Climate change decreases aquatic ecosystem productivity of Lake Tanganyika, Africa

Catherine M. O'Reilly (), Simone R. Alin, Pierre-Denis Plisnier, Andrew S. Cohen and Brent A. McKee
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Catherine M. O'Reilly: University of Arizona
Simone R. Alin: University of Arizona
Pierre-Denis Plisnier: Royal Museum for Central Africa
Andrew S. Cohen: University of Arizona
Brent A. McKee: Tulane University

Nature, 2003, vol. 424, issue 6950, 766-768

Abstract: Abstract Although the effects of climate warming on the chemical and physical properties of lakes have been documented1, biotic and ecosystem-scale responses to climate change have been only estimated or predicted by manipulations and models1. Here we present evidence that climate warming is diminishing productivity in Lake Tanganyika, East Africa. This lake has historically supported a highly productive pelagic fishery that currently provides 25–40% of the animal protein supply for the populations of the surrounding countries2. In parallel with regional warming patterns since the beginning of the twentieth century, a rise in surface-water temperature has increased the stability of the water column. A regional decrease in wind velocity has contributed to reduced mixing, decreasing deep-water nutrient upwelling and entrainment into surface waters. Carbon isotope records in sediment cores suggest that primary productivity may have decreased by about 20%, implying a roughly 30% decrease in fish yields. Our study provides evidence that the impact of regional effects of global climate change on aquatic ecosystem functions and services can be larger than that of local anthropogenic activity or overfishing.

Date: 2003
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DOI: 10.1038/nature01833

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