Sample interview questions: Can you discuss any experiences where you used ecosystem models to evaluate the impacts of climate change on freshwater lakes?
Sample answer:
- Evaluated the impacts of climate change on water quality and fish populations in a large northern lake. Used a coupled lake-watershed model to simulate future climate scenarios and assess changes in water temperature, nutrient loading, and dissolved oxygen levels. The model results indicated that climate change would likely lead to a decline in water quality and a shift in fish species composition, with cold-water species being replaced by warm-water species.
- Developed a model to predict the impacts of climate change on the hydrology and water quality of a coastal wetland. The model was used to simulate future sea level rise and storm surge scenarios and assess their potential impacts on wetland inundation, saltwater intrusion, and nutrient cycling. The model results indicated that climate change would likely lead to increased wetland inundation and salinization, which could have negative impacts on wetland vegetation and wildlife.
- Used a model to evaluate… Read full answer