Indicators for Climate Change Impacts - Rivers in temperate ecoregions, Large rivers
Replacement of salmonid by cyprinid fish species
| Stressor type | Temperature |
|---|---|
| Responding parameter group | Biological parameters |
| Responding parameter | Replacement of salmonid by cyprinid fish species |
Response description
Higher water temperatures will reduce reproductive success of salmonid species and increase parasitic and predator pressure on the egg and young larval stages. Warm water cyprinid species will invade in cold water regions.
Secondary effects
Food webs will change as salmonid and cyprinid fish species prefer different food sources.
Specification of relevant ecosystem type
Replacement of salmonid by cyprinid fish species
Relevant ecoregion(s) according to Illies
Pyrenees (2), Alps (4), Western Mountains (8), Central Mountains (9), Carpathians (10)
Suggested indicator
Fish species composition
Justification of indicator
In natural systems the percentage of cold water species (mainly salmonids) is high and the percentage of warm water species (mainly cyprinids) is low; this will change with increasing temperature.
Reference(s)
Daufresne, M., M. C. Roger, H. Capra & N. Lamouroux (2004): Long-term changes within the invertebrate and fish communities of the upper Rhône river: effects of climatic factors. Glob. Change Biol. 10: 124 - 140.
