With glaciers melting at an unprecedented rate due to climate change, invertebrates that live in cold meltwater rivers in the European Alps will face widespread habitat loss, scientists have warned. Many species are likely to be restricted to cold habitats that persist only higher up in the mountains, and these areas are likely to be subject to pressures from the skiing and tourism industries or from hydroelectric development.
The research study – led jointly by the University of Leeds and the University of Essex – is urging conservationists to consider new measures to protect aquatic biodiversity. Invertebrates — a key role in ecosystems
Invertebrates, which include fireflies, midges and flatworms, play a key role in nutrient cycling and the transfer of organic matter to fish, amphibians, birds and mammals in the wider alpine ecosystem. Using glacier, landscape and biodiversity mapping collected in the Alps, scientists from across Europe simulated how key invertebrate populations across the mountain range are likely to change by 2100 due to climate change.
As the climate warms, modeling predicted that invertebrates will seek cooler conditions in the highest parts of mountain ranges. These cooler areas are also likely to be favored for skiing or hiking or hydroelectric development in the future. Lee Brown, professor of aquatic science at the University of Leeds, who co-led the research, said: “Conservationists need to think about how protected area designations need to evolve to take account of the effects of climate change.
“It is possible that some species will have to be moved to refuges if we want to ensure their survival, as many of them are not strong fliers, so they cannot easily disperse over the mountains.” The alpine climate is changing rapidly
The research, involving the collaboration of nine European research institutions, collected data on the distribution of invertebrate species in the Alps, an area that covers more than 34,000 square kilometers, and mapped them along with expected changes in glaciers and river flows. There was enough data to model what was likely to happen to 19 species of invertebrates, mainly aquatic insects, that live in cold-water areas in the Alps.
Dr Jonathan Carrivick, from the School of Geography at Leeds, who co-led the research, said: “We have quantified that as glaciers melt and retreat, rivers flowing through the Alps will experience large changes in their share of water resources.” in the short term some will carry more water and some new tributaries will form, but in a few decades – most rivers will become drier, slower flowing and more stable, and there may even be periods of the year when there is no water flow. In addition, most of the water in alpine rivers will also be warmer in the future.”
Losers and winners By the turn of the century, modeling predicts that most species would experience “consistent losses” of habitat.
Midges, Diamesa latitarsis grp., D. steinboecki and D. bertrami are expected to be the worst affected; grebe, Rhabdiopteryx alpina; and mayfly, Rhithrogena nivata. However, several species are expected to benefit from habitat changes, including the flathead, Crenobia alpina, and the flathead, Rhithrogena loyolaea.
Other species would find refuge in new places. The scientists predict that the stonefish Dictyogenus alpinus and the flounder Drusus discolor will be able to survive in the Rhone Valley in south-eastern France, while other species will be lost from the rivers that flow into the Danube basin. Conservation
In this paper, the researchers describe the “substantial work” needed to protect biodiversity in rivers fed by retreating glaciers. Locations where glaciers still exist at the end of the 21st century will probably be prioritized for the construction of water dams and the development of ski resorts. Dr Martin Wilkes, from the University of Essex, who co-led the research, said: “The losses we predict for alpine biodiversity by the end of this century are just one of several possible climate change scenarios.
“Decided action by world leaders to reduce greenhouse gas emissions could limit the losses. On the other hand, inaction could mean the losses occur sooner than we predict.” Understanding how invertebrate populations respond to climate change is key to understanding how biodiversity in high mountain regions may be affected, and the techniques developed in the study could be applied to other mountain environments.
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