Impact of Climate Warming on the Biodiversity of Freshwater Ecosystems of Kashmir, India

Global warming is predicted to take place faster than at any time earlier. Coupled with other factors, such as anthropogenic disturbance-changes in land use of the catchment, biogeochemical processes, damage to the biota of freshwater, discharge of hospital waste, agriculture and sewage in fresh water lakes of Kashmir viz., the Dal and Anchar lake are also going to be affected by these factors. The continued conversion of water area of these into land would also result in the extinction of species at a rate even greater than they disappeared earlier. Limnological investigation was carried out in both the lakes of Kashmir at eight sampling stations under different environmental conditions for a period of two years. The investigation aim was to assess the impact of all forms of anthropogenic activities. To estimate the effect of climate change on species a comparison in the range of water temperatures, rainfall and other climate-related parameters with the earlier studies in which a species exists was made. In general, those species with restricted climatic envelopes, small populations and limited ability to migrate are most likely to suffer were taken into consideration in the face of rapid climate change.

Since both the lakes are fed by perennial water source, magnitude and timing of river flow and lake levels and water renewal times has also been studied. It was recorded that warmer temperature has affected migrations of some phytoplankton and zooplankton species within the lake regions. The interaction between climate and over exploitation like habitat destruction, introduction of non-native species, and pollution to destroy native freshwater species has also shown results. Some aquatic communities have been seen to be restricted to some regions as the result of changes to competition. Decreased water renewal has increased eutrophication and enhanced many biogeochemical processes.