Conceptual models should show those factors that most significantly affect the desired condition and objective(s). The most influential driver of the desired condition should be connected to the goals using arrows that are weighted to show magnitude of influence. Orange boxes represent controllable drivers, which are drivers that can be significantly influenced by human actions within the Lake Tahoe basin.
In Lake Tahoe, the most influential driver of Mid-Lake Clarity is the presence of Fine Sediment Particles in the lake. Proportionally, Fine Sediment Particles have a greater effect on Mid-Lake Clarity than on Nearshore Aesthetic, and the box outline and arrow thicknesses reflect this relative importance. The effects of Fine Sediment Particles on Mid-Lake Clarity are well-studied. The white diamond in the Fine Sediment Particles box indicates that this connection remains a research priority. The metric in the Fine Sediment Particles box is fine sediment load, which is a measure of how much sediment is entering the lake.
