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Ecological responses to experimental glacier-runoff reduction in alpine rivers

Author

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  • Sophie Cauvy-Fraunié

    (Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), UMR EGCE, IRD-247 CNRS-UP Sud-9191
    Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Escuela de Ciencias Biológicas
    IRSTEA, UR MALY)

  • Patricio Andino

    (Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Escuela de Ciencias Biológicas)

  • Rodrigo Espinosa

    (Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Escuela de Ciencias Biológicas)

  • Roger Calvez

    (Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), UMR G-EAU)

  • Dean Jacobsen

    (Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Escuela de Ciencias Biológicas
    Freshwater Biological Laboratory, University of Copenhagen)

  • Olivier Dangles

    (Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), UMR EGCE, IRD-247 CNRS-UP Sud-9191
    Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Escuela de Ciencias Biológicas)

Abstract

Glacier retreat is a worldwide phenomenon with important consequences for the hydrological cycle and downstream ecosystem structure and functioning. To determine the effects of glacier retreat on aquatic communities, we conducted a 4-year flow manipulation in a tropical glacier-fed stream. Compared with an adjacent reference stream, meltwater flow reduction induces significant changes in benthic fauna community composition in less than 2 weeks. Also, both algal and herbivore biomass significantly increase in the manipulated stream as a response to flow reduction. After the flow reduction ceased, the system requires 14–16 months to return to its pre-perturbation state. These results are supported by a multi-stream survey of sites varying in glacial influence, showing an abrupt increase in algal and herbivore biomass below 11% glacier cover in the catchment. This study shows that flow reduction strongly affects glacier-fed stream biota, prefiguring profound ecological effects of ongoing glacier retreat on aquatic systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Sophie Cauvy-Fraunié & Patricio Andino & Rodrigo Espinosa & Roger Calvez & Dean Jacobsen & Olivier Dangles, 2016. "Ecological responses to experimental glacier-runoff reduction in alpine rivers," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 7(1), pages 1-7, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:7:y:2016:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms12025
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms12025
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