Abstract
The consequences of climate change are becoming increasingly evident in the Tibetan Plateau, represented by glaciers retreating and lakes expanding, but the biological response to climate change by plateau–lake ecosystems is poorly known. In this study, we applied dendrochronology methods to develop a growth index chronology with otolith increment widths of Selincuo naked carp (Gymnocypris selincuoensis), which is an endemic species in Lake Selincuo (4530 m), and investigated the relationships between fish growth and climate variables (regional and global) in the last three decades. A correlation analysis and principle component regression analysis between regional climate factors and the growth index chronology indicated that the growth of G. selincuoensis was significantly and positively correlated with length of the growing season and temperature-related variables, particularly during the growing season. Most of global climate variables, which are relevant to the Asian monsoon and the midlatitude westerlies, such as El Nino Southern Oscillation Index, the Arctic Oscillation, North Atlantic Oscillation, and North America Pattern, showed negative but not significant correlations with the annual growth of Selincuo naked carp. This may have resulted from the high elevation of the Tibetan Plateau and the high mountains surrounding this area. In comparison, the Pacific Decade Oscillation (PDO) negatively affected the growth of G. selincuoensis. The reason maybe that enhancement of the PDO can lead to cold conditions in this area. Taken together, the results indicate that the Tibetan Plateau fish has been affected by global climate change, particularly during the growing season, and global climate change likely has important effects on productivity of aquatic ecosystems in this area.
Highlights
Climate change has become an important scientific and environmental issue worldwide
The Tibetan Plateau is sensitive to the effects of climate change and serves as a sentinel site to monitor global climate change (Liu and Chen 2000; Du et al 2004; Xu et al 2009)
Ecology and Evolution published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Summary
Climate change has become an important scientific and environmental issue worldwide. Climate change substantially affects a broad range of organisms at different levels of organization and threatens biodiversity of various geographical distributions (Carpenter et al 1992; Walther et al 2002; Watson 2003; Dawson et al 2011). The Tibetan Plateau is sensitive to the effects of climate change and serves as a sentinel site to monitor global climate change (Liu and Chen 2000; Du et al 2004; Xu et al 2009). This area is rich in water resources that supply water to >20% of the global population (Haeberli et al 1989; Immerzeel et al 2010; Ma et al 2011).
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