Lakes in warm 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:

• Chondrostoma arcasii (Bermejuela)

  Scientific name	Chondrostoma arcasii
  Common name	Bermejuela
  Retreating / Invasive	Retreating
  Climate Region	Warm
  Ecosystem type	Lakes, shallow
  Stressor type	Temperature

  Response description

  Its populations are affected by increased temperatures due to its ecological requirements.

  Secondary effects

  Due to its role as predator and its typical association with the brown trout its disappearance would affect the food web.

  Specification of relevant ecosystem type

  Mountain lakes and rivers. It is the only fish species inhabiting in endorreic lakes in the Iberian Peninsula

  Relevant ecoregion(s)

  Ecoregion 1 (Iberic-Macaronesian Region)

  Mitigation measures

  Habitat conservation (including conservation of water temperatures) to avoid the invasion by other species.

  Reference(s)

  Doadrio, I. (ed.) (2001): Atlas y Libro Rojo de los Peces Continentales de España. Dirección General de Conservación de la Naturaleza. Ministerio de Medio Ambiente. Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas. Madrid.: 167-169.

  
  

• Aphanius iberus (Fartet)

  Scientific name	Aphanius iberus
  Common name	Fartet
  Retreating / Invasive	Retreating
  Climate Region	Warm
  Ecosystem type	Lakes, shallow
  Stressor type	Competition by exotic species

  Response description

  Its populations will be decreased by the expansion of invasive species, such as Gambusia holbrooki, which are competitors for habitat and food.

  Secondary effects

  The food web will change if this species disappears and others occupy its place.

  Specification of relevant ecosystem type

  Ponds, litoral lakes, salines, estuaries and streams

  Relevant ecoregion(s)

  Ecoregion 1 (Iberic-Macaronesian Region)

  Mitigation measures

  Habitat conservation (including conservation of water temperatures) to avoid the invasion by other species.

  Reference(s)

  Doadrio, I. (ed.) (2001): Atlas y Libro Rojo de los Peces Continentales de España. Dirección General de Conservación de la Naturaleza. Ministerio de Medio Ambiente. Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas. Madrid: 232-234.

  
  

• Pisidium lilljeborgii

  Scientific name	Pisidium lilljeborgii
  Common name
  Retreating / Invasive	Retreating
  Climate Region	Warm
  Ecosystem type	Lakes, shallow
  Stressor type	Eutrophication

  Response description

  Sensitive to contamination and eutrophication and the competition by invasive molluscs, which will be supported by Climate Change.

  Secondary effects

  Specification of relevant ecosystem type

  Glacial lakes and high altitude rivers in Spain.

  Relevant ecoregion(s)

  Ecoregion 1 (Iberic-Macaronesian Region)

  Mitigation measures

  Reference(s)

  Araujo, R. (2006): Pisidium lilljeborgii Clessin, 1886. In: Verdú & Galante (eds.): Libro Rojo de los Invertebrados de España. Dirección General para la Biodiversidad, Ministerio de Medio Ambiente, Madrid.

  
  

• Sympetrum flaveolum

  Scientific name	Sympetrum flaveolum
  Common name
  Retreating / Invasive	Retreating
  Climate Region	Warm
  Ecosystem type	Lakes, shallow
  Stressor type	Toxic substances

  Response description

  In Southern Europe, the nymphs of this dragonfly live in oligotrophic lakes with submerged vegetation, at high altitudes. Temperature and vegetation of these habitats are likely to be altered by Climate Change.

  Secondary effects

  As an abundant predator the species has an important role in food webs of high altitude lakes. Its disappearance will lead to changes in food webs.

  Specification of relevant ecosystem type

  Oligotrophic lakes above 800m, with submerged aquatic vegetation.

  Relevant ecoregion(s)

  Ecoregions 1 (Iberic-Macaronesian Region), 2 (Pyrenees), 4 (Alps) and 9 (Central Mountains).

  Mitigation measures

  Reference(s)

  Ocharan, F.J., M. Ferreras-Romero, R. Ocharan & A. Cordero-Rivera (2006): Sympetrum flaveolum (Linnaeus, 1758). In: Verdú & Galante (eds.): Libro Rojo de los Invertebrados de España. Dirección General para la Biodiversidad, Ministerio de Medio Ambiente, Madrid.