Universität zu Köln

Lopez-Blanco, C., Tasevska, O., Kostoski, G., Wagner, B. and Wilke, T. (2020). Ancient civilizations already had an impact on cladoceran assemblages in Europe's oldest lake. Paleogeogr. Paleoclimatol. Paleoecol., 552. AMSTERDAM: ELSEVIER. ISSN 1872-616X

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Abstract

Lake Ohrid (Republic of North Macedonia) is the oldest and most biodiverse freshwater lake in Europe. While the lake has recently been under severe anthropogenic pressure, historical impacts are poorly studied. We used paleolimnological information, particularly from cladoceran assemblages, to describe the long-term anthropogenic impacts that the lake has experienced over the last 6650 years. Multivariate analyses of cladoceran abundances together with selected environmental indicators were used to distinguish natural from human impacts and to track the direction and causes of observed changes. In addition, morphological analyses of planktonic Bosmina allowed us to assess the effects of fisheries and aquaculture on cladoceran phenotypic plasticity. Our findings reveal that the lake has been regularly exposed to anthropogenic impacts during the last millennia, including habitat deterioration, shifts in the food web and species introductions. Before 2400 cal yr BP, cladocerans showed the highest diversity values, and the relatively larger size of Bosmina longirostris indicated limited zooplanktivory. Since 2400 cal yr BP, coinciding with the foundation of the town of Ohrid and elevated erosion and deforestation, there has been a progressive loss of littoral taxa. Since 1700 cal yr BP, fish introductions have increased, inducing morphological changes in Bosmina, which resulted in a significant decrease in body size and antennule length and an increase in mucro and antennule angle. We also show that the present-day cladoceran community differs from the prehistoric community due to the invasion of Diaphanosoma. Overall, our results highlight the sensitivity of this unique ecosystem to human alterations, which began before the Anthropocene.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID ORCID Put Code Lopez-Blanco, C. UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Tasevska, O. UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Kostoski, G. UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Wagner, B. UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Wilke, T. UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED
URN:	urn:nbn:de:hbz:38-323266
DOI:	10.1016/j.palaeo.2020.109734
Journal or Publication Title:	Paleogeogr. Paleoclimatol. Paleoecol.
Volume:	552
Date:	2020
Publisher:	ELSEVIER
Place of Publication:	AMSTERDAM
ISSN:	1872-616X
Language:	English
Faculty:	Unspecified
Divisions:	Unspecified
Subjects:	no entry
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Keywords Language GLACIAL-INTERGLACIAL CYCLE; FRESH-WATER BIODIVERSITY; DEL TEJO SPAIN; OHRID MACEDONIA; ENVIRONMENTAL-CHANGE; MULTIPLE STRESSORS; HOLOCENE CLIMATE; DIATOM RESPONSE; ANTENNULE SHAPE; RECORD Multiple languages Geography, Physical; Geosciences, Multidisciplinary; Paleontology Multiple languages
URI:	http://kups.ub.uni-koeln.de/id/eprint/32326