BEMIDJI, Minn. — Bemidji State University’s Dann Siems, adjunct professor, will present an Honors Lecture entitled “Regime Shift in Lakes” on Wednesday, Dec. 5. The lecture, which is free to the public, will be held at 7 p.m. in Hagg-Sauer Hall room 102 on the BSU campus.

Converging demographic and climatic trends appear poised to impose profound and largely undesirable changes in many north-central Minnesota lakes. In particular, abrupt transitions in patterns of phosphorus cycling threaten to transform some area lakes from a ‘clear water’ phase to a ‘turbid water’ phase with correspondingly dramatic changes in overall aesthetic appeal and fish community structure.

For example, several lakes are likely to move irreversibly from cool-water walleye fisheries toward warmer and greener bass-bluegill habitats. Processes underlying such ‘regime shifts’ will be explored in detail with recent and well-documented changes in Grace Lake providing a case study.

Several complementary approaches to reducing the likelihood of ‘regime shift’ will explored and obstacles to implementing such strategies will be discussed. Audience comments and questions will be encouraged.

Dann Siems is currently an adjunct professor at Bemidji State, teaching primarily in honors and other integrative programs. He graduated from Bemidji State in 1980 with a degree in aquatic biology and returned to complete a master’s degree in biology in 1987. He has also completed extensive doctoral coursework in ecology, evolution and behavior and science education at the University of Minnesota.

After working in various capacities at Bemidji State since 1995, including a brief stint as acting director of the honors program, Siems accepted a position of aquatic biologist for the Beltrami Soil and Water Conservation District earlier this year. He continues to explore ways in which world views, our fundamental and typically-unexamined philosophical commitments, constrain our learning, especially with respect to evolutionary and ecological concepts.

Most recently he has turned his attention understanding the origins and consequences of human impacts on area aquatic ecosystems.

For more information, contact the Honors Program office at (218) 755-3984.

FOR YOUR CALENDAR
Dec. 5 – 7:00 p.m. – Bemidji State University Honors Lecture: Dann Siems, “Regime Shift in Lakes.” Location: Hagg-Sauer 102, BSU campus. Admission: free. Information: (218) 755-3984.