High-Mountain Lakes, Indicators of Global Change: Ecological Characterization and Environmental Pressures

Paolo Pastorino,Marino Prearo

doi:10.3390/d12060260

Abstract

Though mountain lakes are generally much less influenced by human activities than other habitats, global and local anthropogenic threats can alter their natural condition. The most alarming threats are climate change, water exploitation and abstraction, alien species introduction, and the medium-long range atmospheric transport of contaminates. Moreover, tourism and mountain farming are two other major sources of organic pollutants that can pose a threat to local aquatic biodiversity. Papers submitted to this Special Issue should be original contributions, with a focus on ecological and morphological characterization, environmental pressures (i.e., alien species introduction, environmental contaminates), and the use of bioindicators/tracers to inform adequate management plans.

Highlights

High-mountain lakes are remote and extreme ecosystems subject to harsh climatic conditions.Due to the extreme winter temperatures, only alpine prairies or sparse vegetation can grow above the tree line [1]
The hydrochemistry of Alpine lakes is conditioned by the chemical composition of atmospheric deposition and by climate factors [8,9], making them early response indicators of climate change [10], atmospheric deposition, and air pollution [11]
Though they are generally much less influenced by human activities than other habitats, global and local anthropogenic threats to mountain lakes can alter their natural condition

Summary

Introduction

High-mountain lakes are remote and extreme ecosystems subject to harsh climatic conditions. The ice-free season lasts for a few months, generally from mid-June to late October During this brief period of ideal conditions, aquatic organisms can complete their life cycle before the snow covers the lakes again. The hydrochemistry of Alpine lakes is conditioned by the chemical composition of atmospheric deposition and by climate factors [8,9], making them early response indicators of climate change [10], atmospheric deposition, and air pollution [11]. Though they are generally much less influenced by human activities than other habitats, global and local anthropogenic threats to mountain lakes can alter their natural condition. Tourism and mountain farming are two other major sources of organic pollutants that can threaten local aquatic biodiversity [19]

Water Exploitation and Abstraction

Climate Change

Alien Species Introduction

Medium-Long Range Atmospheric Transport of Contaminates