limnological research of mountain lakes in Central Europe

Detecting environmental change –
limnological research of mountain lakes
in Central Europe
Jaroslav Vrba, Jan Fott, Zuzana Hořická,
Jiří Kopáček, Linda Nedbalová,
Veronika Sacherová & Evžen Stuchlík
Vrba et al.: Detecting environmental change – limnological research of mountain lakes in Central Europe.
Mountain Protected Areas in a Changing World, Špindlerův Mlýn, May 21–24, 2013.
Jizerské Hory Mts
Karkonozse Mts
[Riesengebirge]
Giant Mts
Long-term effects of
atmospheric deposition
of sulphur and nitrogen
Tatra Mts
Bohemian Forest
[Böhmerwald/Šumava]
Vrba et al.: Detecting environmental change – limnological research of mountain lakes in Central Europe.
Mountain Protected Areas in a Changing World, Špindlerův Mlýn, May 21–24, 2013.
Bohemian Forest
Jizerské Hory &
Karkonosze Mts
Tatra Mts
8 glacial lakes
2 glacial lakes (KPN)
53/102 glacial lakes
(918–1087 m a.s.l.)
(1183–1225 m a.s.l.)
(1311–2157 m a.s.l.)
3 reservoirs (JH)
(733–775 m a.s.l.)
Vrba et al.: Detecting environmental change – limnological research of mountain lakes in Central Europe.
Mountain Protected Areas in a Changing World, Špindlerův Mlýn, May 21–24, 2013.
Bohemian Forest
Jizerské Hory &
Karkonosze Mts
Tatra Mts
8 glacial lakes
2 glacial lakes (KPN)
53/102 glacial lakes
(918–1087 m a.s.l.)
(1183–1225 m a.s.l.)
(1311–2157 m a.s.l.)
crystalline bedrock
(quartzite, mica-schist,
gneiss, granite)
crystalline bedrock
(granite)
heterogeneous bedrock
(granite, gneiss, micaschist, limestone)
forested catchments
(Norway spruce & beech)
subalpine catchments
(dwarf-pine shrubs &
meadows)
3 reservoirs (JH)
(733–775 m a.s.l.)
alpine catchments
(meadows & rocks),
subalpine catchments
(dwarf-pine shrubs…),
forested catchments
(Norway spruce)
crystalline bedrock
(granite)
forested catchments
(Norway spruce or
extensive clear cuts)
1981 ————›
1991
Vrba et al.: Detecting environmental change – limnological research of mountain lakes in Central Europe.
Mountain Protected Areas in a Changing World, Špindlerův Mlýn, May 21–24, 2013.
Bohemian Forest
Jizerské Hory &
Karkonosze Mts
Tatra Mts
non-intervention regime
non-intervention regime
non-intervention regime
Národní park Šumava
Karkonoski Park Narodowy
Tatranský národný park
Nationalpark Bayerischer Wald
Krkonošský národní park
Tatrzański Park Narodowy
reforestation & liming
(Jizerka & Souš reservoir)
1991 ————› 2001
Vrba et al.: Detecting environmental change – limnological research of mountain lakes in Central Europe.
Mountain Protected Areas in a Changing World, Špindlerův Mlýn, May 21–24, 2013.
Bohemian Forest
non-intervention regime
Jizerské Hory &
Karkonosze Mts
non-intervention regime
Tatra Mts
non-intervention regime
reforestation & liming
(Jizerka & Souš reservoir)
1991 ————› 2001
Vrba et al.: Detecting environmental change – limnological research of mountain lakes in Central Europe.
Mountain Protected Areas in a Changing World, Špindlerův Mlýn, May 21–24, 2013.
Bohemian Forest
Jizerské Hory &
Karkonosze Mts
Tatra Mts
Similar regional trends in S a N depositions peaked in the 1980s
high deposition
high deposition
moderate deposition
(~165/60 mmol S m–2 yr–1,
(wet S: ~160 mmol m–2 yr–1,
(bulk S: ~50 mmol m–2 yr–1,
wet N: ~110 mmol m–2 yr–1)
bulk N: ~80 mmol m–2 yr–1)
~160/110 mmol N m–2 yr–1)
Vrba et al.: Detecting environmental change – limnological research of mountain lakes in Central Europe.
Mountain Protected Areas in a Changing World, Špindlerův Mlýn, May 21–24, 2013.
Bohemian Forest
Jizerské Hory &
Karkonosze Mts
Tatra Mts
Different regional responses of the lake ecosystems
high deposition
high deposition
moderate deposition
extreme Al concentrations
(>1 mg L–1)
high Al concentrations
low to moderate Al
concn. (<0.3 mg L–1)
dominance of microbial
food webs
extinction of fish
low species diversity of
invertebrates (rotifers,
Crustacea, insects)
extinction of fish
reduced species diversity
of invertebrates (rotifers,
Crustacea, insects)
JH reservoirs:
Ceriodaphnia quadrangula
extinction of zooplankton
in acidified lakes (pH<6)
reduced species diversity
of invertebrates (rotifers,
Crustacea, insects)
Prášilské Lake (pH~4.5):
Daphnia cf. longispina &
Cyclops abyssorum
Vrba et al.: Detecting environmental change – limnological research of mountain lakes in Central Europe.
Mountain Protected Areas in a Changing World, Špindlerův Mlýn, May 21–24, 2013.
Bohemian Forest
3 MAGIC lakes
Jizerské Hory &
Karkonosze Mts
2 MAGIC lakes
Tatra Mts
30 MAGIC lakes
Vrba et al.: Detecting environmental change – limnological research of mountain lakes in Central Europe.
Mountain Protected Areas in a Changing World, Špindlerův Mlýn, May 21–24, 2013.
Bohemian Forest
3 MAGIC lakes
Jizerské Hory &
Karkonosze Mts
2 MAGIC lakes
Tatra Mts
30 MAGIC lakes
Vrba et al.: Detecting environmental change – limnological research of mountain lakes in Central Europe.
Mountain Protected Areas in a Changing World, Špindlerův Mlýn, May 21–24, 2013.
Bohemian Forest
Jizerské Hory &
Karkonosze Mts
Tatra Mts
A hysteresis (5–10 years) in recovery of lake water chemistry
Vrba et al.: Detecting environmental change – limnological research of mountain lakes in Central Europe.
Mountain Protected Areas in a Changing World, Špindlerův Mlýn, May 21–24, 2013.
Bohemian Forest
Jizerské Hory &
Karkonosze Mts
Tatra Mts
Biological recovery has been lagged for another decade or more
increase in phytoplankton
biomass
increase in abundance of
acidotolerant rotifers
WS: Daphnia pulex
MS: brown trout
& new circum-neutral species
JH reservoirs:
common occurrence of
Ceriodaphnia quadrangula
changes (increase) in
phytoplankton diversity
return of insect species
(mayflies, stoneflies,
caddisflies, aquatic bugs)
zooplankton recovery
(rotifers & Cladocera)
no fish
& new species (warming?)
zooplankton recovery in
some acidified lakes
VW: Cyclops abyssorum,
Arctodiaptomus alpinus
SP (strongly acidified):
Ceriodaphnia quadrangula
return of insect species,
recovery of chironomids
brook trout
Vrba et al.: Detecting environmental change – limnological research of mountain lakes in Central Europe.
Mountain Protected Areas in a Changing World, Špindlerův Mlýn, May 21–24, 2013.
Conclusions?
(take home message)
Vrba et al.: Detecting environmental change – limnological research of mountain lakes in Central Europe.
Mountain Protected Areas in a Changing World, Špindlerův Mlýn, May 21–24, 2013.
Conclusions?
(take home message)
Limnological research of mountain lakes in Central Europe
should (will) go on
for detecting environmental change,
such as decline in atmospheric deposition or global warming!
Vrba et al.: Detecting environmental change – limnological research of mountain lakes in Central Europe.
Mountain Protected Areas in a Changing World, Špindlerův Mlýn, May 21–24, 2013.
Thank you for attention!
Vrba et al.: Detecting environmental change – limnological research of mountain lakes in Central Europe.
Mountain Protected Areas in a Changing World, Špindlerův Mlýn, May 21–24, 2013.