The past, present, and future of a lake: Interdisciplinary analysis of long-term lake restoration

The history and future of the restoration efforts at the hypereutrophic southern Finnish lake, Tuusulanjärvi, are investigated. The interdisciplinary study is conducted within a modified DPSIR- framework, which allows us to both trace back and envision the future of the dynamics of the complex socio-ecological processes involved in restoration. The study covers the time period from the early 1970s up to 2030. The longitudinal study integrates environmental historical, limnological, and futures studies. The analyses reveal the multiple time scales of social and ecological processes present in long term restoration, the changing perceptions of and emphasis on restoration goals and outcomes over time, and the challenges that incidental and uncertain parameters, such as weather conditions, pose to sustainable and efficient restoration endeavors.