November 20: What Tiny Lake Organisms Reveal About a Changing Environment

Zooplankton are tiny animals that drift through our lakes, but don’t let their size fool you—they play a crucial role in freshwater ecosystems. This talk introduces these microscopic organisms, highlights their ecological importance, and explains what they reveal about the functioning of Sierra Nevada lakes. The introduction of non-native fish has significantly reshaped zooplankton communities, and ongoing climate change is further altering which species are able to thrive. These small creatures offer powerful insight into the broader environmental shifts unfolding in mountain ecosystems.

Celia Symons is an Associate Professor at the University of California, Irvine. She has been studying lakes in the Sierra Nevada since 2013, when she first fell in love with the region’s freshwater ecosystems. Her research focuses on how ecological communities respond to environmental change.

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Doors open at 5:00 p.m. Presentation begins at 6:00 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, CA 96145.

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

For more information call 775-881-7560, ext. 7566, email tercinfo@ucdavis.edu, or visit http://tahoe.ucdavis.edu/events/.