What made Lake Tahoe’s water so clear in 2022? 💧 In part, it’s thanks to our little friends Daphnia and Bosmina, microscopic native zooplankton that eat tiny particles to help clear up the lake water. The UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center (TERC) released this news in the 2022 Lake Tahoe Clarity Report earlier this year. These zooplankton grew in numbers after a crash in the Mysis shrimp population in late 2021, which typically eat Daphnia and Bosmina. However, it’s important to note that the Mysis shrimp population is expected to bounce back in the near future, meaning the lake’s recent clarity may only be temporary. Controlling the Mysis population on top of keeping out other lake pollutants may be critical. #UCDavis #Science #LakeTahoe Video Description: Video clips of Lake Tahoe, the UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center, boats, a buoy, zooplankton, and shrimp are played behind text explaining new research findings from the 2022 Lake Tahoe Clarity Report. The following text appears: “Lake Tahoe is the clearest it’s been since the 1980s, according to the UC Davis TERC (Tahoe Environmental Research Center) 2022 Clarity Report…but what could be responsible for the change in 2022? A resurgence of native zooplankton eat tiny particles and help clear up the water. Clarity is expected to continue improving in 2023. However, future clarity may depend on controlling zooplankton-eating shrimp populations.”