A dystrophic lake represents the final stage of succession, where the basin is nearly filled with sediment and weeds. In this phase, overall productivity has greatly decreased as the lake transforms into a terrestrial environment.

5.1 Case Study: Cedar Lake

Cedar Lake, also in the Klamath Mountains, is a dystrophic lake nearing the end of its existence. Now only about four meters in depth, its shallow basin is almost completely full of sediment, and terrestrial plants are actively invading its edges. While some higher aquatic plants reach the surface, the lake’s overall productivity has fallen to only ~6.0 mg C·m⁻²·hr⁻¹. Cedar Lake represents the future for many similar lakes, which may eventually become bogs. In other cases, their shallow basins may go completely dry during summer, and their flora and fauna become those of vernal ponds.