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Impacts of Climate Change on Lake Ecosystems
Climate change can negatively impact the aquatic ecosystems of Ontario lakes. It has the ability to radically alter the physical structure of our Canadian aquatic ecosystems.
Climate change can cause extinction or alterations to the aquatic biota of the Ontario lakes. Fish are very sensitive to small temperatures changes. This means that the cold water species like walleye and trout found in our local lakes, can be driven to extinction for the reason that their thermal tolerance is exceeded. The high temperatures in the Great Lakes and inland lakes can result in fewer cold water species in Ontario. The warm water temperatures can modify resident species migration behaviours and patterns. You can expect the aquatic communities to be dominated by warm water species of fish. In addition, invasive species may also ne dominant in lakes. Due to the changes on lake ecosystems, invasive species (ex Sea Lamprey and Zebra mussels), are enticed by these new favorable conditions. Changes in the water quality, water levels, and ice covering can also impact the type and number of fish. Intense spring flows are able to wash away eggs laid in the stream beds, resulting in declining fish populations.
The changes in both light and nutrient ability, and additionally climate change impact species and the diversity at primary producer levels (autotrophs). The role of primary producers is to keep the ecosystem running or operating. The autotrophs provide energy for the animals or consumers in the ecosystem. Without the autotrophs, the ecosystem would collapse. The impaction at the primary producer level affects the higher trophic levels within the ecosystem.
