Lakes in temperate ecoregions
– Species affected by Climate Change –
Many freshwater species are directly affected by temperature increase or droughts. Other are affected by stressors, which are influenced by Climate Change, such as eutrophication. Others will benefit from temperature increase and colonise new areas.
Here you find a selection:
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Coregonus albula (Vendace)
Scientific name Coregonus albula Common name Vendace Retreating / Invasive Retreating Climate Region Temperate Ecosystem type Lakes, deep Stressor type Temperature Response description
Stenothermal species, which will suffer from rising temperatures with the southern boundary of its range moving north.
Secondary effects
Specification of relevant ecosystem type
Clear, cold lakes and brackish water.
Relevant ecoregion(s)
Widespread in Northern and Central Europe
Mitigation measures
Reference(s)
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Esox lucius (Northern pike)
Scientific name Esox lucius Common name Northern pike Retreating / Invasive Retreating Climate Region Cold and temperate Ecosystem type Lakes and rivers, all sizes Stressor type Temperature Response description
Northern pike actively avoids surface temperatues aboves 25 °C, which is likely to become more common as air temperature increases across much of its distributional range.
Secondary effects
Specification of relevant ecosystem type
Clear, vegetated lakes, slowly flowing creeks, streams and rivers.
Relevant ecoregion(s)
Widespread in Northern and Central Europe
Mitigation measures
Reference(s)
Reist, J.D., F.J. Wrona, T.D. Prowse, J.B. Dempson, M. Power, G. Kock, T.J. Carmichael, C.D. Sawatzky, H. Lehtonen & R.F. Tallman (2006): An overview of effects of climate change on selected arctic freshwater and anadromous fishes. Ambio 35(7): 381-387.
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Salmo trutta lacustris (Lake trout)
Scientific name Salmo trutta lacustris Common name Lake trout Retreating / Invasive Retreating Climate Region Cold and temperate Ecosystem type Lakes, deep Stressor type Temperature Response description
Lake trout occur in lakes below the thermocline in southern deep lakes and a variety of cold lake habitats in the north. With an increase in temperature trout will restricted to smaller volumes of lakes and will need to enter these regions earlier in the year. Oxygen content in the deep zones will be affected by prolonged summer stratification, decreasing the habitat quality for lake trouts.
Secondary effects
A longer stay in deep areas will change the diet of trout, decreasing the ratio of pelagic versus benthic sources of carbon in the diet, leading to increasing mercury concentrations in the tissue.
Specification of relevant ecosystem type
Lakes and fast-flowing rivers
Relevant ecoregion(s)
Widespread in Europe
Mitigation measures
Reference(s)
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Salvelinus alpinus (Arctic char)
Scientific name Salvelinus alpinus Common name Arctic char Retreating / Invasive Retreating Climate Region Cold and temperate Ecosystem type Lakes, deep, Rivers, large Stressor type Temperature, hydrology Response description
Arctic char is sensitive to water pollution and prefers cold, well oxygenated waters (temperature range 4-16 °C). Non-migratory populations stay in lakes and rivers all year round. With an increase in water temperature the fish can only go to deeper, colder water (if it is not possible to leave the water system they are in) which might not have high enough oxygen concentrations, particularly if eutrophication is enhanced by Climate Change.
Secondary effects
Specification of relevant ecosystem type
Deep runs and pools of medium to large rivers, and lakes
Relevant ecoregion(s)
Salvelinus alpinus occurrs in western Norway (Ecoregion 20, Borealic Uplands), with isolated populations in Scandinavia, UK, Finland and the Alps.
Mitigation measures
Reference(s)
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Sander lucioperca (Zander)
Scientific name Sander lucioperca Common name Zander Retreating / Invasive Invasive Climate Region Temperate Ecosystem type Lakes, deep Stressor type Temperature Response description
Zander is a eurythermal species distributed widely in Europe, whose growth and recruitment success is correlated with temperature. Its northern distribution range coincides with the July 15 C isotherm and is likely to shift northwards with Climate Change.
Secondary effects
The northbound movement and possible increase in size of Zander and other percid fishes are likely to have consequences for competitiveness of resident coldwater fishes.
Specification of relevant ecosystem type
Deep, calm lakes, reservoirs, canals and rivers
Relevant ecoregion(s)
Widespread in Eastern, Northern and Central Europe
Mitigation measures
Reference(s)
Reist, J.D., F.J. Wrona, T.D. Prowse, J.B. Dempson, M. Power, G. Kock, T.J. Carmichael, C.D. Sawatzky, H. Lehtonen & R.F. Tallman (2006): An overview of effects of climate change on selected arctic freshwater and anadromous fishes. Ambio 35(7): 381-387.
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Callitriche truncata (Short-leaved water-starwort)
Scientific name Callitriche truncata Common name Short-leaved water-starwort Retreating / Invasive Invasive Climate Region Temperate Ecosystem type Lakes, shallow Stressor type Temperature Response description
Invasive species for parts of Western Europe (e.g. the Netherlands) from nearby areas, probably in response to increased temperatures.
Secondary effects
Specification of relevant ecosystem type
Relevant ecoregion(s)
13 (Western Plains), 14 (Central Plains)
Mitigation measures
Reference(s)
Tamis, W.L.M., M. van‘t Zelfde, R. van der Meijden & H.A. Udo de Haes (2005): Changes in vascular plant biodiversity in the Netherlands explained by their climatic and other environmental characteristics. Climatic Change 72 (1-2): 37-56.
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Isoetes lacustris (Lake quillwort)
Scientific name Isoetes lacustris Common name Lake quillwort Retreating / Invasive Retreating Climate Region Temperate Ecosystem type Lakes, shallow Stressor type Eutrophication, habitat destruction, lowering water tables, temperature Response description
Native bog species, suffering from several stresses such as eutrophication and changes in wetland hydrology. Climate change is an extra stressor and may worsen hydrological alterations of wetlands.
Secondary effects
Specification of relevant ecosystem type
Neutral, oligotrophic waters
Relevant ecoregion(s)
13 (Western Plains), 14 (Central Plains)
Mitigation measures
Habitat restoration and improvement of connectivity.
Reference(s)
Tamis, W.L.M., M. van‘t Zelfde, R. van der Meijden & H.A. Udo de Haes (2005): Changes in vascular plant biodiversity in the Netherlands explained by their climatic and other environmental characteristics. Climatic Change 72 (1-2): 37-56.
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Lemna minuta (Least duckweed)
Scientific name Lemna minuta Common name Least duckweed Retreating / Invasive Invasive Climate Region Temperate Ecosystem type Lakes, shallow Stressor type Eutrophication, temperature Response description
Exotic species, invasive behavior promoted by increasing temperature and eutrophication.
Secondary effects
Changing ecosystem structure through competition with native species.
Specification of relevant ecosystem type
Small freshwater habitats, like ditches
Relevant ecoregion(s)
13 (Western Plains), 14 (Central Plains)
Mitigation measures
Control of eutrophication
Reference(s)
Tamis, W.L.M., M. van‘t Zelfde, R. van der Meijden & H.A. Udo de Haes (2005): Changes in vascular plant biodiversity in the Netherlands explained by their climatic and other environmental characteristics. Climatic Change 72 (1-2): 37-56.
