由于气候变化、威胁生态系统和冬季活动,大湖区的冰覆盖率正在下降。 Great Lakes ice cover is declining due to climate change, threatening ecosystems and winter activities.

气温上升导致大湖地区冬季缩小,自1995年以来,冰盖每十年减少约两周,自1973年以来,年最高冰层每年下降大约0.5%。 Rising temperatures are causing Great Lakes winters to shrink, with ice cover declining by about two weeks per decade since 1995 and annual maximum ice dropping roughly 0.5% yearly since 1973. 这种由气候变化驱动的转变扰乱了生态系统,增加了有害的藻类繁殖,威胁到鱼类种群,并危及冬季娱乐和运输。 This shift, driven by climate change, disrupts ecosystems, increases harmful algal blooms, threatens fish populations, and endangers winter recreation and transportation. 尽管影响越来越大,冬季仍然监测不足,促使基层网络和呼吁扩大根据《大湖区水质协定》收集数据,以更好地保护环境、经济和文化福祉。 Despite growing impacts, winter remains under-monitored, prompting a grassroots network and calls to expand data collection under the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement to better protect environmental, economic, and cultural well-being.