Indicators for Climate Change Impacts - Rivers in temperate ecoregions, Small rivers
Spread of alien species
| Stressor type | Temperature |
|---|---|
| Responding parameter group | Biological parameters |
| Responding parameter | Spread of alien species |
Response description
Higher temperatures often favour alien species that increasingly colonize small streams. These could be alien fish, macrophyte or macroinvertebrate species.
Secondary effects
Strong competitions with native species.
Specification of relevant ecosystem type
Relevant for all small rivers in temperate ecoregions.
Relevant ecoregion(s) according to Illies
Central Lowlands (14), Western Lowlands (13), Western Mountains (8), Central Mountains (9)
Suggested indicator
Water temperature (maximum and minimum monthly values); Share of alien species in the community
Justification of indicator
The survival and reproduction of several alien species in temperate ecoregions is controlled by minimum temperatures. The second parameter can often be inferred from routine monitoring for the Water Framework Directive.
