Threats of global warming to the world’s freshwater fishes

Valerio Barbarossa (), Joyce Bosmans, Niko Wanders, Henry King, Marc F. P. Bierkens, Mark A. J. Huijbregts and Aafke M. Schipper
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Valerio Barbarossa: Radboud University
Joyce Bosmans: Radboud University
Niko Wanders: Utrecht University
Henry King: Unilever R&D, Safety and Environmental Assurance Centre
Marc F. P. Bierkens: Utrecht University
Mark A. J. Huijbregts: Radboud University
Aafke M. Schipper: Radboud University

Nature Communications, 2021, vol. 12, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: Abstract Climate change poses a significant threat to global biodiversity, but freshwater fishes have been largely ignored in climate change assessments. Here, we assess threats of future flow and water temperature extremes to ~11,500 riverine fish species. In a 3.2 °C warmer world (no further emission cuts after current governments’ pledges for 2030), 36% of the species have over half of their present-day geographic range exposed to climatic extremes beyond current levels. Threats are largest in tropical and sub-arid regions and increases in maximum water temperature are more threatening than changes in flow extremes. In comparison, 9% of the species are projected to have more than half of their present-day geographic range threatened in a 2 °C warmer world, which further reduces to 4% of the species if warming is limited to 1.5 °C. Our results highlight the need to intensify (inter)national commitments to limit global warming if freshwater biodiversity is to be safeguarded.

Date: 2021
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-21655-w

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