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Climate Change and the European Water Dimension - Agri ...

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<strong>Climate</strong> <strong>Change</strong><br />

<strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

<strong>European</strong> <strong>Water</strong> <strong>Dimension</strong><br />

Chapter IV.B. The Impact of <strong>Climate</strong><br />

<strong>Change</strong> on Lakes in Europe<br />

Key Points<br />

• Response of lakes to climate forcing is most coherent for<br />

physical parameters: <strong>the</strong>re is a high probability for earlier<br />

ice-out, increase of lake temperatures, <strong>and</strong> stronger <strong>the</strong>rmal<br />

stratification in a warmer future.<br />

• Anticipated changes in <strong>the</strong> chemical regime of lakes (e.g.<br />

accelerated eutrophication, increase in water colour, <strong>and</strong><br />

decrease in oxygen availability) are less coherent <strong>and</strong><br />

depend strongly on lake type <strong>and</strong> local conditions.<br />

• Because of complex interactions, biological changes<br />

induced by climate change are inherently unpredictable.<br />

Small variations in climate can have dramatic effects on<br />

biota, especially in extreme habitats where many species,<br />

living at <strong>the</strong> limit of <strong>the</strong>ir capabilities, will perish<br />

• Lakes in <strong>the</strong> arctic, sub arctic, <strong>and</strong> alpine regions are<br />

particularly sensitive to climate change. At <strong>the</strong> same time,<br />

<strong>the</strong>se are <strong>the</strong> areas where <strong>the</strong> highest <strong>and</strong> most rapid<br />

temperature increase is expected.<br />

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