Small changes in climate can profoundly alter the dynamics and ecosystem services of tropical crater lakes.
African tropical lakes provide vital ecosystem services including food and water to some of the fastest growing human populations, yet they are among the most understudied ecosystems in the world. The consequences of climate change and other stressors on the tropical lakes of Africa have been informed by long-term analyses, but these studies have largely focused on the massive Great Rift Valley lakes. Our objective was to evaluate how recent climate change has altered the functioning and services of smaller tropical lakes, which are far more abundant on the landscape. Based on a paired analysis of 20 years of high-resolution water column data and a paleolimnological record from a small crater lake in western Uganda, we present evidence that even a modest warming of the air (∼0.9°C increase over 20 years) and changes in the timing and intensity of rainfall can have significant consequences on the dynamics of this common tropical lake type. For example, we observed a significant nonlinear increase (R(2) adj  = 0.23, e.d.f. = 7, p<0.0001) in thermal stability over the past 20 years. This resulted in the expansion of anoxic waters and consequent deterioration of fish habitat and appears to have abated primary production; processes that may impair ecosystem services for a vulnerable human population. This study on a system representative of small tropical crater lakes highlights the far-reaching effects of global climatic change on tropical waters. Increased research efforts into tropical aquatic ecosystem health and the development of sound management practices are necessary in order to strengthen adaptive capabilities in tropical regions.
Department of Biology, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
Émilie
É
Saulnier-Talbot
Department of Biology, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
Irene
I
Gregory-Eaves
Department of Biology, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
Kyle G
KG
Simpson
Department of Biological Sciences, School of Biosciences, College of Natural Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
Jackson
J
Efitre
Department of Biology, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
Tobias E
TE
Nowlan
Department of Biology, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
Zofia E
ZE
Taranu
Department of Biology, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
Lauren J
LJ
Chapman
D000818:Animals; D018533:Biomass; D058448:Biota / Q000502:physiology; D057231:Climate Change; D017753:Ecosystem; D005618:Fresh Water / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D005843:Geography; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D060106:Lakes; D007856:Lead Radioisotopes / Q000032:analysis; D058086:Microalgae / Q000254:growth & development; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism; D011157:Population Dynamics; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors; D014329:Tropical Climate; D014454:Uganda; D019207:beta Carotene / Q000378:metabolism
D007856:Lead Radioisotopes; D019207:beta Carotene; D010100:Oxygen