Next Tahoe Environmental Research Center presentation: Nearshore algae update

LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The next Tahoe Environmental Research Center (TERC) talk will be held on Thursday, August 15 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Sunnyside Resort.

Nearshore algae are increasing in cold, clear lakes around the world in response to multiple environmental stressors, such as warming water, nutrient pollution, and invasive species. Beginning in 2023, the TERC nearshore algae-monitoring program has been examining the entire shoreline of Lake Tahoe to understand where, when, and how much algae are growing in the nearshore. TERC flies an instrumented helicopter and a drone many times each year to locate the spatial extent of algal blooms and the location of specific hotspots. After each flight, TERC staff and volunteers visit specific locations to take photos and samples to establish the “ground truth” of what was seen from the air and to help train machine-learning models that can then identify algae in aerial images. Compared to the traditional method of monitoring, where divers would sample a fixed set of individual locations, whole-shoreline monitoring will provide better information on where, when, and potentially why algae may be increasing around the lake. Join us to hear updates about the nearshore algae-monitoring program with UC Davis ecologist Dr. Adrianne Smits.

Dr. Adrianne Smits is an aquatic ecosystem ecologist at UC Davis. Her research focuses on how climate variation drives ecological processes in freshwaters. Her current research areas include 1) The climate sensitivity of high-elevation lakes in California, 2) Understanding trends and drivers in nearshore algal growth at Lake Tahoe, 3) The impact of increasing wildfire smoke exposure on freshwater ecosystems, and 4) Food web dynamics and productivity in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta.

In-person event details: Doors open at 5 p.m. Presentation begins at 6 p.m. Tickets purchased in advance are $10 through Eventbrite and free for students with a student ID. Tickets at the door are $15. Refreshments and a no-host bar will be available from 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. The lecture will begin at 6 p.m. in the Mountainside Bar at Sunnyside Restaurant & Lodge, 1850 W Lake Blvd, Tahoe City, Calif.

Enjoy dinner at Sunnyside either before or after the lecture where participants will be treated to 20% off their entire meal.

Can't make it in-person? Join us at the presentation date and time on zoom for a livestream of the presentation: https://ucdavis.zoom.us/j/96282806932

We are excited to partner with Sunnyside Restaurant & Lodge as the location for the UC Davis TERC Science Speaker lecture series to be held at Sunnyside Restaurant & Lodge in Tahoe City (directions). Free self-parking on-site and across the street.

For more information call 775-881-7560, or visit https://tahoe.ucdavis.edu/events.