Indicators for Climate Change Impacts - Lakes in warm ecoregions, Shallow lakes
Water temperature effects on food webs
| Stressor type | Temperature |
|---|---|
| Responding parameter group | Biological parameters |
| Responding parameter | Water temperature effects on food webs |
Response description
Increased water temperature generates principal shifts in food webs. As cyprinid planktivorous fish species are supported, large zooplankton species are suppressed and grazing intensity is reduced.
Secondary effects
Following reduced grazing intensity, phytoplankton density increases, thus leading to effects similar to eutrophication.
Specification of relevant ecosystem type
Most pronounced in shallow lakes but also deep lakes are affected
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
Proportion of planktivorous and piscivorous fish species; ; proportion of large and small zooplankton species
Justification of indicator
Food web structure is well reflected by these two parameters. The share of large zooplankton species determines the effects on phytoplankton, the share of planktivorous species determines the effects on zooplankton.
Reference(s)
Petchey, O. L., P. T. McPhearson, T. M. Casey & P. J. Morin (1999): Environmental warming alters food-web structure and ecosystem function. Nature 402: 69 - 72.
