Rivers in warm 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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Barbus meridionalis
Scientific name Barbus meridionalis Common name Retreating / Invasive Retreating Climate Region Warm Ecosystem type Rivers, small Stressor type Toxic substances Response description
It is very sensitive to the pollution of its habitat (urban, agricultural and industrial sewages), particularly in conjunction with temperature increase.
Secondary effects
Because it is an important predator of macroinvertebrates its disappearance would affect the whole aquatic food web.
Specification of relevant ecosystem type
High mountain streams, with clean, well oxygenated and fast flowing water.
Relevant ecoregion(s)
Ecoregions 1 (Iberic-Macaronesian Region), 2 (Pyrenees) and 13 (Western Plains)
Mitigation measures
Creation of protected areas in the river headwaters.
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. Pp: 158-159.
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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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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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Gambusia holbrooki (Mosquitofish, Gambusia)
Scientific name Gambusia holbrooki Common name Mosquitofish, Gambusia Retreating / Invasive Invasive Climate Region Warm Ecosystem type Rivers, large Stressor type Temperature Response description
Its reproductive rate will be favored by higher water temperatures, expanding its distribution.
Secondary effects
Displacement of native species (e.g. Aphanius iberus, Valencia hispanica).
Specification of relevant ecosystem type
Shallow lentic waters, with abundant submerged vegetation, high temperature and low oxygen content.
Relevant ecoregion(s)
It is widely distributed along Europe and the rest of the world.
Mitigation measures
Control of expanding populations.
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: 240-241.
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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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Pisidium hibernicum
Scientific name Pisidium hibernicum Common name Retreating / Invasive Retreating Climate Region Warm Ecosystem type Rivers, small Stressor type Temperature Response description
Restricted to high-mountain areas in the Mediterranean, mainly small streams and glacial lakes, that will disappear or be altered with temperature increase.
Secondary effects
Specification of relevant ecosystem type
Small streams at high altitudes and lakes with glacial origin.
Relevant ecoregion(s)
Ecoregion 1 (Iberic-Macaronesian Region)
Mitigation measures
Reference(s)
Araujo, R. (2006): Pisidium hibernicum Westerlund, 1894. 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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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.
