Indicators for Climate Change Impacts - Rivers in warm ecoregions, Small rivers
Increased macrophyte/algae growth
| Stressor type | Temperature |
|---|---|
| Responding parameter group | Biological parameters |
| Responding parameter | Increased macrophyte/algae growth |
Response description
Higher water temperatures and lower discharge enhance macrophyte and algae growth. Furthermore, higher temperatures increase mineralisation processes and deliver more nutrients for macrophyte and algae growth.
Secondary effects
Oxygen depletion during night time and oxygen over-saturation at day time will affect aquatic communities.
Specification of relevant ecosystem type
Relevant for all small rivers in warm ecoregions.
Relevant ecoregion(s) according to Illies
Iberian Peninsula (1), Italian Peninsula (3), Dinaric Western Balkan (5), Hellenic Western Balkan (6), Eastern Balkan (7)
Suggested indicator
Water temperature (mean monthly values)
Justification of indicator
Mean monthly temperatures indicate overall temperature increase.
