Impacts of climate change on the aquatic flora of Lagunas Verdes, Chiles Volcano, Ecuador
Jácome, Esteban Terneus | Vallejo, Berenice | Mateo Gómez de la Torre
We evaluated the impact of climate change on the structure and floral composition of the aquatic plants occurring in five Andean lakes (3900 m a. s. l.) at the foot of the Chiles Volcano. We obtained field information using transects and depth quadrants to evaluate richness and cover vegetation patterns, whereas physical chemistry of water was evaluated using electronic measuring equipment in situ. Part of the information from the same lakes 17 years ago was used as a basis for comparison. Were recorded fifteen species of aquatic plants, with evidence of a reduction in the populations of Isoetes sp., Crassula venezuelensis and Elatine ecuadoriensis. Apparently, Lilaeopsis schaffneriana and Juncus stipulatus were replaced by Lachemilla nivalis and a Poaceae of the genus Agrostis as a colonizer. The abiotic characteristics of the lakes show changing trends in pH and conductivity of the waters, turning them more neutral than acidic. This leads to conditions that may allow for the establishment of species other than those of historical records, increasing the general variety, implying the possibility that climate change effects are not necessarily negative in this situation. However, there is evidence of damage to the natural aquatic ecosystem, through the loss or replacement of hydrophilic for halophile plants. This potential transformation process of the natural environment jeopardizes the ecological functioning of the aquatic ecosystems in the area.
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