Biodiversity under threat in glacier-fed river systems

Jacobsen, Dean; Milner, Alexander M.; Brown, Lee E.; Dangles, Olivier

doi:10.1038/nclimate1435

Cited by 271 publications

(237 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…To link changes in functioning with changes in biodiversity a detailed knowledge of aquatic community traits composition, particularly at lower trophic levels, is required (Menezes et al, 2010). However, despite recent findings from North America, which illustrated that functional diversity will increase as basin glacial cover decreases (Brown and Milner 2012), our knowledge of biodiversity -ecosystem functioning relationships in alpine river systems remains limited. This research gap needs to be urgently addressed, as an understanding of how anticipated increases in alpha diversity and the loss of endemic species will influence in-stream ecological processes is vital, particularly if conservation priorities shift from the preservation of certain species to the maintenance of certain functions.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…More specifically, the loss of a number of endemic, glacier stream specialists is likely to occur , particularly in basins fed by small glaciers such as the Taillon and the Mutt. This will lead to a reduction in basin and regional scale diversity (Jacobsen et al, 2012) despite a predicted increase in alpha (site) diversity as water source contributions change (Milner et al, 2009). This highlights the need for careful consideration regarding how biodiversity is measured and interpreted in the context of conservation, particularly in alpine environments where between site diversity and range restricted, endemic taxa are important components of regional biodiversity.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Diamesa spp. glacier stream specialists) is probable (Jacobsen et al, 2012;Finn et al, 2013). Climate sensitivity is high for alpine basins when compared to lower altitude systems due to the strong links between climate-cryosphere-hydrology-ecology .…”

Section: Developing Conservation Strategies For a Changing Climate Inmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Benthic macroinvertebrates in alpine river systems are well studied and are ubiquitous due to broad environmental tolerance ranges, thus were chosen as a 'model' group (Jacobsen et al, 2012). In both basins replicate Surber samples were collected across a gradient of glacial influence during the summer melt season.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Alpine aquatic ecosystem conservation policy in a changing climate

Khamis

Hannah

Clarvis

et al. 2014

Environmental Science & Policy

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Freshwater ecosystems are often of high conservation value, yet many have been degraded significantly by direct anthropogenic impacts and are further threatened by global environmental change. Traditionally, conservation science and policy has promoted principles based on preservation and restoration paradigms, which are linked to assumptions of stationarity and uniformitarianism. Adaptation requires new approaches based on flexibility, iterativity, non-linearity, and redundancy. Many high alpine river networks represent near natural, pristine river systems and important biodiversity 'hotspots' of European freshwater fauna. However, there remains a lack of guidance on alpine river conservation strategies under a changing climate at EU, regional and local levels. A critical evaluation of current conservation and adaptation principles and governance frameworks was undertaken with relation to predicted climate change impacts on freshwater ecosystems. Case studies are presented from two alpine zones in mainland Europe (the Pyrénées and the Swiss Alps). The complexity of climate change impacts on hydrological regimes, habitat and biota from both case study regions suggests that current legislative and policy mechanisms, which frame conservation approaches, need to be realigned. In particular, a shift in focus from species-centric approaches to more holistic ecosystem functioning conservation is proposed.A methodological approach is set out that may help conservationists and resource managers to both prioritise their efforts, and better predict future habitat and biotic responses to set ecological baseline conditions. Due to the complexity and limited potential for preventative intervention in these systems, conservation strategies should focus on: (i) the maintenance and enhancement of connectivity within and between alpine river basins and (ii) the control and reduction of additional anthropogenic stressors.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Developing Conservation Strategies For a Changing Climate Inmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Alpine aquatic ecosystem conservation policy in a changing climate

Khamis

Hannah

Clarvis

et al. 2014

Environmental Science & Policy

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“…Water from snow and ice melt can partially compensate for the lack of precipitation during a hot, dry year (Rothlisberger and Lang, 1987) and help maintain base flows and cool water temperatures in streams that are critical for aquatic organisms (Jacobsen et al, 2012). Glaciers can moderate the effects of multi-year droughts and, during hot summers, add significantly to seasonal discharge, particularly during late summer in the western United States (Meier and Tangborn, 1961;Fountain and Tangborn, 1985).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Glacier-Derived August Runoff in Northwest Montana

Clark

Harper

Fagre

2015

Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research

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Toward mountains without permanent snow and ice

et al. 2017

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The cryosphere in mountain regions is rapidly declining, a trend that is expected to accelerate over the next several decades due to anthropogenic climate change. A cascade of effects will result, extending from mountains to lowlands with associated impacts on human livelihood, economy, and ecosystems. With rising air temperatures and increased radiative forcing, glaciers will become smaller and, in some cases, disappear, the area of frozen ground will diminish, the ratio of snow to rainfall will decrease, and the timing and magnitude of both maximum and minimum streamflow will change. These changes will affect erosion rates, sediment, and nutrient flux, and the biogeochemistry of rivers and proglacial lakes, all of which influence water quality, aquatic habitat, and biotic communities. Changes in the length of the growing season will allow low-elevation plants and animals to expand their ranges upward. Slope failures due to thawing alpine permafrost, and outburst floods from glacier-and moraine-dammed lakes will threaten downstream populations. Societies even well beyond the mountains depend on meltwater from glaciers and snow for drinking water supplies, irrigation, mining, hydropower, agriculture, and recreation. Here, we review and, where possible, quantify the impacts of anticipated climate change on the alpine cryosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere, and consider the implications for adaptation to a future of mountains without permanent snow and ice.

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Biodiversity under threat in glacier-fed river systems

Cited by 271 publications

References 29 publications

Alpine aquatic ecosystem conservation policy in a changing climate

Alpine aquatic ecosystem conservation policy in a changing climate

Glacier-Derived August Runoff in Northwest Montana

Toward mountains without permanent snow and ice

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