Conservation and management of four large saline lakes in the Western Great Basin (USA)

摘要

Saline lakes throughout the world are particularly vulnerable to hydrologic changes caused by climate change or water diversions (Williams 2002). Snowmelt from the Sierra Nevada in California sustains four large saline lakes lying at the western edge of the Great Basin; Owens, Mono, Pyramid, and Walker lakes. All four have markedly decreased in size and increased in salinity during the 20th century due to diversions of surface inflows (Table 1). While novel applications of new and evolving environmental law have resulted in stabilization or significant mitigation at Owens, Mono, and Pyramid lakes, desiccation of Walker Lake is continuing. Here, we briefly review conservation and management efforts at these four large saline lakes.