Indicators for Climate Change Impacts - Rivers in warm ecoregions, Small rivers
Oxygen depletion
| Stressor type | Temperature |
|---|---|
| Responding parameter group | Physico-chemical and biological parameters |
| Responding parameter | Oxygen depletion |
Response description
Higher water temperatures lead to increased phytobenthos and macrophyte growth and to oxygen depletion at night times.
Secondary effects
Many aquatic species are intolerant of oxygen depletion and suffocate.
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
Oxygen concentration in summer month.
Justification of indicator
In well oxygenated rivers the oxygen concentration is around 100 %. Oxygen content decreases with water temperature, thus, summer months are the critical phase.
