Indicators for Climate Change Impacts - Lakes in warm ecoregions, Deep lakes
Temperature
| Stressor type | Temperature |
|---|---|
| Responding parameter group | Hydromorphological parameters |
| Responding parameter | Temperature |
Response description
Warmer air temperatures in winter will lead to warmer water temperature. Especially the water temperature in surface layer is dependent on seasonal climatic conditions. Hypolimnetic water temperature is independent of short-term climatic conditions, but heat content is increasing ("climatic memory") and size of the hypolimnion might decrease.
Secondary effects
Higher water temperatures might cause earlier oxygen depletion in the hypolimnion, thus reducing its role as a shelter for cold water fish in summer.
Specification of relevant ecosystem type
Relevant for all lakes in warm ecoregions.
Relevant ecoregion(s) according to Illies
Iberian Peninsula (1), Italian Peninsula (3), Dinaric Western Balkan (5), Hellenic Western Balkan (6), Eastern Balkan (7)
Suggested indicator
Water temperature (maximum monthly values)
Reference(s)
Ambrosetti, W. & L. Barbanti (1999): Deep water warming in lakes: an indicator of climatic change. Journal of Limnology 58(1): 1-9.
