Rivers in temperate 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:
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Esox lucius (Northern pike)
Scientific name Esox lucius Common name Northern pike Retreating / Invasive Retreating Climate Region Cold and temperate Ecosystem type Lakes and rivers, all sizes Stressor type Temperature Response description
Northern pike actively avoids surface temperatues aboves 25 °C, which is likely to become more common as air temperature increases across much of its distributional range.
Secondary effects
Specification of relevant ecosystem type
Clear, vegetated lakes, slowly flowing creeks, streams and rivers.
Relevant ecoregion(s)
Widespread in Northern and Central Europe
Mitigation measures
Reference(s)
Reist, J.D., F.J. Wrona, T.D. Prowse, J.B. Dempson, M. Power, G. Kock, T.J. Carmichael, C.D. Sawatzky, H. Lehtonen & R.F. Tallman (2006): An overview of effects of climate change on selected arctic freshwater and anadromous fishes. Ambio 35(7): 381-387.
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Salmo trutta (Common trout)
Scientific name Salmo trutta Common name Common trout Retreating / Invasive Retreating Climate Region Warm, temperate Ecosystem type Rivers, small Stressor type Temperature Response description
Particularly in southern European regions trout will be affected by high water temperatures and low discharge, which affect survival rates and reproduction.
Secondary effects
In small streams trout is an important predator of macroinvertebrates; declining trout populations affect the entire aquatic food web.
Specification of relevant ecosystem type
Cold rivers and streams with clean, fast-flowing water, high oxygen content and with gravel substrate.
Relevant ecoregion(s)
Though widespread in Europe this analysis concerns the Mediterranean Ecoregions 1 (Iberic-Macaronesian Region), 3 (Italy) and 6 (Hellenic Western Balkan)
Mitigation measures
The effects of Global Warming on small streams can be decreased by shading. Riparian vegetation leads to lower water temperature, particularly in summer. Near-natural land cover avoids extreme floods.
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: 129-131.
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Salvelinus alpinus (Arctic char)
Scientific name Salvelinus alpinus Common name Arctic char Retreating / Invasive Retreating Climate Region Cold and temperate Ecosystem type Lakes, deep, Rivers, large Stressor type Temperature, hydrology Response description
Arctic char is sensitive to water pollution and prefers cold, well oxygenated waters (temperature range 4-16 °C). Non-migratory populations stay in lakes and rivers all year round. With an increase in water temperature the fish can only go to deeper, colder water (if it is not possible to leave the water system they are in) which might not have high enough oxygen concentrations, particularly if eutrophication is enhanced by Climate Change.
Secondary effects
Specification of relevant ecosystem type
Deep runs and pools of medium to large rivers, and lakes
Relevant ecoregion(s)
Salvelinus alpinus occurrs in western Norway (Ecoregion 20, Borealic Uplands), with isolated populations in Scandinavia, UK, Finland and the Alps.
Mitigation measures
Reference(s)
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Agapetus fuscipes (Caddis larvae)
Scientific name Agapetus fuscipes Common name Caddis larvae Retreating / Invasive Retreating Climate Region Temperate Ecosystem type Rivers, small Stressor type Temperature Response description
Sensitive to changes in temperature extremes. As a species of small streams not capable to move further upstream.
Secondary effects
One of the most important grazers in small streams. Absence leads to enhanced biofilms and algal layers on stones.
Specification of relevant ecosystem type
Springs and small streams
Relevant ecoregion(s)
13 (Western Plains), 14 (Central Plains)
Mitigation measures
Shading of streams through riparian vegetation to limit temperature extremes.
Reference(s)
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Aphanius iberus (Fartet)
Scientific name Aphanius iberus Common name Fartet Retreating / Invasive Retreating Climate Region Temperate Ecosystem type Rivers, small 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.
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Austropotamobius pallipes (White-clawed crayfish)
Scientific name Austropotamobius pallipes Common name White-clawed crayfish Retreating / Invasive Retreating Climate Region Warm, temperate Ecosystem type Rivers, small Stressor type Temperature Response description
Widely distributed european crayfish that inhabits in small or medium rivers, usually with low temperatures. Vulnerable to the fungi Aphanomyces astaci, which is carried by the crayfishes Pacifastacus leniusculus and Procambarus clarkii. These latter species do not reach the upper reaches (where the autochtonous crab lives) due to a temperature limitation, but this barrier may be broken by Climate Change.
Secondary effects
Alteration of food web with possible consequences on most species.
Specification of relevant ecosystem type
Medium to small rivers within calcareous catchments, small lakes and channels with low flow and some refuges.
Relevant ecoregion(s)
Occurring in several Southern and Central European ecoregions but most endangered in Mediterranean ecoregions, where the expected increase in temperature is higher.
Mitigation measures
Control of allochthonous crayfishes, keeping the natural temperature barriers.
Reference(s)
Gil-Sánchez, J.M & J. Alba-Tercedor (2006): Austropotamobius pallipes (Lereboullet, 1858). In: Verdú & Galante (eds.). Libro Rojo de los Invertebrados de España. Dirección General para la Biodiversidad, Ministerio de Medio Ambiente, Madrid.
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Beraea maurus (Caddis larvae)
Scientific name Beraea maurus Common name Caddis larvae Retreating / Invasive Retreating Climate Region Temperate Ecosystem type Rivers, small Stressor type Temperature Response description
Sensitive to changes in temperature extremes. As a species of small streams not capable to move further upstream.
Secondary effects
One of the most important grazers in small streams. Absence leads to enhanced biofilms and algal layers on stones.
Specification of relevant ecosystem type
Springs and small streams
Relevant ecoregion(s)
13 (Western Plains), 14 (Central Plains)
Mitigation measures
Shading of streams through riparian vegetation to limit temperature extremes.
Reference(s)
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Eukiefferiella minor/fittkaui (Non-biting midges)
Scientific name Eukiefferiella minor/fittkaui Common name Non-biting midges Retreating / Invasive Retreating Climate Region Temperate Ecosystem type Rivers, small Stressor type Temperature Response description
As a cold stenothermic species it is endangered by higher higher water temperatures in summer and low flow conditions.
Secondary effects
Relevant also for other non-biting midge taxa (mainly Diamesinae, Orthocladiinae).
Specification of relevant ecosystem type
Relevant for regions where stream network do not include higher altitudes (refugia if water temperatures increase above species-specific limits)
Relevant ecoregion(s)
Widespread in Europe
Mitigation measures
The effects of Global Warming on small streams can be decreased by shading. Riparian vegetation leads to lower water temperature, particularly in summer. Near-natural land cover avoids extreme floods.
Reference(s)
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Lebertia stigmatifera
Scientific name Lebertia stigmatifera Common name Retreating / Invasive Retreating Climate Region Temperate Ecosystem type Rivers, small Stressor type Temperature Response description
Sensitive to changes in temperature extremes. As a species of small streams not capable to move further upstream.
Secondary effects
Important grazers in small streams. Absence leads to enhanced biofilms and algal layers on stones.
Specification of relevant ecosystem type
Springs and small streams
Relevant ecoregion(s)
13 (Western Plains), 14 (Central Plains)
Mitigation measures
Shading of streams through riparian vegetation to limit temperature extremes.
Reference(s)
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Lithotanytarsus emarginatus (Non-biting midges)
Scientific name Lithotanytarsus emarginatus Common name Non-biting midges Retreating / Invasive Retreating Climate Region Temperate Ecosystem type Rivers, small Stressor type Hydrology/morphology Response description
The species occurs in limestone precipitating springs and spring brooks. Higher precipitation in winter and droughts in summer/autumn will alter the very specific habiat and will further isolate individual populations.
Secondary effects
Other taxa strictly restricted to these specialised habitats may disappear, too.
Specification of relevant ecosystem type
Limestone precipitating springs
Relevant ecoregion(s)
Ecoregions 2 (Pyrenees), 4 (Alps), 9 Central mountains) and 13 (Western Plains)
Mitigation measures
Keeping near natural discharge patterns by avoiding water abstraction.
Reference(s)
Thienemann, A. (1954): Chironomus. Leben, Verbreitung und wirtschaftliche Bedeutung der Chironomiden. Binnengewasser 20: 834.
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Parorthocladius nudipennis (Non-biting midges)
Scientific name Parorthocladius nudipennis Common name Non-biting midges Retreating / Invasive Retreating Climate Region Temperate Ecosystem type Rivers, small Stressor type Temperature Response description
As a cold stenothermic species it is endangered by higher higher water temperatures in summer and low flow conditions.
Secondary effects
Relevant also for other non-biting midge taxa (mainly Diamesinae, Orthocladiinae).
Specification of relevant ecosystem type
Relevant for regions where stream network do not include higher altitudes (refugia if water temperatures increase above species-specific limits)
Relevant ecoregion(s)
Widespread in Europe
Mitigation measures
The effects of Global Warming on small streams can be decreased by shading. Riparian vegetation leads to lower water temperature, particularly in summer. Near-natural land cover avoids extreme floods.
Reference(s)
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Perla marginata (Stonefly)
Scientific name Perla marginata Common name Stonefly Retreating / Invasive Retreating Climate Region Warm, temperate Ecosystem type Rivers, small Stressor type Temperature Response description
Perla marginata is a large stonefly species with a larval cycle of three years. It is adapted to cool water temperatures and requires high oxygen contents. Increase in water temperatures lead to a stronger competition of species living in downstream reaches and to temporarily low oxygen contents, which the species can not survive.
Secondary effects
Similar responses are expected for many other invertebrates species adapted to cool water temperature.
Specification of relevant ecosystem type
Small, mainly silicious streams with catchment areas of up to 100 km2.
Relevant ecoregion(s)
Ecoregions 1-10 (South and Central Europe). It is most endangered in South European ecoregions, where increase in water temperature is expected to be most severe.
Mitigation measures
The effects of Global Warming on small streams can be decreased by shading. Riparian vegetation leads to lower water temperature, particularly in summer. Near-natural land cover avoids extreme floods.
Reference(s)
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Unio crassus
Scientific name Unio crassus Common name Retreating / Invasive Retreating Climate Region Warm, temperate Ecosystem type Rivers, small Stressor type Eutrophication Response description
This species is very sensitive to eutrophication, which may be enhanced by Climate Change, mainly because the juvenile stages are sensitive to ammonium and nitrogen.
Secondary effects
Specification of relevant ecosystem type
Rivers and streams with clean, flowing waters, high oxygen content and gravel or sandy riverbeds. In South-eastern Europe it is also found in litoral lakes with flowing waters.
Relevant ecoregion(s)
Though widespread in Europe this analysis concerns Ecoregion 1 (Iberic-Macaronesian Region)
Mitigation measures
Avoiding the input of waste water maintaining the riparian vegetation in order to prevent the input of sediment into the river.
Reference(s)
Araujo, R. (2006): Unio crassus Retzius, 1788. In: Verdú & Galante (eds.): Libro Rojo de los Invertebrados de España. Dirección General para la Biodiversidad, Ministerio de Medio Ambiente, Madrid.
