying large lakes have a common bond, and much can be gained by sharing knowledge on these unique systems. As discussed in this issue's Feature Article, the relatively few lakes with surface areas of 500 km 2 or greater contain nearly 90 percent of the world's surface water supply. These lakes, if only by virtue of the water they hold, constitute a very valuable resource. It is appropriate that a journal be dedicated to the multi-disciplinary research that is required to properly understand and manage such important ecosystems. As an important resource, large lakes fulfill a key role in the economy and overall wellbeing of mankind. They are used for many purposes, such as for recreation, fishing, transportation, cooling water, and waste assimilation. Some lakes are important sources of minerals and petroleum (Lake Maracaibo in Venezuela is a prime example). Many large lakes are particularly valuable as a source of drinking water and as a source of water for manufacturing. Large lakes, such as those of East Africa, also may be a life sustaining source of irrigation water. Many large lakes are shared by several countries (e.g., Europe's Lake Constance and Africa's Lake Victoria) and have influenced the history and culture of their geographic region. Further, many large lakes have special aesthetic appeal. North America's Lake Superior, the largest fresh water lake in terms of area, and Asia's Lake Baikal, the world's deepest lake, are prime examples of especially beautiful lakes. Most of the world's reserve of surface fresh water, except for glaciers and permanent snow cover, is contained in large lakes. Therefore, as quality fresh water becomes more and more scarce in many parts of the world, the value of large lakes will undoubtedly increase in the future. But the full value of these freshwater resources will only be realized if their quality is sustained. It is vital from a purely economic sense to maintain or improve the quality of the world's large lakes. This can only be achieved through careful and dedicated research. From a scientific perspective, large lakes are special. Many, such as Lake Titicaca in South America, have relativy good water quality. They also tend to be limnologically unique relative to small lakes-different research questions, requiring different experimental techniques, are frequently encountered in the study of large lakes. Further, many of the limnological perceptions developed while studying small lakes do not apply to large lakes. For example, the classical concept of eutrophication, originally developed for small lakes, does not strictly apply to many large lakes. In the years ahead I hope the Journal of Great Lakes Research will contribute even further to the science and management of large lakes. I invite researchers throughout the world to submit papers to us that add to the collective knowledge of large lake ecosystems. - William C. Sonzogni
377