We show that for 1200 years (755-1934 C.E.), Lake Geneva ecological status was strongly resilient to climate variability, despite an amplitude of thermal changes that were similar to those observed during the 20th and 21th centuries. Over the last 80 years, the amount of ecological changes attributable to climate fluctuations has significantly increased. Local human impacts, responsible for the 1960s eutrophication, have made this large aquatic system vulnerable to climatic fluctuations, despite the adaptation of management practices that took place as soon as the 1970s. In a world where all ecosystems are responding to climate change, the urge to reduce local human impact is compelling, as it appears as a major resilience disruptor.

Another side of the Anthropocene: Humans increased ecosystem vulmerability to climate variability

Marchetto A;
2017

Abstract

We show that for 1200 years (755-1934 C.E.), Lake Geneva ecological status was strongly resilient to climate variability, despite an amplitude of thermal changes that were similar to those observed during the 20th and 21th centuries. Over the last 80 years, the amount of ecological changes attributable to climate fluctuations has significantly increased. Local human impacts, responsible for the 1960s eutrophication, have made this large aquatic system vulnerable to climatic fluctuations, despite the adaptation of management practices that took place as soon as the 1970s. In a world where all ecosystems are responding to climate change, the urge to reduce local human impact is compelling, as it appears as a major resilience disruptor.
2017
Istituto di Ricerca Sulle Acque - IRSA
Istituto di Ricerca sugli Ecosistemi Terrestri - IRET
Ecosystems; Vulnerability; Climate change; Lake Geneva; Human activities; Lake ecological response
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14243/374917
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