FIG 5.

A conceptual figure visualizing the dynamics of algal primary producers, heterotrophic bacteria, methanotrophic bacteria, and bacterial phototrophs (Chlorobi). The right side illustrates the conditions found in the lake with ice and snow cover. The left side illustrates how the conditions changed after the removal of snow, such as increase in light and increased methane throughout the water column. In the first depth sampled, methanotrophs decreased after snow removal, while heterotrophs increased. Moreover, the Chlorobi populations shifted to lower depths in the water column.