Abstract
Climate induced drought is a prominent threat to natural saline aquatic ecosystems by modifying their hydrology and salinity, which impacts the biodiversity of these ecosystems. Lake Nyamithi is a naturally saline lake in South Africa that experienced the effects of a two-year supra-seasonal drought (2015–2016). This study aimed to determine potential effects of the drought and accompanying increased salinity (between 9.8 and 11.5 g L−1) on aquatic invertebrate communities of Lake Nyamithi, and assess their potential recovery following the drought. Aquatic invertebrates and water were collected for biodiversity and chemical assessments during predrought conditions (2014), the peak of the drought (2016) and after the site had received water (2017). Taxon richness was considerably reduced during the peak of the drought as many biota could not tolerate the increased salinity. Ecological resilience and recovery was evident in the lake since numerous biota (re)colonized the lake promptly after the site received water and salinity decreased (<8 g L−1). By the end of 2017, invertebrate biodiversity exceeded that of predrought conditions. Although some biota may be able to temporarily cope with extreme weather conditions, frequent or prolonged periods of drought and increased salinity pose a threat to naturally saline lakes such as Nyamithi and dilution with fresh water is vital for the persistence of species diversity and ecological integrity.
Highlights
Saline lakes are found across the globe, in all climatic zones and continents, including Antarctica, most are confined to arid and semi-arid regions where evaporation exceeds precipitation [1]
These ecosystems represent approximately 44% of the total volume of all lakes on Earth, and include a variety of habitats from permanent salt lakes, including the Caspian Sea, to seasonal and episodically filled ecosystems such as the salt lakes and pans found in Australia and Southern Africa [1,2,3]
Saline lakes differ from marine waters based on the lack of any physical connection with marine environments, and a more pronounced fluctuation of salinity compared to the relatively stable salinity of marine ecosystems [1,4]
Summary
Saline lakes are found across the globe, in all climatic zones and continents, including Antarctica, most are confined to arid and semi-arid regions where evaporation exceeds precipitation [1]. These ecosystems represent approximately 44% of the total volume of all lakes on Earth, and include a variety of habitats from permanent salt lakes, including the Caspian Sea, to seasonal and episodically filled ecosystems such as the salt lakes and pans found in Australia and Southern Africa [1,2,3]. Saline lakes are able to accumulate and recycle nutrients far better than freshwater systems, producing large quantities of food for fishes and
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