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.