Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Mesotropic lakes are bodies of water that have moderate nutrient levels, falling between eutrophic and oligotrophic lakes. They typically support a diverse range of plants and animals.
In contrast to mesotropic lakes, oligotrophic lakes have low nutrient levels and support limited plant growth.
Trophic State Index (TSI): TSI is used to measure the overall health or productivity level of a lake based on its physical, chemical, and biological characteristics.