Climate‐induced glacier and snow loss imperils alpine stream insects. (16th December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Giersch, J. Joseph; Hotaling, Scott; Kovach, Ryan P.; Jones, Leslie A.; Muhlfeld, Clint C.
• Is Part Of: Global change biology. Volume 23:Number 7(2017)
• Page Start: 2577
• Page End: 2589
• Publication Date: 2016-12-16
• Subjects: alpine ecosystems -- conservation biology -- Endangered Species Act -- global change -- Lednia -- macroinvertebrates -- Plecoptera -- stoneflies -- Zapada; Climatic changes -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Troposphere -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Biodiversity conservation -- Periodicals; Eutrophication -- Periodicals; 551.5
• DOI: 10.1111/gcb.13565
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1354-1013

Abstract

Abstract: Climate warming is causing rapid loss of glaciers and snowpack in mountainous regions worldwide. These changes are predicted to negatively impact the habitats of many range‐restricted species, particularly endemic, mountaintop species dependent on the unique thermal and hydrologic conditions found only in glacier‐fed and snow melt‐driven alpine streams. Although progress has been made, existing understanding of the status, distribution, and ecology of alpine aquatic species, particularly in North America, is lacking, thereby hindering conservation and management programs. Two aquatic insects – the meltwater stonefly ( Lednia tumana ) and the glacier stonefly ( Zapada glacier ) – were recently proposed for listing under the U.S. Endangered Species Act due to climate‐change‐induced habitat loss. Using a large dataset (272 streams, 482 total sites) with high‐resolution climate and habitat information, we describe the distribution, status, and key environmental features that limit L. tumana and Z. glacier across the northern Rocky Mountains. Lednia tumana was detected in 113 streams (175 sites) within Glacier National Park (GNP) and surrounding areas. The probability of L. tumana occurrence increased with cold stream temperatures and close proximity to glaciers and permanent snowfields. Similarly, densities of L. tumana declined with increasing distance from stream source. Zapada glacier was only detected in 10 streams (24 sites), six in GNP and four in mountain ranges up to ~600 km southwest. Our results show that both L. tumana and Z. glacier inhabit an extremely narrow distribution, restricted to short sections of cold, alpine streams often below glaciers predicted to disappear over the next two decades. Climate warming‐induced glacier and snow loss clearly imperils the persistence of L. tumana and Z. glacier throughout their ranges, highlighting the role of mountaintop aquatic invertebrates as sentinels of climate change in mid‐latitude regions. Abstract : Climate change is causing the loss of glaciers and snowfields worldwide, leading to major changes in alpine stream ecosystems. Using a large dataset with high‐resolution climate and habitat information, we describe the distribution, status, and key environmental features that limit the distributions of two rare alpine insects, the meltwater and western glacier stoneflies, which were recently recommended for listing under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Our results clearly link the loss of alpine glaciers and snowfields to the fate of both species, providing a rare direct connection between climate‐induced habitat change and mountaintop biodiversity.