Indicators for Climate Change Impacts - Rivers in cold ecoregions, Small rivers
Increase of eutrophying substances
| Stressor type | Temperature |
|---|---|
| Responding parameter group | Physico-chemical parameters |
| Responding parameter | Increase of eutrophying substances |
Response description
N flux in the runoff and decomposition of soil organic matter increases with temperature, which will increase the concentration of nutrients in the river.
Secondary effects
Algae growth will increase, leading to oxygen depletion at night times.
Specification of relevant ecosystem type
Relevant for all small rivers in boreal forest in cold ecoregions.
Relevant ecoregion(s) according to Illies
Borealic Uplands (20), Tundra (21), Fennoscandian Shield (22), Taiga (23)
Suggested indicator
Nitrate, total N, phosphate
Justification of indicator
Nutrients are routinely monitored in most European countries.
Reference(s)
Wright, R. F. (1998): Effect of increased carbon dioxide and temperature on runoff chemistry at a forested catchment in southern Norway (CLIMEX Project). Ecosystems 1: 216-225.
