Global observatory network for freshwater biodiversity in high mountain streams
High mountain streams are expected to show significant future modifications on freshwater biodiversity (e.g. loss of vulnerable species) due to climate change. Therefore, there is an urgent need to know current freshwater biodiversity patterns, to assess species vulnerability to climate change, and to identify potential refuge areas to halt biodiversity loss. The GLOBIOS Project aims at (1) characterizing genetic, taxonomic and functional biodiversity of aquatic invertebrates in high mountain streams in the Andes (Peru), Talamanca (Costa Rica), the Pyrenees (Spain) and the Alps (Austria), (2) identifying potentially vulnerable species, (3) predicting changes in distribution patterns of vulnerable species due to climate change, and (4) identifying current and future priority areas to be protected to halt genetic, taxonomic and functional biodiversity loss. The target freshwater organisms will be Chironomidae (Diptera) and Trichoptera, considered to be highly sensitive to temperature and flow regime patterns, and very abundant and diverse in high mountain streams. Main deliverables of the project include an atlas of global genetic, taxonomic and functional biodiversity for vulnerable species in high mountain regions, an online database of critical temperature thresholds and biological and ecological traits of species in high mountain streams, maps of genetic, taxonomic and functional biodiversity under future climate change scenarios, current and future maps of areas to be protected using systematic planning tools, and a dissemination strategy of the main results. The GLOBIOS Project will set the foundations of a global observatory network to halt freshwater biodiversity loss in high mountain streams.
High mountain streams are expected to show significant future modifications on freshwater biodiversity (e.g. loss of vulnerable species) due to climate change. Therefore, there is an urgent need to know current freshwater biodiversity patterns, to assess species vulnerability to climate change, and to identify potential refuge areas to halt biodiversity loss. The GLOBIOS Project aims at (1) characterizing genetic, taxonomic and functional biodiversity of aquatic invertebrates in high mountain streams in the Andes (Peru), Talamanca (Costa Rica), the Pyrenees (Spain) and the Alps (Austria), (2) identifying potentially vulnerable species, (3) predicting changes in distribution patterns of vulnerable species due to climate change, and (4) identifying current and future priority areas to be protected to halt genetic, taxonomic and functional biodiversity loss. The target freshwater organisms will be Chironomidae (Diptera) and Trichoptera, considered to be highly sensitive to temperature and flow regime patterns, and very abundant and diverse in high mountain streams. Main deliverables of the project include an atlas of global genetic, taxonomic and functional biodiversity for vulnerable species in high mountain regions, an online database of critical temperature thresholds and biological and ecological traits of species in high mountain streams, maps of genetic, taxonomic and functional biodiversity under future climate change scenarios, current and future maps of areas to be protected using systematic planning tools, and a dissemination strategy of the main results. The GLOBIOS Project will set the foundations of a global observatory network to halt freshwater biodiversity loss in high mountain streams.